Page 18 of Heavenly Bodies

She expertly twirled the dagger in her hand, before sheathing it, raising the sword in her other hand.

‘Ah,’ she exclaimed theatrically, ‘but the question is, who was at whose mercy?’

‘There would have been no honour in that kill,’ he seethed. ‘You tricked me.’

‘And you’re so honourable are you,Lion?’

His face shifted, and she saw the familiar arrogance place a veneer over his fury. ‘Oh, honourable is about the last thing a woman would call me.’

Elara ignored his attempt to rile her up.

Instead, she slumped to the ground, taking a long swig of water. ‘Your plan didn’t work. I’m exhausted, mentallyandphysically, yet not a wisp of shadow has appeared.’

‘I know,’ he said shortly, sitting down next to her. ‘And my magick isn’t helping. I can’t get far enough past your shadows to see what might unblock them.’

He looked at Elara hopefully, but she stayed mute.

He let out a frustrated sigh. ‘I’m going to have to take you to Isra.’

‘Who is Isra?’

‘A friend. And one you sorely need if we’re to stand a chance of honing your gifts into any kind of fighting shape.’ He stood, and so did Elara.

‘Really? I thought I was doing so well,’ Elara replied drily.

He gave her an irritated look as he reached for his shirt. ‘Tonight, practise your illusions,’ he ordered. ‘See if there’s a way to deliberately bring weight to them—like you did in the forest yesterday, but deliberately. And dreamwalk tonight. I don’t care where, but it’s important you keep training the two magicks youcanuse, until we figure out a way to access your shadows. Which we will, though no thanks to you.’

‘You make it sound so easy.’

‘Do you think it was easy for me to become who I am today? It was never easy. I just never gave up.’

She studied him for a moment, a familiar anger settling in her bones.

‘Yes, you don’t give up. Even when innocent Asterians are begging you to,’ she said. ‘I’ve heard many stories about how you became who you are today. And now I know you, I think I believe every single one.’

Enzo rose, a dry, hollow laugh echoing from him as he stepped towards her.

‘And what exactly is it that you’ve heard, princess?’ he murmured. He made his way closer. ‘That I’m an incredible lover?’ He stretched one arm with the other. She ignored the ripple of his biceps. ‘That I’m a feared warrior?’

‘That you’re dangerous and merciless. We were warned about you. The Lion of Helios, who razes anything to the ground which stands in his way.’

‘Aren’t you afraid?’ He was inches from her now, his towering figure blocking the Light above. He brought his hand toa strand of hair blown across her face by the hot, arid wind. Her eyes flashed, and she raised her chin.

‘I fear nothing.’

‘Lying fool,’ he replied. ‘Everybody is scared of something.’ He reached out, grasping the errant strand of hair as he wound it around a finger.

She jolted at his touch, her shadows rearing within her. ‘Perhaps,’ she got out. ‘But you certainly don’t scare me.’

‘Oh really?’ he asked softly, and tucked the hair behind her ear, grazing her neck. ‘Because your pulse tells me otherwise.’

He pulled away, a smug smile on his face as he strolled across the flat sands, back towards the path they’d climbed. She took a deep gulp of air before snatching up her flask. Swearing under her breath, she made her way down the winding sand path, wishing fervently she’d just driven the damn blade through his neck.

CHAPTER NINE

When she arrived back at the palace, light-soaked and dust-drenched, she didn’t go to her rooms, but instead sought out the kitchens. As she walked, she twirled the wildflowers she’d picked on her descent from the Angel’s Graveyard. Forget-me-nots, Elara’s favourite flower, starred through the bunch, along with apolliums, a stunning golden bloom, a little lavender and some godslily—said to have begun growing when the Stars first walked the earth.

She followed the smell of food, the bustling activity of maids who looked at her a little strangely, but not too much—after all, Merissa’s glamour was doing its job—and finally found the kitchen door, which swung open as more servants poured out with trays and trolleys of food.

---