Page 118 of Heavenly Bodies

‘Hi, pretty.’ She gave a tinkering wave.

‘Aren’t you going to greetme, Lorenzo?’ said a male voice. ‘I gave you my favour after all.’

Elara’s eyes widened as Eli rose from the clouds into view, a wry smile on his face. She saw Enzo’s jaw clench.

‘With all due respect, what do you want?’ Elara demanded.

Eli tutted. ‘Now, is that any way to greet a Star who came to your aid?’

‘The last time I saw you, you were happy to stand by and watch as Ariete killed Sofia in front of me.’

Eli’s easy smile turned razor sharp. ‘Do you think Cancia was in that bathroom by accident? That I didn’tlether heal you as I waited outside?’

‘Yes, and a whole lot of good yournobledeed did for Sofia,’ Elara spat.

‘If it wasn’t for me,’ he continued, ‘you wouldn’t have had the strength to illusion your death. You’d still be Ariete’s captive now.’

Torra glanced at Enzo. ‘Lorenzo, I wonder if you could take a walk. Elara, Eli and I need a little chat.’

A bleak laugh erupted from him. ‘Not fucking likely.’

‘Oh, I think you will,’ Eli interjected. He cocked his head. ‘Unless you want her to know?’

Enzo stilled. His reaction unnerved Elara. She brushed her way from behind him and walked forwards.

‘Know what?’ She looked between the two.

She could see flames in Enzo’s eyes as they burned into Eli. The Star only raised an eyebrow.

‘All this threatening is awfully tacky, Lorenzo. I don’t like to resort to it.’

‘Knowwhat, Eli?’ she asked again.

He pinned her with his black stare. ‘His secret.’

‘Enough,’ Enzo snarled.

‘Enzo, whatever it is, I don’t want to know. What you told Eli is none of my business.’

Eli let out a sharp laugh, and Torra threw him a reproachful glance.

‘Prince.’ She motioned to him with a dismissive wave of her hand.

With a strained look at Elara, Enzo began to walk. ‘I’ll be right over there,’ he said tightly, pointing to the edge of the terrace and casting another venomous glance to the two Stars.

‘What in the Heavens is going on?’ Elara hissed, as Enzo moved further away, out of earshot. ‘And why is everyone so committed to speaking in fuckingriddlesaround here?’

Torra chuckled lightly as she threaded her arm through Elara’s. Eli came to her other side, towering over her.

‘This conversation has been a long time coming,’ Torra said, her face resigned.

‘It’s thanks to one of your son’s priestesses that I’m in this mess.’ Elara’s voice held a deadly, velvet edge. ‘I’d survived twenty-three years before I heard it. Do you have any idea what it’s made of my life?’

‘It doesn’t look like it hindered much if what I walked in on is anything to go by.’ Torra tried to hide a smile. She flicked a lock of hair behind her shoulder with her free hand.

‘That’s not—’

‘Not what, Elara? Are you really going to try and lie to the Star of lust in her own kingdom? You don’t think I can feel it pouring from you?’