Page 48 of I Dated the Lost Song

Im-bar said, “Go ahead. I need to check my own analytics. I will be up soon.”

Leska and Im-bar left Raek with Cadence in his arms.

He looked down at her. “This is moving faster than I anticipated, but then—”

“Who could anticipate Leska? She saved me. She kept me sane and made me feel loved.”

“She held my place, Cadence.” He leaned in and kissed her. He felt her yielding against him, her hands curling in the fabric of his clothing, holding tight to his waist.

The harmony that they made got stronger as the kiss continued, and then music and soft singing emanated from the lounge, and Cadence’s harmonics got stronger.

Raek understood in a flash and lifted his head. “She found your harmony.”

Cadence nodded. “She showed me how it could work but told me it wasn’t complete, so I wrote music to make it complete. We didn’t know you existed, or she would have camped me on your doorstep the moment I was legal.”

Raek smiled. “I appreciate your best friend more every day.”

“She only got here today.”

He caressed her jaw. “My statement stands.”

“Let’s listen to her. I think these songs are some of my best work.”

He kept his arm around her as they walked into the lounge, where Leska was reading lyrics and singing along to the tale of a woman who had found her soul in the eyes of her partners, and they did the same with her.

Cadence leaned against him. “That is the song of the Elf Consortium. Drin works with Litha in textile research, and she has five partners. It basically writes itself. Also, her mate, Ekron, sings a lot of my songs. Excellent voice, but my imagination is better.”

Leska smiled, and Raek gathered it was from Cadence taking pride in her work.

The next was a ballad of being alone and dangerous and needing someone to hold without fear. “This is Litha’s song.”

Leska sang it slowly, and the loneliness of the song wrapped around the listener.

Raek had to admit he was enjoying himself.

By the time Leska finished, Cadence was asleep. Raek smiled, and Leska said in a low voice, “Tuck her in and stay with her. She won’t get used to you if you aren’t there.”

Raek paused. “That might be a bad idea.”

Cadence was still holding him.

Leska smiled. “Take a chance. She has.”

Raek picked his pregnant partner up and walked off.

* * * *

Im-bar said, “Can youplay a few more?”

Leska brought one up and sang Torenne’s song. The tale of a young boy who never got to be a man but who had healed thousands until he felt a soft touch from a welcoming woman with an open heart. Then, they danced.

Im-bar was smiling. “Dr. Torenne’s song?”

“Yes. She is very happy.”

“I am delighted for her. I am too old for love and things of that nature.”

“No one is ever too old for love.”

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