Page 57 of Sea and Sky
“That woman is a snake.” Ailey strode in and shut the door. “Don’t believe a word she says. Of all the people on board, she’s the one I trust the least.” Ailey settled into the lounge across from him. “How are you, dear? We’re getting close to the stone. You must be excited.”
“I’m…” Gavin didn’t know how he was. The information that he needed a sacrifice—because he believed that part of what Jessi had told him over the last few days—kept him up at night. “I thought it’d be a simple thing to grab the phoenix stone, but come to find out, I have to offer a sacrifice of something I can’t bear to live without.”
Ailey went pale. “Oh. That’s not pleasant.”
Understatement of the year. “No. And I can’t think of anything that would be worthy of the phoenix stone.”
“We could talk it through. You still have some time left.”
Before they could, the mage box glowed red, meaning something wasn’t right at home. Gavin rushed to retrieve the message.
Gavin,
His Majesty is… not well. No need to rush home, but you need to be aware of what you might be coming back to. Ambrose and I are working to remove His Majesty soon.
Leander
“Fuck.” Gavin scratched back a response. How could he be on a mission for himself if his home might be in danger?
“Gavin.” Ailey got his attention. “Take a breath. There’s nothing you can do from here. Leander could have it taken care of by the time we return.”
Gavin wrote out a new note thanking Leander and asking to be kept informed.
“I know you’re worried, but Leander has things covered and Ambrose is there. They make a good team.”
“And I’m always fucking left out,” Gavin grumbled.
“Because you want to be.” She squeezed his shoulder. “As much as you want your father to see you, you also want to be invisible as a royal.”
Gavin’s heart dropped to his feet. “Fuck.” How could she know him so well?
“You do your part on the fringes, learning how to help in your own way. But you’ve always wanted freedom from being a prince and being a mage gives you that. As well as being third in line.”
Gavin wasn’t sure truer words had ever been said about him.
“For what it’s worth, I think you and Kyler make a good pair. We’ve had several conversations. He’s very sweet despite his upbringing.”
“That he is.”
“The two of you should talk about how you’re feeling so you don’t break your own hearts. Oh, before I forget, the mages said we can expect a storm within a few hours. They’re shielding us, of course, but they said to be prepared.” Ailey squeezed Gavin’s shoulder before leaving him to his own thoughts.
Chapter 24
Thenauticalmageshadthe ship protected, but storms still terrified Kyler when he wasn’t preoccupied. Of course, he’d weathered plenty of storms, but right now, laying in bed on a rocky ship, his heart pounded painfully. His stomach rolled. How ridiculous a seasick mer.
“What about I tell you a story,” Gavin asked.
Damon sat at the table, so there wouldn’t be anyfunto distract Kyler this time.
“I think I’d like that.” Kyler settled against Gavin’s chest, soaking in the warmth and comfort.
“There once was a lonely prince.”
“Is this autobiographical?” Damon asked with a laugh.
“Shush, this is my story,” Kyler said, burrowing even further into Gavin’s hold.
Damon snorted and waved for Gavin to continue.
