The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)(72)

Something like a groan ground down the cord between us, and I laughed. Was this what Estrel had felt like, pushing me through drills?

We repeated the exercise until Res was breathing heavily and his wings drooped from exhaustion instead of dramatics. He’d figured out that if he fluttered his wings as he leapt, it gave him an extra boost, which meant he got to the chicken faster.

It would be a couple more weeks before he could fly, but each new tiny indication that he was growing closer made me shiver in anticipation.

*

A week and endless training sessions later, I sat with Caylus in his workshop, marveling at how much Res had grown. He stood taller than my waist and could eat more than his weight in chicken and did so happily. In fact, he was obsessed, flopping to the floor whenever I refused to give him more and lifting his wings like a sheet to protect his food as he ate. We’d had to start getting chicken from other sources than just Tarel, lest he start wondering why I needed so much.

Res hopped over to where I sat, sending Gio hissing and scurrying away. The kitten clambered up Caylus’s leg, scurrying along his side until he’d reached the safety of his shoulder.

Res nudged my hand with his beak. His movements were already smooth and lithe, the strength and grace of the crow he would become evident in the growing cords of muscle along his lean form. Unlike normal birds, crows had almost reptilian bodies, making them thicker and sturdier than their featherlight counterparts.

I pulled a piece of chicken out of the pouch in my pocket and tossed it to him. He swallowed it one gulp and nudged me for more, making a low throaty noise reminiscent of Gio’s purring.

By the time we escaped and reached Trendell nearly three weeks from now, Res would be almost full-grown.

Caylus looked up from the drawing he’d been working on, the slightest tremor in his large hands. “I’ve been thinking about what you asked the other day.”

It took me a moment to realize what he meant: the day Diah had come. The day I’d asked him to leave with us.

I rose, joining him at the workbench. My arm brushed his, and this close, I remembered the thrill of the night Res had hatched. The night Caylus and I had kissed.

He slid his hand over, and I met it with mine, our fingers interlacing. His skin was rough, lined with so many scars. Tilting his head forward, his deep green eyes met mine, the stray auburn curls dipping above them turning nearly red in the sunlight.

“If you…you know…if you still—” He bit his lip, and my fingers twitched. I longed to touch his lips, to trail my fingers along the line of his jaw. “I know about your engagement, and I know it’s not what you want, and I’m okay with this if you are, and—” He stopped again.

“If you still want me to go with you, I will,” he said unwaveringly.

Without hesitation, I replied, “I do.” And kissed him.

For one perfect moment, it was just my lips against his. It was sweet, safe silence, and a promise of something better.

Then Gio yowled as my shoulder pressed into Caylus’s, catching the cat’s tail, and Res let out a demanding caw, the cord between us tugging.

I laughed against Caylus’s lips and felt him smile back. I pulled away, but he captured my face in his hands, their broad expanse forming a gentle cocoon. Heat fluttered through me, my body waking up bit by bit like a fire sparking to life. By the time we pulled apart, my throat was raw and my lungs burned for air.

Caylus’s hands slid away, and I captured one in my own, smiling as Res nudged me again. I tossed him a piece of chicken from the pouch, and he snatched it out of the air with the dexterity of a hunter.

Physically, he looked perfect. He was bigger than I’d expected him to be, even for a male crow of his age. Full-grown, he’d be massive.

But his size wouldn’t be enough.

“I don’t understand,” I said, watching as he hopped over to his water bowl to drink. “He should be showing signs of magic by now. I’ve never heard of a crow taking this long before. What if something’s wrong with him? What if Ronoch damaged him somehow?”

“Whatever it is, I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation,” Caylus replied.

I snorted. “You would say that. But this is magic, not science. Who knows what the rules are?”

“We’ll figure it out.” Caylus squeezed my hand.

“I hope so. For all our sakes.”





Twenty-Four


When I returned to the castle that evening, I had a letter for Caliza telling her Res was strong enough to move. The letter would take two days to arrive in Rhodaire, then a day for her to contact the ship in Elair, and two days for them to sail here. We only had to make it five more days.

I fell asleep to the knowledge that it was time to find a way out of Sordell.

A soft touch at my shoulder woke me. I opened my eyes, expecting sunlight and Kiva’s face. Instead, I found night and the shadowed form of Auma a foot away, nearly enveloped in darkness.

I bolted upright. “What is it? Is something wrong?”

“I have something for you,” she said, holding out a small envelope.

I took it, expecting more of an explanation, but she only waited. Pushing myself back against the headboard, I opened the envelope and withdrew a letter, finding a fake message from Caliza.

“Where did you get this?” I asked.