The Emperor's New Nightingale Read Online Free Page B

you were brought here as a Song Krystal contender, and I’ll send an anonymous tip to the authorities about the other women, if you would consider becoming a song bird and, if you like, a tavern maid. We are a little short-handed.” Trall chuckled. “Yes, even for me with four hands.”
    “You’re offering me a job? ”
    “More like a partnership . With your voice, I have no doubt you will draw many more customers. We will split the profits of what you make from the customers fifty-fifty. Think about it—the fates are giving you a new opportunity, a new life and a new job on a new planet.”
    She stared at the blue alien with four muscled arms . Could I, dare I take his offer?
    “If I say no?”
    “You have plenty of frillip chips. You can get lodgings and food, and I’ll still tell the authorities about the other women. All you have to do is sing Julie, and the whole planet will fall at your feet. I’m just hoping they do it in my tavern.”
    The mor e she mulled it over, the more she liked the plan. She liked Trall and felt compelled to trust him.
    “Where would I stay? I know nothing about your planet.”
    “You have already learned so much in a short time, have you not? We will continue to teach you.”
    She couldn’t deny it, every moment she learned something new about this planet of Ario.
    “As for a place to stay, I have spare rooms available above; sometimes I rent them out. Mik is one of my tenants, but, of course, the choice is yours.”
    A new life, a new job, a new world . No longer would she have to worry about her debts on Earth, or struggling with back breaking labor to pay the rent and feed herself. Where was the downside to being a tavern maid and song bird?
    Julie ’s smile came straight from her heart. “All right, I accept.”
    * * * *
    “My Lord, my Lord!” Orin stood up as Jitt, an elderly Krystal keeper burst through into the royal chambers, his face mottled red and he wheezed from the effort of running. His eyes darted wildly about the room before falling on Orin.
    “Jitt, s it. Catch your breath, and then tell me.”
    The older man did as Orin bade, sinking into one of the few chairs around the room, drawing several lungs full of air before he spoke again.
    “My Lord, it’s the Song Krystal! Just a moment ago, it shone! It was weak, but I swear by the gods themselves, it did shine!”
    The breath caught in Orin’s throat . Dropping the papers, he strode around his desk to face Jitt.
    “She is here, but where? ” My nightingale, my empress, the one true love of my life.
    “My Lord, we don’t know who, only that it glowed.”
    “She is on the planet, Drango!” Orin bellowed . Within seconds his Verkin guard came bursting into the room, his icy blue gaze automatically sweeping for danger and two of his four hands palming weapons ready to use.
    “Stand down , there is no danger. I need you to make sure all incoming song bird ships are stopped and returned to their planets. My nightingale is somewhere on Ario. Inform the seekers we will step up the search of those already here. I want my Empress found.”
    Drango bowed . “Of course, my Lord.” The bodyguard vanished back through the doors.
    Orin’s hand s balled into fists, mirroring the knots in his stomach. Now, he knew she was here; he would not be at ease until she was found, not just for his sake but for the sake of the entire galaxy.
    * * * *
    “I’ve searched every part of the house, she is not here.”
    E rson strode into the main foyer of their home. “Everyone else is accounted for and in the holo suite. They still don’t suspect a thing.”
    Uric paced the room, struggling to bring his panic and anger under control. He needed to think clearly.
    “How the hell did Julie get away ? She couldn’t have known anything, could she?”
    “ Why are you asking me? We’re in even more trouble if someone else finds her and the Ario authorities find out we’ve broken the law.”
    “We need to find her and fast.”