Page 72 of Needed in the Night
“Ycari!” Isla slipped from my embrace and hurried to greet them. I followed in her wake.
She grasped Ycari’s outstretched feathered hands. “Thank you so much for the perfume. It’s more wonderful and perfect than I could have imagined.”
“You are most welcome,” Ycari said. Her gaze moved to my face. “You approve as well?”
“More than words can say.” I gave her a deep bow. “It is the finest scent I have ever encountered except Isla’s own.”
Her feathers ruffled in obvious pleasure. “I am so glad you approve.”
Pioni folded her little hands in front of her chest. “You are both beautifully in love today,” she said to us in her musical voice. “Atlath says you have chosen your destination and will soon leave for the port. He mentioned I would like to go with you?”
“Yes.” Isla took my hand. “Thank you so much for everything. How can I repay your kindness?”
“When next you may help another, you can do so in my name. I need nothing more than that, except one thing.” Pioni dipped her head. “Will you sing for us before you go? I would be very grateful.”
“Oh.” My beautiful mate blushed again. “Pioni, I can’t—your voice is so beautiful that it made me cry. I can’t come close to that. And I haven’t warmed up at all.”
“I have heard from many sources that your voice is marvelous,” Pioni countered. “We are not in competition. You have admired my voice. I want very much to do the same for yours.”
I stroked Isla’s palm with my thumb in silent encouragement.
“All right,” she said finally with a smile. “I’ll do my best, then.”
Humming to herself, she selected a song on her wristcomm. As the music began to play, I let go of her hand, surreptitiously tapped my wristcomm, and joined Ycari, Pioni, and Atlath at the counter.
Wineglasses in hand, we listened to Isla sing the Fylorian ballad she had performed for her audition at Zaa’ga. Despite her nervousness about singing for Pioni, the questionable acoustics of the wine shop, and her lack of warm-up, her voice soared, filling the space.
Gods above, I loved her.
When Isla reached the third and final verse, Pioni began to sing, turning the song into a duet. Isla’s eyes widened, but she did not stop singing or sing more softly in deference to the Sirrah.
Their voices blended, sweeping through the shop and leaving us all mesmerized. Ycari’s feathers ruffled with every high note, and for all his love of wine, Atlath’s glass went untouched, as did mine.
When the last notes of the song faded, I tapped my wristcommagain to end the recording. Isla would surely treasure this recording of them singing together, as would I.
“Thank you,” Isla said to Pioni. “Thank you so much. What an honor to sing with you.”
“Truly, the honor was mine.” Pioni handed Isla her glass of wine, then raised her own. “A toast to Isla and Mikas, friends. To love.”
“To love,” we echoed, and clinked glasses.
Isla tucked herself under my arm and nestled against my side. “Brae says Nubo is angry because Kona got away,” she murmured. “He can’t figure out how you knew, or why you warned her. Apparently he’s arranged for someone to come in and scan his office for listening devices. I told Brae to come back here and keep watch outside while we get ready to leave.”
“Good.” I kissed her temple. “We want him to be safe.”
“I have arranged transportation to the Alpha Megaport,” Atlath interjected. “My embassy guards will escort you to the market gate, where you will board the vehicle. Ordinarily I would have you board on the landing pad on the roof, but I think it will be to your advantage for your diplomatic credentials and escort to be clearly seen. Once your observers see those medallions, I expect your way to the port and off-planet to be clear.”
“I hope so.” Isla toyed with her wineglass. While the rest of us had finished our own drinks, hers was almost untouched.
For all Atlath’s planning and preparation, he could not guarantee our safety. Neither could I, and that gnawed at my insides. Isla must be safe. Nothing else mattered as much as that. My beastly hearts pounded, even as I rubbed her back and projected calm I did not feel.
My wristcomm beeped.Identification sets complete, the message read.Best of luck. I replied with my thanks and transferred Isla’s new identification to her wristcomm.
In our own names, we could travel from Fortusia to another world with a major transportation hub, and then use our new identities to make our way eventually to Jakora.
Efre and Pelles, I thought.Efre and Pelles.
I liked how the names sounded together. Isla had chosen well. But we would always be Isla and Mikas to each other.
