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She circled a coin over the counter with a finger. “But I hope it was worthwhile?”

He watched her and not the money. “I checked around, honest to all things lit by the sun.”

“No luck?”

“Most who come to Gridian start work near the gates, then move their way down. You said they’ve been here almost a year? They should be in this area by now if they stuck around. I know almost every smithery and forge, and I even know a few deeper in the hole. All have been established for longer, and they didn’t carry the names you mentioned.”

Lily had prepared herself for the disappointment before leaving the inn. It still dropped to her gut, but it wasn’t quite as solid. She had other uses for this man, and the night wouldn’t last forever.

“Thanks for looking,” she said with a smile. “It must’ve taken all day.”

“And then some.”

Sighing deeply, Lily peeled off her coat slower than needed. She placed it in her lap, and a slight chill shivered up her bare arms. She smiled again and eased the copper pieces in his direction.

Axel closed his mouth and shook his head, placing his hand over hers. “I was honestly hoping to get some more of your time tonight,” he said.

She obliged—leaning in while he talked about his hobbies and gasping at the various incidents that could happen in a smith’s shop, like she didn’t already know. After a few well-placed giggles and gentle arm touches, she could practically see him melting into a puddle.

“I had no idea such a thing existed! What did you call it?”

“Ultrasonic welding! Incredible stuff, isn’t it?” Axel guffawed at his own voice and started on another tangent about friction and heat, and Lily decided it was a decent segue.

“Does it work on ghostsoil?”

He didn’t seem perturbed by the question. “I’ve never had the chance. It’s not allowed, you know.”

“Forbidden, hm?” She bit her lip. “I hear there’s still some that make it in. Have you ever seen any?”

His smile grew sultry, and Lily’s heart jumped. She frowned through his answer, not hearing it. Odd. She hadn’t been nervous all evening, and he wasn’t that attractive. Lily molded back into what he was saying, almost forgetting about it until it inexplicably vanished.

A chill of her own ran down her spine.

“Is everything okay?” he asked.

Lily’s eyes widened. “Actually…” She shoved the coins toward him again then slammed back the rest of the drink she was nursing. “I have somewhere to be. I’m so—”

“There you are!”

Lily froze mid-escape—her arms still pushing off the counter—remembering to breathe before looking over at Draven who was carelessly filling the little space left at the bar. He leaned an elbow on the counter, pressed a knuckle to his cheek, and grinned.

“You ran off on me. Again.”

“I did not.” Wincing, she sat back down and straightened her coat in her lap. “Technically, I ran off on Croll.”

Draven clicked his tongue. “That’s just cruel. All you had to do was wait a few hours, and I would’ve escorted you through Gridian’s less”—he shot a frown over his shoulder at Lily’s company—“grimy sites.”

“That sounded like a lie,” Lily mumbled, frowning at the little alcohol left in her glass. “And I don’t like waiting.”

“Even the oldest oak was once a seed that waited for the right time to grow.”

“How lyrical. When did your scholars have time to teach you poetry? Before immortal propaganda or after soul eating lessons?”

Draven lifted a shoulder. “What’s wrong with a well-rounded education? Every last ounce of this glorious patience I’m using on you came from somewhere.”

“Forgive me if I’m not sympathetic for making your life difficult. If I’m too exhausting, you’re welcome to go back. I won’t be much longer.”

“Now that sounded like a lie.”