A Letter to the Luminous Deep (The Sunken Archive, #1)

by Sylvie Cathrall

I can hardly count the number of times I have tried to convince you that occasional conversation with a kindred spirit can cure most ills.

“discovery is the greatest pleasure one can experience”.

understand how a lively mind can be as much of a burden as it is a gift.

I felt rather out of my depth, as you proved as charming as you appear on the page, and your presence (and mellifluous reading voice!) made every minute of what would have otherwise been a very poor evening rather splendid. From the bottom of my heart: thank you.

The sounds that humans create while assembled in great numbers, Sophy, are absolutely abominable.

While he read, the arms of our chairs just barely touched, and this intimacy gave me a feeling of affection unlike any I have ever experienced.

. Have I truly spent so little time around people that I forgot how much can be communicated with a glance?

For my sake, dear readers – if you live in a place that experiences even the smallest amount of biodiversity, go outside or get on the water and admire all the different creatures and plants with whom you share your space! And give my best regards to all birds and shore-flowers – I miss them the most in the Abyss.

Instead, let me be honest, and share my ardent hope that you, sir, will refrain in the future from making plans to travel into the inaccessible oceans just when I am growing so fond of you! It is incredibly inconvenient. Yours, E.

In my estimation, I am wholly and inescapably in love with a woman whom I have met only once. What a charming surprise!