Chapter 10
GAVIN
I love watching the delight sparkle in Kyler’s eyes when he sees the spread of food for dinner. Servants pour us each a goblet of wine before I dismiss them. I have too many questions and don’t want anyone eavesdropping.
Kyler plops into his chair and takes a drink, his eyes widening before he takes a deeper swallow, moaning into the cup.
I chuckle. “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 holds out his cup for more, and I gladly fill it.
Kyler hums into his cup as he drinks long and deep again.
He wipes 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.”
I shake my head. “Not possible. The Task is for me. I can ask for help, but I must be the one to carry out the Task.”
“Then… how does me retrieving the stone not violate the rules?”
I’ve meant to share the merfolk journal with Kyler sooner, but Leander interrupted us in the library. I bring the book to the table and push it toward Kyler.
“I told you.” Kyler pushes the journal back. “I can’t read.”
“Just look at it, please?”
With a huff, Kyler pulls the book back toward him. He tilts his head when he sees the cover. “It’s a mer.” He looks up at me before flipping to the first page. A gasp escapes his lips. “Mother.”
I’ve wondered. Those days after our first meeting, I examined the pictures and determined Kyler had to be related.
“How? Where?” Kyler flips to the next page. Another gasp. “Father.”
“Did you know their surface names?”
Kyler shakes his head. “I only recognize them because of the features we share.” He runs a finger over his father’s nose, his lips. “I was so young when they died. I’d forgotten what they looked like.”
“You’re almost a spitting image of them. Kallen and Rayla were their surface names. What did you call them?”
Kyler makes a series of clicks, much like a dolphin.
His cheeks grow pink. “I haven’t made that sound in so long.
I’m surprised I remember. Before the day they died, I’d never been to the surface.
Never heard a spoken word. I hadn’t understood what Vex was telling me on the beach.
I didn’t understand what was happening.”
“That must have been hard.”
“It wasn’t so bad in the beginning. He was patient teaching me how to speak and understand surface languages. I doubt I can communicate with other merfolk anymore, though.”
“Your parents’ journal is fascinating. They intended for you to have it. They were waiting until you were much older to take you to the surface.” Their plan had been his eighteenth year. Apparently, that was the merfolk tradition.
Kyler simply nods and flips through the pages to study any pictures he finds. “They’d used to take turns going to the surface for weeks on end. I knew they studied, but I was too young to understand much.”
I have to tell him the truth of why I brought up the journal now. “There’s something they mention in the journal that would help me with my Task. It’d allow me to retrieve the stone myself.”
“The kiss.”
I shove my dinner from in front of me and lean forward to flip to the proper page. I point to a drawing of a person growing gills. “A kiss from a sea mer underwater as the person is drowning allows the person to breathe underwater for hours.”
“I’ve never performed the kiss. You could die.”
“We could practice.” The thought exhilarates me.
Kyler nods and finally meets my eyes. “We could. But then how would we keep me being mer a secret from the rest of the crew?”
“Right. Right.” I tap my lips, having forgotten that.
“It’s bad enough Damon and Ambrose know. Oh, and I’m sure Leander figured it out.”
“But… why do you want to stay hidden? You can make a name for yourself. You can… I’m not sure, but I’m sure you could make a good living if you wanted to—”
“Perform for a living? Be a creature in a tank? No, thank you.” Kyler leans away from the table. “I’d rather keep sucking cocks.”
For some reason, the knowledge feels like a slap to the face. I hadn’t thought of how Kyler made the coin I found in the hem of the man’s shirt. At the time, I thought his uncle had paid him. But there was no uncle.
“I use my body for coin. I’m not ashamed of what I’ve done.”
“I suppose a lot of people pay money to experience what I did with your haze.”
“That’s not what I mean. I don’t use the haze on purpose.
” Kyler’s cheeks redden further as he threads his fingers through his hair and leans his elbows on the table.
“It only happens when I’m aroused. Which tends to be rare.
But there’s something… I’m not sure, maybe my saliva.
But some of the men get aggressive the more often they use me.
Like they’re possessive of me. I have to cut them off. ”
“I don’t remember reading anything like that in the journal. Or other books.”
“Maybe I am cursed.” A sad little huff comes from Kyler. He picks up his roll and rips it apart before dipping it into the cooling stew.
I feel bad for talking so much. Now the food is cold, and Kyler is sad.
“I don’t know why I don’t want others to know about me, okay?
Self-preservation. My binding is different from everyone else.
I’m allowed to pretty much do as I please while we’re on shore.
But once we ship out again, I have to be on the ship otherwise…
” Kyler swallows and stuffs more bread in his mouth.
“I feel like I’m being ripped apart. My insides feel like they’re boiling.
I—” He stops himself from saying more and takes another drink of wine. “It’s not pleasant.”
“And how long will it be before you have to be on that ship again?” In time, I’ll find a way to free him from ever having to return.
A sly smile lifts Kyler’s lips. “I may have caused quite a bit of damage before we docked. Vex still hasn’t figured out it was me, or how I do it. But it’s going to take a long time to fix.”
I snort. “What did you do?”
“I may or may not have picked up some spell dust on my last trip to shore. It weakens the wood of the ship. And I also thinned boards down in the hold. The repair canvas is riddled with holes. I compromised the tar. But it’s the boards pocked with holes that’ll be the biggest problem, I think.
Vex doesn’t keep an eye on me at all times. Probably should.
“Once we pulled the ship from the water for careening, Vex realized there was extensive damage everywhere. We’re grounded for a while. There might be a complete rebuild unless Vex decides to steal another ship. Knowing him, that’s what he’ll do.”
“Sounds very piratey.”
“It is, and very common to just steal another ship, then modify it. But Vex hates change like that. He’d rather invest in the repairs. The Golden Drake is the second ship of his I’ve been on. You should have seen how he reacted when we had to switch over.”
Skies, Kyler’s smile is life itself.
I want to see him smile every day. “The ship leaves tonight to get a head start. You, Damon, and I will leave to catch up after breakfast tomorrow. Will you be ready?”
“So soon?” Kyler shovels more food in his mouth. His eyes widen in delight, even though the food is no doubt cold by now.
I nod. “Once I realized you were mer, I’d planned to find you again. I got the crew gathered. We’re going on one of the smaller naval ships.”
Kyler tenses and asks, “Farol isn’t the captain, is he? I might have pissed him off.”
“No, I specifically asked for anyone other than Captain Farol. I cited his recovery as the reason.”
“I’m not sorry for stabbing him.”
“I don’t blame you. He’s been an ass since we were kids.” I have to laugh at the look from Kyler. “He’s our cousin. Bastard cousin anyway. His Majesty let him in the Royal Navy and gave him his own ship.”
“I’ve only been on pirate ships, well, other than when I steal from merchants.” Kyler waves his piece of bread at me. “Which again, I’m not sorry for. I’m a pirate and I’m damn good at it.”
“Do you have all the morals of a pirate?”
Kyler lifts his stew bowl and drains it before answering. “I have my own morals. But, no, I’m not a good person, if that’s what you’re really asking. You probably shouldn’t trust me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” But Kyler hasn’t tipped off the cuff Damon wears, so he can’t be all bad.
“I’m a survivor. Everything I do always hinges on that. If it benefits me, I’ll let you take the fall.”
“Noted.” I can appreciate the honesty.
Kyler drains his wine goblet. “If I’m going to be able to function tomorrow, I need sleep.” His tongue darts between his lips and I long to taste him. Perhaps dessert…
Kyler pushes his bowl out of the way and folds his arms on the table before laying his head in them.
“You’re not sleeping at the table.” I pull the chair back and pick the man up. Kyler yelps but wraps his arms around my neck and leans in.
“We said we’re lovers. We have to act the part, and Damon will expect a show.”
“What does that mean?”
“I don’t sleep alone.”