The Emperor's New Nightingale (10 page)

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d off from love,

I didn’t need the pain, once or twice was enough,

And it was all in vain…

Time starts to pass…

And before you know it you're frozen, ohhh…

Something happened

For the very first time with you

My heart melts into the ground

Found something true

And everyone’s looking round

Thinking I’m crazy…ohhh…

Her voice trailed off mid
-song when murmurs rose throughout the throne room. Orin snapped his eyes off Julie to the Song Krystal. His heart stopped and cold dread washed over him.

No, no, no, it couldn’t be
!
The Krystal did not shine. It would still be shining even if she stopped singing.

Julie followed his gaze
and took a step backwards. Agonizing pain ripped through his heart at the devastation and hurt on her pretty face. Denial swirled in his mind, and wanted to shout it out from the top of his lungs. How could she not be his Empress when it felt so right? The Krystal must be wrong for the first time in centuries.

“Your Majesty, the other female will now sing
,” interrupted Buil.

“No, Julie, I…”

Orin stepped forward. She backed up, raising her hand in defense.

“No, don’t touch me…”
Her voice quavered and she turned her head, fleeing down the steps. Trall and Mik hurried forward. Orin growled low, watching Trall wrap all four arms around her, soothing her obvious pain.

Orin didn’t miss Trall’s murderous glare.

How could he have been so wrong when his heart still screamed he was right?

“Your
Majesty?”

Another woman
spoke, her voice a lower timbre. Orin turned away from Julie and her friends to stare at her. She stood two feet from the Song Krystal.

He didn’t want to do this now
. He wanted to figure out what was wrong with the Krystal and he needed to make Julie understand…what?

He loved her
, but they could never be together. Oh, by all which was holy, what was he going to do?

“
I am Matika. May I sing now?”

“Yes, yes, sing
,” he snapped at the rail thin woman, her eyes as dark as her long black hair. There was not a hint of attraction there, more a dreaded revulsion.

The smile
curving up her red-painted lips made him shudder when she drew in a breath and sang a few bars of a flat melody. To his utter shock, the Song Krystal glowed, and as she droned on, it grew brighter.

She stopped singing and a
satisfied smile hung on her haughty lips. Oh, by the Four Galaxies of Harmony, how could this strange woman be his nightingale?

Orin felt nothing but numb confusion as a cheer rose up through the room
. The people applauded and the shout went out: “The Emperor’s Nightingale has been found!”

Chapter
Eleven

“I won’t do it, I can’t.” Orin clenched his hands into fists while pacing in front of his council. The four elders each represented one part of the galaxies he ruled over.

The knot in his stomach only
grew worse since he watched Julie taken from the palace.

Why didn’t I stop them? I feel nothing for this other woman
, but revulsion.

A few days of trying to get to know her, to possibly find some kind of common ground, was a waste of time. Her disturbing smile sent ice through his veins. When she tried to touch him...Orin shuddered remembering the wave of nausea which swept through the pit of his stomach.

It all felt so wrong, but he couldn’t pinpoint what it was about this
Matika. Her dark gaze held secrets. Her thin, bony body did nothing but make him want to be as far from her as possible. He backed from the room and retreated like the lowly coward he felt. His heart and soul still burned for Julie.

The thought of being married to
Matika, of having to fuck her sent a fresh wave of illness through him.

Julie
—sweet, warm, soft Julie...
Closing his eyes, he saw her lovely, brown eyes smiling at him. His fingers tingled remembering how soft her skin was and how lovely her sweet, feminine scent was to inhale.

How could I have been wrong to believe
she was my nightingale? I still need her; I ache for her. I need to get out and see her.

“My
Lord, you must do it. An Emperor has never not married the Nightingale.” Cular of Sector Three kept a calm tone while addressing Orin.

“
That woman disgusts me. Let her sing for the Krystal, but I will not wed her.”

“You are Emperor of Ario and Lord over the Four Galaxies of Harmony
. If you do not marry her, how will you produce an heir? You can’t let your fancy for some lowly, tavern girl interfere in your duty to your people, to the Galaxies.”

“Never talk about Julie in that manner again
!” Orin bellowed at Cular. “And never lecture me on duty. I and all my fathers before me have always put our people first. All the nightingales have been love matches. I feel nothing for this…this female.”

Murmurs rose in the room as they talked among themselves.

“We can’t change the fact we need the nightingale to sing and you need to produce an heir. There are three days until the wedding. May I suggest you take this time and try to get to know your nightingale. Perhaps, your feelings will change.”

Orin pressed his lips into a thin line, but remain
ed silent. He knew deep down his feelings for this woman, or lack thereof would never change.

“Until then
, preparations for the wedding will continue, your Majesty?”

He couldn’t say no, even though he wanted to call the whole thing off. He didn’t
know how he could continue without Julie.

“Very well.
I’ll try to resolve my issues.”

The council rose from their seats, their robes rippling around them
when they bowed low. “We hope so. Good day, your Majesty.”

Orin turned on his black booted
heel, the doors opening as he strode out. His heart beat faster knowing what he planned to do next. He would sort his issues out and he knew exactly where to go to do it.

It wasn’t long until he heard another pair of boots matching his stride beside him. Orin didn’t have to look to know it was Drango.

“Going somewhere?”

“Yes, we’re going into town.”

“I had a feeling you might. If it’s of any comfort, your Majesty, I don’t like the new nightingale, either. She is…strange. I hazard to say she feels…dark.”

“Start an investigation into this female’s background. I want to know exactly where she came from. Then
, meet me at the south gate in a half-hour.”

“Of
course, don’t go without me.”

Orin smiled at the warning in Drango’s tone
. He was a good friend as well as a bodyguard.

“Go, get it done quickly then.”

* * * *

“I offer you my congratulations
, Erson. You have accomplished what I’ve been trying to do for the past few hundred centuries.” Lord Ractor grinned down on him.

Erson’s hands trembled
and he shoved them deep into his pockets. His stomach felt like it had been twisted inside out, he hasn’t slept and barely eaten in the last few days.

Oh
, by the songs of Ario, what have I done?

“Once my nightingale sings at the wedding, the barrier between the worlds will be weak enough for me to finally break through
, and you will have your reward.”

Ractor swept his black cloak aside

“W…what will you do?” Erson’s voice struggled to keep a calm tone while inside he was freaking out.

Ractor’s lips twitched up into a sinister smile. “Why
, my good servant, don't you know? The light will fail; I’ll destroy all those who stand against me, and the shadows and darkness will at last reign! And you will have your Julie. Is this not what you wanted?”

Yes, he’d wanted Julie, but not if they
must live in shadows and darkness, ruled by an evil overlord. Why didn’t he think of this before? He was too blinded by lust to see the truth.

“And where is the Song Krystal?”

“The real one?”

Ractor narrowed his eyes on him. “Yes, where is it?”

“Uh, safe.”

“Erson, I have one more task for you
to ensure the real nightingale is never found. Do this for me and I will ensure a place in my new kingdom for you and your female.”

Erson swallowed, unsure of what else the Shadow Lord wanted of him.

“Destroy the Krystal.”

“Destroy?”

“Are you dimwitted? Yes, destroy it!” thundered Ractor, making Erson take several steps back in fear.

Erson frowned
. “Is it even possible?”

“Of course it is possible! Take it
and smash it! Even someone like you can manage that.” A dark, clouded mist surrounded the Shadow Lord. Erson swallowed, the shaking in his hands spread into the rest of his body.

“Y…Yes, destroy it
. I will go do that now.” Erson turned, scuttling towards the swirling exit, breathing a sigh of relief once he felt the soft, fresh Ario rain falling on him. He stood back staring at the shadowy portal.

Swapping the Song Krystal was bad enough, but could he really destroy it? And
what about Julie, his lovely Julie? What would happen to him if Julie found out what he did? She would hate him forever!

He needed to gather his strength and gain some courage.
“Oh, by the heavens, I need a drink.” Yes, he needed a very, very strong drink.

* * * *

“According to the town bulletins, the wedding is in three days.”

Mik sat down beside Julie at one of the Tavern tables
. It was raining outside and they were not due to open for another few hours.

“It
became official the moment that woman made the Krystal shine,” Trall added, stirring his
britter
stew and blowing off the steam.

Julie sighed, pushing away her bowl.

“You’ve got to eat something, Julie. You’ve lost weight in the past few days.”

She had no appetite for anything
, but slow, sappy songs. The pain in her heart mirrored the songs she sang.

“I did warn him this would happen, but the arrogant fool
didn’t listen.”

“I know
, Trall, it’s not your fault.” Julie sighed heavily. “I should have paid more attention to my inner skeptic.”

“Don’t you dare go blaming yourself for
this!” Trall pointed his spoon at her, his brow dipped in a meaningful expression. “If anyone’s to blame it’s…well, we all know who.”

Julie’s mind wandered back to when the strange
, dark-haired woman sung and made the Song Krystal shine. Julie’s whole world slowed and a deep heaviness settled around her heart. Trall kept her wrapped in his four arms and quickly led her out of the palace when the audience applauded the Emperor and his future bride, but she’d looked back and, for the life of her, couldn’t understand the look of utter devastation on Orin’s face.

Did
he really love her, or was it all a ruse to use her as he did? It didn’t matter anyway—the man she fell in love with was one she could never hope to have.

Would it ever stop hurting? Will the numb feeling around my heart ever fade?

“Julie, eat now.” Trall’s voice snapped her back to the present.

Without thinking
, she scooped a mouthful of stew into her mouth. It tasted like ashes, but she forced herself to chew and swallow. “Good." Trall nodded. "I don’t want my song bird to fade away to nothing.”

“We can go shopping if you like
, Julie. It may help cheer you up,” Mik offered.

Julie forced
a smile for her two, dear friends, which was more than she ever had back on Earth. Caring for her sick mother and working left her little time to socialize. She treasured her new friendships more than ever. “Thank you both for being here when I needed you.”

“Hey, it’s what friends
do.” Mik nodded at Trall.

Julie shook her head
. She came too far to let something like this set her back. She straightened her spine and forced a smile on her face. How blessed was she to have such wonderful friends, ones who genuinely cared? This was not Earth where she retreated into solitude and wallowed in self-pity.

This is your new life
, remember? And life is only what you make it.

“Thanks
, Mik. Shopping with you is always fun.”

Yes, she was
heartbroken; yes, she was down, but she was far from out.

Her mother once told her the best revenge to have on someone who has hurt you is to live a better
, happier life than them.

It was
exceptionally good advice.

She would
get over Orin and maybe, in a few years find a lovely man she could fall in love with, and who wouldn’t make promises he couldn’t keep.

“Well, finish your lunch,
and then you can both go. I’m not opening for another few hours, so have fun.” Trall scooped more of his stew into his mouth. With a small smile, Julie did the same.

* * * *

“She’s not here.” Trall crossed all his arms, glaring at Orin and Drango. “Haven’t you done enough damage? She doesn’t want to see you.”

“Where is she?”
Orin ignored Trall’s murderous glare.

“I’m not telling you.”

“What happened was never meant to happen. I have absolutely no feelings for the other woman.”

“What does it matter
? You’ve hurt Julie. To come back is only adding insult to her injury. You can’t have her and you’re not welcome in my tavern anymore.”

“
Brother —” Drango started.

Trall turned his glare on Drango.
“Don’t you dare
brother
me. You’re just as bad as he is.”

“Trall, tell me where she is
; I need to see her just once before the…” Orin struggled to say the words. “Before it’s too late. I need to know for certain about my feelings for her. I love her, Trall, and I’m not going to let it go, even if it means giving up my throne.”

Trall’s black eyes widened. “
You would do that for her?”

“Yes
. So, please, tell me where she is.”

Trall sighed and
Orin saw the Verkin’s resolve crumbling. “She went to the market square with Mik.” Pleasure mixed with anticipation pounded through his veins to know he would soon see her and touch her again.

Orin stepped in, gripping him by his upper right hand, looking him in the eyes.
“Thank you, Trall.”

Trall nodded and pulled back. “
Don’t upset my song bird or, Emperor or not, I will whip your ass and no bodyguard will be able to stop me.” He shot a look at Drango.

Orin
grinned as Trall turned away, closing the tavern door. He always wondered about Drango’s brother. “I don’t know why he left the service.”

“It was a personal choice.”

Drango followed after Orin. It was all his bodyguard ever said about his mysterious brother, but it’s something to ponder another day. Right now, he needed to find his woman.