Page 53 of Sea and Sky
“I think I do want you to teach me how to read. If the offer still stands.”
Gavin shifted his hold. “I’d love that.”
Kyler nodded. “Good. I don’t think I’m a very good student, though. So prepare yourself.”
The ship loomed in the distance and Kyler decided it was time to show off. He sprinted, using hand over hand to get there faster. Gavin clung to him, digging painfully into his ribs, but Kyler didn’t care.
When they reached the ship, they rang the bell Captain Basil had rigged for them to signal they were back. Kyler couldn’t leave the water without shifting, not unless he wanted to suffocate.
Basil’s head popped over the rails. “Ah! You’re back.”
“We need a bit of the sand,” Gavin said. “Can you send some down?”
“One moment.” Basil disappeared.
Some of the crew leaned over the rails to leer at Kyler. He wasn’t sure how to endear himself to them after what he’d done in the past. Kyler couldn’t just hide in Gavin’s quarters, either. He’d have to come up with something to smooth the way. But how?
Soon Basil was lowering himself in a rowboat with a small cup of sand.
“Hope this is enough.”
“Thank you.” Kyler took the cup and insisted Gavin climb into the boat with Basil.
From above, Damon tossed Gavin a silk robe. “Really, Gavin, you don’t need to show your cock to everyone.”
Gavin snorted. “Like he’s one to talk.” But he dressed.
Basil waved towards the cup in Kyler’s hand. “What are you waiting for?”
Gavin gasped and turned to Basil. “You’ve seen merfolk shift to human, haven’t you?”
“Aye. Not pretty though. I feel for them.”
“Sea folk like Kyler need sand.”
“Correct,” Basil agreed.
“But do they need to rub it all over? Or—”
Basil cocks a brow. “I—”
“I don’t know how to be mer properly.” Kyler gave Basil a rundown of his experience.
“Ah, so the predicament is, do you need to rub it into your tail? I’d say no. And I don’t think you need all that much sand either. My friends used to wear watertight pendants that held only a small amount of sand and they’d sprinkle it in their hands or hair. Usually they’d shift while they were still in the water to keep the clean up easy.”
Kyler couldn’t contain his excitement. He pinched a bit of sand from the cup and sprinkled it on his hair while willing his merform back.
The experience wasn’t any less painful, and he clung to the rowboat like it was a lifesaver. Once he’d expelled the seawater from his lungs, the two men pulled him into the rowboat. Damon dropped another robe to them and Kyler dressed before they reached their destination.
“Thank you, Basil,” Gavin said when Kyler couldn’t find his voice.
Kyler would have to find himself a watertight pendant when he was free. He could travel with much less sand now that he knew.
“We’re getting ready to eat. How about the two of you join us? Maybe share a few tales.” Basil looked right at Kyler. Maybe he was right. If Kyler shared—even just a tiny bit—maybe the crew would understand him better.
Basil led them to the main deck where Ailey herself was holding court with her own stories. Once Kyler and Gavin made an appearance, her audience shifted their focus, eyes full of anger. What could Kyler say?
The last person Kyler wanted to talk to sauntered up to them. Jessi’s short red hair was braided, her slightly pointed ears riddled with more silver and gold than before. Her shirt was more provocative than usual and he had to wonder what her game was.
