Page 31 of Into the Dawn (The Arcadians #4)
Kylie was nervous as she stood near the stage that had been erected at the edge of the sacred lake. She was about to give her first performance since coming to Arcadia, but last-minute doubts were making her rethink the entire concert.
Ronan and Dominic had talked her into singing at their official mating ceremony since they had invited guests from all of the neighboring kingdoms. They wanted her to share her talent with the world, but she was worried that it was her own misguided sense of vanity that had made her agree.
Her mates loved her voice, but that didn’t mean the rest of the Arcadians would.
The sacred lake really was a beautiful setting for a concert. With the two moons shining down on the water’s surface, there was ample light. Add in the glowing trees that grew around the water’s edge and the blanket of stars above, the setting really did look magical.
In the few weeks since she had arrived on Arcadia, she had found herself visiting the sacred lake whenever she had the urge to write a song. Not only was it a great place for inspiration, the acoustics there were absolutely amazing.
Although Ronan and Dominic had been busy interrogating all of the traitors, they always made time to walk down to the lake with her.
They loved listening to her sing and always carried her beloved acoustic guitar for her.
She’d been glad her guitar had survived the trip to Arcadia, although she could now use magic to create whatever instruments she wanted.
Back at the palace, they now had a music room filled with instruments, including an amazing grand piano. She had also recreated all of the recording equipment that she’d had back in her home studio, though everything ran on magic instead of electricity.
The entire mess with the traitors had been handled pretty quickly.
They had discovered that the rogues had constructed a few underground tunnels that had allowed them to bypass the protection barrier.
Ronan, Dominic, and Kylie had created new protection wards around the Western Forest, making sure to include the sky and underground.
No matter how many excuses the traitors had given during the interrogations, it came down to the basic fact that they wanted control of the females living in the city.
For Kylie, that was reason enough to execute all of them.
Luckily, Ronan and Dominic agreed with her.
That might have sounded a little harsh, but that was simply reality.
The traitors had put too many lives in jeopardy to ever be trusted again. Not after what they had done. Besides betraying their oaths as honorable warriors, they had tried to kill the royal family. That meant their deaths were justified.
The Western Forest would remain a haven where independence and freedom were granted to all residents, male and female.
“Five minutes ’til showtime,” Layla said as she hurried over with a group of their friends. “Not really, since clocks aren’t really a thing here.”
Allie Dracor laughed. “I consider that one of the best things about living here.”
The Princess of the Palace of the Sands was a gorgeous female with silvery blonde hair and glowing blue eyes. Before arriving on Arcadia, she had once been an overworked doctor. Now, she was a Dragon Warrior, princess, mother, and mate to three males who completely adored her.
“I still can’t believe I’m getting to watch the Kylie Bell perform live on Arcadia,” Raven Akira gushed. “I remember when Allie and I tried to get tickets for one of your concerts, and we totally failed. It was a bloodbath.”
Kylie had been shocked the first time she had met the Princess of the Iron Palace and Citadel.
Raven looked so much like the Goddess of the Moons that she had thought she was Lunaria at first glance.
While their faces were similar, Raven had long curly black hair and glowing green eyes that were very different from Lunaria’s glowing lavender eyes and silver hair.
“I cannot wait to hear you sing,” Princess Liandra from the Palace of the Sands said. Allie’s sister-in-law wasn’t a former human, but she fit in well enough with the four of them as if she were.
Kylie began to pace. “This was a bad idea. Do Arcadians even like music? I mean, my music. Maybe I should postpone this until I redo the set list. I should add some variety and—”
“Stop,” Queen Anya commanded as she stroked a hand down Kylie’s hair. “Your concert will be wonderful exactly as you have planned it. Your voice is a gift from the gods, and it is meant to be shared with the world.”
“Come here, mate,” Ronan said, holding out his hand.
Leaving the others behind, Kylie hurried over to her mate and threw her arms around his waist. She was wearing a gorgeous dress he had created for her that made her look like a fairy princess.
She was even planning to add a pair of sparkling wings before she stepped out on stage.
But now, the thought of walking out onto that stage was making her feel sick.
“Hug me,” she demanded glumly.
He did as she asked, wrapping his arms around her. “What is this? What has upset you, mate?”
“What if they don’t like me?”
Dominic chuckled as he came up behind her. Pressing against her back, he whispered, “They are all going to love you. So much so that Ronan and I will have to fight the urge to punch everyone for daring to look at you.”
That made her laugh. “They’re supposed to look at me while I’m on stage.”
Ronan just growled in irritation.
Turning her around, Dominic rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “It is time. Go out there and sing, my love.”
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. Shedding her nerves, she embraced her inner performer and walked out on the stage, remembering to add her wings at the last moment.
For the next few hours, she captivated the crowd that had gathered around the sacred lake.
Using her magical voice, she mesmerized them with her lyrics and melodies.
The crowd was completely enthralled, their reactions a testament to her talent.
They laughed, shed tears, clapped in rhythm with the music, and cheered with unbridled enthusiasm after each song ended.
At one point, she thought she caught sight of Lunaria in the crowd. But the next time she glanced in that direction, the Goddess of the Moons was nowhere to be found.
As the final note of her performance echoed across the water, the applause that erupted was thunderous, reverberating through the trees and seemingly shaking the heavens themselves. The sheer volume of the cheers was a powerful affirmation of her impact on the audience.
Glancing over at her mates, she felt her heart swell with love and pride. In their eyes, she saw unwavering support and admiration. She had found her place and her purpose with them.
And in that moment, she knew that this was where she truly belonged.