Page 67 of Sea and Sky
From somewhere, someone banged and screamed to be released. Ailey.
Jessi’s eyes darted to the princess’s rooms. “It’s for the best she isn’t here.”
Gavin’s head spun. What was the right choice?
“Kyler don’t—”
But Kyler dove off the ship and took Gavin’s heart with him.
“No! Kyler!”
The merman didn’t look back. Gavin could only watch as Kyler climbed up the pirate ship and handed the giant of a man the phoenix stone.
“Jessi,” Vex’s voice boomed. “You’re released.”
Relief flooded the woman’s face, but it was fleeting. Her eyes fluttered back, and she dropped dead to the floor with a thump.
Gavin’s stomach tumbled. What would happen to Kyler? Gavin couldn’t just let him go. But it didn’t matter, the ship was out of sight before he could make it to the rails.
Chapter 30
“Youthoughtyou’dbeclever, didn’t you? You nearly succeeded too. Had you stayed within the magic, I never would have detected the spell had been compromised.” Vex paced his quarters.
Kyler was chained naked to the table bolted to the floor. He’d tried before to make the chains budge, but he’d always failed, resulting in bruised and bloodied hands. Now, now he’d tasted freedom, and he’d do whatever it took to take it back. Ailey had told him during one of their chats he couldn’t be bound by blood a second time if the first binding was removed. He just had to bide his time. Unfortunately, Vex had bound the hand with all of his fingers, so he couldn’t just shimmy the cuff off.
“You nearly destroyed all my plans.”
“And what were those?”
Vex laughed. “As if I’d tell you. No. I don’t think so.”
Was worth the try. “At least tell me what you’ll do with me.”
“Why? So you can form a new plan? Again, don’t think so.” Sweat dripped from Vex’s brow and Kyler realized something. The dragon was scared. Of what, Kyler had no idea.
“Why have you never sent me for the phoenix stone before?” Maybe the captain would tell him that at least.
Vex’s laugh vexed Kyler, and he scowled.
“You never had anything you were willing to sacrifice for before. Give you over to a prince, let you fall in love. That was enough, wasn’t it? A few days with someone that treated you more than a pet and you were hooked like the little worm you are. You gave up your freedom, and somehow instead you were freed from me.” Vex slammed his hand on the table, causing Kyler to jump.
Vex yanked Kyler to his feet. “Don’t think this changes things. You’re still my pet, boy.”
“But you can’t keep me like before. As soon as you—”
The slap rang through the room. Blood filled Kyler’s mouth and he spit in Vex’s face. A slap to the other cheek. The pain rang through him as he struggled to stay on his feet. He spit again, spraying the captain’s face.
“I suppose I’ll have to keep you chained to my bed, or give you a room of your own.”
He wouldnotbe used again. Not by Vex, not by the crew for their so-called rewards. “I’d rather not be shared anymore. I’d rather dedicate my holes to you.” The words spilled from his mouth. He had an idea, one he hoped would work, but the thought of what he’d have to do made his stomach twist.
Chapter 31
“Wehavetogoafter him!” Gavin’s voice echoed in the throne room. He wouldn’t give up on Kyler. “He sacrificed himself—twice—for me.” Gavin’s knees buckled and pain snaked up his legs from the drop. What had he done? He’d condemned Kyler for something so ridiculous as becoming a Grand Mage.
Gavin had wanted the status to prove to himself, to others, that he was worthy of the same things as Leander. As the firstborn. But Gavin realized His Majesty didn’t care. Gavin was third in line. What use to the king was he for anything other than alliances?
Ailey had started home as soon as they arrived back in Lane mere hours ago. She said she’d send him word on her plan, but his mind had been so fogged, he hadn’t paid attention to anything she’d said on the voyage back to Lane.
