Page 48 of Sea and Sky
Ailey’s cheek smarted as if he slapped her for real. He guessed that was a sore spot for her. A crowd gathered to watch their altercation.
“Yes, well, you don’t know how to keep your promises.” Ailey looked to Kyler. “I hope you know he’s broken several promises to me. He’ll break whatever promise he’s made with you. Why would he stay with someone that can’t possibly—”
Kyler stepped forward. “I seem to be the most useful person on this ship right now.I’mthe only one that can retrieve the phoenix stone. AndI’mthe one satisfying Gavin’s needs. What areyoudoing, princess?” He lifted a hand and smoothed a hair behind her ear.
Ailey’s face flushed. “Howdareyou touch me? And how dare you talk to me like that!” Instead of saying anything more, she fisted her hands and stomped away.
Gavin couldn’t wipe the smile from his face if he tried. Their little play acting had drawn everyone around them. No doubt someone would report back to His Majesty. They just needed to create drama for the trip, then their grand return.
“Come, Kyler.” Gavin held out his hand. There was much to explore today, and he was eager to get started. They would practice the mer kiss and Gavin didn’t know if he should be giddy or terrified.
Kyler wore only the cotton shirt from the night before. Gavin wore only trousers. Hand in hand, they strolled up to the rails. The crew gawked as Kyler climbed, then jumped. Shouts went out all around as people rushed to watch him shift. As if to prove he was in fact merfolk, he flashed his beautiful tail before beckoning for Gavin to join him.
Suddenly, Gavin wasn’t so sure. He wasn’t a strong swimmer. Why would he be? He was a dragon. Dragons had no need to know how to swim. But he trusted Kyler to keep him fromtrulydrowning.
“You’ll catch up with us?” Captain Basil said behind him.
“Kyler can track the sounds of the ship underwater. We’ll catch up.”
Basil nodded. “Do you need a rowboat?”
“I think we’ll be fine.”
“Enjoy yourself.” Basil chuckled. “I’m jealous. Haven’t seen merfolk in decades so I’m glad to see one now. You probably don’t remember them, but they used to surface quite often. I had several merfolk friends in my youth.”
Gavin nodded. “I would have liked to know one growing up, but I’m glad to have the love of one now.” He climbed the railing, grabbed his nose, and jumped.
He flailed when the waves ripped him further down that he realized he’d go, but Kyler was pulling him to the surface in no time.
Gavin sputtered and coughed, not sure about how he felt about letting himself drown for the sake of testing an ability Kyler didn’t know how to use.
“Easy. Easy.” Kyler’s voice was so strange as mer. It echoed. He held Gavin above the water so effortlessly. “I think you should do your examinations before we try the kiss. That way, you’re not disoriented when you want to learn things.”
“Good idea.”
“So, what do you want to know?” Kyler gave him a big grin.
“I probably know more about merfolk than you do.”
Kyler tilted his head. “I suppose you do. So why not tell me all about me, then?”
“Or we can share what we each know and debunk what’s wrong.”
“I like the way you think. Where should we start?”
Gavin had thought of this. “Can I have an anatomy lesson?”
Kyler’s grin lit his whole face. “You just want to know where my cock goes when I have a tail.”
“Actually,” Gavin started, “I know where your cock goes. You’re like a dolphin or a whale. It comes out of a sheath when you’re aroused.”
“Want to test the theory?”
Did he ever. But… “Let’s work our way there.”
Kyler let out a huff. “Okay, where do you want to start?”
Gavin lifted a hand and brushed the side of Kyler’s face. There was a slight shimmer to his skin in merform. And just the faintest hint of scales. “These scales protect you from the sun, yes?”
