The Emperor's New Nightingale Read Online Free

filled the air.
    Mesmerized , she drifted down the street, realizing many of the buildings resembled cafés and bars from her home town of Melbourne—only prettier in both sight and sound.
    One building was painted in soft, orange tones and a small canvas canopy attached to two poles with small, yellow flags hanging down beckoned passers-by to enter.
    Before she knew where her feet took her, Julie was inside and gazed about the small crowd. They sat around tables, drinking from long flute glasses and eating off triangular plates.
    “Do you want a table, fair lady?”
    Julie jumped with fright, placing her hand over her pounding heart. Her eyes glanced up to the speaker.
    She struggled to hold the huge, seven foot creature with two arms on each side of his muscled torso. He was royal blue with black hair pulled back from his face. His eyes were a lighter blue, and she saw a clean-cut jaw and high cheek bones. For a blue guy, he was really handsome.
    His kind smile lit his attractive face. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
    Julie wanted to slap herself, realizing she was staring. She tried to recover her wits.
    “ No, it’s okay. I…I’m kind of new in town.”
    “That much is obvious. I am Trall, this is my song tavern. You are very welcome and you are hungry. I can always tell.”
    “It’s a wonderful place, but I. ..I don’t have anything to pay you with.”
    His black eyebrow s rose, critically glancing over her.
    “Then you truly are new to our planet. It is common on Ario for one to exchange a song for a meal, if you don’t have frillip to pay with.” He gestured towards a small stage in the corner of his tavern.
    She guessed frillip was some kind of alien currency, but singing for her supper was always something she was willing to do.
    “A song? Are you sure?” Her stomach growled. Embarrassed heat infused her cheeks, and she wished her damn stomach had better timing.
    He chuckled, using one or two of his four large hands to nudge her gently towards the stage. “Go sing, and we shall see how much your song is worth.”
    She glanced around . Many of the tavern’s patrons paused their chatting and drinking to stare.
    Julie swallowed hard and butterflies in her stomach turned into churning knots while she stepped up on the stage.
    A song ? Her mind ran through those she knew, or those she thought would be suitable for an alien planet.
    A tune sprang into her mind and her body relaxed as the music filtered into her head. She didn’t see any instruments, or she supposed, would they would know any human songs.
    Strangely , the music in her head flowed out and surrounded her. She drew in a breath, closed her eyes against the stares of the customers and sang.
    ‘ Memory, not a sound from the pavement, has the moon lost her memory, she is smiling alone…’
    Her heart soared . She was not only singing, but every ounce of her emotions poured through into her voice. How she loved to sing, whether it be in the shower on Earth, or on an alien planet. Her last high note trailed off. Julie opened her eyes to be met with stunned silence.
    Her stomach dropped . Oh god, did I sing off key? Were they not used to human songs? Was I so bad?
    Then, l ike a sudden explosion, the whole tavern leapt to their feet, applauding, whistling and making strange clacking sounds. They began throwing things at her—little clear, almost reflective, round chips, some in varying bright fluoro colors.
    “By the great S ong Krystal, I have never heard a voice of such beauty!” Trall said, clapping all four of his hands and approached the small stage. “Go on, collect your frillip chips.”
    Julie obeyed, bending down to scoop up all the little round chips; they filled her small hands. Trall cleared the way through the smiling, tavern patrons, leading her to a small, sheltered table.
    “Sit, sit , little one. What is your name?”
    “ Julie Beasley.” She held out her handful of frillip chips. “Is this enough for a