The Naiad's Lover

Immortal Bonds #2

by Isabel Murray

A year ago, Erik Arnesson left his life as a merchant in the great city of Hallevalt and moved to a small cabin in the far north of the kingdom. There, instead of a quiet and solitary retirement, he found everything he thought he’d lost forever—peace, happiness, and enduring love.

In the year that he’s spent with his naiad lover, Erik has coaxed the powerful immortal into trying out many new things. Above all, Erik has taught Sayan how to love.

As spring turns to summer, Sayan decides to do some teaching of his own. Only he isn’t trying to introduce Erik to intimacy, small comforts, and tender embraces. He wants to teach him how to swim. In a freezing northern lake.

The problem is, a wild naiad born with the power over water isn’t the best instructor for a human who is terrified of drowning.

Fortunately for Erik, a young friend is more than happy to step in and take over.

Unfortunately for Sayan, that young friend is handsome, he dares to have a crush on Erik, and Sayan has one more lesson to learn.

Love was easy. Now, he has to learn how to trust.



The Naiad’s Lover is a low-angst fantasy romance novella about a patient human and a highly strung immortal who just wants to share his beloved lake. It’s set a year after the events of The Naiad’s Gift , book one in the Immortal Bonds series, and features the same couple.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, M M Romance

87 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2025

About the author

Isabel is a writer, a reader, and a lover of love. She couldn’t stick to a subgenre if her life depended on it, but MM romance is her jam. She lives in the UK, reads way too much, and cannot be trusted anywhere near chocolate.


Website: https://isabelmurrayauthor.com

Other links: https://isabelmurray.carrd.co

Reviews

[Courtney Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quietly beautiful (again)

I loved the first book in this series, and this is a wonderful continuation where we get to see Erik attempt to learn to swim (and some hilarity ensues), but also, the progression of their relationship, both in and out of bed. I was perfectly satisfied by the ending of the first book, yet it’s great to get to see them and how their relationship is holding up over time. I’m not sure this author is capable of writing something I don’t love, so I’m hardly unbiased, but fans of the first book should definitely enjoy this. ❤️

[Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Another cute novella for Erik and Sayan. I adore them.

I hope the author will write either a book or novella for Ral. Maybe him and a dryad. Seems like it could be set up for it. I’d love to read it.

[amanda rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love them

Novella. So so sweet. I absolutely love these two. There's this vulnerability, and earnestness. There's still the (medical?) condition with one of the characters, and again it's written with sensitivity and a sort of grace. It's there, and it's not in their way. The mythical creature is godlike in ways & an ingenu in others. This story could have been longer, or the author could keep coming back to this pairing again and again and I would be happy.

[Brown One Gem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving, Amusing and Tender

So enchanting to revisit this couple. Makes me want to re-read the first book again. I enjoyed the insight into the established relationship as they worked through some compromises for each other. S3xy bits were a bit steamy, a bit sweet. I certainly hope we get to see more of this couple down the road, perhaps in a book for the nephew, he seemed an engaging fella.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabel was at it again with these two. Erik and Sayan have had my heart since their first book. In this story Sayan is insisting that Erik learns to swim so they can enjoy his lake together. Erik reluctantly agrees but falls in reinforcements. In comes Ral who clearly likes Erik a little too much and Sayan must show him that Erik is his. It’s silly, light hearted and in the end, Erik and Sayan know their love is eternal (or at least while Erik is alive). Sweet, quick read.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not quite as good as the first book of this series but was worth the read.

Sayan and Erik are still adorable and devoted to each other. I still love them. And Eriks condition is still the same, which has made for an interesting and unexpected take on a romance story. I think that detail is what makes me like this so much - it’s different!

This is short and quick. It’s cute - I enjoyed it.

[tysephine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, cute story continuing Sayan and Erik's relationship. I think it's rare that we get glimpses into romance characters' lives after the end of their book, unless there is a series with an overarching plot. But this book is a short anecdote about the characters learning to trust each other, each in different ways. Lovely.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, but I wish there had been a bit more of a reason for it to exist beyond a glimpse of them later on. Sayan wants Erik to swim with him, but he can't figure out how to teach him, so someone from town helps out. Felt like it could have been longer/more involved, but I did have a good time. (I also liked that Erik's ED didn't magically go away.)

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a real joy to return to the beautiful fantasy world Isabel Murray created in the first story, The Naiad's Gift, to get another glimpse into Eric and Sayan's ongoing romance.

There are deft touches of humour as naiad Sayan attempts to teach his human lover how to swim and I really enjoyed the development of both characters as they learned over life lessons into how to negotiate a relationship along the way. I adore the primal untamed yet somehow vulnerable force of nature that is Sayan and lovely, wise middle-aged man Eric, who still can't quite believe what he has snagged. Their love story is warm and tender, enhanced by the fantasy rural lakeside setting that is so perfectly depicted. Gorgeous storytelling!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely short story that extends the Immortal Bonds world. Ostensibly set as a tale of Erik receiving swimming lessons to be able to swim in the lake with Sayan, it is also an account of the deepening and deeply loving relationship between the two men. Rarely will you read a story of such a profound connection between two lovers. Just beautiful!

[Dekaydreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous shortie! Perhaps a little too short? Nah, but I'm always greedy for anything from this author. A delectable sweetie of a tale, with a bit of romp and plenty of steam. I do so love Isabel Murray's stories; I could wish she wrote more, but I'd rather quality than quantity any day.

[veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

these books are so freaking fun. sweet, sexy and hilarious at the same time, they are right up my alley. i love erik and sayan, they are just so perfect for each other. and i can’t stop giggling over how jealous and dramatic sayan is, a real menace lol! i’m obsessed.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 - shorter. Interesting continuation of their story.

[Dani B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short novella to add to the story

[T. Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cheesy cover does not do this super sweet short story justice.

[Lucsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing more of these two as a couple. Sayan was such a good boy by not drowning anyone; he deserves some treats.

[jasmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really sweet. Erik and Sayan are so damn cute.

[Rissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny follow-up to see where Sayan and Erik are...Ral was great, maybe he needs a HEA? :)

[isthisakink · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5. Fucking cute. A quick, silly—uhh, maybe fun sounds less asshole-ish here?—short to accompany the main title, perfectly suited to both the story and the couple.

[Mel D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this author