The Raven and the Dove (The Raven and the Dove #1) - Kaitlyn Davis Page 0,63

Lyana studied her friend, but Cassi’s eyes remained on the ceiling, clouded by thoughts. “My father is sending a note to the House of Flight, requesting a mate match with Damien.”

Cassi’s gaze sharpened as she turned toward Lyana. “You changed your mind?”

It was a hopeful question. One whose answer Cassi already knew, which was why no surprise lit her features as Lyana replied, “No.”

Cassi continued to stare, waiting for an explanation.

Lyana’s elation quickly seeped from her bones, leaving her weary and exhausted, ready to reach the end of the trials, ready to let her new adventure begin. “I told my mother and father I wanted to match with the raven prince. They forbade it. But tomorrow, when the time comes, no matter what deal my father made, the choice will be mine. And I plan to do as I wish.”

“Ana…”

Words danced at the tip of Cassi's tongue. Lyana could practically see them, but she couldn’t begin to guess what they were. Her friend had never held back before. Now certainly wasn’t the time to begin.

“What? Tell me.”

“It’s just…” Cassi broke off and rose to a seated position, wrapping her wings close to her sides in a protective cocoon as though she couldn’t look at Lyana. “I’m worried you’re going to get hurt.”

“Is that all?” Lyana asked lightly, reaching out to graze her friend’s wings, unsure where her sudden sullenness had come from.

But Cassi wasn’t joking. Again, she glanced over her shoulder, silver eyes as impenetrable as the mist of the foggy sea below. “You’ve turned the raven into a fairy-tale prince because of a few stolen hours together, and I’m worried that in the end, the truth will only disappoint you.”

The truth? Lyana thought, frowning. It was an odd word to use, truth. Not in the end, the prince would only disappoint her. Not in the end, the House of Whispers would only disappoint her. Not in the end, her dreams would only disappoint her.

But the truth.

As if, somehow, Cassi saw a lie Lyana had not yet uncovered.

She shook her head, because the only truth was that in the end, it didn’t matter.

“I know I can be too optimistic at times, too eager, too excited, but I’m not a fool, Cassi,” Lyana said. “I know my courtship isn’t one of love, but of political necessity. I know that no matter which prince I choose, a mutual respect and understanding might be all I can ever hope to receive. And I’m sure Damien would make a lovely mate. Beneath the arrogance, he seemed sweet, a good match. On paper, Lysander seems like the less obvious choice, more reserved, a little surly. But at least with him, I won’t have to hide who I am—what I am.”

Cassi held her eyes shut for a moment, before turning away. “I get it, Ana. I get it.”

Lyana nudged her with the tip of her ivory wing. “Is this about Luka?”

Her friend’s shoulders caved in. “Am I so obvious?”

Lyana released a breath. Of course. I’ve been the worst friend. I haven’t even asked how she’s feeling. I’ve been far too preoccupied with myself.

“Are you—?”

“Who is he going to be matched with?” Cassi interrupted.

“Iris,” Lyana told her softly. “The princess of the House of Paradise.”

“What’s she like?”

“She seems…” Lyana chewed her lower lip for a moment, unsure of what to say or how to say it. “Well, she won the speed trials and she performed admirably during hand-to-hand combat. A little more practice, and she might have beat me. At the ball on the first night, she dazzled the crowd with her graceful dancing and obvious charm. I think—well, I hope at least—that they’ll be happy together.”

Lyana watched her friend nod silently, aware that the last thing Cassi would want to talk about was the only thing Lyana wanted to know—if she was all right. Cassi much preferred a witty retort to an honest answer, especially when it came to matters of the heart.

“Hey, Ana?” Cassi whispered quietly. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

Cassi kept her speckled wings wrapped snugly around her shoulders. Lyana’s arms itched to do the same, to hold her friend close, to protect her from an invisible wound they had seen coming. Cassi studied the crumpled bedsheets, not accepting the sympathy Lyana wanted to provide. Instead, she picked at her sleeping trousers, finding pills that didn’t exist in the fabric.

“Do you think— I mean, I’ve been thinking, well, wondering if maybe— It’s just, there’s not really a place for me here, anymore, at least