Page 16 of Sea and Sky
A favor Kyler could work with. “Deal, but no one else knows I’m a mer.”
“No problem.” Gavin’s lips twisted. “I have a second proposition, if you’re open to it. Since we’ll be on a grand adventure together, anyway.”
“Yes?” Kyler eyed him wearily.
“I think you can help me get out of my arranged marriage. If you’re willing.”
Kyler’s brows came together. “What do you mean, get out of the marriage?”
“I’m not important in the line of heirs and His Majesty’s insistence on the marriage has always… grated on me.” Gavin’s beautiful silver eyes turned stormy gray. “I wouldn’t usually share the level of rage I have about having myentirefuturestolenfrom me. Just know, I’ve been promised freedom and Leander hasn’t delivered. So I’m taking things into my own hands.”
“But what will happen if you break the alliance?” Kyler didn’t want to be in the middle of starting a war. “And if you’resounimportant, why haveyoumarry the princess instead of one of your brothers?”
Gavin swallowed. “I hate thinking about this part. I’m eggborn.”
“I don’t understand what that means.” Kyler’s brows knit together again. He adjusted his grip on Gavin. Despite the captain being a dragon, Kyler wasn’t knowledgeable about the different birth types of dragons. “I’m guessing being eggborn means you survive otherwise deadly wounds?” Kyler trailed his hand over the now healed gut wound which caused Gavin to shiver.
Gavin chuckled. “None of this information is secret. But, yes, that’s something we can do. There are reasons to choose an egg birth over a live birth. One, it’s less painful. Two, it strengthens the dragon. Because the child is born a dragon instead of a human. My skin feels soft to the touch, like any human, but it’s strong as steel, except as you’ve seen, not protection against magic cannons rigged by pirates. They play dirty. My scales can morph to dagger edges at will. My fire burns hotter and I have a longer range of fire breathing power.”
Kyler grimaced, understanding. “You’re a war machine.”
Gavin nodded and tipped his head back. “I was bornspecificallyfor the alliance with Avondra. After they helped Lane win the war against the necromancers of Lovan before I was born, they demanded an eggborn to be married to their princess. They outlawed eggborn centuries ago and have become more human than dragon. So they need a true dragon shifter on their side if they hope to win what they’ve started with the wolves of Farerk.”
At this, Kyler cocked his head. “Why would they outlaw egg births, if it’s so much easier?”
The widest grin pulled at Gavin’s lips. “I love all your questions. Eggborns are thought to be more aggressive, which isn’t entirely true. But the problem is, they can get stuck in their dragon. Which can cause problems if they forget that they’re also human.”
“Oh.” Kyler sighed. “Thenhowcan I help you get out of the marriage? It sounds like you’re solidly stuck in place. Especially if you’re supposed to help fight a war.” At least Kyler had a kernel of hope for his freedom.
Gavin dropped his head back again, exposing his throat. Kyler had to keep his thoughts from wandering into dangerous territory.
“That’s where you’re wrong. There’s one situation, no matter the realm, that dragons respect beyond promises and alliances. A pair-bonding.”
“That is a big ask.” Kyler shook his head.
Gavin held up a hand as if to stop Kyler from refusing. “It can be faked. I’m not asking you to give up your entire life. Just play a part for the month. And I’ll owe you another favor.”
Kyler licked his lips. “Another favor?”
“Exactly like the first. Anything within my power I’ll give you in return for doing this for me after we break the contract.”
Two favors?Two.
Kyler held out his hand.
“Deal.”
Gavin took his wrist. “Deal. Glad to have you onboard.” He nodded toward the shore. “Now let’s get to land. I’m starting to prune.”
But there was an unsolved problem. “How does one fake the bond mark? You’ll at least need one by the time we get to land, since you’re naked.”
“Ah. Right.” Gavin held up his hand. “May I?” He waved to Kyler’s shoulder.
Kyler nodded, curious to see what he’d do.
Gavin slid his hand under Kyler’s collar, pulling an embarrassing gasp from his lips. Then a hiss when magic burned through his skin.
“Sorry, I know it hurts. But it’ll be over… now.” As soon as he said the last word, the pain stopped. Gavin gave himself the same treatment.
