Page 34 of The Searching Songbird

“It doesn't matter if I fit in or not,” she murmured, her eyes still focused on the street outside, even as her mind wandered elsewhere. “We both know that's not why I'm truly here.”

“True enough. And I mean to help you in any way I can.”

She glanced over at him, and found him watching her, his expression serious despite his previous teasing. “Thank you. I must admit, the whole thing has me on edge. I need to find her as soon as possible.”

“So, what's the plan? We take you to your friend's tavern, and then...?”

“And then, I follow through with my original story, looking for a position as a singer somewhere during the day. I'll keep my eyes and ears open for anything that might give me a clue to where she is. If I'm lucky, I'll come across either the mansion or one of the two people I've seen so far, the man or the old woman.”

“In which case, you will let me know immediately,” he interjected. “I don't want you approaching either of those two without backup.”

“That is why I asked for your help in the first place. Trust me, I'm not the type to go running head first into danger.”

He snorted. “Says the woman who went charging into a fight with two over-sized thugs just a few days ago. I'll say it again – do not engage without me there. I mean it.”

“Fine. I promise I'll let you know if I find anything. But, to be honest, I'm more likely to find something in the evening, when I can have Suzu scout the city for me after dark. Hopefully, she'll come across the mansion soon, and I'm almost positive that's where I'll find Fia.”

“Sounds like a decent enough plan. You and Suzu find the location, and I'll find a way in.”

“Just like that?”

Just like that.”

She sighed, turning her face back toward the window. “Let's hope you're right.”

They rode in silence for the next few minutes, until the hackney slowed to a stop in front of a two-story stone building with a wooden sign hanging out front proclaiming it to be “The Siren's Call.”

“Here we are – your home for the duration of your stay. Your friends the Calloways are well-established here. You certainly won't lack for connections, should you need them.”

“They're more my father's friends than mine, to be honest. I've never actually met them.”

Draven hopped out of the hackney and looked up at her expectantly, but a sudden case of nerves kept her frozen to the seat. What if they didn't like her? What if they didn't let her stay? Her father had written that she was coming, certainly, but there hadn't been time for a response to reach them before she left. What if they turned her out? Where would she go then?

“You won't find your friends in there,” Draven prodded gently. He held his hand up, waiting for her to take it. “Come on. I'll walk you inside.”

Thank goodness for that hand. That steady, work-hardened hand that had already saved her on multiple occasions. She placed her hand inside it, reveling in the warmth she found there. It was the hand of someone she could count on, someone she could trust.

Maybe even someone she could love?

His hand tightened around hers as she continued to stand in the doorway, poised as if to step out but too caught up in her thoughts to remember what it was she was supposed to be doing. Her breath caught as heat flared in his eyes, and she let out a breathless laugh as he suddenly reached up, placing his hands around her waist and lifting her right out of the carriage.

And for one, breathless moment, he held her there, lifted up as if she weighed no more than a feather. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she swallowed, feeling the sudden need to run her tongue over them in case they were dry. They parted on their own accord, and she only just refrained from darting her tongue out as Draven leaned in closer. He hesitated just before their lips touched, his face so close that Lily could feel his beard tickle her chin.

“Lily, I...”

The tinkling of bells cut him off, and he practically dropped her in his haste to set her down. A group of men came tumbling out of the tavern, their raucous laughter filling the sudden space between them. They ambled down the road, calling out suggestions as to their next stop, oblivious to the pair standing there.

Their voices grew distant, and Draven cleared his throat as he carefully avoided Lily's eyes. “We should probably get you inside.”

“Probably,” she murmured in agreement, not making any move toward the door. This made two almost-kisses, now, and while she had been ready to resist the first one, this time... this time she felt only disappointment that they'd been interrupted.

“After you,” Draven prompted, his voice gruffer than usual. Was there a note of disappointment there, as well, or was that only her wishful thinking?

“Don't lose track of the mission, Shendri,” Suzu's voice chided from inside her head. “Fia needs you now. Romance can wait.”

Her eyes widened in surprise, but she had to acknowledge the wisdom in the phoenix's words. This wasn't the time to be lingering in a dream, wondering if the mysterious man in front of her kissed as well as he fought. She had to find Fia and make sure she was safe. And then, well...

A small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she turned toward the tavern. Third times a charm, after all.