The Raven and the Dove (The Raven and the Dove #1) - Kaitlyn Davis Page 0,124

not quite right. Her focus drifted to the window. She fiddled with the emerald ring gleaming on her finger. Even chewing her food seemed like a taxing endeavor.

Though she’d met every guest at the table at least once, they were still little more than strangers to her, a fact painfully obvious as she smiled politely while they made conversation around her rather than with her. Cassi was her only true friend at the celebration, an invitation that had cause a mighty struggle with his mother, but it was the princess’s birthday and she deserved to have her best friend by her side, even if that friend was a poor orphaned owl as the queen put it, instead of a wealthy trader or nobleperson from the town.

From where Xander sat, it was the saddest birthday celebration he’d ever attended. All he could think was, Thank Taetanos, when the dessert plates were cleared, because he had a surprise for Lyana, a surprise he was sure would finally put a true smile on her face.

“I’m sorry dinner was so dull,” he said for her ears only as they walked away from the banquet hall.

She started and turned toward him. “No, no, it wasn’t.”

“She’s being polite. It was a bore,” Cassi chimed, making the corner of his lip twitch with amusement as Lyana tossed her friend a glare. “What? It’s the truth.”

“It is,” Xander agreed and stepped between them, offering the women his arms, forgetting himself for a moment. But before he could drop his right arm away, Cassi took it, resting her hand on the crook of his elbow without an ounce of hesitation. They hadn’t spent much time together, not nearly enough for her to understand how much that simple gesture meant. He swallowed quickly before continuing, “But I have a plan to cheer you up.”

Lyana’s eyes brightened. “A plan?”

“A surprise, really,” he corrected.

Lyana stared at him with a narrowed gaze, as though trying to discern his secret. “A surprise…”

At his other side, Cassi scoffed, “You shouldn’t have told her that. She’s the most impatient person in the world.”

“Don’t worry." He laughed. "You won’t have long to wait. It’s just around the corner here, and—”

Xander stopped as light strains of music drifted through an open window. Lyana drew a breath filled with wonder and dropped his arm, running to the sound, wings fluttering behind her as her feet skidded across the ground. She practically crashed into the railing.

“Oh, Xander!” A warm feeling blossomed as she turned around, eyes twinkling like bright stars as they found him, full of gratitude. “It’s lovely.”

And it was.

The sight before him.

The look in his mate’s eyes, the look he had put there.

Cassi dropped his arm and slinked away, leaving the two of them alone. Yet not alone, really. Half the town was waiting in the open courtyard below, just as he’d planned. All the people they’d visited to give blessings, all the people she’d met who weren’t important as his mother would say—though they were, at least to him, and to his princess too, he hoped. Oil lanterns were strung across the castle walls, glittering against the dark sky. An orchestra played in the corner. People were already dancing when a hush quickly spread and a whisper grew as they spotted their prince and princess at the window above. By the time Xander reached Lyana’s side, she’d already grabbed the layers of her silk skirts in one hand, not minding if they got wrinkled. It was all he could do to take her other hand before she pumped her wings and rose into the sky. The crowd parted as the two of them gracefully made the twenty-foot drop to the floor below. Someone began to clap, followed by someone else, and before his feet touched the ground, a thunderous applause greeted them. His people, happier than he’d ever seen, cheering and hollering and whistling, alive and thriving, with hope of what tomorrow would bring. She wasn’t yet their queen, but her presence had restored their faith. Lyana had captured their hearts. And his, too.

Music swelled.

Xander tugged on Lyana’s hand, twisting her into a dance. There was a tear in her eye, teetering on the edge, and ready to drop. He lifted his fingers to wipe it away, grazing her cheek, then tracing the edge of her jaw before lifting her chin. Though her smile was wide, there was a shadow in her gaze, one he couldn’t quite understand when the moisture in her eyes had to come