The Hunter and the Mage (The Raven and the Dove #2) - Kaitlyn Davis Page 0,81

the king said, his tone anything but inviting. Xander had the distinct sense he was being welcomed to this isle like a lamb to slaughter. This visit would be a test of his diplomatic skill. "And to you, Cassi Sky, though I suppose in your case, we should be saying welcome home."

"We thank you for your generous hospitality," Xander cut in before Cassi could speak, seeing the muscles in her jaw clench. "I've spent much of my life dreaming of the libraries in your glorious city, and I find I'm quite overwhelmed now that I'm finally here. As thanks from our house to yours, and in honor of your god, Meteria, guardian of history and purveyor of intellect, we come bearing gifts, which my merchants are now delivering to your storerooms. Metal ores and precious gems, blessed by Taetanos, to be used as you see fit."

"And what of the new Crown Princess of the House of Whispers? I was surprised to find that she declined our invitation."

"Unfortunately, the princess is indisposed."

"So quickly?"

Those two words were ripe with hidden meaning—that Lyana was pregnant, that it couldn't possibly be Xander's, that his daughter wasn't the only victim to Lyana’s free spirit. The truth, of course, hit a little close to home. Managing to keep a pleasant smile on his lips almost amounted to a heroic deed. "A dragon attacked our homeland not too long ago, as I'm sure the rest of the houses have learned. The princess is still recovering from the trauma."

"I've heard you had some recovering to do as well."

The king glanced to where Xander's right arm sat perched on the table, his missing hand visible for all to see. He and his mother had agreed to let that information slip, using a bad situation to their advantage. It was the perfect way to explain why Prince Lysander was no longer quite the gallant warrior they remembered from the trials—well, the warrior they remembered, in any case. Rafe had never been gallant a day in his life. Grouchy and gruff, maybe, but not gallant.

The thought made it easier for Xander to smile as he slid his wrists beneath the table and answered the king's unspoken question. "These are trying times for my house, indeed."

"Such a shame, after your decisive victory at the House of Peace. The warrior prince from the House of Whispers. You were all anyone wanted to talk about for those few short days."

"Yes, well…"

"The heart makes a warrior, don't you think?" Cassi cut in, her voice far too sweet. Xander's hackles immediately rose, even as a warmth spread across his chest at the sound. "Bodies age and wither, as I'm sure you know. But a good heart, a noble heart, never weakens—a lesson even an owl raised by doves somehow learned."

Xander stifled a groan. She'd managed to call the king old and feckless in the same sharply crafted sentence. He could practically see the fury simmering in the man's eyes.

Well, this is off to a fabulous start.

I'll be lucky if I get out of here without starting a war.

"Too true," Xander said before Cassi could continue. Dragon fire might be beyond his capabilities, but these sorts of blazes were ones he luckily knew how to quench, assuming the woman by his side could remain quiet long enough to stop igniting them. "And with Meteria their patron, every owl in the House of Wisdom knows this lesson as well, I’m sure, their king and queen most of all. I look forward to seeing what other lessons this noble house might teach us. After our long journey, however, I confess I'm most curious to learn more about your fabled cuisine. I must admit, I'm starving."

Cassi's glare could have bored through his cheek. Prince Nico, though, threw him the grateful look of a son tired of his overbearing parent, a feeling Xander knew well. A moment of kinship passed between them, there and gone. But it was something, a bead of hope to build upon, which was exactly what Xander intended to do as the first course made its way into the room.

26

Cassi

The gods, she didn't know how Xander could stand it. All these pretty words hiding ugly jibes, all this smiling and forced laughter, not to mention the food. Cassi was an owl, but growing up in the House of Peace meant growing used to a dove's diet—fruits and nuts and berries and breads. The meat roiled in her stomach, heavy and nauseating. As dinner came to an end,