Page 139 of Heavenly Bodies
‘Your Highness,’ she said, bowing gracefully. She turned to see Enzo’s lips quirking. ‘What?’ she muttered. ‘He’s definitely royalty.’
Nemeus inclined his head as though he understood her perfectly. His golden eyes fixed on Enzo’s, a deep rumble erupted from the mythas’s throat. Then he spread his wings and took flight, a spew of fire jolting through the sky as he opened his maw.
A horn resounded through the arid space, coming from far below, and Elara stilled.
It came again, and Enzo turned, looking back in the direction of the palace.
She knew that sound. It was the sound of war.
‘Ariete is here,’ she said hoarsely.
Celine’s head turned, her wings bristling. ‘May the Celestes be with you both.’
Enzo began to turn away, as Celine called, ‘One last thing, Elara Bellereve.’
Elara looked back to the colossal stone figure.
‘I would speak with you alone,’ the statue said.
She gave a reassuring nod to Enzo to wait, before pacing back to Celine.
‘I gift you with a piece of advice, one that may save your life.’ The statue’s voice was quieter now, gentle.
‘Yes?’ she whispered.
‘Keep the Starkiller blade close to you. Whatever you do, do not give it to the prince.’
Elara frowned up at Celine, her tone a little cold as she replied, ‘Why? I trust him with my life.’
‘Do not ask me questions I cannot answer. Even now fate binds me from speaking further. Just trust the word of the mythas.’
Elara’s eyes narrowed. ‘The day that someone in this realm speaks plainly will be the day that I die.’
‘Let us hope that day is far in your future.’ Celine’s hands shifted as they were brought back to her face. ‘I pray we meet again,’ she said.
The statue became still once again, Celine’s hands now fully covering her eyes as Elara hurried back to Enzo. She brushed off his questioning look, a fluttering of intuition deep in her gut telling her the exchange was best left private. And so she followed Enzo into battle.
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
They arrived by the palace gates, Enzo’s sword already drawn. The place was quiet, far too quiet. No servants milled around in the courtyard, no guards stood sentry, no courtiers wandered the gardens.
Elara pulled Enzo back away from the gates, hesitating.
‘Enzo,’ she began, ‘if—if it doesn’t go to plan in there, if Ariete takes me again—’
‘Then I will follow you.’
‘But what if the prophecy—’
‘Elara,’ he said gently, cupping her cheek. She drank in every detail of him against the light, so scared that she may never see him again. ‘Do you think something as fragile as fate would keep me from you?’ He brushed his lips against hers. ‘Idefythe Stars.’
Elara blinked back tears. ‘I love you,’ she whispered.
Enzo kissed her once more, before turning to the gates. ‘Wait here,’ he said. ‘I’m going to locate Ariete.’
‘I’m not staying here.’
‘El,’ he said. ‘Please. Just until I know where Ariete is. You’re the one he wants. You’ll be doing no one any favours striding into the fray. I’ll be back soon.’