Page 30 of The Searching Songbird

All pretenses at levity fell from her face as her entire body seemed to deflate. “That's one way of putting it, I suppose.” She dropped her gaze to his chest, hands fidgeting with the fabric of her skirt.

“Would you... would you like to come in?” His eyebrows shot up at the invitation, and she blushed. “To talk,” she added hurriedly, her cheeks a delicious shade of pink. “I just thought it might be more comfortable than standing in the doorway...” She peeked up at him, her voice trembling with uncertainty as she whispered, “If you want, that is.”

Oh, I want.

“If it won't make you uncomfortable, that'd be fine.” Thankful that his voice sounded steadier than he felt, he stepped inside and looked around the cramped quarters, trying to decide if he should remain standing or sit on the floor. The only other option was the bed, and that was definitely off-limits.

Closing the door, Lily slipped past him and sank down onto the bed, tucking her legs up under her skirt. She looked at him expectantly, clearly waiting for him to have a seat, so, at last, he settled on the floor beside the bed, with his forearms resting atop his knees in what he hoped was a casual position. If she knew how on edge she made him just by being in the same room, she'd surely boot him out post haste.

“Was there something in particular you wished to discuss? I'm afraid I'm not the best when it comes to small talk, but if that's what you need to distract yourself, I'll do my best.”

“There is something, actually...” She hesitated, dropping her gaze to the worn quilt that covered her bed and picking at a loose thread there. “You said you were going to Flores for business, is that right?” At his nod, she continued. “How long will you be in the city, do you think?”

“A few days, perhaps. My business there shouldn't take too long.”

Her face fell. “Oh, I see.”

He sat up a little straighter, trying to understand the sudden disappointment that colored her voice. Would she be sorry to see him leave? The thought made his heart pick up, even as a knot formed in his stomach knowing how much she'd hate him if he followed through on his plans to take her.

Wait, if he followed through?

When. When he followed through. As much as he may be coming to care for this mysteriously enticing young woman, quitting was not an option. Not when the boss was counting on him.

“Where will you go once you're finished?”

“Home, most likely.”

She perked up at that, looking down at him with interest. “Oh? And where is that, if you don't mind my asking?”

“A tiny little town in northern Antos, in the foothills of the Endless Mountains. Nowhere of consequence to most, but, for me, it's home.”

She smiled. “Sounds cold. You must be awfully thick-skinned to live so far north.”

“I suppose I am,” he laughed. “It's certainly a far sight colder than the islands. An island girl like you wouldn't last one winter there, I suspect.”

“Hmm. I wonder.” Her gaze shifted to the side as she stared into space. “I wasn't necessarily born on the islands, you know. Maybe I actually grew up somewhere cold.”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged, turning her gaze back to meet his. “Like I said before, I can't remember much of anything before the age of eight. Not since a group of fishermen found me washed up on the island of Kreá's shore.”

“You lost your memory?”

“A lot of it, yes. Oh, I could remember how to speak, and I knew how old I was, what year it was, that kind of thing. But, as for family or where I was from – nothing. I couldn't even remember my name.”

“Lily's not your real name?”

“It's real to me. It's all I've ever known, ever since Ms. Fairway brought me to live with her on Orphan Island. She said I reminded her of a little lily pad.” She let out a soft laugh. “I'm just glad she shortened it to Lily. But, to answer your question, no, Lily isn't my birth name. Delaney isn't my actual surname, either, for that matter. I didn't take that on until I was adopted by my current family at the age of fourteen. So, you see, my whole identity is just one big lie.”

“It's not a lie, it's your new truth. There's a difference.”

“I suppose.” She untucked her legs, letting them fall over the edge of the bed so that they dangled in front of Draven's knees. Nudging his leg with her toe, she asked, “So, tell me, Draven Grant, what's your deal?”

His eyebrows shot up and it took him a moment to speak without sounding defensive. “My deal?” There's no way she knows who you work for. Don't jump to conclusions.

“Yeah, like back in Devon, when you dealt with that thug for me, and then the other night, with the pirates. You definitely seemed like you knew your way around a fight. I was just wondering how you ended up being so well-trained?”

“Oh, that.”