Page 15 of Sea and Sky
Hehadto breathe.
Kyler wrapped his arms around Prince Gavin’s chest, working to expel what water the prince had inhaled. It was awkward, the prince too muscular for Kyler to do the maneuver properly.
Land was too far. Could he get Gavin to the boat without exposing himself or causing more damage?
There was one thing Kyler could do, but he’d never tested it before. A kiss underwater should, in theory, allow the prince to breathe underwater for a few hours. Which should mean the water in his lungs wouldn’t be a problem. But it was a horrible time to experiment.
Before he had the chance to worry about it further, Prince Gavin gurgled a gasp before sputtering water back to the sea. He spun to face Kyler. A grin spread over Gavin’s face, confusing Kyler.
“You,” Prince Gavin whispered as he lifted a hand.
Kyler’s breath sped up. He licked his lips. Instinctively, he dropped his head forward, his hair covered the gills on his neck. He kept his webbed hands to his sides. Temporarily, he forgot his plan and he willed himself not to panic. He wished merfolk were like dragons and the other shifter types, but they weren’t. Kyler couldn’t just shift back. He needed sand, and the rowboat was far away now. His emergency jar of sand with it. “Are you aware that you’ve been shot?” He jutted his chin towards Prince Gavin’s back. “Twice.”
Prince Gavin looked down at his gut wound. He tilted his head and squinted into the water. “You’re a—” But before he could say anything more, he slumped into Kyler’s arms. Too much blood was in the water.
Kyler had to get him to land, to a healer. If the prince died, Kyler would be back to stealing from ships, and after the last time, he wasn’t sure he could trust that method of acquiring coin anymore.
With Prince Gavin out cold, Kyler sped to the rowboat, eating up the distance in minutes.
“Someone!” Kyler gurgled out. His voice was all wrong in merform. “Prince Gavin needs help.”
The occupants of the rowboat turned towards him. He waved, hoping they saw him. They were either still too far away or they ignored him. He didn’t blame them if they had. The royals weren’t exactly high on anyone’s list in Lane. Gavin had been portrayed as a spoiled brat every time Kyler had heard anyone talk about him. But… he’d been so nice at the tavern. And he saved those people from Reynolds. He couldn’t be all spoiled.
It didn’t matter now. Kyler had to get Gavin to land. At least the prince was breathing. In the water Gavin wasn’t heavy, just awkward to hold.
“Am I dreaming?” Gavin mumbled.
Barnacles.
Gavin wiggled in Kyler’s grasp. “Hold still, Your Highness.”
But of course, the prince was a brat and refused to listen. Kyler stopped swimming and released the prince.
“Kyler,” Gavin breathed his name like a prayer. He laughed and sputtered more water.
Kyler’s heart thundered so loudly he could feel it in his head. Keeping his gills underwater, he asked, “can you tread water?”
Gavin nodded. There was so much delight in his eyes. “Youaremer.”
“I am,” Kyler admitted before sinking until just his eyes were above water. He didn’t want to show all his features, not yet.
“Fantastic! I’ve waited so—” Gavin started to flail and sink. Kyler grabbed him by the forearms to keep him above water. “You’ve just made all my dreams come true, Kyler.” The prince blinked, and a tear rolled down his cheek.
Kyler didn’t know what to think of that. “I was actually on my way to find you. Lucky me that you fell right into my arms.” His cheeks burned. He didn’t know why he flirted.
Gavin’s eyes grew wide, before he laughed, which turned into a coughing fit. Once he settled and could breathe again, he said, “Sorry. Still getting the sea water from my lungs.”
Kyler knew exactly what that was like and wasn’t looking forward to it.
“I suppose I did just drop in on you.” Gavin smiled and gave a little snort. “So you’ve considered helping me?”
Kyler lifted just enough to say, “I have.”
“Excellent. I can give you all the riches you can dream of once we bring the phoenix stone to His Majesty.”
“I can dream of a lot. But that money isn’t even yours. It’s—” Kyler didn’t even know why he said the words. He needed coin to fund his life away from Vex.
Gavin smiled. “Okay, I can owe you a favor. Anything in my power to grant is yours once we retrieve the phoenix stone.”
