Page 29 of The Night Prince 6

“Pied Piper,” Declan muttered.

“What?” Aquilan’s eyebrows lifted.

“There’s this fairy tale. Basically about a piper who was hired by this city to get rid of their rats with his magical music, but when he did as they requested, they didn’t pay him. So he used his magic to lure their children away. The kids were never seen again,” Declan grimaced and leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh, that’s… that’s… surely he won’t do something like that?!” But despite his words, Aquilan couldn’t quite help the alarm in his voice.

The singer was once more at the microphone. The tables had been cleared away. Already people were glancing at the makeshift dance floor and then at those at the tables with them. Shy and yet eager.

“All right, everybody,” she said in a warm drawl. “Let’s get this party started with an oldie, but a goodie, Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus!”

“Now you’re in for a treat, Aquilan! Cynda can really sing,” Rohannan grinned.

The band immediately launched into something toe-tapping. Aquilan brightened and found himself moving slightly in his seat with the music. Vex’s playing was excellent. He wasn’t attempting to overshadow any of the other players, but appeared to be having fun. Declan glared at his father, at first, but as the songs continued and no children–or adults–were led off into the darkness that scowl began to fade. Well, that wasn’t one hundred percent true. There were quite a few of them that were heading to the dance floor. Soon it was crowded with people who were spinning each other around.

Aquilan couldn’t blame them. His little shifts on his seat became swaying. He loved human music! There was this beat that just moved through the soles of his boots to the top of his head. The music veered from bright and brilliant like diamonds to deep and dark like black velvet. Cynda’s singing was quite good and the band was excellent.

“Your dad can really rock, Declan,” Rohannan chuckled. “Looks like he already has groupies. Look at all of them.”

Aquilan looked and saw that at the base of the stage by where Vex leaned back and practically made love to the electric guitar and saw that there were a dozen women and men looking up at him adoringly. He came closer to the edge of the stage and there were squeals of delight as he kneeled down during a guitar solo.

“He loves attention so I’m not surprised he’s relishing life on the stage,” Declan replied dryly.

“He’s got a gift! Do you play?” Rohannan asked.

Declan shook his head. “No, definitely not.”

“I’ve heard you’re quite the singer, Aquilan,” Rohannan said. “Do you think you might like to sing for us some time?”

“I have some small ability, but this is…” He gestured towards the band, “so wonderful that I couldn’t compete.”

“This is great, but your voice is heavenly,” Declan said firmly.

Aquilan blushed. “Well… thank you. I will definitely sing, Rohannan, but another night. This is so wonderful. I just want to be in the audience.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Aquilan,” Rohannan chuckled.

Aquilan looked over at Declan. “Do you… do you like to dance?”

Declan shook his head. “No, I’m awkward.”

“I cannot believe that after seeing you fight! After all, what is dancing if not fighting without weapons,” Aquilan pointed out.

“It’s just… people looking and…” Declan shrugged and sank down in his seat. But then he looked alarmed at Aquilan. “Do you… you want to dance?”

Realizing just how uncomfortable his Shadow was with the idea, Aquilan quickly said, “No, no, I was just curious.”

Declan’s forehead furrowed. “Well, if you’re sure–”

“King Aquilan, I’ve got some lovely ladies here. Would you like to go out on the dance floor with me?” Rohannan asked.

The Separatist leader was up from his seat and there were two women standing behind him, smiling, though clearly a little nervous. Aquilan realized that rejecting these women would be impolite. But he didn’t want to leave his Shadow.

“I… I’m still so full from dinner,” Aquilan began.

“Go on. Go dance,” Declan suddenly said. “I can see you really want to. I don’t want to hold you back.”

“You’re not–”