Page 68 of Sea and Sky
Gavin was a fool.
“I will not be spending any more resources on this ridiculous endeavor. You failed your Task and—”
“Fuck my Task. I just need Kyler.” Gavin searched his mind for a way to get His Majesty to come to his way of thinking. “He’s—” NO! Gavin couldn’t tell His Majesty that Kyler was merfolk. What was he thinking? He wasn’t.
“Fine. I’ll go alone.” Once Gavin had made the decision, he was free.Hewould save Kyler. Somehow. He’d search the seas for the ship and…
He ripped his clothes off as he ran towards the big stained-glass windows in the back of the room.
“Grab him!” His Majesty called.
But Gavin was too fast. He didn’t need His Majesty’s approval to go after his heart. Damon opened a window, and Gavin jumped with his guard following close behind.
“I was wondering when you’d decide to do this yourself.”
Damon’s laughter spurred him forward.
Chapter 32
Kyler’smindswirled.Hewasn’t sure what Vex had given him. He wasn’t even sure what day it was. Had he even been free or was it a drugged fever dream? Kyler had no idea. He blinked up at the ceiling. The bed was lumpy and uncomfortable. Everything ached. He lifted his hands to press them to his eyes. If he’d have just swam away with the phoenix stone, he’d be truly free, not this life of—he shook his head, not wanting to think.
Something was off. He couldn’t wrap his mind around what, though. Fog played along the edges of his thoughts as he stared at his hands. Nothing bound around his wrists. He sat too quickly for his head, which began to spin. Nothing bound his legs.
Vex was betting the drug would keep Kyler in place. In the past, it’d have been that simple. Kyler had been scared of what Vex would do to him, but no longer. He scrambled to his feet, finding his balance. He’d been on his back or knees since giving himself over to Vex. Kyler’s joints ached. He hadn’t shifted in too long. He needed water desperately, and he hadn’t realized until he started to sober.
If he could find the phoenix stone, he could get back to Gavin and help him. But what would keep Vex from following him? Vex knew where Lane was. Knew who Gavin was.
Surely a kingdom of dragons could destroy a pirate captain? Kyler scrambled to find the stone.
For all the magic Vex had access to, he never really used it for storage. Which gave Kyler the advantage. For the time being, Kyler could snoop around for the phoenix stone.
The captain’s quarters were the biggest on Vex’s ship. Kyler knew because he’d been fucked on damn near every inch of the ship. The simplest hiding places were usually the ones Vex used. Most people would dismiss something in plain sight.
Kyler looked behind the books on the bookshelf. In the desk drawers. Under the bed, in the boxes stored there. But it was the glint of gold in the wall sconce that caught his eye.
Holding his breath, Kyler ran on his tiptoes to get to the far wall and ripped the glass globe from the sconce. The phoenix stone tumbled out and thumped to the floor. A cry ripped from his throat and he slammed his hand over his mouth.
Slowly, as if the stone could grow legs and run away, Kyler kneeled and picked it up. The stone pulsed in his hand like before. If anyone asked, he’d swear the effects of the drugs wore off fully in that instant. His head cleared.
No doubt, Vex had the door spelled to keep Kyler inside. But Kyler wasn’t having it. The phoenix stone was rumored to take away the cost of magic, but what if it removed magic all together? What if it had to do with the user’s intentions? Kyler had to try. Even though he had no training, he pressed his hand to the door.
When his palm sizzled from unseen fire, he ground his teeth and pressed on.
“I need out,” he whispered.
The stone throbbed once, as if it understood him. The spell on the door fell away. Kyler’s palm ached, but he couldn’t dwell on it.
To hide in plain sight, he’d need clothes. He grabbed a shirt from Vex’s wardrobe, not caring that it hung down to his calves. It covered him. He cinched a belt around his waist, then grabbed a dagger from the desk. It was time.
He tiptoe ran back to the door and cracked it open. Night. Perfect. No one was around and he crept out, keeping the stone close to his chest. The air was eerily calm. The crew snored on deck. He couldn’t just run past everyone with Vex out of sight.
Kyler held the dagger, ready to strike while he kept the stone as safe as possible. His hands sweated, and he was too afraid to breathe.
“Find him!”
The time was now. Kyler ran across the deck and climbed the rails.
A bellowing dragon scream came from ahead and a pair of dragons blew flames at the ship just as Kyler jumped.
