Page 41 of The Searching Songbird

“And Thomas is...?”

“The pianist, of course.”

“Oh, of course.”

“Go on, now. No reason to be nervous. There's only us here.”

Lily smiled to herself, stepping out onto the stage with sure feet. No, there wasn't any reason to be nervous. Not when it came to singing, anyway. And performing in front of an audience only made it all the more exciting.

She crossed the stage to the beautiful grand piano that stood on the far end. A wiry, young man with a thatch of straw-colored hair peeking out from beneath a black hat looked up at her as she approached.

“What'll it be, miss?”

She grinned. “When I Find My Man.”

The pianist, Thomas, broke into a wide smile and tipped his head in an appreciative nod. He waited until she made her way to the front of the stage, then led into the song with the effortless grace of an accomplished musician.

She took a deep breath, allowing the sultry notes to flow through her, soaking up the emotions that had been building ever since she'd first fallen into Draven's arms. The words poured out, silky smooth and full of passion. A verbal testament to all of the new and wonderful feelings she'd experienced in the past few days.

Yes, she was worried.

Yes, she was scared.

Fia's unknown fate lay hovering on the edge of her consciousness, adding a sense of urgency to everything she did.

But, she was also fully and undeniably in love, and that realization made every obstacle seem small in comparison. She would find the man she was searching for, and through him, Fia. And anyone who dared to stand in her way was a fool, for she was unstoppable.

With her heart swelling with a heady mix of love and empowerment, she let her eyes skim over the rows of empty seats that filled the auditorium until her gaze settled on the long table set up at the front. An older woman with a firm chin and air of austere elegance sat at one end of the table, her eyes fixed on Lily's performance. Two men took up the remaining chairs, one with a rounded face and plump cheeks that spoke of a few too many brandies, and the other with severe, hawk-like features and heavily salted hair.

Neither one of which being the man she sought.

If the baron is one of the judges, then I suppose we can rule him out.

Then again, Mrs. Calloway hadn't said the baron would be there as a judge. Although, it was hard to imagine why else he would bother attending auditions.

She lifted her gaze, seeking out the mezzanine. A familiar figure stood at the railing, his visage just barely visible in the low lighting. Draven. A smile pulled at her lips as she directed her song his way. This song, these feelings, they're all because of you. She willed him to turn and look her way, but he continued to stand with his back to her.

Her eyebrows drew together as she caught sight of a tall figure looming behind him. Who was he talking to? She strained her eyes for a look at the man's face, but it remained shrouded in shadow. Is it the baron? Had he been watching from up there all along?

Just then, the man stepped forward, moving around Draven to take a place at the railing. The low light of the chandelier flickered over his face, allowing her a glimpse of his darkly handsome features. It's not the man from my vision. So, who was it? And why was he speaking with Draven? Perhaps it is the baron, after all, and we've been seeking out the wrong man.

He tilted his head in her direction, and their gazes locked.

The breath left her lungs, ripping the song from her lips as she felt the earth threaten to give way beneath her feet. Her heart leaped into her throat and her stomach dropped, leaving a hollow shell in the center.

Those eyes. She knew those eyes. But, how could she, when she would swear the man standing there was a stranger?

“Sing, Shendri,” Suzu whispered inside her mind. “They're staring.”

Tearing her gaze away from the balcony, she scrambled to find her place in the song. The judges watched her with carefully guarded expressions as she stumbled over the words. Sucking in a deep breath, she finally managed to even herself out as years of practice took over.

That man, Suzu. How is it I know him, when I'm certain we've never met before? Who is he?

“It... it's impossible.”

What's impossible?

“That man, he bears a striking resemblance to someone I once knew. Someone who's been dead for almost two-hundred years.”