Page 105 of Heavenly Bodies

‘Gods, I want to show you right now what I’ve been planning to do to you,’ he said against her as his hand came up to trace the curve of her neck. She tipped her head back, desperate for more than a graze. He chuckled against it, his thumb reaching behind her ear as he cradled her head.

‘But let me tell you something,’ he continued, his breath tickling her ear. ‘I’m not going to kiss you right now. Our first kiss was stolen by Torra, so the next one is going to be only ours. The next time you moan for me, you’ll have no charm to blame it upon. So be patient, Elara, and be ready.’

Delicious shivers ran up her spine. He was right; she didn’t want to rush this. The feelings rising inside her were not just a distraction from pain on a lust-drunk afternoon. She wasteetering on the edge of a precipice. She knew the moment she jumped, everything would change.

And so, she only nodded silently as he pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead.

‘For that,’ she said, ‘you’re going to pay.’ And without a second thought, she dunked him under the water with glee.

Elara’s heart was aglow at Enzo’s confession. For the first time in weeks, she felt happiness. True happiness. There was still an aching place in her where Sofia resided, but it was buoyed by Enzo, by hope.

‘Thank you,’ she said to him as they arrived outside her room. Enzo had stopped at his own room as they had passed, and now he faced her in a fresh shirt and loose linen pants. ‘I don’t know if I’ve even said that to you yet. For the last few weeks; you poured your light into me.’

He took her hand, and the tension between them rose and shimmered, her lungs constricting at his burning touch. ‘You already are a light, Elara. It’s why the shadows flock to you.’

She smiled so brightly that it ached as he pushed her into the room. When he sank into the same chair that served as his bed every night, Elara bit her lip. ‘Enzo?’

‘Yes, princess?’

‘I have a request.’

‘Go on.’

‘Will you stop sleeping in that chair? I feel awful, and it can’t be good for your back. If you don’t get enough—’

‘It’s okay.’ His lip curled, interrupting her. ‘You don’t have tobegme to come to your bed.’

‘Heavenly Stars and all that is holy,’ she muttered, looking to the ceiling.

His grin widened further. ‘I’ll stay.’ He eased himself off the chair, pulling his shirt over his head. Elara flushed, drinking her fill of his bare torso, and wondered just how much she’d be able to sleep withthatnext to her. He lifted the sheets, settling in behind her.

‘I must say,’ he muttered, ‘this doesn’t live up toanyof my fantasies about us sharing a bed.’ She slapped his arm behind her as he made an amused sound.

‘But I meant what I said in the ocean,’ he continued. ‘I want to court you properly. That means some clotheswillremain on, despite how much you may try to seduce me with those sinfully short nightgowns.’

She smiled to herself. ‘I suppose I can allow that.’ A heavy arm wrapped around her as Enzo settled down. But as she heard his breathing deepen, Elara couldn’t help but think of Idris’s earlier threats, and the words of the prophecy, as she was held by the man she certainly wasn’t fated for.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The next morning, Elara stood before the doors to the royal kitchens, clenching and unclenching her fists.

After a sleep where her nightmares hadn’t chased her for the first time in weeks, she had woken up clear-headed and ready. It was time to be brave.

She took one deep breath before she pushed the door open and walked in.

Merissa was piping a cake with pistachio cream, icing sugar dusted on her nose. She looked up as the door opened, her mouth falling open. ‘Elara,’ she breathed.

There was a tense silence as they stared at each other.

‘Can…can we talk?’ Elara cursed herself at her stuttering. Acting like a timid fool was not something she was used to.

‘Of course,’ Merissa said. ‘I just need to finish frosting these.’

Elara moved wordlessly toward her, picking up another piping nozzle as she began to help.

She didn’t look at the glamourer as she said, ‘I wanted to apologize.’

Merissa put her piping bag down. ‘What?’