Chapter 17
GAVIN
I’m ready to be on the ship. I’m sure Kyler has no idea how often he sends out tendrils of his haze, but I fight the seduction all day.
I have to keep thinking of nonsexual things to keep myself from flying with an erection.
Kyler moves just slightly, and I can feel his weight shift, and I want to soothe him.
There’s no way Kyler is comfortable riding this long with no experience.
Ailey whoops beside us, waving her arms, and that’s when I see the white sails ahead.
Thank fuck for that. Damon must think the same because he picks up speed.
The ship only has one landing platform, which is all I requested, but that means we can only shift one at a time.
We can’t risk drop-shifting over the ship; our riders could get hurt.
Kyler hums above me, rubbing the scales he can reach, which aren’t many.
The action is endearing and so damn funny that the little mer is the one comforting me right now.
I’ve wanted to talk with Kyler the whole trip, but he told me how Captain Vex used telepathy against him, and I can’t bring myself to even ask to talk that way.
If Damon weren’t with us, I’d feel lonely.
“Just a bit longer, Gavin,” Kyler says. “Are you doing okay?”
I’m fine, and I rumble my reply as I nod my head, hoping Kyler understands.
“I suppose with all your traveling, you’re used to flying?”
I am, but after an incident a few years back where I pushed myself for three days straight, I don’t trust myself to fly for longer than a day. Two at most. Another rumbly nod.
“You’re a beautiful dragon.”
I snort. I know. Well, I’ve been told, but the only time I’ve ever seen myself as a dragon is in the reflection of the sea, and it’s damn hard to get a look at myself at that angle.
I tell Damon telepathically to go first so Ailey won’t have anything to complain about once we’re all together for our talk.
Damon takes the lead. The landing platform is long and wide, big enough for even the biggest of dragons like him.
It’s about half a league away from the ship.
A nautical mage stands on each of the four corners, using magic to keep the platform stabilized as Damon delicately lands.
Every ship, including pirates, has at least one nautical mage to navigate the treacherous seas.
I’ve been interested in nautical magic, but healing has drawn me in more with its practicality.
Dazzling, sparkling light of magic snakes around the platform, making sure it doesn’t sink under Damon’s weight.
“Captain Vex is the only mage on The Golden Drake. I don’t think he wants anyone to be able to challenge him, but there have been a few close calls.
” Kyler shivers. “He capsized the ship before The Golden Drake because he miscalculated and sent the platform right into the ship. It killed some of the crew. I got caught under a mast and would have drowned if I weren’t mer. ”
My scales rattle like bones when I shake. My teeth grind, giving me a headache. I’m determined to have Kyler free. No one should have to suffer like he has. Kyler must read my mood change because he rubs my scales again.
“It’s fine. I’m fine.”
But has Kyler ever lived?
Ailey slides off Damon’s back, and the mages get her into a rowboat as Damon shifts to his human form and dresses.
Once they have Damon in the rowboat too, the mages signal for me.
Landing on a platform is tricky and not something I have a lot of practice in.
I’m used to a much larger plot. I take a deep breath and adjust my wings, making micro changes as I drop slowly.
Luckily, the waves aren’t too bad today, and the mages don’t have to work too hard to stabilize the platform.
Once I’m on all fours, I let my breath out.
“Don’t dawdle, boy, come on down,” one of the mages hollers up at Kyler.
I have to fight back a growl. Don’t talk to him like that.
But Kyler obliges, unbelting from the saddle and sliding down my arm with a giggle. He whips around and hugs one of my big claws.
“Thanks for keeping me safe.”
In no time, I am human again, wrapping my arms around Kyler and drawing him into a dozen kisses.
“You’re okay?”
Kyler laughs and peppers his own kisses along my jawline. “I’m good.” He rocks his hips, and I don’t think he realizes.
“What were you thinking about up there? You kept sending out your haze.”
Kyler swallows and looks away before meeting my gaze again. “What it’d feel like to ride your cock.”
My eyes widen. “The whole time?”
Another swallow. “Maybe.”
I snort. “Come on, they’re waiting for us.”
“Your Royal Highness,” an attendant breaks my attention from Kyler. “Your clothes.”
Ah. Right. Clothes.
Kyler licks his lips as his eyes rake over my body.
I want to stay naked, to keep having Kyler look at me like that.
I wonder how strong his will will be when it comes to having sex.
I would never force myself on him. My cock would just make life difficult for the time we still have together.
I give Kyler a show as I dress, making sure to accentuate my assets.
We’re the only two in the world as far as I’m concerned until Damon snorts from the rowboat and Ailey calls for us to hurry up.
When we make our way to the rowboat, I pull Kyler into my lap, causing Ailey to roll her eyes.
Honestly, I don’t want to sit with my erection on full display, and of course, I hope Kyler will perhaps squirm.
He leans in and whispers against my lips, “Be good and we can help each other out tonight.” The kiss is sweet, and I want to melt into it, but Ailey clears her throat, drawing Kyler away from my lips.
Whatever has bothered Ailey at the beach seems to still bother her. I open my mouth to talk, but she holds up her hand and shakes her head. “Wait until we have privacy.” She nods to the men with the oars. “We’re ready.” And off we go, rowing to the ship.
I’m not looking forward to this talk. She probably wants to discuss how childish I am, like Damon has.
If that’s the case, I’ll tune her out like a child.
I’m a grown man and don’t need people telling me how to act.
Not when my plan is to leave the palace entirely once I pass the phoenix stone over to His Majesty.
I should probably worry more about why His Majesty wants the stone.
There are reasons it was sunk into the sea centuries ago.