Chapter 23
GAVIN
“Okay, what about this line right here?” I point, eager to see Kyler put everything he’s learned so far into practice.
I’m grateful that Jessi has left Kyler alone since that little midnight meeting three days ago. She’s watched him from the shadows but hasn’t said anything else that I know of. I can’t help but wonder if she just enjoys taunting him or if they were really friends for a time.
Kyler sits between my legs as we’re on the main deck, out of everyone’s way.
I love giving him little reading lessons.
He does best in small increments, especially with rewards.
Such as kisses. Or, after a particularly good lesson, orgasms. We’ve practiced the mer kiss a few more times, and each kiss gives me longer underwater, but today is a rest day.
Kyler seems to vibrate with concentration as he sounds out the letters of the first word. “Son.”
“That’s right. Keep going. You’re doing so good.”
He hums and wiggles at the praise. With his life less chaotic for a change, he can relax, and I love watching it happen.
Suddenly, someone plops down on the deck in front of us, making Kyler lose his concentration.
“Can you teach me, too?”
“Aye, and me?”
Soon, we have a group of five—a mix of wolf and raven shifters—who want to learn how to read. Kyler blinks up at me.
“Your stories really made me think about my own life.” The wolf’s ears twitch. “I ain’t got a family, but at least I didn’t get a cursed life like you. Sorry for being an ass. I’m Mathis.”
“What do you say, Kyler?” I kiss the top of his head. “Do we teach them?”
“Yes. But they don’t get my kisses.” Kyler snuggles deeper into my lap while the group laughs.
Basil finds us sticks of chalk, and I get to work teaching. This is what I love—sharing knowledge, being with people who want to learn. That’s why I want to be a Grand Mage in the first place: to help people.
Once I have my Grand Mage status, I can go to any academy and use their resources.
I’ve been blocked from too many, even being a prince.
But once I’m a Grand Mage, I won’t have to worry about any of that.
Doors will open, and I can’t wait. I can almost taste victory, even if I still have to think of a proper sacrifice. What could I give up? I don’t know.
Kyler and my other students begin to yawn.
“Time for a break,” I announce. I need to check in with Leander to make sure everything is fine back home. Maybe check in with Ailey to see how she’s doing.
My students stand unsteadily on their feet. Kyler looks up at me with those big eyes. “You’re a really good teacher.”
“And you’re a much better student than you give yourself credit for.” I pull him close. “Skies, you’re something else, Kyler.” When I pull away, I see tears welling in his eyes. “What’d I say?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. I’m just… never mind.” He turns and shuffles away from me. The crew has stopped acting so rowdy towards him, and I let him go on his own.
I take my time walking back to my quarters.
Kyler’s laugh rings out over the ship, and I look back to watch him talk with Jon, a musician who keeps the peace quite well.
I love the sound and the way Kyler’s face lights up when he’s happy.
I have no idea how I’ll end the play with both our hearts intact.
Perhaps everything really is fake with Kyler, but for me, it’s not.
I press my door open with a sigh. How is it so easy to fall for Kyler?
I sit at my desk and pull out a fresh sheet of paper from the drawer.
Leander never learned how to use a mage stone, so we correspond via a mage box when needed.
It’s not as secure as using a raven messenger since the magic could be intercepted, but we can’t use a messenger during the voyage anyway.
I scratch out my note about how much longer we have before we reach the stone—three days if the weather holds.
The mage box, a clear quartz the size of my hand, sits heavily on the corner of my desk.
I slide the drawer open and drop my message inside.
I don’t like having Kyler out of my sight, but he’s made a few friends after all, and I refuse to stifle him.
I don’t wish to wait for whatever message Leander might send back. I stand and stretch, but just as I’m heading to the door, Jessi slinks right in.
“Going someplace?” Her voice is smooth, not unpleasant.
“I was just going to find Kyler again. My work here is done.”
“You know he’s playing you, right? He’s done this before to countless clueless men. He steals their hearts, then runs away.”
I grind my teeth. “That’s not the Kyler I know.”
“The Kyler you know is a lie. Kyler likes being used. He begs for it. Spreads his pretty legs for anyone that wants to try his tight little hole. The entire crew has fucked him. When he’s high as a kite, he doesn’t care. He just wants—”
“Stop.” That isn’t Kyler. “What do you have against him?”
Jessi shrugs. “Nothing really. We were friends for a time until I saw right through him. Don’t trust him. He’ll break your heart.” She slides out as smoothly as she entered.
I slump onto the bed. I know I shouldn’t trust her.
“That woman is a snake.” Ailey strides in and shuts the door. “Don’t believe a word she says. Of all the people on board, she’s the one I trust least.” Ailey settles into the lounge across from me. “How are you, dear? We’re getting close to the stone. You must be excited.”
“I’m…” I don’t know how I am. The information that I need a sacrifice—because I believe that part of what Jessi has told me over the last few days—keeps me up at night.
“I thought it’d be simple to grab the phoenix stone, but come to find out, I have to offer a sacrifice of something I can’t bear to live without. ”
Ailey goes pale. “Oh. That’s not pleasant.”
Understatement of the year. “No. And I can’t think of anything worthy of the phoenix stone.”
“We could talk it through. You still have some time left.”
Before we can, the mage box glows red, meaning something isn’t right at home. I rush to retrieve the message.
Gavin,
His Majesty is… not well. No need to rush home, but you need to be aware of what you might be coming back to. Ambrose and I are working to remove His Majesty soon.
Leander
“Fuck.” I scratch back a response. How can I be on a mission for myself if my home might be in danger?
“Gavin.” Ailey gets my attention. “Take a breath. There’s nothing you can do from here. Leander could have it taken care of by the time we return.”
I write out a new note thanking Leander and asking to be kept informed.
“I know you’re worried, but Leander has things covered, and Ambrose is there. They make a good team.”
“And I’m always fucking left out,” I grumble.
“Because you want to be.” She squeezes my shoulder. “As much as you want your father to see you, you also want to be invisible as a royal.”
My heart drops to my feet. “Fuck.” How can she know me so well?
“You do your part on the fringes, learning how to help in your own way. But you’ve always wanted freedom from being a prince, and being a mage gives you that. As well as being third in line.”
I’m not sure truer words have ever been spoken about me.
“For what it’s worth, I think you and Kyler make a good pair. We’ve had several conversations. He’s very sweet despite his upbringing.”
“That he is.”
“The two of you should talk about how you’re feeling so you don’t break your own hearts. Oh, before I forget, the mages said we can expect a storm within a few hours. They’re shielding us, of course, but they said to be prepared.” Ailey squeezes my shoulder before leaving me to my own thoughts.