Page 43 of Sea and Sky
Kyler sagged in Gavin’s hold before pulling away. “I think once things die down, everything will be okay. We have weeks of this. We have to act normal.”
Damon shut the door behind him. “Whatever it takes, Kyler. I’ll keep the three of you in my sights.”
In that moment, Kyler felt the safest he’d ever been in his life. Only, he didn’t know how long it’d last.
Chapter 19
Gavinwantedtoripapart everyone who had taunted Kyler. Damon had calmed him down in the time Ailey and Kyler talked. Kyler looked much calmer, though his eyes were red rimmed and his face puffy from crying. Gavin just wanted to hold him. Sure, the man was merfolk and Gavin was drawn to that, but Kyler was also a fascinating person and Gavin wanted to know him.
“Have a seat, if you will, everyone.” Ailey reached a hand out for Kyler and patted the spot next to her on the bed. Gavin kept his jealousy to himself.
Face stoic, Ailey folded her hands in her lap as Kyler settled next to her.
She looked around, meeting all of their eyes. “What I’m about to tell you is a secret. Something I’m only disclosing because I trust you. So please don’t make me regret this.”
They all nodded, and she continued. “My father’s mental state is rapidly declining. I don’t wish to inherit this impending war. If it should spark, I don’t want it to last long. But he’s whipped the people into a frenzy against Farerk. I need the two of you to keep doing this little game with the pair-bond, so I can continue to build alliances behind my father’s back. Everyone is so distracted by you two, no one is paying attention to me. Which is how I got to come on this little adventure with you in the first place.”
Gavin paced the small room. “You’re planning to usurp the throne?” Leander had thought to do that to His Majesty, but they didn’t know yet how strong of a backing he had with the rest of the nobility. They couldn’t risk it yet.
“Yes. And I needed to be out of Avondra to get everything in final order. So I staged an early arrival to my fiance’s realm as cover. Which I would havetoldyou had you had the decency to talk to me instead of ignoring me like a child. Had I thought you were clever enough to decode a message, I would have said as much in my letters, but you never seemed interested in actually communicating.”
Gavin’s face burned. She was right. He just knew he didn’t want to marry her and hadn’t wanted to from the beginning.
She continued, “You and Kyler are a better distraction than I could have come up with. And your Task, perfect. The drama of your so-called pair-bond being a pirate? I couldn’t have asked for anything better for people to latch on to gossip about. Anything to keep people from watching me too closely.”
“Kyler and Iarepair-bonded.” Gavin held out his hand and Kyler stood to press himself into Gavin’s chest. He smelled of fear and anxiety. How had Gavin not realized? He wanted to wrap Kyler up and keep him from ever feeling that way ever again.
“No. You aren’t. Did you know there is a literal bond of magic that connects pair-bonds? Those trained can see it.”
“And you’re trained?”
“I am.” Ailey stood and dusted her hand over Gavin’s shoulder where the fake mark was. When he lifted the shoulder of his shirt, the mark was gone. “How?”
“I’m a Grand Mage myself, but we keep it from the other realms so no one thinks to usemeastheirweapon.” She swiped her hand over his shoulder again, reapplying the magic. “What you needed to add was a fake connection bond to fool everyone.” Ailey waved her hands until violet fire erupted from her palms. “I can do that for you, but it’ll make you feel each other’s emotions intensely.”
A pang of jealousy struck Gavin in the gut. Not only had Ailey gotten the opportunity to train, but she achieved the Grand Mage status he sought.
“Grand Mages are so rare, no one else will be able to tell,” Gavin started. “I don’t want to put Kyler through that.” His emotions were a mess already, and they still had weeks on the ship.
“We should,” Kyler said. “Just in case.”
Gavin stepped back to look at Ailey, really look at her. She had to hide herself and scheme for her own freedom. “What happens when you and I don’t marry at the end of all this?”
“Nothing. I’ll be queen, and I don’t wish to jeopardize the alliance with an unnecessary marriage. Our countries have been friends for over thirty years without problems. The alliance will stay intact if you’re worried about that. Trade with Lane has been good for Avondra. We’re both thriving. No need to unite us more.”
“What if I actually wanted to be your warrior?”
“You don’t. You love Lane too much. And as much as you’re playing at lovers, I think you’re starting to have feelings for Kyler.”
Kyler blushed so prettily. She gave him a soft smile.
Damon laughed from where he stood against a wall. “You should have seen the way he pined for Kyler after the tavern. He whined about not seeing you again. It was sad and hilarious.”
Gavin kept an undignified sound from leaving his lips, but just barely. “I did not whine about it.”
Damon pressed the back of his hand to his forehead. “Oh, I wish I could see that Kyler again. He wassopretty.” Damon batted his lashes. “His eyes aresogorgeous I could get lost in them for hours.”
“Don’t make me sound like a lovesick child,” Gavin chided.
