The Hunter and the Mage (The Raven and the Dove #2) - Kaitlyn Davis Page 0,29

had happened between Rafe and him, no matter what his brother had done, Xander still loved him. Yet he'd condemned him to this. Maybe his earlier answer to Cassi's question had been false—a naïve and noble hope. He could have given his people the truth, for better or worse, so they could fight this evil together. Instead, he'd thrown his brother to the wolves.

Don't come back. Xander sent out the thought like a prayer to his god, as though Rafe might somehow hear. Wherever you are in the world, brother, don’t come back. Not yet. Not until I have a better answer to give them. Please, for your own good, stay away.

9

Rafe

The ground had never seemed so far away. Not in the countless hours he'd spent hovering over Xander with the other guards while their prince walked the city streets. Not when he'd soared thousands of miles above the Sea of Mist. Not even when he'd fought that dragon on the sky bridge. Logically, Rafe knew it was no more than twenty feet, and that even if he fell, his magic would heal him. That did little to stop the blood from rushing to his head or his heart from leaping up his throat every time a strong breeze pushed him the slightest bit off balance.

"Come on," Brighty called from the top of the mast, having already completed the climb. "We haven’t got all day."

I'm pretty sure we do, Rafe grumbled silently, latching his fists around the ropes and holding on for not-so-dear life as the ship rocked in the waves. Time seemed to be the one thing he had in abundance. Lost within the endless fog, the days passed in a blur, one just the same as the next. Life on the ship was a monotonous cycle of eating, sleeping, and learning the ropes while trying his best not to strangle Brighty with them.

"I didn’t take you for someone who'd be afraid of heights."

I'm not. Or at least he hadn't used to be, but it was a new feeling entirely to know that if he fell, there would be no wings to catch him.

"If you get to the top before I count to ten, I'll answer one of your questions about the king."

At her challenge, Rafe finally looked up to where she perched in the little basket atop the main mast, a smirk on her face. He couldn't tell if she was lying, but something told him she was being honest—she just didn't expect him to make it in time.

"One."

Rafe scrambled up the net, forgetting about the ground and the fall and the wind and the waves, focusing instead on where to wrap his fingers and place his feet. The higher he climbed, the more the world swayed. The sounds of the crew fell away, replaced by whistling gusts and whipping sails. The countdown droned in his ear.

"Two. Three. Four."

He missed a step, leg falling through a hole, and panic snatched his breath. The ropes bit into his palms as he caught his weight. Gritting his teeth, Rafe righted himself.

"Five. Six. Seven."

The net grew narrower as he neared the highest point. It wobbled unsteadily beneath him, making his biceps and thighs burn in the best way. His abdomen fired up as he fought to keep his balance, his body blazing with life.

"Eight. Nine."

Then he was there, pressing his fingers against the small wooden deck and pulling himself over the edge.

"Ten."

"I made it."

"Did you, though? I mean, as I was saying ten your feet were technically still on the net, so I'm not entirely sure that counts."

"I made it," he growled and collapsed against the mast, letting his feet dangle over the edge. He closed his eyes and breathed, calming himself now that there was some sort of floor beneath him.

"Fine, you made it." For a moment, he thought she might leave it at that—no jab or jibe for the first time ever. Then, under her breath, Brighty added, "It's not like you'll ask a very good question anyway."

He opened his eyes to glare at her as his head dropped to the side. Then he asked the first question that came to mind, unable to stop himself from jumping in without giving his brain time to think. "What kind of magic does the king have?"

Brighty snorted, the sound dripping with superiority. "Aethi'kine."

"What's that?"

"I don't think my deal included a second question."

"Come on. I don't know what any of this means, and you know it."

"I do, and your ignorance is adorable."

Rafe