Queen of the Night (Book One of the Elementals)

IX. Aeris

Lost in the music, Aeris sang with the song Heela played; her voice intertwined with his, but the clearness of it conquered over the sharp twang of the acoustic guitar. The song they had created together belonged more in their wanderings before joining the quest of the Elementals, but it matched the openness of the sea: the boat rocked in time to the beat with each crashing wave, and the seagulls' cawing even echoed the tune.

I've been walking, running from a past,

Still trying to hold me back.

It keeps pushing, pulling me too fast,

No escaping what shaped you.

Can't stay too long, for time breaks all masks,

Must keep avoiding those ghosts.

I've been waiting, longing for a task,

Only wanting my freedom.

Always leaving, fleeing from that chance,

Life can't be too still.

Keep on moving, acting in a trance,

No one will ever notice.

I'll stay drifting, searching for reason,

Lost in ghosts of memories.

Never slowing, stopping in season,

Content with my company.

With the ending of the song, clapping ensued. Aeris opened her eyes and found that their performance had drawn a crowd: most of the sailors had stopped to listen, all of the spare passengers, Helian, Zelenia, and the rest of the group were in attendance. Only Geryon was missing, propped up against the captain's quarters, but close enough to hear and an eye surely watching.

Zelenia had on her usual sweet smile, only wider, and Helian clapped heartily. Renuo was shaking his head in disbelief, and even aloof Kalisa had a small smile pulling up a corner of her purple lips. Even though Tegen didn't have a smile on his face, he looked pleased.

"That was wonderful," Zelenia said.

"Your voices are so musical. Sorry, Heela, but Aeris, yours is so clear and pure," Helian praised.

Heela chuckled and waved the apology away. "There's no need to apologize; I don't sound near as good as she."

She frowned at him. "I am not that much better than you."

But his look at her had her ducking her head in avoidance of his knowledge: she was better, and they both knew it. She had proven that she was the best in Ethea with—

"Will you sing another song?"

Helian's question brought her out of her trip into the past, the very past she and Heela just sang about trying to escape.

Aeris looked at Heela and found him leaving it up to her. "One of your songs," she said.

A few seconds passed as he gathered the notes and lyrics for the song he chose, then turned to their little audience, and began.

Aeris recognized it by the first few chords. This song held a promise of finding hope, instead of a depressing tune of always trudging on.

Make the best of your life, don't leave it to your dreams.

Create a sun to dawn, over water in streams.