Page 23 of Sea and Sky
“You’re not.” Gavin grabbed his hand, pulling him close. “Let me teach you. As a thank you for going along with my crazy scheme.”
“You’re already paying me in favors.”
“I still want to get to know you, Kyler.” Gavin ran his thumb over Kyler’s knuckles. So gentle. “I want to help if I can.”
Kyler pulled his hand from Gavin’s grip. “People in authority never help anyone but themselves.” Not that Kyler had any room to talk. But for him, selfishness kept him alive.
Gavin’s top lip twitched. But he seemed to stifle a laugh rather than a growl.
This was a job. Neither of them could get attached. So Kyler let harsher words fall from his lips. “Other than your books and research, have you wandered the realm? Do you know how people suffer? Or are you too caught up in fucking whores to look around? Lane is crumbling under His Majesty and the lot of you just let it happen.” Kyler shook. He couldn’t believe he’d just said that.
Before Gavin said anything, a door clicked loudly. They both looked up to see another man walk into the library. He wore a regal, deep violet silk jacket. Cream-colored breeches graced long legs. Leather boots went to his calves, showcasing thick thighs. His hair hung in a sheet of black down his back as he walked across the room and sat in one of the empty lounges. He looked so much like Gavin, right down to the silver horns. This had to be Prince Leander. Surely this wasn’t His Majesty.
“Those are treasonous words.” He lifted a graceful finger and crooked it at Kyler. “If not the truth.” His voice was smooth, not as deep as Gavin’s, but just as wonderful to Kyler’s ears. Fucking dragon shifters.
“Leave him alone, Leander.” Gavin practically growled.
When Kyler hesitated, Leander added. “I won’t bite.” He directed his next words to Gavin. “I’d like to see what else he has to say, dear brother. He’s a pretty one.”
“I’m Kyler. Gavin and I have known each other for a while.”
“Have you now?” Leander lifted a brow as he patted the seat of the lounge.
Not seeing a way out, Kyler sat next to him. Leander radiated warmth as much as Gavin did. Warmth, Kyler gravitated toward. It felt so nice. But was this who was in the library earlier? Had Leander heard his conversation with Captain Vex?
“Why are you here, Leander?” Gavin asked in a tone much less friendly than he’d been with Ambrose.
“I fund your research. You’re supposed to be my eyes and ears. And you haven’t reported in some time.”
“I was going to come to you after dinner.” Gavin gripped his knees. “Kyler, love, come sit with me.”
Kyler pushed to his feet. He’d gotten into too much trouble today for his tastes. All he wanted was to find some place to lie down and sleep. But to get his prize from Prince Gavin, he had to play a part. Until the end. Until he got the phoenix stone. Until the princess ended the arranged engagement. He could push her to the action. He knew it.
Gavin sulked until Kyler sank into his lap and wrapped his arms around his neck. Gavin smelled like apples again. And vanilla. And something woodsy Kyler couldn’t place, but enjoyed.
Leander leaned toward them and dropped his voice. “What news do you have?”
Kyler couldn’t help the chuckle. “You don’t even know me and you trust I won’t tell anyone whatever it is you’re about to talk about?”
Leander smiled. He nodded at Gavin and gave him a knowing look.
“Damon wears a cuff I spelled,” Gavin started. “If you had intentions to harm me or the royal family, you wouldn’t be here right now. We’d never be together.”
Kyler only intended to win his prizes. In and out. He simply nodded and, to play his part, he said, “I love you. I’d never cause you harm.”
“I know.” Gavin kissed the top of Kyler’s head, then threaded their fingers together. “I couldn’t get anything from the pixies. They don’t know anything. His Majesty sent me away before I could research pixie dust for our endeavor.” Gavin sighed. “The centaurs lend us their backing, but only if we allow one of their scholars to join the council. I told them yes as long as they drop the feud with His Majesty.”
“Good. Good. And—”
“That’s all I could do before His Majesty recalled me home. I won’t be able to do much if I can’t get out of the marriage. I’ll be fucked.” Gavin rubbed Kyler’s back. Kyler wondered if it was to comfort himself, or reassure Kyler for whatever reason. Kyler was glad someone was finally doing something for the people of Lane.
“We’ll all be fucked. We need you here in the end in case father makes a move.”
“I know.”
“You need to take out the pirates.” Kyler couldn’t help injecting himself into the conversation. “Especially Captain Vex, now that Reynolds is out of the way.” If Kyler could get rid of Captain Vex before the end of the summer, it’d save a lot of people. “He tried to destroy my uncle’s ship, but we were faster.” Sea stars, why was he sealing his own fate?
Leander put his head in his hands. “We—Ican’t touch Vex. His Majesty made a deal with him.”
