The Emperor's New Nightingale by Angela Castle Page B

then you have no business claiming her.”
    “ Didn’t you and your brother bring her here to test if she was? Until it is proven otherwise, I have every claim on her.”
    “And if she is not , then I will make claim to her. Even by your law, you cannot have her.”
    “ I’m aware of my laws, seeker; we will settle this matter this afternoon. Stay away from her.”
    H e turned on his thickly-booted heel, marched in the same direction Julie fled.
    Anger curled through Erson 's gut while he paced around the small garden. All his life he was second—second to his brother, second with the choice of women and now, even the one thing he wanted more than anything, he was losing to another. Swamped with rage, he gripped the table, throwing it across the garden, plates and food scattering.
    “I want her !”
    “And you will have her.”
    Erson swung around, his eyes narrowing on a blue-haired, Ario man standing in the shade of the Lurk tree.
    “Who the fuck are you? ”
    “Someone who can give you everything you want —including the little, Earthling songbird.”
    Alarm bells rang . Nothing ever came without a price. “Who are you to make such a promise?”
    “Not I , friend. I know people in high places. Come with me and talk to him; he has the means and the power to give you your heart’s desire.”
    Erson hesitated, uncertain.
    “I’m talking about desire; I’m talking about winning, getting everything you want, and from the look in your eyes, you want the Earthling.”
    Erson eyed the man, his jaw tightening. Yes, he did want her, more than anything in his entire life.
    “You have my attention.”
    “Then come, let me make introductions, but we must hurry, time is running out.”
    He opened his blue cloak and a swirling mist formed. Erson’s skin prickled. This man knew dark magic.
    “Everything you want is through her e. Come.”
    How bad did he want Julie? How bad did he want to win? He decided and without another thought, he stepped through the dark portal.
    * * * *
    “Julie, stop.” She wasn’t about to let him push her around. He lied from the moment they met. Still, her step faltered at his commanding tone. Damn the man. She turned around and glared at him.
    “I don’t want to hear any more lies , Rin, or Orin, if that’s your name.”
    “ I’m the Emperor of Ario, and the Four Galaxies of Harmony, ask anyone at the palace. I didn’t mean to deceive you. I came this morning to tell you the truth and ask you to sing for the Song Krystal. I know you are my nightingale, Julie, it’s a feeling deep within my soul. You are the woman I’ve been waiting for my whole life.”
    Damn, why did he have to sound and look so sincere? His gaze unwavering, he took another step towards her and she backed up on the stairs.
    “You can’t know this, and you have no right promising any kind of marriage when you have to marry this nightingale singer.” She clenched her fist, her heart hammering. She already grew quite attached to Rin, no, Orin. Why did he have to ruin things by being the darn Emperor?
    “I do know, as my father and every Emperor on the throne has known. This is your destiny , Julie, to be mine, to sing for me and the Krystal. Come to the palace with me, sing for the Krystal and prove my instincts right.”
    With another step forward, he now towered over her and her back hit the wall.
    “I’m not afraid of you , Orin, and you can’t bully me into doing anything.”
    His wounded expression hurt her more than any physical blow he could have delivered.
    “I never want you to fear me . I’m laying my heart and my people’s future on the line believing in you. I would never force you to do anything, but you also need to understand without an Empress to sing for the Song Krystal, the barrier, which keeps the darkness at bay, will weaken. The evil will be able to break through and threaten billions of lives. I believe in you and I’ll trust you to make the right choice.”
    He lifted he r hand,