Page 60 of Sea and Sky
Kyler danced to Jon’s music. The great bear of a man knew how to have a good time and so did Kyler. Everyone had been in good spirits the last few days. Gavin and Kyler’s displays sufficiently annoyed the public Ailey, but privately, they all schemed.
“Join me.” Kyler grabbed Gavin’s hands and pulled him into one of his dances.
Gavin didn’t know the steps to this one, but he thought Kyler made it up, anyway.
Gavin loved the way Kyler seemed to be so free. He almost will be. “We’re almost there. Basil said if they used speed spells, we could be there in mere hours.”
“Will he use the spells?” Kyler asked, his dance slowed.
“I asked him to. He’s having the mages get them ready.”
Kyler nodded. “Then we should celebrate.” He pulled Gavin into another dance. His elegant arm went around Gavin’s waist.
“Where did you learn to dance so beautifully?”
Kyler blushed as he did with every compliment. “You don’t want to know.”
The comment made Gavin’s stomach sour. “Does every one of your many talents have a sad story attached?”
Kyler shrugged and pulled him closer. “I wish I could lie and tell you no. That there was a skill I had that I had a choice in honing, but it’d be a lie.” He lifted his hand and passed over the note that had been tucked in Gavin’s back pocket. “Pick-pocketing, so I can survive. Vex sends me to shore to steal from the rich. I’m the best thief on the ship and he can’t be content with just shipwrecked treasure that onlyIcan reach. No, he has to have land fortunes too.”
Gavin hated seeing the change in the man.
“Sucking cock? Again survival. Had I not learned how to please, I was threatened with…” Kyler shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. Worse came even when I learned.”
“Kyler,” Gavin whispered.
“Dancing. I’m good at that and I actually enjoy it. I was taught to seduce kings, Gavin. You’re just a prince, and my charms have already snared you.” Kyler released him and stepped away. “I’m not a good person. Don’t pity me.”
“I don’t pity you.” Gavin took his hand and spun him towards him again. “You’re strong, Kyler. I’ll do whatever it takes to free you.”
Kyler’s snort was condescending if there ever was a sound. He lifted his hand with the spell that bound him to the pirate captain. “Blood magic. You’ve seen it. I don’t know why I ever thought he’d free me. The ritual to end the binding will kill us both.”
“You’ve talked to Ailey about it.”
“Yes. You had no knowledge of blood magic and she does, I’ll bet a little, but more than—”
“I didn’t want to scare you.”
“I’m a pirate and do scary shit daily. I could have handled this.” That time, when Kyler stepped away, Gavin let him.
The bosun whistle blared loud catching everyone’s attention.
“Brace yourself. The speed spells will start momentarily and we’ll be at the site of the phoenix stone shortly.”
They hadn’t used speed spells since they wore out the magic user, but with four nautical mages onboard, there was no worry about exhaustion for such a short distance.
Gavin thought he should apologize for upsetting Kyler. He really hadn’t meant to keep the knowledge to himself, but didn’t want to upset Kyler. The man disappeared from the main deck. Perhaps that meant he’d retired to their quarters.
Chapter 26
Kylerhitthemattress.He wasn’t upset with Gavin, just upset with his whole fucking life. But still, there was that tiny nugget of hope. Even if freedom lasted a moment, he’d take it. Dreamed about it. He slumped onto the bed and hugged a pillow to his chest. Gavin was so patient with him, and sweet. Kyler wanted to see him thrive and be the Grand Mage he dreamed of. Gavin deserved it, and Kyler knew he’d bring such good in the world from the knowledge he could unlock.
The door snicked open and for a fleeting moment, Kyler thought it was Gavin, but Jessi slid in.
“What doyouwant?” he mumbled as he turned his back towards her. Not the brightest move on his part, but if she wanted to be unbound, he needed to be alive. He trusted her self-preservation enough.
“Did poor widdle Kyler hurt his own feelings?”
