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Leska spoke up. No, he is trying to make sure that the Sethir don t just grab me and stuff me into the women s quarters until the guys fight themselves bloody over me.

And then I go to the winner, who will be a little agitated by that point.

She chuckled. He wants me where you can find me.

Hopefully, with an alpha who will bring me back to visit.

Raek murmured, Frequently.

Cadence s body resumed its orderly, rapid pulsing. Raek exhaled and nodded to Leska.

Leska smiled with a sad quirk to her lips. I am going to try and plow through a few of the new songs Cadence has written. Anyone is welcome to listen.

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.

* * * *

I m-bar said, Can you play 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.

I was thirty when Raek was born to our father s second wife. I was firmly in this form by then. He has never known me as a brother. It is better this way.

You know, you can get companionship dates with the BDC as well. There are women and men who just like getting out on someone else s credit.

Im-bar smiled. Play me another.

Leska played a nice song about a human who didn t know she was an active until she was caught in a fire where others were in danger.

She wrapped the fire around herself and flew up as fast as she could, taking the fire with her.

When she reached the sky, the fire burned out, and her body grew cold while she fell to the ground.

She was caught by an agent with the countenance of stone, but the moment he set her down, she ran.

Im-bar blinked as the song ended. Is that it?

So far. The gargoyle has been hunting his metabolic for months, and she manages to avoid him every time.

Why is she avoiding him?

It isn t deliberate. She is a very popular escort with only a few free days a week, and their schedules never line up.

Sounds like fate is against them.

Leska shrugged. Perhaps it is a different sort of luck. Maybe she s running until she s ready.

Leska, what are you not saying?

Many things, many, many things. Leska put the guitar aside and turned off the projector. I wish you good night.

I will walk you to your door.

Making sure I don t run?

Making sure that Raek hasn t contacted any of his alpha friends. They are not known for patience.

Leska looked at her seriously. Thank you.

They walked out of the house, and Maximus was nowhere to be seen.

No problem. Did you know it would shake out this way?

I know my heats are getting more violent and take more out of me every time. It was either I find an alpha or be found in a coma.

And you stayed near her for Cadence s sake.

She needs a better life than the one we were assigned. She was rejected by those who were supposed to love her. Now, maybe she has a chance. They are good together.

They are in harmony. Hopefully, Raek stops being a gentleman.

If she doesn t giggle and blush by tomorrow. I will nag her into making a move.

She opened her door and turned to Im-bar.

Im-bar asked, Do you think it will work?

I work with a lot of escorts. I have learned a few things that might genteelly start a seduction.

This will be interesting. Sleep well.

Leska entered the small house and stripped as she headed for bed. Tomorrow was going to be stressful.