Page 83 of Heavenly Bodies

‘My lord,’ Lukas bowed, ‘I intend to.’

Elara was pulled up the grand staircase, and looked around wildly. She knew that the moment she reached the top of the stairs and entered the royal box, she would be trapped. This was her last chance.

‘I need to use a bathroom,’ she blurted out.

Ariete’s gaze slid to her. ‘Nice try.’

‘I do,’ she insisted, stopping midway on the stairs.

‘I’ll take her,’ Eli sighed.

Ariete nodded. ‘Do not let her leave your sight,’ he said, continuing on.

Eli pushed her in front of him as he took her back down, and she wet her lips as she found the bathrooms over on the far side of the entrance.

‘Be quick,’ he said, stationing himself by the door. Elara nodded, hope thrilling through her as she went into the bathroom alone.

Only to stop still.

In front of her, the goddess smoothing her hair in the mirror turned, smiling.

‘Hello, Elara Bellereve.’

Cancia.

Skies, the Star was ethereal. Silver hair that glowed iridescently, one blue eye the colour of lakes, the other the green of the sea, both sparkling as she approached, and Elara found herself overwhelmed with the smell of ocean flowers. It was a soft, comforting fragrance, but Elara knew better. Cancia was the goddess of pain and penance.

‘What are you doing here?’ she croaked. Elara could no longer bring herself to show the Stars a respect they did not deserve.

An indignancy flashed upon the goddess’s face before it was smothered. ‘We don’t have long,’ she murmured, and took a long pointed nail, the colour of pearls, to her wrist. With a swipe, sparkling blood gathered. ‘Drink.’

‘What?’ Elara exclaimed.

‘The prince of Helios bought my favour. And you need your strength, and your magick, for what is about to occur.’

Elara’s head spun, though she still took Cancia’s wrist.

‘He’s close,’ Cancia said. ‘Waiting by the Bridge of Tears. Use the strength my blood gives you, slip out of this theatre during the show. Run to the bridge. Lorenzo will arrange the rest.’

Tears gathered in Elara’s eyes. She had thought herself alone, abandoned. And here Enzo was, making yet another bargain for her life. But one thing remained.

‘I can’t leave Sofia.’

‘Your friend is taken care of. The prince’s general is at the Asterian palace as we speak.’

Elara’s legs wobbled, and Cancia pushed her against the counter. ‘Drink,’ she said softly.

And Elara closed her eyes, one tear rolling down her cheek, as she drank.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

A violin was already playing as Elara took her seat in the box. She kept catching Eli’s gaze, and forcibly looked away, making herself think of anything but her conversation with Cancia, lest the god decided to read her mind.

In the box beside them, Lukas was leaning over, and he gave a languid wave to Elara, eyes glittering. A shadow drifted from his hands towards her, caressing her cheek, and she pulled away in disgust.

She sat back in her seat and studied the stage.

A man and woman danced upon it, their movements like water. Fluid and graceful, they kissed as they danced, turning from the stage a moment before revealing a crying newborn in their arms.

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