Page 6 of The Searching Songbird

“Anytime, Shendri.”

“Um, Lily? Hello?” Josselyn waved a hand in front of Lily's face. “I feel like I lost you there for a minute.”

“Sorry. I was asking Suzu if she knew anything about the dragon girl.”

“Oh, good thinking. What'd she say?”

“Not much. Just that the original was from the islands.”

“The islands, huh?” Josselyn mulled that over for a moment. “I don't know. The flashes I saw didn't look they were on one of the islands, but I've never actually been there, myself. What do you think?”

“Well, there was water. A shipyard, not unlike the one we have here in Tallis.” Lily's brow furrowed as she tried to remember more details from the dream. “But you're right, I don't think it was one of the islands. The buildings I saw were much grander than anything you'd find there.”

“A port city on the mainland, then.”

“Most likely,” Lily agreed. “Not Tallis, though. I would've recognized the buildings.”

“Devon is the only other port city in Eldour,” Josselyn mused. “Alex and I were down there a few months ago, meeting with the duke, and I don't recall seeing either building when I was there.”

“I've been to Devon a few times, as well, and I don't remember them either.”

Their discussion was interrupted as Alex strode out onto the terrace, followed by two guards. “There you two are. The Banris are getting ready to leave. I thought you'd like to see them off.” He stopped next to Josselyn, taking her hand and pressing a kiss against her knuckles. “Is everything okay? You two look as thick as thieves out here.” He looked back and forth between them, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Should I be worried?”

“Hmm. Should you?” Josselyn made a face as if giving the question some serious consideration. Lily laughed.

“We're fine, Your Majesty. Just comparing dreams. It seems we're more connected than we realized.”

“Shendri stuff,” Josselyn added in a lofty tone. “You wouldn't understand.”

“Just try not to go starting any wars on us, all right?” He reached over to tickle Josselyn in the ribs. “Hellcat.”

Lily watched the two banter back and forth, feeling a bit like a third wheel. As happy as she was that her two new friends had finally given in to their feelings for each other, she couldn't help the twinge of jealousy she felt whenever she saw them together.

I want that. Someone who looks at me the way Alex looks at Josselyn, the way David looks at Dahlia...

She cleared her throat. “We should head in if we're going to see them off.”

Josselyn nodded, giving Alex's side one last jab with her elbow. “You're right, we should.” They started back toward the doors together. “About the dreams... I think we should look into them some more. Maybe research the different port cities, see if we can find any that feature a large, stone building with stained glass windows. Surely something that impressive would be mentioned in regard to the city.”

“It's worth a try. Shall we try the library here in Tallis? I would imagine you'd have access to whatever you wanted there.”

“We head back to the capital tomorrow morning,” Alex chimed in. “And we're meeting with the city officials this afternoon.”

“Shoot, he's right.” Josselyn gave her an apologetic look. “Do you mind taking the lead on the research? I can write a note for you to take to the library, granting you access to anything you need.”

“Sure. I think Papa was planning to stay in Tallis for another week or two, at least, and with Dahlia married, we haven't discussed any future plans for The Four Flowers. I have nothing but time on my hands.” Lily tried to make herself sound excited by the prospect, but secretly, she was feeling pretty lost these days, with nothing to do and no plans for the future. At least now she had something to focus on.

“Excellent.” Josselyn reached over to take her hand, giving it a quick squeeze before they walked back inside. “Let me know if you find anything.”

Lily returned the squeeze. “You'll be the first to know.”

Chapter Four

Draven shifted in his seat, stretching his legs out. The chair he'd slipped into when he first came into the library had seemed fine, at first, but now, having spent the last three hours hunkered down in it, pretending to read, he regretted not choosing a more comfortable one. He stared down at the book he was holding, The Complete History of Eldorian Basket Weaving, and his eyes glazed over. A moreinteresting book might have been nice, as well.

He peeked over the top of his book, to where the target was currently bent over a large book of her own. Her golden blonde hair hung down over her face like a curtain, having mostly escaped from the messy bun that was failing miserably at its job. Her fingers drummed a rhythm he couldn't quite make out on the table she'd covered in books. He was tempted to walk past and get a closer look at them, but drawing attention to himself would be unwise.

Still, what could possibly have a girl like her so invested? His curiosity was killing him.