Free The Emperor's New Nightingale by Angela Castle

mouth. The buttery chicken taste made her moan in delight.
    “ Gulip fowl, a delicacy on Ario, fit for royalty.” He winked. Julie giggled.
    “Trall said you work at the palace, what is it that you do?”
    “Oh, I do all sorts of things around the palace. I kind of dip my hand into anything which is needed to be done.”
    He fed her another piece of Gulip . “Do you have anything to do with this nightingale competition?” His hand paused, hovering in the air.
    “Would you be offended if I said yes? We need to find a new empress, one who will make the Song Krystal shine and keep the balance in the universe.”
    “She sounds more important than this Emperor I’ve been hearing about. Does this poor woman have to marry him?”
    He lowered the fork and she saw his jaw tighten, anger flashing in his gaze. Did she said the wrong thing?
    He drew in a breath before letting it out in a gusty sigh.
    “I’ve lived in the palace all my life. When the Emperor finds his nightingale, they fall in love. He is her balance, and she becomes his whole life. Wouldn’t you want love and harmony, a life together forever?”
    Her inner romantic delighted in Rin’s words , but her inner skeptic won over. “Ever hear of the saying, if something is too good to be true then it usually is? Every couple, even ‘perfect’ ones have their problems.”
    He lifted the fork again and she opened to take another mouthful, feeling conscious of his critical gaze. “You’ve not lived an easy life, have you, little one?”
    She shrugged, shift ed on the blanket, and picked up the plate. “Living on Earth was a struggle. I had an ill mother to care for and it left me in a lot of debt when she passed. I’ve had to work hard to pay those debts.”
    “And your new life on Ario? How do you find it so far?”
    She smiled. “I’m happier here than on Earth. I never could have imagined a planet so devoted to music. Sometimes, I think this is all a dream bubble, and any moment it will burst and I’ll wake up in my shabby apartment back on Earth.”
    He smiled, help ing himself to one of the other dishes which looked a lot like potato salad. “Don’t you want something better than to wait on customers in a bar and sing for your frillip chips?”
    “No , I’m enjoying myself too much.” She rocked forward on her knees and flipped open another basket. She smiled, spotting the veer bottle, tugging it out along with the two, tall glasses. He never took his eyes off her as she poured the drinks before handing him a glass. “The way I see it, this place is a chance for a new life. I’m going to embrace everything it has to offer.”
    “And me, can I be a part of your new life?” He took the offered veer, taking a long drink before setting the glass aside.
    She swept her gaze over his muscular form, his handsome angular-cut jaw and met his blue gaze burning with fire and passion. He bulldozed his way into her new life, already turning it upside down.
    Still, a warning to be cautious nagged at the back of her mind.
    “You move very fast, and I’m attracted to you —I mean, what woman wouldn’t be? However, I’d like to get to know you better and see where things go.”
    He reached out and cupped the side of her face , the warmth of his hand soaking into her skin. “I see doubt in your eyes, but it pleases me you’re willing to give us a chance because I have no intention of letting you go after finding you.”
    “How can you be so sure if we step into a relationship it will work out? I know we have good sex but…”
    “Good sex? I’m almost offended ,” he teased, his eyes alight with humor. He reached up, sliding his fingers around the back of her neck, adding gentle pressure to draw her closer.
    “Sex between true lovers can only ever get better . It can also deepen the bond between couples, but our connection goes beyond sex. I feel the strong bond between us already. Tell me you can’t feel something.”
    She did—and this was the