Page 33 of Sea and Sky
Gavin could only nod. Of course, Vex didn’t suck cock. He’d made Kyler do it. “I’m sorry.”
Kyler gave him a sad smile. “Don’t be. It doesn’t seem real, anyway. I’d been drugged out of my mind at the time. Didn’t care what happened to me. I sucked those cocks like my life depended on it. Vex still beat me afterwards, though. Ihadtwisted my ankle after falling off the table. I don’t think he’d ever tried dancing while strung up on… I don’t even know what he gave me. It was an experiment to see how I’d react.”
The words stunned Gavin into silence. What could one say to that revelation? It made him want to murder Captain Vex slowly and painfully. What else had the man done to Kyler?
Before Gavin could speak again, Kyler kissed him over and over. “Don’t think about it. I try not to.”
“How do you take that story and turn it into a fairytale?” He tipped Kyler’s chin to make him look at him. “Happy ending with a prince, even.”
“I happen to have a prince at my disposal right now.”
“Kyler.” Gavin offered him another spoonful.
Keeping his eyes on the wall behind them, Kyler swallowed the food down. He wouldn’t talk any more. Gavin shouldn’t have asked for the real story. “Are all your stories like this?”
Kyler wouldn’t look at him.
No wonder he’d agreed so easily to Gavin’s ridiculous schemes. It got him away from the captain.
“You never have to go back. I’ll find a place for you here when we’re done.”
Kyler’s bitter laugh startled him. “You don’t understand.I can’t.”
“You don’t have to stay where you’re abused. You—”
“I’m stuck. There’s no way out. Not… yet.” He sighed and pressed his face into Gavin’s chest.
Kyler rejected the next bite Gavin offered.
“You can’t go hungry.” He offered again, and Kyler took it.
Then he pushed away and stood. “I don’t need much food. I’ll be in your bedchambers.” Without another word, he turned. With light steps, he left.
Gavin’s heart threatened to break for a man he hardly knew.
Chapter 14
Morninglightspilledintothe hallway. Jewels embedded in the windows scattered colors along the opposite walls. Kyler had witnessed nothing like it before, and the view helped calm his annoyance as he waited for Gavin to finish preparing himself for the day’s flight they had ahead of them.
After breakfast, Kyler had gone to the bedchambers and promptly fell asleep on the freshly made bed. He’d been so mentally exhausted after sharing his story. He still wasn’t sure how long he slept before Gavin woke him, but it was still incredibly early. Servants had brought in clothes appropriate for dragon riding. Kyler changed, then Gavin sent him out into the hallway.
Now Kyler had the view of the gardens and was left with his thoughts. He’d shared too much at breakfast. But the prince felt safe. Kylerwantedto share with him. He shouldn’t have.
Gavin was entirely too nice about it all. It was why Kyler couldn’t bring himself to play behind closed doors. He couldn’t give the prince the wrong impression. They’d never be an option for the other, not in real life. And Kyler wouldn’t break his own heart by falling in love, something he could easily see himself doing.
But he was desperate for the favors Gavin promised at the end of this charade. If the prince wanted to fuck him over the banquet table, he’d happily let him.
Kyler’s thoughts whirled. Why had he told Gavinthatstory? Why didn’t he just lie?
Kyler was raised as a pirate. He had no qualms about lying.Mostof the time. Perhaps the pendant Gavin wore also made people tell the truth.
Kyler was more than ready to leave for the adventure. The ship had set sail the night before to give it a head start and to allow Gavin one last night in a comfortable bed. Soon, Kyler, Damon, and Gavin would fly out to meet the ship. Dragons could fly for long periods of time, but a week or more—depending on the weather—was entirely too long to go without rest. Eggborns like Gavin could potentially be stuck in their dragons if they stay shifted for that long.
Kyler wore proper dragon riding clothes. Calf-height boots, skin tight leather trousers, and a leather coat that went past his waist and had big brass buttons. Despite the hot clothing, he was glad to be started before the sun rose much higher. He was sure to melt as soon as he put on the gloves. Clutching them in hand, he avoided wearing them until absolutely necessary.
He had to admit, when he saw himself in the mirror, he cut a pretty image. The leather hugged his long limbs gracefully. But also suffocatingly. If he had to shift, there was no way the pants would come off easily. The thought gave Kyler anxiety.
The sun wouldn’t burn his skin, but he wasn’t sure roasting alive in leather was any better. He brought his braid around and ran his hand along the length. The whole riding business made him nervous. He didn’t even know how to ride a horse, let alone a dragon.
