Page 4 of Songbird (A Space Pearl’s Treat #1)

With my arm linked with my favorite female in the universe, we strolled through the bustling market.

The voices of vendors called out their wares amid the chatter of a multitude of languages filling the air, while colorful flags and banners hung overhead, swaying gently in the artificial breeze.

Aromas of exotic spices and freshly cooked meats wafted from every direction, making my mouth water.

Priemba took it all in with youthful exuberance, stopping at each stall to examine the unique and peculiar items on display.

Often eagerly haggling with the merchant.

Possessed of a talent, no doubt, gleaned from her mother.

Level six of the Ardeese Valout space station housed the merchant level as well as S pace Pearls , other restaurants, and my brother’s cozy apartment.

Priemba’s school, where I’d picked her up mere minutes ago, was located on this level as well.

Level six simmered with luxury and wealth, but despite my family’s best efforts to help those in need, many still lived in squalor, just two levels below.

My travels as a spy had taken me to the darkest corners of the universe, where poverty and suffering were rampant.

I had seen it all—it was a reality I couldn’t ignore or forget.

Yet the only thing my mind focused on at the moment was beauty.

Her beauty.

The songbird’s image had floated through my mind more times than I could count since last night, becoming clearer and more vivid with each remembrance.

The way her slender figure curved in all the right places, her long blonde hair cascading over her shoulders and down her back in perfect golden waves.

Her bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle with an otherworldly light, her lips full and perfectly shaped into a bow, and her pale skin glowed like moonlight.

She was the most beautiful human I’d ever seen, and I’d carefully committed each facet of her appearance to memory.

“This way, Uncle Tarrick.”

Priemba’s tug on my hand brought me back to the present. I glanced up, realizing she’d led me deeper into the market.

“I thought you wanted to go to lunch?” Feigning near starvation was how she’d wrangled me into picking her up from school early.

Her adorable face turned upwards, golden eyes wide and sporting a rather sheepish grin. “I am hungry. But feathers are more important.”

“Feathers?” I bit back a laugh.

Priemba gave an exasperated sigh. “Yes, Uncle Tarrick. Feathers are all the thing right now. All the popular kids have them.”

While I knew for a fact that my niece was one of the more popular students in her class, I still recalled enough of my school days and the desire to fit in. Part of being a successful spy meant being able to fit in anywhere. And sometimes to accomplish that, one needed assistance.

“Then feathers you shall have!”

I clasped her hand tightly as we made our way through the bustling market area.

Among the chaos, a particular stall caught Priemba’s eye with a mesmerizing display of feathers and intricately patterned fabrics adorning the stand.

The vibrant colors seemed to dance and swirl in the light, beckoning customers to come explore the treasures within.

“And what color feathers shall you have, my princess?” I asked, grinning as I watched Priemba practically vibrate with excitement.

“Red ones,” she announced. Her yellow mane floated about her head as she whipped her eyes about, enthralled by the massive selection. “Oh, and some green ones... and maybe some purple ones... and....”

Half an hour later, I carried a bag heavy and overflowing with feathers. Priemba skipped along beside me, her face lit with joy as she hummed a cheerful tune. I had no doubt Praxxan would scold me for spoiling my niece, but I saw her far too little to let any such rebuke take heart.

“Now for lunch, my princess. What shall you have?” If I had to carry the bag of feathers for long, I would require sustenance.

“Can we go to the place that sells Verdesian stew?” She grinned up at me.

“You like Verdesian stew?” I’d admit to being shocked. While Priemba wasn’t a picky eater, the Verdesian flavor profile tended to be spicy, much more than what a youngling might enjoy.

My niece gave me a dazzling grin that indicated she aimed to charm me into something. “Not really. But I do love their sweet cakes.”

“I thought your mother said no sweets when you told her we were going to lunch.”

Priemba’s lower lip turned out in a pout.

I sighed, completely defeated—as usual. “Okay, but don’t tell your mother.”

My niece’s squeal of glee and subsequent hug was totally worth any ire I might suffer from her parents.

With a quick shift in direction, we veered away from the bustling market towards the quieter section of the level, where Space Pearls and other tantalizing eateries awaited.

At this time of day, the space station bustled with people, the constant chatter of voices and clinking of utensils filling the air as most engaged in luncheon.

As we made our way through the throng of beings, I couldn’t help but notice a long line forming outside Space Pearls .

I was relieved Priemba chose to dine elsewhere for lunch since I intended to return to Space Pearl’s for dinner tonight… and entertainment.

I cast my gaze across the way to check the line at the Verdesian restaurant, taking in how the market area had transformed from a chaotic display of carts into elegant storefronts.

The restaurant didn’t seem busy, but that wasn’t what caught my attention.

I was captivated by a mass of golden waves that stood out like bright sunshine against the muted tones of the buildings.

The sound of utter glee bursting from my niece’s lips gave me a start.

“Look! It’s Izzy!”

“You know her?” The shock made my footsteps sluggish as Priemba pulled me toward the beautiful human.

“Yep!” My niece gave me a smug grin. “She promised to teach me to sing.”

“Izzy!” Priemba called when we got within earshot.

The female turned slowly, golden hair blowing about her face as though touched by a phantom wind. Her gaze caught me first, and I found the way her full tips turned down at the corners rather disheartening. However, when she caught sight of Priemba at my side, her face exploded into a huge smile.

“Hi, Izzy.” Priemba jerked her hand from my grasp, ran the last few steps, wrapped her arms around the human’s waist, and hugged her tightly.

The pleasure that erupted on the female’s face made my heart stutter, as did the way she wrapped her arms around my niece’s shoulders and laid her cheek atop Priemba’s head.

“Hi Priemba. It’s so good to see you.”

“Are you shopping?” Priemba asked, pulling away from the hug and turning her attention toward the store window. A multicolored dress covered in—wouldn’t you know it—feathers took center stage.

“I’m thinking about getting a new dress,” Izzy said, keeping an arm around my niece’s shoulders while gesturing toward the window with her other hand. “Do you have any suggestions?"

Priemba took in the wares with a frown. “I like your green dress.”

“Me too,” Izzy agreed with a smile. “But I was thinking about something blue.”

I had no idea about other colors, but I doubted anything could compare to the stunning red dress she’d worn the night before.

The silky fabric clung to her every curve, drizzling over her body like a crimson waterfall.

I hadn’t been able to take my eyes off her.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her now, even though she dressed simply in a light blue long-sleeved tunic and silky pants that flowed gracefully about her ankles.

As I continued to stare, lost in my thoughts, Priemba cleared her throat loudly, snapping me out of my daze.

“Izzy, this is my Uncle Tarrick.”

“Uncle?” Izzy repeated, appearing rather shocked but recovered quickly with a gracious smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Uncle Tarrick."

I schooled my expression to one of charming pleasantness, but behind me, my tail whipped about like a fucking lunatic.

Thank God Praxxan wasn’t around, or I’d never hear the end of it.

It was bad enough that Priemba fixed me with a gimlet eye, a knowing grin curving her adorable face.

Little imp. Being part Stranac, she’d recognize the behavior of my tail, which gave away my attraction toward Izzy.

And I was attracted, despite knowing the idea absurd given my lifestyle.

“As it is to meet you, Izzy,” I said, giving a flourishing bow that made Priemba giggle. Izzy regarded me with something that might have been suspicion. Human faces were so expressive, so many emotions—but her lips still curved in a smile.

“We were going to get some lunch. Do you want to join us?” Priemba announced, grabbing hold of Izzy’s hand.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Izzy offered quickly, but her cheeks deepened in hue.

“Nonsense,” I argued. “We would consider it an honor to have you join us.” Me, definitely more than Priemba I would suspect.

Her bright blue gaze bounced between me and my niece for a moment, the intent of refusal flickering across her features until her eyes settled on Priemba. Izzy blew out a long, slow breath, her body relaxing as she smiled and acquiesced. “I’d love to join you for lunch.”

“We were headed toward the Verdesian restaurant, of course, if you would prefer something else….” I suggested. Verdesian food was surely too spicy for a human.

“No,” Izzy blurted, then gave a chuckle at my widened gaze. “I love Verdesian food. I like spicy.”

She liked spicy. The connotation of that comment went straight to my cock.

“Great!” Priemba announced, situating herself between us and grabbing our hands. She skipped along happily as we headed down the street. The Verdesian restaurant was close by, but I found myself wishing it was farther away.

“I saw you sing last night.” I could have groaned when the words left my lips. I sounded like a besotted schoolboy.