The Hunter and the Mage (The Raven and the Dove #2) - Kaitlyn Davis Page 0,111

of a week, and even he couldn't quite believe his eyes. Every morning, he woke expecting to learn it had escaped. Archer hardly slept for fear of the metal loosening. Pyro kept a near-constant watch for wayward flames. Brighty, too, seemed a bit more on edge than usual. He'd caught her glancing over her shoulder more than once, same as he, their eyes drawn to the eerie orange glow sifting through the fog.

Even now, a shiver ran down his spine at the sight of the fiery hues trailing behind the ship. The dragon's body burned with an inner heat no amount of ocean water could douse. Spout tried, again and again, but no matter how many waves crashed along the creature’s back, the blaze returned, seeping through its scales, brighter with each breath, as though its skin contained liquid fire. Leech was itching to take samples. Rafe had seen the agro'kine stand at the stern with a vial in his palm and a longing look in his eyes more than once, but Captain forbade it. The dragon was for the king alone.

Rafe, for one, couldn't wait to be rid of it.

My wings. My wings. For the past few days, he'd been repeating the words like a prayer, to keep his mind focused and his heart steady, but now they brought a giddy lightness to his chest. It’s almost time to get back my wings.

He left the dragon behind and turned toward the city, catching the hint of shadows through the mist. As they neared, the hazy outlines gradually sharpened. Four figures stood before a looming warehouse, their faces lit by mage light. One was clearly a photo'kine. His palm glowed a brilliant white, and beneath his flopping crimson hair, he had the same milky eyes as Brighty. Next to him was the sharp-faced ferro'kine Rafe recognized from his brief meeting with the king. He wouldn't soon forget the face of the woman who'd forcibly dragged him through the halls, metal binds digging into his wrists and ankles as he stumbled behind her. The other two he didn't know. One was a short woman with brown hair in a knot atop her head. The other was an older man with wrinkled olive skin.

Rafe leaned closer, frowning as he searched for another form in the shadows outside the halo of light, but there was no one else.

Where the gods was the king?

If he didn’t come—

If he doesn't show—

No. Stop.

Rafe squeezed his eyes shut, forcing his doubts to the bottom of the sea. They had a deal. He'd get his wings back. The king was there, somewhere. And if he wasn't, Rafe would rip this city apart to find him.

"Rafe," Patch bellowed across the deck in his deep voice. "How about you quit staring and make yourself useful?"

With a sigh, Rafe pushed off the rail and hurried to help with the sails. It was strange to think that there had been a time when he could hardly stand on the ship, his feet unable to adjust to the constant rolling of the sea. Now he sidled up the nets without problem, loosening knots and retying them. Squirrel dropped a line down to him, and he passed it down to Jolt, no words required as they worked. When he jumped back onto the deck, he didn't need to wait for orders. Brighty stretched her arm back without even looking, expecting his presence, and Rafe took the rope and tied it to the cleat. Together, they hefted one of the thicker ropes over the edge and tossed it to the mages waiting on the dock. Within minutes, the ship was secured.

As soon as the gangplank was lowered, Captain and Patch marched to the waiting mages. Rafe itched to run after them, but he knew when he wasn't wanted. Instead, he took his spot by the rails, leaning his forearms against the damp wood as he stared, not bothering to hide his interest. They spoke in hushed tones, their gazes ever so often darting to the ship or the dragon floating just behind it, but never once landing directly on him.

Where is the king?

Why isn’t he here?

Brighty nudged him with her shoulder as she took the spot next to him. "You sure about this?"

"As sure as I've ever been about anything."

"Because I like you just fine without the wings."

A smile played over his lips as he turned to consider her, but she kept staring at the docks. "How do you know you won't like me better