The Searching Songbird: The Shendri Series, #2

By E.P. STAVS

Lily Delaney is on a mission to save one of her sister Shendri. The only problem? She doesn't actually know who she is. Or where she is, for that matter. All she has to go on is a vision she saw in her dreams. That, and the help of her celestial phoenix, Suzaku. Will determination be enough to save the unknown Shendri from harm? Or will Lily find herself in more trouble than she can handle?

Draven Grant gets things done. When the boss gives him a job to do, he does it, no questions asked. That is, until the boss tasks him with the unsavory job of stealing an innocent young woman away from her family. A job that becomes even more complicated when she decides to sail to another kingdom. Will he be able to maintain his professional indifference as they drift off to sea together? Or will the appeal of a certain, golden-haired passenger place him in an impossible situation?

Treachery, love, and dragons await as Lily and Draven wind their way through this heart-pounding, second installment of E.P. Stavs' The Shendri Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.P. STAVS
• Release date: Apr 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798986286372

Book preview

Chapter One

Green, iridescent scales gleamed in the darkness, lit by an unseen source. Black and green wings stretched out on either side, spanning the width of the cold, dank room that Lily found herself standing in. They wrapped around her, circling her within their folds. Amber eyes stared down at her, solemn at first, then sad, so very sad. Tears pricked the corners of her own eyes, and she stroked the long length of the dragon's snout.

What is it? The dragon closed its eyes, dipping its head so that her hand slid higher, until it rested on the thick ridge running up the middle of the beast's forehead. A sharp, tingling sensation pricked at the palm of her hand, and she jerked it back in surprise. Oh!

The dragon huffed, stretching its forehead back toward her hand. She hesitated, uncertain, before placing it back on. The sensation returned, but she was prepared this time, and it soon faded as spots of light began to dance through her field of vision. She closed her eyes and gasped at the barrage of images that ran through her mind, one after another, too quick to make any sense of.

Black benches in a moving room... a carriage? The muffled sound of people talking, laughing, singing... then silence. Black boots, well polished, with finely tailored breeches tucked into the tops. Slender hands bound to a long, wooden beam with strands of red hair falling down around them. The crack of a whip, a woman's screams... then silence, once again.

What is this? Lily whispered. What am I seeing?

The dragon let out a low, keening sound.

A tear escaped, trailing a watery path down Lily's face. What can I do? More images, places this time. A line of boats, flags fluttering in the breeze, a beautiful, stone building with stained glass windows, a wrought iron gate in front of an enormous mansion. Where is this place? Is she there, in the mansion? What do you want me to do? Her questions were met with silence as the images faded away and sunlight leaked in from all directions, chasing away the darkness and with it, the dragon.

Lily, sweetie, wake up. You don't want to be late.

Late? Late for what?

Dahlia is going to be royally peeved if you make her wait on your account, so you'd best get your butt out of bed. It's already half past nine.

Dahlia... the wedding! Lily shot up, eyes wide as she looked around the room she was staying in while at the Banri's home in Tallis. Violet stood at the foot of the bed, hands on her hips as she looked down at her. Well, it's about time. We're supposed to be at the church in less than an hour. Cutting it kind of close, don't you think?

Sorry, Vi. Lily swung her legs around, dangling them off the side of the bed as she wiped a hand over her face. I must have been really out of it. She shuffled over to the wash basin and splashed her face with the cool water. Placing her hands on either side of the wooden stand, she stared down into the bowl, blinking away the droplets that gathered on her lashes. I was having the strangest dream. If that's what it even was... She trailed off, lost in thought as the images from her dream filled her mind. Was it really a dream? It felt so... real.

Well, shake it off, Lils, and get a move on. We can't be late for our sister's wedding. Violet shoved a towel into her hand, then snatched up the brush sitting beside the basin and ran it through Lily's long, blonde hair with quick strokes, making short work of any tangles that had worked their way in overnight. Lily yelped as the brush caught on a snarl, but Violet ignored her, unrelenting in her efficiency. We don't have time for anything fancy. I'm thinking we tie it back with a few braids, leave the rest down. Sound good?

Lily shrugged, wincing as the brush caught on another snarl—she must have been tossing quite a bit last night, if the current state of her hair was any indication. Yeah, sure. I wouldn't want to go too fancy anyway and have Dahlia mad at me for stealing her thunder.

Violet snorted. Rose is the one we need to worry about there. Ever since she heard the queen and king were going to be present for the ceremony, she's been dead set on standing out. Let's hope she doesn't go too crazy.

Lily glanced at Violet in the mirror. Why would that get Rose so worked up? I know they're our rulers and all, but come on... it's Josselyn and Alex we're talking about here. She knows them.

Ah ha, but they won't be coming alone. Apparently, they're bringing a few of their most trusted knights with them, as well. So, you see.

Dashing, young men in uniform? Lily laughed. Yeah, I guess I do see. Heaven help those poor, unsuspecting souls if Rose decides to set her sights on any of them.

Or all of them... Violet added. She isn't exactly known for limiting herself. She stood back, fluffing out the bottom strands of Lily's hair. There. All you need to do now is get dressed, and we'll be ready to head over. I'm afraid there isn't time to eat before the ceremony, so you'll just have to wait for the wedding breakfast.

As if on cue, Lily's stomach growled in protest. She grinned sheepishly as her sister threw her hands up in exasperation. Thanks for fixing my hair, Vi. It looks great. And I'll try to keep my stomach in check, I promise.

Violet sighed, striding over to the bureau and pulling down the flowing, turquoise skirt and embroidered blouse that all of the sisters would be wearing for the ceremony. Her lips twitched as she handed them over. I suppose we have time to make a quick pass through the kitchen, see if we can grab you a roll to eat along the way.

Lily grinned, slipping into her clothes with lightning speed. Have I ever told you you're my favorite sister?

Only when you want something. Violet pulled the door open. Shall we?

Giggling, Lily pulled on her slippers and danced through the open doorway. Stopping on the other side, she extended her arm in Violet's direction. Together.

Violet's face softened, and she accepted Lily's arm with a smile of her own. Together. The two sisters headed down the corridor, chatting about the upcoming wedding. Violet was looking forward to the ceremony, but Lily was more excited about the wedding breakfast that was to follow, which was sure to have lots of music and dancing as well as food. Maybe she'd be able to convince Josselyn—that is, Her Majesty—to join her and her sisters in one of the traditional Kalo wedding dances. She hadn't seen Josselyn since leaving the castle the year prior, and she missed her terribly. Her beloved Shendri sister. Maybe I should tell Josselyn about the dream. That dragon—there was something about it, almost as if I'd seen it before. Which is crazy. I've never seen a dragon before in my life. Yes, she would mention it to Josselyn when she had a chance. But first, she would watch her eldest sister marry the man she loved.

Chapter Two

Draven Grant watched as the target skipped down the front steps of Jonathan Banri's large, red brick home, laughing at something one of her sisters was saying. It was the kind of laugh that made you want to smile just hearing it, even if you weren't in on the joke. It pulled at him, enticing him to get a closer look, so he might get a glimpse of the sparkle that was surely lighting up her blue eyes even now. Steady, now. You're supposed to be observing her unnoticed, not tripping across the street like some addled milksop in hope of gaining the fair maiden's favor. You have a job to do. A job which would likely make her despise him. No point in getting attached now.

The target climbed into a waiting carriage, disappearing from view. Draven leaned out the window of his hired carriage and called up to the driver, Follow that carriage. Discreetly.

You got it, boss, the driver replied, giving the horses a slap of the reins. They followed the target's carriage through town, all the way to the town square, where it stopped in front of a church. People milled around outside the front steps, chatting and laughing. The target's father, Hiram Delaney, was among them, and he stepped up to the carriage, smiling as he helped each of the women down. The first out was one of the sisters, Rosemary, if his sources were correct. Her father's smile turned into a scowl as he took in her scandalously low-cut blouse, accented by multiple strings of colorful glass beads. The woman leaned in, kissing his whiskered cheek, and the older man's expression softened as he waved her toward the church. Behind her was the one called Violet. Her ensemble was much more modest, and her father smiled with satisfaction as she passed. That is, until he spotted the book sticking out from the waistband of her turquoise skirt. Plucking it out, he raised his eyebrows and said something that made the young woman shrug. She followed after her sister, leaving her father shaking his head as he turned back to the carriage once more to offer his hand to the remaining sister.

The target.

She placed a delicate, white hand on her father's arm as she stepped down, each movement so light and graceful that she could have been dancing. Her father gave her an indulgent smile, saying something that elicited an answering smile from the target. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, and the two made their way up the stairs to the church. Draven wondered idly what it would be like to be in her father's position, walking arm and arm with an angel.

No, not an angel. The target. Someone of great interest to the boss. Someone whom he would need to deliver to said employer in Antos, willing or otherwise. A pang of guilt shot through him. He'd done a lot of jobs for the boss over the past two years and done them well. After all, he owed the man his life, not to mention the lives of his mother and sister. This, however, felt different from those other jobs. More... insidious. Spiriting a young woman away from her family for reasons unknown? Was that really the kind of man he'd become?

Now's not the time for assessing your conscience. Think of Mirabelle. She's counting on you. The boss is counting on you. Lily—no, not Lily, the target—will be fine. If you don't bring her to the boss, someone else will. And while he would look after the young woman's well-being, a random mercenary might not be so gentle. No, it was better for everyone if he followed through with the job. Watch her from the shadows, and when the moment was right, take her.

There was a flurry of action on the street ahead of him as a large carriage bearing the royal crest pulled up to the church. Two guards stepped forward, one on either side of the door as a footman hurried to open it. The people milling around pressed forward, eagerly craning their necks as a tall, olive-skinned man with a dangerous looking scar marking his face stepped out. That must be the infamous, new king, Alex Grey. There were rumors he was Kalo, but I hardly thought it likely. Looks like they're true.

The king turned back to the carriage, reaching up to take the hand of the young woman following close behind. Her lips twisted into a smirk as she raised her eyebrows at the proffered hand. Laughing, she ignored the hand and hopped down unassisted, before taking the king's hand in her own and saying something that made him chuckle and pull her in closer. Draven watched the pair with disbelief. They were just so... in love. A stark contrast to the current sovereigns in Antos, who seemed to only tolerate each other. Not that he knew them well himself, but he'd had some dealings with the Antoski king due to his work with the boss.

The Eldourian royals strolled up the steps and into the church, and the onlookers turned their attention to the handful of men on horseback who'd escorted the royal carriage. Based on their attire, Draven would guess they were knights. They certainly acted like knights, strutting through the square as if they owned the place, soaking up the adoration of the crowd. Knights. Was there anyone he hated more than knights? Not bloody likely.

Draven pounded his fist on the roof, signaling the driver to move on. With the royals in attendance, the place would be crawling with guards. He'd have to wait. Patience and planning always won out over haste, and when the right moment presented itself, he'd be ready.

Chapter Three

Lily sighed as she watched her eldest sister, Dahlia, spin around the room in the arms of her new husband. Dahlia and David, the consummate couple. Drawn to each other through their shared passion for music, they complemented each other perfectly. She was kind and considerate, but oh so responsible... the result of being the eldest of four sisters. Well, three blood sisters and Lily, the last minute add on. Dahlia had always treated her the same as Rosemary and Violet, however, and Lily loved her for it.

Now, David, on the other hand, wasn't nearly such a stick in the mud. He was funny and adventurous, always on the hunt for new sounds and styles to add to his music. And what's more, he didn't treat Lily like a child, as so many others did. Having grown only a mere inch past five feet, her slight figure and baby face often led people to believe she was younger than she actually was. Even now, a grown woman of twenty years, they still spoke to her as if she were barely out of the nursery. Not David, though. He was insightful. And handsome, with his unruly, light brown hair that was always falling carelessly over one eye and that ever present smile that instantly set you at ease. He was perfection.

And he was married to Dahlia, her beautiful, raven-haired sister whom she loved. The same woman he was even now gazing at as though she were the only person in the room. Yes, David was perfection. And David and Dahlia were perfect for each other.

Lily turned away from the dance floor. What is wrong with you? Drooling over your brother-in-law like some kind of love-struck ninny, not even an hour after your sister's wedding? Pathetic. She skirted her way around the edge of the floor, nodding at familiar faces as she passed. Her sister Rosemary's laughter rose over the music, loud as ever, as she was twirled around in a circle by one of the knights in attendance. Lily smirked, catching Violet's eye as she made her way to her side. I see Rose is having a good time.

Oh, yes. As is her partner.

As much as I love her, I cannot understand why so many men flock to her at these things. She's a bit over the top.

Violet snorted. There's an understatement if I've ever heard one. I believe what you meant to say was ridiculous. She's absolutely ridiculous. But that's not what keeps the men lining up like idiots, vying for her attention.

What is it, then?

Cleavage, my dear, sweet, naive Lily. Cleavage and lots of flattery. She may seem ridiculous, but Rose is far shrewder than most give her credit. She understands the weaknesses of the inferior sex and exploits them to her advantage. Violet sighed. If only she'd use her talents for something a bit more productive than gaining admirers.

Lily laughed, glancing back at Rosemary's smiling face, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling as she twirled around the room. Well, she's having fun, anyway. She poked Violet in the side. What about you? Aren't you going to dance at all? Or were you hoping to sneak off with that book you tried to smuggle in? I'm assuming you found a way to get it back from Papa.

I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about, Violet responded airily, fanning her face with her hand. But now that you mention dancing, it does make me realize how hot it's getting in here. Perhaps I'll step out for a bit, get some air. She winked as she pulled a slim book out of the back waistband of her skirt. Oh, and before I forget, I ran into Josselyn earlier. Her Majesty was hoping for a chance to speak with you tonight. She seemed... agitated. I told her I'd pass along the message.

Lily craned her neck as she searched the room for the queen. Did she say what it was about?

Violet shrugged. Something about a dream? I don't know, she didn't go into detail, and I didn't press. Let me know what she says later, will you? I'm going to step out for now.

Yeah, okay, Lily murmured, only half listening as she scanned the ballroom. Why had they invited so many people to this thing? It made finding anyone almost impossible. Or maybe it only felt that way when you were shorter than everyone in attendance. She stood on her tiptoes, holding onto the back of a chair for balance. She contemplated climbing up on the chair itself for a better view, but knew she would never actually do it.

Looking for someone, Miss Lily?

She smothered a startled scream at the sudden voice behind her head. Pressing a hand to her chest, she turned and looked up at the handsome, young knight who wasn't even attempting to hide his amusement. Narrowing her eyes, she gave him her frostiest glare. Do you make a habit of sneaking up on people, Sir Edmund, or am I a special case? Either way, it wasn't very chivalrous of you.

He held his hands up. It wasn't my intention to startle you, I swear. He grinned. It was simply a humorous bonus.

I'm so glad I can amuse you. Now, if that's all... She turned her back to him as she resumed scanning the room.

Chuckling, he touched her lightly on the elbow. Sorry, I've gotten so used to teasing Joss over the years, that I'm afraid it's become a bad habit of mine. Forgive me?

She pursed her lips, glancing over her shoulder at him. He met her gaze with big, puppy dog eyes, and she laughed in spite of herself. I suppose I must, seeing as you're one of Josselyn's oldest friends. Speaking of which, have you seen Her Majesty? I need to have a word with her, but it's so crowded in here, I can't see a thing.

Last I saw, she was dancing with that overprotective guard dog of hers.

"I'm not sure you should be referring to our king