Chapter 26
KYLER
I hit the mattress, not upset with Gavin, just frustrated with my whole fucking life.
But still, there’s that tiny nugget of hope.
Even if freedom lasts only a moment, I’ll take it.
I’ve dreamed about it. I slump onto the bed and hug a pillow to my chest. Gavin is so patient with me, and sweet.
I want to see him thrive and become the Grand Mage he dreams of.
He deserves it, and I know he’ll bring so much good to the world with the knowledge he can unlock.
The door snicks open, and for a fleeting moment, I think it’s Gavin, but Jessi slides in.
“What do you want?” I mumble, turning my back on her. Not my brightest move, but if she wants to be unbound, I need to stay alive. I trust her self-preservation enough.
“Did poor widdle Kyler hurt his own feelings?”
“Why are you doing this, Jessi? I thought we were friends.”
“Aye, we were.”
“But?”
“But nothing. Vex gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and you’re stuck in the crossfire.”
“It didn’t have to be this way.” I remember all the fun we had—long talks about the future. She only has a five-year sentence while I had life until recently. She’s the one person onboard who hasn’t violated me.
“Didn’t it?” When I turn to look at her, I see sadness fill her eyes.
“I screwed up, Ky. There’s nothing I can do now.”
“We can fix this. Fix us.”
“I don’t think so. I…” Jessi chokes and sputters, grabbing her throat. Whatever it is, she isn’t allowed to talk about it.
“You did something, didn’t you?”
She nods, breathing heavy through her nose. “I’m sorry.” She pushes to her feet.
“We all do what we have to, to survive.”
“Perhaps. Or we make stupid mistakes we regret for the rest of our lives. Vex said to get the stone and meet him at the cove a few miles south.” With that, she scurries out.
Whatever she’s promised can’t be good. I hate not knowing, but I hate worse how I have to betray Gavin.
“Are you okay?”
I snap my head up to find Gavin at the door. “I’m sorry for upsetting you. That wasn’t my intention at all.”
“I—” I shake my head and push to my feet. Had he seen Jessi leave?
“I should have told you what I knew—”
I press a finger to Gavin’s lips and sink into his arms. “It’s fine. I’m not mad at you.”
Gavin sways with me to the fiddle music softly wafting into our room. His hand smooths down my hair, then continues until it lands on the small of my back. I want to stay like this for eternity. He’s so sweet, and I’m a lie.
“We’ll be there shortly,” Gavin says. “The speed spells should get us there by this afternoon.”
“I suppose our little adventure is almost over.” My heart aches. I’m not ready.
“Would you be willing to perform the kiss today? Or do you wish for more rest?”
“Best get it over with, don’t you think? It’s what I’m here for.” I hate how my voice sounds bitter.
Gavin nods. “I like to think you’re here for more than just that. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. The real you, not the pirate you.”
“How can you possibly know which Kyler is which?”
A smile tips Gavin’s lips as he leads us to the bed. “You blush easily, did you know that? And when no one is looking, your smile radiates so much warmth. You helped a sailor with seasickness, so I know you’re kind. And—”
“Stop,” I whisper. I don’t want to see myself in the prince’s eyes. “I can be ruthless and fierce.”
“I know not to play cards with you.” A smile tiptoes across Gavin’s lips.
“That’s not what I mean.” I shove him to the bed and straddle his thighs. I press the knife I’ve kept hidden to his throat. “I could kill you and make it look like someone else had done it.” The words are false. I’ve never killed anyone and don’t plan on starting any time soon.
Gavin’s hands go to my hips. “I don’t think you have it in you.”
He’s right. I throw my knife at the wall and then press my lips to Gavin’s. We both moan into the sensation, and I grind into his erection, relishing the drag against my own cock.
“Fuck me, please,” I whimper. I want to know what it’s like with someone I know won’t hurt me. “Please. Please.” I don’t know why tears well in my eyes, and I hate them.
Gavin kisses the tears away. “Whatever you want, Kyler. Anything. And I promise, I’ll find a way to free you if it means I’m stuck in stuffy libraries for eternity. I’ll make sure you’re free.”
The sob rips from my chest. Gavin always says such pretty words to me, and he means every single one. He’d dedicate his life to freeing me, but I can’t let him.
I brush kisses along Gavin’s jaw. “When we’re done, I want you to forget about me. Don’t worry. I’ll survive this; I always do. But don’t throw away your life for me.” For a stupid merman falling in love with a prince I can’t have.
“I can’t promise that.” Gavin returns the kisses.
Our hands roam each other’s bodies, frantic. We rip each other’s shirts off. I can’t stop my moan when his lips meet my nipple.
“Please,” I say, but for what?
“Take your pants off.” Gavin follows his own instructions as do I.
His cock lays proud against my stomach. I want to savor him, but he has other plans. He fishes into the bedside table for the oil.
“My lap,” Gavin’s voice is rough as he pours the oil into his hand.
A shiver runs down my spine, but I settle on his lap and let him maneuver me into the position he wants, laying across him.
“Just relax.” Instead of playing at my hole, he massages my back, turning me into a noodle.
By the time he reaches my ass, I’ll do anything he asks.
Gavin massages the globes of my ass before delving into the valley between. His thick, oiled fingers tease at my hole.
I pant. One thick finger pushes in, and I melt into the bed. “More. Please fuck me, Gavin.” I want this. I want the pleasure I ask for. The single finger thrusts in and out of me at an unbearably slow pace. I want to cry. I want more.
Another slick finger presses into my hole, filling me. I love being filled. “Please.” I push back, already drunk with lust. My haze swims around the room, fogging my senses.
“Skies, Kyler, you are beautiful.” Gavin dives another thick finger into me.
I’m spread wide, but it’s not the most I’ve taken.
“On your knees.”
I oblige as fast as I can, already mourning the loss of his fingers. Once my weight is off him, Gavin slicks his cock.
“All yours, Kyler.” He kisses me slow.
I blink back at him. I’m in control. No one else. I straddle him, line the prince’s cock to my hole, and sink down.
Gavin’s cock steals my breath. I cling to him as I take him to the root. I can’t look at him. I can’t look to see what plays on his face. I can’t trust my own emotions.
His hands go to my hips, thumbs stroking my skin while I perch on his royal cock.
I can’t take it. I lean in and steal kisses. “Fuck me, Gavin.”
He grabs my hips and bucks into me. Fuck. That’s what I want. I grab his shoulders and fling my head back as he pounds into me. I meet him thrust for thrust, not wanting to let go too early. I’m lost, and my haze thickens. I need more.
“Harder.” Sweat drips down my body as I ride him. For a moment, I think perhaps we shouldn’t exhaust ourselves before we dive to the depths of the sea, but we can always nap, and I always recover quickly.
“You’re so fucking tight. I’m close.” Gavin wraps his arms around me and fucks harder.
I clench my inner muscles, and that’s it for both of us. I come with a shout across Gavin’s chest. Warmth floods my channel. He breathes heavy against me, unable or unwilling to let me go. When he finally does, I flop off him, letting the cum drip down my thighs. We can clean up later.
My mind whirls. Gavin doesn’t deserve my betrayal.
“Oh, the scale.” His finger trails over my hip. “It’s retreating.”
So it is. But that doesn’t mean I’m a good person. Just means I’ll rip my own heart out in the end.