Page 56 of Sea and Sky
“That’s right. Keep going. You’re doing so good.”
Kyler hummed and wiggled at the praise. With his life less chaotic for a change, Kyler could relax and Gavin loved watching it happen.
Someone plopped on the deck in front of them, making Kyler lose his concentration.
“Can you teach me, too?”
“Aye, and me?”
Soon they had a group of five—a mix of wolf and raven shifters—that wanted to learn how to read. Kyler blinked up at Gavin.
“Your stories really made me think about my own life.” The wolf’s ears twitched. “I ain’t got a family, but at least I didn’t get a cursed life like you. Sorry for being an ass. I’m Mathis.”
“What do you say, Kyler?” Gavin kissed the top of his head. “Do we teach them?”
“Yes. But they don’t get my kisses.” Kyler snuggled into Gavin’s lap deeper while the group laughed.
Basil found them sticks of chalk and Gavin got to work teaching. This was what he loved. Sharing knowledge. Being with people that wanted to learn. That was why he wanted to be a Grand Mage to begin with. To help people.
Once he had his Grand Mage status, he could go to any academy and use their resources. He’d been blocked from too many, even being a prince of all people. But once he was a Grand Mage, he wouldn’t have to worry about any of that. Doors would open. And he couldn’t wait. He could taste victory, even if he still had to think of a proper sacrifice. What could he give up? He didn’t know.
Kyler and his other students began to yawn.
“Time for a break,” Gavin announced. He needed to check in with Leander to make sure everything was going fine back home. Maybe check in with Ailey to make sure she was doing okay.
His students stood unstable on their feet. Kyler looked up at him with such big eyes. “You’re a really good teacher.”
“And you’re a much better student than you give yourself credit for.” Gavin pulled him close. “Skies, you’re something else, Kyler.” When he pulled away, tears welled in Kyler’s eyes. “What’d I say?”
Kyler shook his head. “Nothing. I’m just… never mind.” He turned and shuffled away from him. The crew had stopped acting so rowdy towards him, and Gavin let him go on his own.
Gavin took his time back to his quarters.
Kyler’s laugh rang out over the ship and Gavin looked back to watch the man talk with Jon, a musician, and someone that kept the peace quite well. Gavin loved the sound and the way Kyler’s face lit when he was happy. Gavin had no idea how he’d end the play with both their hearts intact. Perhaps everything really was fake with Kyler, but for Gavin, not so much.
Gavin pressed his door open with a sigh. How was Kyler so easy to fall for?
Gavin sat at the desk and pulled out a fresh sheet of paper from the drawer. Leander never learned how to use a mage stone, so they corresponded via a mage box when needed. It wasn’t as secure as using a raven messenger, because the magic could be intercepted magically, but it wasn’t like they could use a messenger during the voyage, anyway.
He scratched out his note of how much longer they had before they reached the stone—three days if the weather held. The mage box was clear quartz the size of his hand. It sat heavily on the corner of the desk. He slid the drawer open and dropped his message inside. He didn’t like Kyler out of his sight, but the mer had made a few friends after all and Gavin refused to stifle him.
Gavin didn’t wish to wait for whatever message Leander might send back. He stood and stretched, but just as he was heading to the door, that Jessi woman slunk right in.
“Going someplace?” Her voice was smooth, not unpleasant.
“I was just going to go find Kyler again. My work here is done.”
“You know he’s playing you, right? He’s done this before to countless clueless men. He steals their hearts, then runs away.”
Gavin ground his teeth. “That’s not the Kyler I know.”
“The Kyler you know, is a lie. Kylerlikesbeing used. Hebegsfor it. Spreads his pretty legs for anyone that wants to try his tight little hole. The entire crew has fucked him. When he’s high as a kite, he doesn’t care. He just wants—”
“Stop.” That wasn’t Kyler. “What do you have against Kyler?”
Jessi shrugged. “Nothing really. We were friends for a time until I saw right through him. Don’t trust him. He’ll break your heart.” Jessi slid out as smoothly as she had entered.
Gavin slumped onto the bed. He knew he shouldn’t trust her.
