Chapter 18
KYLER
I’m so glad to be back on… well, not solid ground.
But at least I’m out of the air. I don’t think I can take the saddle much longer.
The atmosphere ahead shifts to one of excitement the closer we get to the ship.
It isn’t as big as Captain Vex’s, but I suppose it doesn’t need to be.
It just needs to be fast, ideally faster than any of the pirate ships.
I wonder if they know pirates populate these waters; surely they have to know.
The entire crew gathers at the rails to watch us row in. How unusual.
“What’s wrong, love?” Gavin holds my hand and brings it to his lips to kiss my knuckles.
I lean in. “Something isn’t right,” I whisper.
We’re close enough to hear someone whoop and see the crew dance on deck.
“There he is! Can you see ‘em?!” someone shouts. “Sails, he’s gorgeous.”
Gavin is gorgeous. I can’t deny it.
“I ain’t never seen a mer!” someone else cries.
My heart stops. No one is supposed to know. Gavin shifts under me, holding me close as he stands and rocks the boat.
“I trusted you,” Gavin yells at Damon.
Damon takes it in stride. “When would I have told anyone? What motive would I have?”
“I don’t—”
“No,” I whisper. I’ve found the culprit on the ship. Jessi smiles at me and waves before she gets lost in the crowd. “It wasn’t Damon.”
Gavin glares at his guard, and I take the opportunity to distract the prince by grinding against him. “It wasn’t Damon.”
The rowboat knocks against the ship, and Gavin settles again as we rise to our destination.
My heart pounds. I’ve been so damned careful my whole life.
Now I’m faced with a crew of people that look at me like they want to ravage me, probably because of rumors they’ve heard about merfolk. I have to will myself to stay calm.
Gavin is not Vex. Not even close. He’ll see to it no one harms me. Vex usually takes advantage of me by drugging me and throwing me into crowds for a fee. I shiver at the memories. I’ve usually been a bit of a brat those days, but I never thought I deserved that as a punishment.
Damon climbs out first and helps Ailey. I’m not ready to face the rowdy crew, but I put on a smile and climb aboard the ship on my own.
As soon as I’m over the rails, Gavin wraps me in his arms and greets the crowd. I recognize a few of the men on board. Men I’ve sucked off for payment over the years. Men Vex has let use me.
“I had no idea you were merfolk,” a harsh voice says before a rough hand grabs my hair and yanks my head back, pulling a yelp from me.
Gavin growls. His dragon rumbles through as he spins. “Do not touch him!”
The man laughs. “You’re not the only one that’s stuck your prick in that tight little hole.”
Too many chuckle. Too many sound familiar. My head spins, and I have to fix my smile to keep from faltering.
How could this be my luck? What’s Jessi’s deal now? Surely she made a new one with Vex to be here. I don’t want to know, but I desperately need to.
“The boy is a good fuck, ain’t he prince?” someone says, clamping a hand on Gavin’s shoulder and squeezing good-naturedly. “Little brat too. Stole some coin. He owes me.”
Voices go up in agreement. I’ve stolen from a lot of people.
“I call for justice,” Jessi’s voice rings from the other end. I want to jump ship. Perhaps it would be better than staying.
Ailey pushes to stand next to Gavin. “What proof do any of you have?”
“I fucked him and then twenty minutes later, my coin is missing. Seems proof enough.”
Ailey’s mouth drops open. “That’s no proof at all.”
I stand taller. “I don’t consider it stealing when you underpaid me to begin with.
You thought you’d enjoy me for a bargain.
” I walk up to the man. He’s handsome in a grungy way.
His dark hair is a mess, full beard untrimmed.
I can remember the heft of the man’s cock on my tongue, the saltiness of his seed.
“You should have done better at hiding your valuables.” I dance out of the way when the man lunges for me.
A laugh escapes me before I can stop it.
I have no idea what’s gotten into me. The crew chortles at the failed attempt to hit me.
Thinking about it, taunting the man isn’t the smartest move, but I have to show I’m not afraid, even when I’m shaking in my boots.
These men know what Vex does to me, what they’ve done to me.
“What is all the commotion going on?” A new voice joins the others.
“Captain Basil, so good to see you again,” Ailey says, probably for my benefit.
The captain is another dragon. Horns sprout from his forehead and curve backward.
His cotton shirt billows open, exposing his muscular chest. He has an air of confidence.
I don’t know if I can trust him. I don’t know what to think anymore or who to trust. With Jessi on board, this entire ship could be a trap. But how can I tell Gavin?
Ailey turns toward the captain, ignoring the jeering men. “Can we find our quarters? I’m ready to change into something more comfortable, and I’m sure dear Kyler is as well.”
Someone snorts behind us. “Dear Kyler is working on some sort of scheme. That’s what he does, boss. Don’t trust ‘em. He’ll suck you dry with the best orgasm of your life, then steal your coins.”
The words are true enough, but not while I’m with Gavin. The excitement of my being merfolk has devolved into the crew being angry at my schemes. I absolutely haven’t thought this through enough. I thought the crew would be naval, not sailors picked up at common taverns like pirates.
Gavin’s chest rumbles, and heat pours from him. Smoke rises from his nose and open mouth. Anger rolls off the prince. And while I appreciate it, he doesn’t need to work himself up so much he shifts and capsizes the ship.
I press a hand to Gavin’s chest. “Calm, love. Everything will be fine.” But I’m not so sure.
“Everyone will keep their hands off Kyler. You don’t know him like I do, don’t know his life.”
“You do know he’s a pirate, right?” Jessi calls out.
Barnacles. Why is she doing this?
“We do,” Ailey answers, startling me. I look at her, but she has kind eyes. “Now, we’d like privacy.” She turns back to Captain Basil. “Our quarters?”
“Yes, right this way, Your Royal Highness. Please forgive the crew. They’re a bit wet behind the ears. New to being around royals is all.”
“I expect,” Gavin addresses the crowd, “my pair-bond to be treated with respect. Do I make myself clear? I’m paying you well, aren’t I?”
“That you are,” Captain Basil says. “Come, let’s get the lot of you comfortable. The accommodations aren’t big, but should be good for the journey ahead.”
We follow Basil, and I zone out, letting myself fall into that place inside my head where no one can get to me. I don’t know how long I’ve been on the bed when I realize I’m staring across an elaborately decorated room.
“Skies, Kyler. Are you okay?” Gavin rushes over with a cup of water. “Drink.”
Damon stands at the door, no doubt to keep watch.
“What just happened, dear?” Ailey asks.
Instead of taking the cup of water from Gavin, I push to my feet and run to the pot in the corner of the small room, emptying what little contents I have in my stomach.
“Give him some space,” Damon says. I’m most grateful for the man.
“I’m sorry. I’m—I’ll be fine. Just…” I hold up a hand while panic rolls through me. I’m a damned fool. Sweat drenches my brow, making my shirt cling to me. “I thought I’d be okay. Actually, I knew I’d be okay. But that was thinking the crew wouldn’t be people that have…” I swallow back bile.
Ailey kneels in front of me. “We won’t let them hurt you, not on my watch.” She looks back at Damon and Gavin. Both nod. “You’re safe.”
“You can’t promise that,” I whisper.
“No, I can’t.” She shrugs. “But you’re a fighter. I see it in your eyes. You’ve done everything you can to get to this point in your life. Trying to find safety. Gavin’s a good man, and I trust his judgment with this little scheme of his. In fact, it helps with what we need to talk about.”
Ailey’s calm words soothe my heart. I believe she’ll help keep me safe. She has freedom to lose, too. All three of us do.
“I’m sorry for—” I wave my hand around. “Panicking.”
Gavin takes a few steps to me and kneels beside Ailey. “They all know you’re mer. Why don’t we go swim?”
I shake my head. “It’ll be nightfall soon. You won’t be able to see.”
“This isn’t about me.” Gavin reaches for me, but hesitates with connecting. “Would it help if you were in the water?”
I nod. “But…” My head snaps up. “Sand? Do we have sand on board?”
“We do,” Gavin answers. “I made sure we brought a barrel, much to the confusion of Captain Basil.”
I thump the back of my head against the wall. “No, never mind. We don’t want to give them anything else to gawk at right now.” I squeeze my eyes shut and try to take a deep breath.
“Dear.” Ailey smooths a hand down my arm. “If it’s something you need—”
“I can last a few more days.” I can’t look anyone in the eye.
“I’m sorry. I’m messing everything up.” Like last time.
I’d get whipped again. Vex would throw me in a room and let anyone have their way with me for all eternity.
I shake, but push the nausea away like I’ve done countless times before.
I can do anything I set my mind to. All I have to do is survive a ship full of sailors that hate me. What have I gotten myself into?
“Kyler,” Gavin’s voice rings out.
“Kyler?” Ailey’s softer voice penetrates my spiraling.
“Would you like to change into something more comfortable?” She drags a hand down herself and straightens her shirt.
Her leathers are gone, and in their place are the soft cotton flying clothes dragons wear when they plan on shifting. I must have missed the wardrobe change.
I nod.
“How do you feel about being alone with me?”
I think I’ll panic at the thought of Gavin not being near, but I find I actually trust Ailey. “That’s fine,” my voice comes out so raw.
She shoos the two dragons from the room. Gavin’s eyes plead for answers I don’t have.
“Sorry.” I pull my knees to my chest and rock. It’s been so long since I’ve broken down; I thought myself immune from my own mind. “Sorry.”
“Have you told Gavin your story?”
“A little, not the full extent of it all. Just… what he needed to know.” I tell her about how Vex said I could have freedom for a price, and I’m finding the price higher than I anticipated.
“That fool, Gavin should have given you the coin and taken you away from that man.”
I shake my head. “I get it. The payment is for services rendered. There’s no way he would have known if I’d follow through if he freed me first.” I huff out a breath. “That’s if Vex isn’t lying about freeing me.”
Ailey bites her bottom lip. “What color is your scale?”
Why does it matter? My stomach drops. “Blue.”
“Skies, I might know why he’s allowing this silly game.”
“You know about merfolk?”
Ailey holds out her hand and helps me to my feet. “My childhood nanny was mer. I learned everything I know from that woman. But like you, she kept her mer-ness hidden. Kept her safe. What do you know of necromancers?”
“Nothing, only that there was a war, and that’s the reason Gavin was eggborn.”
“Do you know why there haven’t been merfolk spotted in decades?”
I shake my head as Ailey leads me to the bed. She hands me a cup of water and urges me to drink. When I drain the cup, I hand it back.
“A mer heart, and the blood of the one that heart loves the most, mixed with immortal jellyfish essence, creates an elixir. One that can bring back the dead.”
I have to fight to keep the bile down my throat.
It’s all too much. An image of my parents laying with their chests ripped open flashes across my memory, and I lose my battle.
I make it to the pot in time. I remember the drag of a knife.
Blood from my tiny arm. My parents hadn’t died in the storm.
The three of us were heading back to the water when Vex found us.
Oh, how I wish I could shove the memory back again, but now it’s back, and I can’t.
The memory of the scent of blood and ocean air fills my senses.
Ailey rubs my back as I cry into the pot. I cry for my parents. For myself. For everything that could have been different. “He used us. Still uses me.” I look up at her. “What does the color of my scale matter?”
“Has scale started growing in your human form?”
I nod. That can’t be good.
Ailey squeezes my shoulder. “Once the scale starts, blue gill merfolk begin to lose their human side if they don’t find love.
Something about needing love to keep their human heart.
If that scale spreads, you’ll only have the mind to kill.
You’ll seduce people just to drown them and eat their hearts and devour their souls. ”
I laugh. “That’s rumors. Mer don’t—”
“It’s the curse of the blue gill. You were probably too young for your parents to talk about it with you. Melba had a close call in her youth. She almost turned into a soul eater. But love saved her.”
That sounds like a fairytale. Love saved her? How ridiculous. But Ailey’s face darkens. She’s serious in her conviction.
I laugh darkly, clutching my side. “I get it now. Vex wants me to retrieve the phoenix stone while I still have my wits about me.” I can’t stop laughing.
Vex probably already has plans for me to do just that.
Then the prince needs a mer, and everything falls into place.
Vex wouldn’t have to lift a finger or risk his own crew for the job.
“I’m the only one that can get the damned stone for anyone. But why do they want it?”
“I don’t know.” Ailey sighs. “And I hate not knowing. No one should have the stone. It’s too powerful.”
That’s what I think, but what do I know? My mind falls to Jessi. She’s here to keep eyes on me. To make sure I follow through with what I’ve told Vex. I groan.
“Come now, let’s get you changed, and we can all talk. There’s much to discuss.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. “For being so understanding.”
“Sweetie, no one deserves what you’ve been through.” Ailey stands and turns her back to me while I change into a matching set of clothes.
After a few more swallows of water, I feel better, and I nod for Ailey to let the others in.
Gavin rushes inside and looks me over. “Are you okay?”
“Not even close, but I’m better. Thank you.”
Gavin hesitates, so I throw myself into his arms. I need the warmth and comfort, though it makes me feel weak. I’m not weak. The prince wraps himself around me and nuzzles the top of my head. “I’ll do my best to make sure you’re never alone, if that’s what you want.”
I sag in Gavin’s hold before pulling away. “I think once things die down, everything will be okay. We have weeks of this. We have to act normal.”
Damon shuts the door behind him. “Whatever it takes, Kyler. I’ll keep the three of you in my sights.”
In this moment, I feel the safest I’ve ever been in my life. Only, I don’t know how long it’ll last.