Page 37 of Sea and Sky
Rumbling jolted him from his reverie. Gavin dove to the ground, searching for something Kyler couldn’t see. Then something snapped and crunched. Gavin must have caught something to eat. Kyler couldn’t imagine how much fuel it took to be a dragon for so long.
They hung lower in the air. Occasionally, Gavin swooped to the ground and another snap and crunch would vibrate back to Kyler, but he mostly ignored it. He’d become at peace on the back of the dragon. The leather scent of the scales, the fleeting lemony smell of the trees. It was a lovely day with a scattering of clouds; he was happy. A smile grew on his face. It wasn’t swimming, but he found he enjoyed it, nonetheless.
“Young Kyler,” Ailey hollered from in front of him. He could hardly hear her. “I do hope we can become friends. I have no desire to have you as my enemy.”
Kyler didn’t know what to say to that. Damon slowed his pace until the dragons were much closer.
“I enjoy making friends,” Kyler called back, but he didn’t know if she heard him.
“We’ll talk later. Unless you’d like to ride double when we stop to rest?”
Gavin let out a warning rumble.
Ailey sighed. “Fine. I guess that’s a no. But…” she rose her voice. “You’re going to feel awfully foolish after we talk, Gavy.”
He growled.
“I don’t think he likes the nickname,” Kyler said.
“He never has.” Ailey huffed out a breath, and she crossed her arms. Just the thought of letting go of the saddle horn gave Kyler anxiety.
Hours rolled on, Kyler watched the sky and changing landscape, quickly growing bored. The sun moved its position so damned slow.
Prince Gavin groaned beneath him. Kyler rubbed his shoulder. His tiny hand wouldn’t do anything, but it made Kyler feel better.
They descended. Faster than Kyler would have liked. He gripped the saddle horn again after having slacked off in his comfort. A beach was in view. Then all Kyler saw was the vastness of the ocean.
He realized too late what Gavin had planned. As soon as he cleared the sandy beach, Gavin dove into the water. Kyler gasped in a breath of salt water by accident. Upon surfacing, he sputtered and coughed, trying to clear his lungs and keep a shift from rolling through him. Ailey couldn’t know he was mer.
The soak had cooled him, but now his leather clothing clung to him more and he groaned. He’d dry, but he’d be miserable until he was back in looser clothes. As soon as they made it to the ship, he was changing.
The dragons circled back around to the beach and landed. They’d rest for a bit, maybe nap. Kyler and Ailey could eat and chat. But the dragons wouldn’t shift, there wasn’t enough people to get the saddles back on if they did.
Kyler slid down from his perch and stretched his legs. Ailey did the same, though her earlier friendliness was gone. She paced the beach with a scowl on her face as she talked frantically to someone through a mage stone she held in her hand.
Mage stone. Ailey’s was clear quartz the size of her thumb that she had pinched between her fingers and held to her mouth. Kyler thought only mages could use them. It took a lot of concentration and magic to talk over vast distances. Vex had tried to teach him, but Kyler could never concentrate and talk at the same time. The communication always failed, hence the binding spell with the ability sewed right in.
Gavin settled into the sand and huffed out a breath that sent sand right into Kyler’s face. He blinked it out of his eyes and spit it from his mouth. He was just about to sass the prince for being so mean, but realized there was no way Gavin had seen Kyler before he’d done it. The dragon was too large, the snout too long.
“You’re forgiven,” Kyler mumbled. He supposed he could nap as well, but he was too hyped up on the adventure of it all.
Kyler had to strain to hear anything Ailey said to the person with the other mage stone.
“I told you—Langly I need—” She pinched the bridge of her nose as she shut her eyes. “Everything is fine. We’ll figure out a way. Thank you for the update. I appreciate your honesty.” Her shoulders sagged when she pocketed the mage stone. She stared out over the ocean, dragging deep breaths in as if to calm herself. “Now then.” Ailey clapped and turned to Kyler.
“Are you okay?” Kyler asked.
“Just a bit of unfortunate news back home.” Ailey gave him a tight smile. “Lets eat something. I’m hungry.”
Kyler couldn’t agree more. They spread out a blanket Ailey had packed and shared their rations. It wasn’t much, but Kyler appreciated the delicious rosemary bread Ailey shared, and she seemed to enjoy the cheese he brought.
“Please forgive me for not being talkative. I’m cross at the moment and don’t wish to take it out on you.”
“It’s fine.” Kyler nibbled on a strawberry tart Ailey had brought.
“It’s not. And please forgive me for my ridiculous outburst this morning. You’ll understand shortly.” She sighed. “I’m as frustrated as Gavin with all of this. Leander and I have tried for years to break the contract my father created, but he won’t budge.” She squeezed the roll in her hand, crushing it. “We don’tneedan eggborn in Avondra. Father needs to fix his priorities and stop trying to wage war with everyone these days.” She picked at the roll, but let most of it crumble to the sand, much to Kyler’s sadness.
Kyler kept his questions to himself, not wanting to risk offending her. He suspected Ailey was more than she appeared to be, but he kept his mouth shut. Knowledge was power for someone like him, and he supposed for someone like her, too.
