Then he screamed.
It was no raven cry.
No god call.
There was nothing but raw human emotion, guttural and real, spewing from the volcanic pressure of being pent up for so long. But somehow, it worked.
The dragon reared, crying out in pain.
Xander blinked, first in confusion, then in victory. And then he noticed the arrow stuck through the beast’s eye.
He spun.
Cassi floated behind him, covered in patches of blood, her bow pulled tight. Her silver gaze jumped to him, holding a deadly intent he’d never seen before. The point of her arrow was aimed directly at his heart. His heartbeat thundered. Her wings pumped. They watched each other across the distance as the world slowed for a moment, then two.
She released.
The arrow flew so close Xander heard the whistle as it sailed by, felt the shift in the air, then the beast behind them howled. A wave of fire slammed into his back. Xander crashed into the river below for protection. By the time he emerged from the water, his guards were there. Spears soared through the air toward the beast, along with more arrows, daggers, and blades. The dragon roared a final time before racing away and disappearing into the sky.
A deafening silence followed.
Water droplets slipped down his clothes, falling on the stone like soft rain. Cassi dropped to her hands and knees, an empty retching sound tearing up her throat. Xander stumbled to her side and pressed her shoulder. Her head snapped in his direction. He realized, for the first time, that her eyes were bloodshot with exhaustion and worry. There was only one thing he could think to say.
“She’s gone.”
Cassi looked away and swallowed, visibly choked up. Though she tried to hide it, a tear leaked from the corner of her eye and traveled over the contour of her cheek before dropping to the ground.
The sight was his undoing. Xander wrapped the owl in his arms, because he had so many questions and so few answers, but this one problem he knew how to solve. At first, she stiffened, so tense he almost pulled away. But after a moment, her arms closed around him, clasping tightly, as though he were the last bit of life she could hold on to.
“It’s all right,” he soothed. “Let it go. Let it out. I’m here. You’re safe in my home. Always.”
She didn’t cry, or sob, or fall apart.
But she didn’t let go either.
She clung to him as her body silently shook and a torrent of feeling was unleashed, something deeper than he understood, but he didn’t have to understand. He just had to be there to hold her through it, to be strong as she clutched him for support—because in truth, the embrace was as much for him as it was for her. Her arms were a comfort he wasn’t ready to lose. Not yet. Not when he’d never felt more alone.
No mate.
No brother.
As he watched the crowd around them gather, Xander couldn’t help but notice the silent question in his people’s eyes, the way their gazes darted to the sky searching for their future queen, then to the destruction caused by the dragon, then to their prince. The streets were still covered in a fine layer rose petals and feathers, but now they were also covered in splatters of blood and broken bits of stone. Whispers filled the quiet. He didn’t need to hear them to know exactly what was being said.
Dragon.
Fire cursed.
Where’s the princess?
Where’s the bastard?
He took her.
He stole her.
Worst of all, there was a wary shadow as they looked at Xander, something he’d never seen before—dark and dangerous doubts wondering why he hadn’t saved her. Wondering if the fire god had claimed him, too. Wondering if their crown prince was still their savior.
His mother’s words came back to haunt. Frightened gossip has the power to bring a kingdom to its knees.
Xander shut his eyes.
He didn’t want to see, didn’t want to hear.
He buried his head in Cassi’s neck.
“We’ll get her back,” he murmured as they clutched each other, the center of a growing audience, but for the moment in their own private world.
We’ll get them back.
Rafe. Lyana.
He’d find them.
He’d make everything right.
He’d get the answers he needed.
Who that man was. Where he’d come from. What he wanted.
We’ll get them back.
We’ll get them back.
I promise.
Thank you for reading!
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I hope you enjoyed my novel, The Raven and the Dove! If you have a moment, please consider leaving a review. Even a few words can make a huge difference in someone deciding to give my book a chance.
Need the sequel now?
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The Hunter and the Mage goes on sale on September 21st, 2020 and is currently available to preorder on Amazon! Just click here:
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084RPXR3H
Want the free prequel novella?
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The Princess and the Pawn is a free prequel novella taking place the day before The Raven and the Dove begins! Follow Rafe on his journey to the House of Peace, watch Lyana plan her escape from the crystal palace, and travel beneath the mist to visit with the mysterious King Malek.
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PS: I love seeing photos and social media posts about my books in the wild. If you post about The Raven and the Dove please use #theravenandthedove and tag me! My handles are @KaitlynDavisBooks (Instagram/Facebook) or @DavisKaitlyn (Twitter).
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Thank you!
About the Author
Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie.
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Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she’s not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found indulging in some puppy videos, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family.
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To learn more visit:
www.KaitlynDavisBooks.com
Also by Kaitlyn Davis
A Dance of Dragons
The Shadow Soul ~ The Spirit Heir ~ The Phoenix Born
Leena’s Story (The Novellas)
Once Upon a Curse
Gathering Frost ~ Withering Rose ~ Chasing Midnight
Parting Worlds ~ Granting Wishes
Midnight Fire
Ignite ~ Simmer ~ Blaze ~ Scorch ~ Burn
Midnight Ice
Frost ~ Freeze ~ Fracture ~ Shatter
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