Page 16 of Buoy
Soren’s heart sped up. “What do you mean?”
Kane burped and waved it from his face with a frown. He leaned in. “When you’re finally old enough to tap into the magic Vex really wants, he’ll let me have what I want.”
“You’re not making sense.” Soren tried again to push past, but it was no use.
“You don’t know, do you? Ha!” Kane slapped his thigh. “It’ll probably be soon. It’s the whole reason he lets you see that dragon boy without interfering.”
Soren stumbled back. Vex knew about Rhys?Kaneknew about Rhys.
“Vex thinks your friendship will help speed things along.” Kane stopped to laugh. It sounded like a raven’s caw. “Pretty little mers have a certain magic to them when they mature. You’ll be able to make people fall in love… pardon me. Fall in lust. With just a look. Your very presence will drive people mad with desire. Vex wants to use—”
“Kane.” Captain Vex’s shadow darkened the hallway and Kane turned with a curse.
“He knows now, Vex. I told him everything.”
“Get out.”
Kane grumbled, but did as told, leaving Soren with Vex.
Soren’s mind couldn’t wrap around the fact that Vex hadn’t denied what Kane had said.
Vex waved to Soren. “Head out. Be back by dark.”
“Is he telling the truth?”
“We’re not discussing it now. If you want to enjoy the day with your friend, you’ll leave now.”
“Please. Tell me.”
Vex wrapped Soren’s braid in his hand, yanking him forward. Soren yelped, falling to his knees with a thump. “I have many uses for you, child. And since I bought you, you’re mine to do with as I please. Understand?” Vex growled. “You’re treated well, aren’t you?”
Soren nodded.
“Then you’ll do as I say. Now, since you have been good, you have until dark to do as you wish at the dock with your friend. Questions?”
“I need to swim soon.” Soren’s voice came out a whisper.
Vex released him. “Noted. Go.”
Soren skittered past, his heart pounding. He thought Vex had genuinely cared for him, but it had always been Soren’s potential. Whatever it was his mer magic could do. Not to mention Soren frequently brought up treasure from old shipwrecks. He was useful as mer just because he could swim in deep waters. Why did mer magic matter to Vex?
He didn’t understand what Kane was talking about. Soren would be able to… make people mad with desire? He shivered. How would that be possible when Soren had none of his own? None beyond perhaps kissing a certain dragonshifter. And even at that, he wasn’t entirely sure. Not if it led to other things.
Soren fisted his hands. He thought Vex was good. Laughing at his foolishness, Soren crossed the deck.
If Rhys was here, he wasn’t visible from where Soren stood. His heart sank.Please don’t let us have missed each other.The past year had been harder than all the previous ones combined. And what he had just learned made everything worse. But also made everything make sense.
Things were changing in not only the collective realms, but also those not connected. Work was easier to come by, for pirate and thief alike. They were rich beyond their wildest dreams. But something had changed. Vex was different. He still protected Soren from Kane, but there was a harshness that hadn’t been there before.
Soren walked the gangplank to the dock below and headed towards the shops. With the magic that kept him tied to the dock, it wasn’t like he could go to any of them, but walking did him good. He didn’t get very far when a familiar figure stepped onto the dock in front of him. Familiar, but different. It melted away all his fears.
He laughed at his own relief at seeing Rhys again and cursed himself for making that embarrassing trilling noise. “Your horns grew in.” They were lovely. A pleasing brown gray that went back from Rhys’ temples and curved up softly. Soren couldn’t help himself, and he reached to touch one, needing to stand on his tiptoes. The horn was rough. He dragged a thumb across until Rhys made a strangled sound deep in his throat. Soren pulled away. Rhys was much pinker than he was before.
They both took a step back. Soren swallowed.Do I apologize? Did I do something wrong?
Rhys scrubbed the back of his neck. “You’re much taller than you have been. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in trousers.”
“Finally grew into them. Kinda.”
