Page 61 of Heavenly Bodies

‘No. It’s too risky.’

‘I didn’t ask you for permission!’ she shouted. ‘You are not mydamn keeper.’

Enzo stalked closer, looming over her. ‘Oh, I can be, princess. You are under my rule here. So, you’ll find, my word is law should I wish it.’

‘Try to make me prisoner again and see what happens to you.’ Her shadows curled around Enzo’s neck, her control running thin with rage.

‘Are you threatening me with a good time?’ His breath mingled with hers as she stood, seething, shadows pouring out of her. She ignored the deflection, and the look of total trust he gave her as her shadows continued to wrap tighter around his neck.

‘What would you do if it was Isra? Or Leo?’ she whispered.

Enzo’s mouth opened then swiftly closed, his lips pressing together.

‘She is all I have left, Enzo.’ Elara’s voice broke.

He paused, then released a defeated sigh. ‘I would do everything I could to bring them back,’ he said.

She nodded once, her shadows loosening.

‘And she is not all you have left, El.’

Elara huffed out a laugh. ‘Yes. I have you, a man who has just started to tolerate me.’ She shook her head. ‘I don’t haveanyone in my corner, not really.’ She smiled wryly, becoming aware that she was gripping Enzo’s arm, the bulge of muscle taut as her nails dug into it.

Enzo let out a harsh breath of impatience. ‘I do not justtolerateyou, Elara. You are my favourite part of the day.’

She gaped. Her mouth worked, trying to form words, but shock and confusion had rendered her mute. Enzo gently extricated himself from her grip.

‘What do you—’

The door opened, Leo standing there with a sober expression on his face.

‘I’m sorry,’ he said, looking between them. ‘One of the guards told me you’d arrived back at the palace together.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Your father, he’s requesting you.’ He looked to Elara. ‘Both of you.’

As the doors to the throne room swung open, Elara felt once again dwarfed by the chamber’s grandeur, and the man reclining in his throne, waiting for her.

Enzo strode beside her, which at least made her feel a little better. Leo hadn’t said anything more as he’d walked them down the stairs, leaving them at the doors.

‘Father,’ Enzo said, dipping his head.

‘King Idris,’ Elara said, resolutely keeping her back straight.

‘Princess.’ He nodded. ‘Son.’ His tone grew tight.

‘We were training,’ Enzo said, when Idris didn’t speak further. ‘Leo told us you wanted to see us?’

Idris produced a large scroll of Asterian midnight-blue parchment. Elara saw flashes of silver script as he handed it to Enzo. ‘I received this today.’

Enzo scanned it, his brow furrowing the further down he got.

Anxiety began to creep inside Elara as he finished, and handed it to her. His eyes were fixed on her, but she snatched it from him.

To King Idris D’Oro, and the court of Helios,

You are cordially invited to the coronation of King Lukas Saintsombre of Asteria.

Asteria welcomes the esteemed royal families of Celestia, and their court, to celebrate the event.

After the ceremony, there will be a masquerade ball in honour of the new king.

---