Angelique waited just one line to learn the tempo and key that Kersen sang in, and joined him on the next. Though she couldn't play herself, she sat near him and kept out of the way of his arms and hands, but traced her fingers across the ivory of the upper, unused, keys like stroking a lover's skin.

Her voice was low, but sweet, with a smoky edge that she couldn't quite smooth out. Nothing breath-taking, but very good, if untrained. Now and then she would catch Kersen's eye, and go quiet for a phrase, then pick up again, trading lines back and forth like a duet when it seemed a good effect.