Page 24 of Sea and Sky
“What?” Kyler and Gavin said in unison. Gavin stood, bringing Kyler with him.
Kyler dropped his legs to stand on his own. “Why would he make a deal with Vex? With any pirate?” Was the king mad?
Leander bared his teeth and growled. “Vex is Academy trained in the forbidden old ways. He’s ancient and knows more than any Grand Mage alive. He’s practically a god. My intelligence says he offers people favors and in return, they become a part of his crew. He also has something His Majesty wants.”
Kyler trembled. “A mer?”
“Precisely.”
“Whydoes His Majesty want a mer?” Kyler whispered. He hadn’t known Vex was as powerful as all that.
Leander relaxed back into the lounge. “I’m not entirely sure. Rumors say the merman is a vicious little thing. Captain Farol said he was stabbed by one not too long ago. He probably deserved it. Can you imagine? Mer in Lane again. I haven’t seen one in merform since before you were born, Gavin.” He looked right at Kyler and smiled.
All the heat drained from Kyler’s body. Suddenly, the room was as cold as winter. Leanderknewwhat Kyler was, no doubt about it. But how? DamonandAmbrose both knew. Now Leander. Things were getting out of hand.
Gavin groaned and leaned his head back, seemingly not noticing Leander calling Kyler out. “His Majesty probably wants a mer to hold it over my head and then withhold the creature from me. Or he wants the healing tears. I haven’t found that their scales are of any use. There’s so much we don’t know.”
Kyler couldn’t stop his shaking. They were talking about him as if he weren’t there. At least Gavin was trying to keep the secret.
Leander steepled his fingers together and leaned in. “I’ll work on discovering why His Majesty wants a mer and the phoenix stone. You work on your goal, brother.” He looked directly at Kyler again. This time with kindness. “I’m sorry about Vex.”
Somewhere, a gong sounded.
“Dinner. I’ll see the two of you shortly.” Leander rose gracefully from the lounge.
“Actually, we’re having a quiet meal in my chambers. I’d like to ease Kyler into court life.”
Leander nodded, and Kyler could only watch after him.
“I guess the ruse is up,” Gavin said.
“What do you mean?” Kyler’s words were too sharp.
“Leander’s not dumb. He knows we’re not a pair. He won’t out us though. Getting out of the marriage is good for more than just me. I can’t help Lane if I’m in Avondra.”
“I realize that now.” Kyler swallowed. “Sorry for what I said earlier.” Skies and barnacles he was in over his head.
Chapter 10
Gavinlovedwatchingthedelight sparkle in Kyler’s eyes when the man saw the spread of food for dinner. Servants poured them each a goblet of wine before Gavin dismissed them. He had too many questions and didn’t want anyone eavesdropping.
Kyler plopped into his chair and took a drink. His eyes widened before taking a deeper swallow, moaning into the cup.
Gavin chuckled. “That’s the second time I’ve experienced how much you enjoy certain wines.”
“What can I say? I have favorites. And whatever this is, it’s on my list.” He held out his cup for more, and Gavin gladly filled it. Kyler hummed into his cup as he drank long and deep again. He wiped the back of his hand across his mouth before speaking. “I’ve been thinking. I could retrieve the stone and bring it back. It’d be faster than traveling with an entire crew. Plus, you can just sit back and relax.”
Gavin shook his head. “Not possible. The Task is for me. I can ask for help, butImust be the one to carry out the Task.”
“Then… how does me retrieving the stone not violate the rules?”
Gavin had meant to share the merfolk journal with Kyler sooner, but Leander had interrupted them in the library. He’d brought the book to the table and pushed it towards Kyler.
“I told you.” Kyler pushed the journal back. “I can’t read.”
“Just look at it, please?”
With a huff, Kyler pulled the book back toward him. He tilted his head when he saw the cover. “It’s a mer.” He looked up at Gavin before flipping to the first page. A gasp escaped his lips. “Mother.”
