Songbird (10 page)

Relieved, Bran opened his eyes and found her gazing down at him. “Thank you,” he said, breathlessly. “I guess I have to eat my words... about not wanting you to use your magic on me. You saved my life.”

She let out a husky breath and smoothed the hair from his brow. “That was close. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. He closed his eyes and relaxed, enjoying the feeling of her light touch in his hair. It soothed him almost as much as her voice. Then her hand jerked away, almost like she was embarrassed to be touching him.

“Don’t stop,” he said. “It’s helping me feel better.” He wasn’t sure she believed him until her light touch once again smoothed his hair back. “What was that awful buzzing?” he asked, to put her at ease. “Did you hear it too?”

“Yes, but it wasn’t so bad for me. Sometimes the vibrations of the tones can cause a buzzing in your head. It’s happened to me before so I know how it feels. Next time, well... if you ever get that buzzing again... start humming or singing. It will soften the effects.”

“Oh. I guess that makes sense. I’ll try to remember that.” He closed his eyes, so relaxed that if he wasn’t careful he could easily fall asleep.

“Anyway,” Teya said. “I’m glad we made it out. Are you all right now? I know I could use a drink of grove water. You can stay here if you’d like, and I’ll get it.”

“No... I can get up, just give me a minute.” He didn’t want this moment to end, but knew he couldn’t delay without making her suspicious. Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself to a sitting position, then slowly got to his feet. Teya stood as well and he followed her to the horses where she pulled out a waterbag and offered him a drink.

He almost hated to use it, but knew it would help him feel better, so he took a few swallows and handed it back. All at once, his head cleared, and his strength returned. Astounded, he shook his head in wonder. “That stuff is amazing. I can understand why Korban would want it.” Teya frowned, but didn’t answer, so he quickly added, “Don’t worry. I’m not after the water.”

Her gaze flew to his and her face colored with embarrassment. “Oh...no. I mean...I know that.”

Bran nodded and pulled a small map from his saddlebags. “According to this, there should be a town not far from here.” He checked the position of the sun. “We can reach it before nightfall if you want to keep going.”

“Yes, I do. Um...before we left, my grandmother taught me a couple of songs that she thought would help me find my people.”

“Oh? So...you’d sing these songs and your people would come running?”

She let out a laugh. “Oh...no. It doesn’t work like that.” She chuckled again and Bran twisted his lips in annoyance. How was he supposed to know what she meant?

“Actually,” Teya continued. “I was thinking we could pass ourselves off as entertainers and sing in some of the towns along the way. If any of the Kalorians are around, they will know the songs and approach me.”

Bran pursed his lips, and his brows drew together. “What if you’re recognized? I think that would be taking too much of a chance, especially if you use your magic.”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t agree. Besides, no one in these towns will know me, and I can be careful with my magic. The only people who will know I’m using it are the Kalorians.”

Bran didn’t like it one bit, but wasn’t sure he could persuade her against it.

“Do you have a better plan?” she asked.

“Yes, let’s go back to the city and find Jax. He has contacts and information we can trust. He may also have a lead on
sym
. I can go to the palace in my role as an ambassador and dig around. I’m sure something will turn up.”

“But finding my people now is more important than finding
sym
. I thought you understood that.”

“Of course I understand,” Bran said. “But I have a feeling that if we find one, we’ll find the other, and I’ve learned to trust my feelings. I think we should lay low until we reach the city. The king probably has people looking for you everywhere. What you want to do isn’t safe.”

“Then how about a compromise,” she said, her brow raised in challenge. “We can decide if it’s safe after we see what the towns are like. Some of my people could be close, and I can’t let the chance to contact them pass by if they are.”

Bran tried not to show his irritation. What she said did have some merit, but she didn’t realize how dangerous it was. “All right. There’s no harm in checking it out first, but you have to promise that you’ll listen to what I have to say.”

Teya shrugged. “Sure. Let’s go.”

She turned toward her horse but Bran stopped her. “Wait. There’s something important I need to tell you. The king will do anything to get you back, and I think Korban has to be part of his plans. Maybe Korban is the close to the king, have you ever thought of that? If you are captured and collared again, all that we’re trying to do is for nothing. Without you, we will fail.”

Teya pursed her lips but kept her gaze steady on his. “I know Bran, but I can use my magic now, and if we can find the others, their magic can join with mine. I think this is a small risk, but one which we have to take. Unless...like you said, we see something that tells us it isn’t safe, then I won’t do it. Okay?”

Her eyes were bright as glittering gems, and Bran was surprised at her unblinking stare. It was also the first time she’d called him by his name, and he liked the way it sounded. “Okay. The nearest town is Somara. From the map it looks like a major crossroad between several towns.”

Teya’s face lit up. “Then there might be some Kalorians there. At least it’s a good place to start, especially since it’s not that far from the grove.”

“Maybe,” he said, still not liking her plan. “I don’t think they’d stray too far unless they were in danger, but with nothing more to go on, it’s hard to tell.” He paused, weighing his words, then caught her gaze. “There’s something else that’s been bothering me. Last night with the ritual... things are kind of blurry. Did something happen that I should know about?”

Teya’s eyes widened with alarm and she blushed. “You don’t remember?”

“I don’t have words for what happened. It was so different from anything I’ve ever known that I find it hard to describe, and I wonder if it was real.”

A sweet smile curved her lips. “Oh, I see. What do you remember?”

“I remember the light and the water spiraling up over the grove. I remember singing with you. It was... it’s hard to describe, but it felt like we were part of each other. I still carry that feeling, and I don’t know if it’s real, or if it was created by the magic.”

Teya swallowed. “What else?”

“After that, it seemed like the sky opened and I saw a city, but it was too bright for me to look at without hurting my eyes. Was that a dream?”  

“No.” Teya sighed. “All of it was real. The city you saw is the White City my grandmother was talking about. It’s where my people hope to go after our work is finished here.” 

“You mean when you die?”

She nodded, but didn’t look at him, and Bran was immediately suspicious that she was hiding something. “I remember our kiss. It’s something I could hardly forget. I didn’t want it to stop.”

Her gaze flew to his and her breath caught before she ducked her head and refused to look at him.

“Teya? What happened? What does it mean?”

“It was only a by-product of the ritual,” she answered. “The ceremony we performed to strengthen the grove is founded on the principle of creation. It’s only natural that as a man and woman we felt the impulse to... act on it.” A rosy blush stained her cheeks and deepened the color of her eyes. It made her even more enchanting.

“Hmm. And that’s all that happened?” Bran felt sure there was more to it. “Is there anything else I should know?”

“I don’t think so,” she said.

Why wouldn’t she tell him? Had he only imagined that something had happened? He wished he could remember everything Leona had said, but it was still fuzzy. With Teya’s unease, it made him certain that he was right. He decided to try another approach. “I could get used to it.”

“What?” Her gaze flew up to meet his.

“Kissing you. It would be nice to know if it was anything like last night. Then I’d know for sure.” He leaned closer to her, breathing in her scent.

“Now you’re just teasing me,” she said, but her breath caught and her gaze went to his lips.

“Let’s try it again.” He stepped closer. “Don’t you want to know if it was just the ritual?”

Teya opened her mouth as he leaned in to kiss her, but she surprised him by taking a step back and placing her hands on his chest. “Maybe I do, but not right now. How about I let you know when I’m ready?”

She quickly turned away and mounted her horse, leaving Bran standing there like an idiot. He let out a huff, and shook his head, then found his horse and followed behind. It took a while for his heart to slow down, but he managed to maintain his cool demeanor. But deep inside, he couldn’t stop thinking about her lips and how much he wanted to kiss her again, and wondered what the hell was going on.

****

Teya held her back ramrod straight and managed to ignore Bran, although she was aware of every movement he made. She tried not to let it bother her, but guilt that she hadn’t been totally honest with him tied her stomach in knots. Reasoning that it was best for Bran not to know the truth did no good. She knew at some point, she’d have to tell him, but she couldn’t do it now.

The tension between them mounted as they reached the outskirts of Somara near sundown. The town bustled with more people than she had expected. She welcomed the diversion, but if Bran’s scowl was any indication, he wasn’t enjoying it at all.

A couple of men on horseback came toward them, and both slowed to gape at her. After they passed, both men threw glances over their shoulders. Bran bristled with annoyance, and pulled her to the side. “I should have thought of this long before now.” He dismounted and rummaged through his pack until finding his hooded cloak. “Here, put this on and cover your head.”

The temperature was a little warm for a cloak, but she did as he asked, and kept her head down. With him slightly in front of her, it worked well enough, but now she worried that Bran would agree to let her sing, even though it was the only way to find her people.

“This looks like a reputable place to spend the night,” Bran said, stopping in front of a three-story building with a beautifully carved sign that said ‘Aris Inn’ on it.

Teya let out her breath, grateful to get off her horse. They entered to find a large hall at the opposite end of the main room, filled with people sitting at tables, eating and drinking. Teya’s heart leapt to see a small stage for entertaining along the far end. Maybe this could work after all.

The owner greeted Bran, eager to be of service. “We’d like a room for the night, and some dinner.”

“Certainly,” he said. Bran exchanged coins for a key to a room, and the innkeeper turned his attention to Teya. “Perhaps the lady would like to rest here, while we take care of your things?”

“Uh...sure,” she answered.

“Good. Follow me.” He led them to a seat at a side table, and Teya sat down, discarding the cloak and glancing about. The innkeeper left and Bran sat beside her.

“Will you be all right here?”

“Of course. It’s just...well, I’ve never been in a place like this before.” She couldn’t help the pulse of excitement that came over her.

Bran’s brows rose in surprise, then he shook his head. “I keep forgetting where you’ve been all your life. Look, I know we didn’t discuss this, but I want to share a room tonight. It will be safer that way. Is that all right with you?”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

He seemed surprised at how easily she agreed. “Good, I’ll go grab our things and get the horses stabled for the night. Stay put, and if anyone asks, I’m your husband.”

He left before she could say a word and she was grateful he didn’t see the blush that crept up her cheeks. How long could she go before he found out the truth? She hoped he didn’t try kissing her again. He would know what she’d done and probably never forgive her. There had to be a way to tell him before that happened, but for the life of her, she couldn’t do it.

What had her grandmother been thinking? They should have explained it all that night. Now she didn’t know what to do. He’d hate her when he found out, and then what would happen? Could he forgive her? Even if it was for a good reason?

A serving girl interrupted her thoughts by setting two bowls of stew and a loaf of bread on the table. “Your husband said to bring you some dinner.” She expertly placed a pitcher of ale and two mugs beside the bowls.

The aroma of fresh baked bread and beef stew took her mind off her worries, and she eagerly tore off a piece of bread and dipped it in the bowl. Even though she’d been living well on grove water, she’d missed the taste of food.

As she chewed on her second bite, music filled the hall, catching her full attention and banishing all thoughts of food. On the small stage, the singer sat on a stool with a guitar in his lap. He was singing an old lover’s ballad and his rich voice flooded her senses with the emotion of love and longing.

The noise in the room softened, but most people kept talking in quiet tones. Teya watched in amazement. She knew the performer used magic, and couldn’t understand why it didn’t catch everyone’s attention.