Page 54 of Sea and Sky
“How was the swim, boys?” Jessi asked.
Kyler glared, and she gave him a smile before focusing on Gavin.
“Kyler and I go way back,” she started, which caught the attention of others.
“Not really, less than a handful of years.”
“True, but it feels like a lifetime, doesn’t it?” She clamped a hand on Kyler’s shoulder and brought him closer to whisper, “We need to talk. Meet me tonight after your dragon goes to sleep.”
Gavin’s huge arm went around Kyler’s waist. “Kyler didn’t say he had a friend on board.” The prince grinned, obviously not reading the situation correctly.
“Acquaintance,” Kyler said stiffly.
“You wound me. I thought we were close. You saved me from drowning a few years back. I owe you—”
“You owe me nothing.” He didn’t know what game she was playing at, but he didn’t want to be a part of it. “I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t taunt me the entire journey.”
“Oh, you know me. We’ll be friends again in no time.”
“If you say so,” Kyler mumbled. But he didn’t believe it. There was nothing Jessi could do or say that would make him trust her again. But he had to know what she wanted to tell him in private, even if it was a dumb idea.
After their swimming adventure, food, and another few rounds in bed, Kyler had thoroughly exhausted Gavin. The prince slept soundly and Kyler slipped out of his hold with great reluctance. He’d rather stay with Gavin than speak privately with Jessi, but Jessi had promised it’d be worth his time. He walked on tiptoes and shut the door gently.
“Where are you off to?” Damon asked.
“Just need to stretch my legs. Can’t sleep.”
Damon cocked a brow. “You can’t sleep? After…” He waved his hand around. “All that?”
Kyler had to wonder how far their sounds had reached. “I can still probably go another few rounds before I’m wrung out.” He gave the guard a smile. How would he keep Damon from following? But did he need privacy with Jessi? “Will Gavin be okay alone?”
“He’s not the one I’m worried about with this rowdy group. You are. And Gavin told me to keep my eyes on you. I won’t let you out of my sight if Gavin’s not with you.”
Kyler nodded, resigned to the fact he had a shadow. “Thank you, but…” How did he put this? “You might not think highly of me after tonight.”
Damon shook his head. “You’ve done what you had to.”
Kyler snorted. “Not always. Sometimes I do things that are unnecessary to my survival just because I want to.”
Damon took it in stride. “Don’t we all?”
Kyler led the way, hoping to find Jessi sooner rather than later. Luckily, she was waiting for him. She took him to the hold below, then behind barrels of supplies, and hopped on top of one.
“Sit.”
“I’d rather stand,” Kyler said.
“Fine. Fine.” Jessi rolled her eyes. “And you can come out from hiding Damon, I know you’re there.”
Damon followed directions, keeping his hand on his sword. Jessi rolled her eyes. “I just want to explain myself.”
“Why? You made itveryclear the last time we were together you would use me to get what you wanted. I’m guessing that you did.”
“Aye. Yes. That. Of course, I used my information you stupidly gave up. That’s why Vex beat you so badly before he let you go for shore leave.”
A strangled noise came from Damon, and Kyler ignored it.
“Thanks.”
