The Emperor's New Nightingale

by Angela Castle

  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.

  Chapter Twelve

  “I like this one.”

  Julie held up the swirling, blue and white skirt. The colour sucked her in, reminding her of the blue in Orin’s eyes.

  “What you need is some star diamond combs for your hair. They will set your dark shade off and catch the eye of many handsome, Ario men.” Mik smiled.

  Julie sighed. I only want one man.

  She set the skirt down, shaking her head at the elderly vendor and, walking along the line of markets stalls, followed after her friend.

  “Pretty lady want new lotions?”

  One vendor beckoned her over to her corner stall, right by a shadowy alleyway. The middle-aged, Ario woman with silver and white hair held up a glistening vial. “Scent this, one of the finest perfumes in all of Ario.”

  “I don’t need perfume, but do you have any scented hair wash?”

  “Yes, yes, here! Smell and see what you like.” The vendor waved to the array of merchandise.

  Julie moved in close and reached out to pick up one of the lotion bottles, when a hot, large hand clamped over her mouth, cutting off any attempt at screaming. A strong arm banded around her waist when they lifted her, but undeterred, she struggled and kicked out, trying to dislodge her abductor.

  “Easy beautiful, settle. You know I won’t hurt you.”

  Orin! Her body relaxed against his stronger muscular one. “Don’t scream, all right?”

  She nodded her compliance and he put her on her feet, removing his hand and sliding it down to her arm, spinning her around.

  Her back pressed against a cold wall and she stared up into Orin’s blue depths, blazing with passion.

  “By the gods, I’ve missed you.”

  “Orin, you can’t be—”

  His lips crashed onto hers, plundering and nipping until her head spun, and she melted compliantly against his hard length, every rational thought scattering to the wind.

  A powder keg of sudden, sexual need burst open in her, and she kissed him back with just as much intensity. Oh, to hell with it, I love him, I need him!

  His hand snaked down, cupping her ass, lifting her and pinning her back against the wall with his body; his hardened cock pressed through the material of his pants, against her rapidly damping center.

  She groaned into his mouth when his bulge hit her clit and they ground together in frantic desperation.

  She heard the sound of fabric tearing and felt a sudden coolness on her heated pussy. He broke the kiss, nipping down over her chin, nuzzling in at her neck before kissing and sucking on the skin just under her ear.

  “I need you, beauty. I have to have you again. It is torment without you.”

  She opened her eyes to see him staring at her, and the hunger and desperation she saw quickened her already pounding heart.

  She moaned, her eyes rolling back in her head as his fingers slid between her wet folds, the tip of his index finger running a tight circle around her sensitive bundle of nerves. Her hips jerked forward, allowing him to sink his thick finger into her depths. With his thumb he flicked her clit back and forth. Julie moaned louder while he slowly finger-fucked her, pressed against the wall of a shadowy alley.

  “Someone might see.”

  “No one will come near us, Drango will make sure of it.” She hardly remembered Orin’s personal bodyguard. “Please, beauty, say yes. Tell me I can have you again.”

  Her eyes closed, feeling the build of a climax within her, but it wasn’t enough. She wanted release, she needed it with a sudden hunger which frightened her. She rocked her hips, trying to urge him faster. Damn it, consequences could wait for later—she needed him. Now!

  “Yes, oh, god, Orin, fuck me, please! I want you.”

  Hot chills ran down her spine when his wet tongue licked the outer shell of her ear, and then taking her lobe into his mouth, he sucked gently. His teeth clamped down, tugging, heightening the pleasure he gave her.

  Julie cried out in protest at the loss of his thumb from her clit and his finger-fucking.

  He shifted her up farther, both hands clutching her bottom. Automatically, she wrapped her legs around him. The hard, blunt tip of his cock pressed against her entrance and she groaned, not understanding how or when he freed his cock, but she didn’t care, wanting him to fill her.

  They both moaned when he pushed his thickness into her tight entrance, sinking all the way in until he couldn’t go any farther.

  He pulled out then thrust back in, starting a quick, hard rhythm, making her pant, moan and writhe against him, the climax again building. He was back at her throat, nuzzling her neck, chanting her name over and over with every deep, penetrating stroke, pushing her higher.

  Her breath seized when the climax tore through her quaking body, and Orin's pace picked up. He groaned against her throat, his own body shuddering with the release of his seed inside her.

  Both breathing hard, they sagged into each other. She was glad for Orin’s strength keeping them both upright.

  As her orgasm slowed, her mind kicked back into gear. Oh, god, what did they do.

  She struggled against him, shoving at his chest, but there was no way she could move him unless he wanted to be moved. Slowly, he pulled back and set her on wobbly legs, but kept one hand on her waist.

  “We shouldn’t have done that," she said. "Why are you even here?”

  “I needed to see you. What happened...I’m so sorry, Julie. The other female…she...”

  Julie’s chest constricted seeing his reddened, flustered state. This is not the arrogantly confident man she came to know.

  “I don’t love her, I love you. I can’t marry her when my heart and soul cries out for you, my Julie, my beauty.” His words were rushed and breathy and he pulled her into his arms. Julie wanted to do nothing but melt. It was the hardest thing she ever did to remain stiff. Sensing her unrelenting state, Orin pulled back gazing down at her, worry in his baby blues.

  Julie inhaled a slow breath. “I thought for the good of your people and for the continued peace of the galaxy, you must marry the nightingale.”

  His jaw tightened and his lips pressed into a thin line. “For the first time in my life, I don’t care. You are who I care about.”

  This is wrong. If everything he and others told her was true, then Orin really didn’t have a choice, but to marry this nightingale.

  The choice was clear, responsibility versus love. It was hard, but when more lives than she could count were at risk, she couldn’t let him behave so recklessly.

  “No, Orin, you don’t love me and I don’t love you. What we have here and now is lust. Any woman would be stupid not to want you. What’s going to happen to your subjects, to the galaxy, if you throw everything away for me? Duty and responsibility is your burden.”

  The devastation on his face was worse than being punched in the gut, leaving her winded and in pain. She locked her legs and shoved at him, and he move
d back a foot. “Don’t touch me ever again!”

  “This is what you want?” A muscle worked in his jaw.

  “What I want is to live my life peacefully here on Ario without you. Haven’t you made me suffer enough? I don’t want or need you, or any other man, so just go and leave me alone.”

  He took a step back and she felt bereft from the loss of his closeness. Her body trembled, close to breaking down. Quickly, she busied her hands straightening her clothing. He simply stood there, so tall and regal. Then, he drew in a deep breath.

  “As Emperor, I shall grant you your request. You will never see me again. May your life be long and as peaceful as you wish.”

  He turned and walked down the alleyway, disappearing around the corner.

  A warm wetness rolled down her cheeks and she sniffed and swiped at her tears. He walked away and took her heart with him. Deep down, she knew, no matter what, she would always love him.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Two days later, Julie put down the mug of veer and plastered on a fake smile for the patron. The handsome Ario man smiled back, his blue eyes raking down her body. Julie pursed her lips in annoyance.

  “Will you be singing tonight, pretty one?”

  “Ah, yes, but later. Until then, is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “Yes, I would like you to have a drink with me.”

  A loud crash drew her and several of the other patrons’ attention. Trall stood up and headed over to where a drunken man stumbled and fell.

  It was her chance to escape. “Excuse me, duty calls.” She dashed off, weaving around tables to meet Trall, as they reached the drunken man who was trying to climb to his feet.

  He raised his head and his clear, green eyes widened. “You!”

  “Erson?” She grabbed his arm and Trall dived for the other one. He had a black satchel slung around his middle.

  “You’ve had way too much already. I’ll call you a transport.”

  “Noo…Have secret to tell…shhh!” They both steadied him. “I did it all for you, but you don’t want me! You love that bassstard emmmporr.”

  Julie met Trall’s confused gaze.

  “Come, we’ll take him to the back rooms, then I’ll call a transport for him.”