Page 66 of Sea and Sky
“Come, love.” To the crowd he said, “We’ll allow you to look at it once we’ve gotten through the storm, but not before.”
Kyler followed. “I thought I was gone for a couple of hours, not days.”
“I know time can be tricky with magic.” But Gavin hadn’t realized the phoenix stone would warp time so thoroughly. “You need rest.”
Kyler yawned as they stepped through the door to their room. “I do. It was so strange. Like magic itself swam in the sea with me. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to stay forever or be out of it as quickly as possible.”
“I would have liked to have experienced it myself.”
“The sea would have crushed you. The stone was so deep.”
“Deep?” Gavin would have sworn the stone was supposed to be in shallower water. Water he would have been able to tolerate.
“It was in a cave deep below. I don’t think you would have survived it.”
The news made his heart sink. “I hadn’t realized. Thank you for saving me from my own stupidity.”
“You’re not stupid.” Kyler took Gavin’s hand and placed the phoenix stone in his palm. “You’re patient. And kind. Gentle.” Kyler blinked back tears. “I’m… I’m free.” The words came out so softly Gavin wasn’t sure he’d even heard him. “I sacrificed my freedom, and instead of taking it, they gave it to me.” He lifted the hand that had held the binding spell, but when he activated it, nothing happened. “Free.”
Gavin dropped the stone on the bed and wrapped his arms around Kyler. His merman collapsed against him, sobbing. Tears pricked at Gavin’s eyes. Kyler was free.
“I have a future, Gavin. A real one. Not just a dream.”
Gavin held him close and stroked a hand down his back. “What do you plan to do with it?” Pick me. Stay with me. Gavin wanted to beg, but kept his mouth shut. “You can start right now if you want. I won’t make you go back to the palace. I can—”
Kyler, with tear tracks running down his cheeks, lifted his face and pressed his lips to Gavin’s.
“I want…” Another kiss to Gavin’s lips. “To stay.” Kiss. “With you.” Kiss. “Follow your adventures across the realm. Be with you.” Kyler released Gavin and dropped his eyes to the floor as he stepped back. “If you’ll have me.”
Gavin’s heart soared as if he were free-falling in his dragon form. He tipped Kyler’s chin to look him in the eye. “I want that more than anything.”
A sob laugh escaped Kyler’s lips. “You don’t hate me?”
“Never.” Gavin closed the gap between them and pulled Kyler in again to plant a kiss on his lips.
Kyler deepened the kiss, sighing as he did. Relaxing. Gavin held them both up. But their joy was short-lived. The ship shifted beneath them, causing them to lose their footing. They tumbled in a heap to the floor.
“Attention!” a deep voice bellowed out, no doubt enhanced by magic.
Kyler’s eyes grew wide. “No. No! Vex.”
Gavin’s stomach plummeted.
“Give me the little merman and the phoenix stone and I’ll let the lot of you live.”
Kyler shook. He squeezed his eyes shut. His breathing came harshly.
“He doesn’t own you any more, Kyler. We can—”
“You don’t understand.” Kyler grabbed the stone from the bed and dashed from the room.
Gavin raced after him, but he was too slow. The crowd parted for Kyler but kept Gavin from him.
“You promise not to hurt anyone? To not destroy the ship once I’m in your custody again?” Kyler yelled from the main deck.
“No!” Gavin couldn’t let Kyler sacrifice himself. Not when he was finally free.
Jessi stepped in front of Gavin. “Let him go. Otherwise Vex will destroy us all.” Her eyes burned with fear. “One man, for many. Make the right choice.”
