Page 30 of Heavenly Bodies
‘Just, please trust him.’
Elara sighed.Why does everyone keep telling me that?she thought. ‘Fine. I’ll tell him. Thank you,’ she added, ‘for what you did in there. The ice…’
Isra nodded. ‘Of course. And I think you know that deep down it’s fear that’s holding back your shadows. But the Light isn’t the only thing you fear, is it?’
Elara froze.
‘I saw the prophecy.’
Any semblance of calm that Elara had tried to grapple with now unravelled once more. ‘You know.’
Isra tilted her head. ‘ “You will fall in love with the King of Stars, and it will kill you both.” That’s why Ariete is hunting you. Not just because you cannot be killed by a Star. But because—’
‘The prophecy is about him,’ Elara whispered. ‘And he will do anything to stop it coming true.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
When Elara stepped back out into the light-drenched street, Enzo was adjusting the saddle on a glossy palomino horse, another one waiting patiently beside it as Rico stroked its muzzle.
‘I’ll have the horses back tonight,’ Enzo was saying to the little boy, and tossed him a bag of coins.
‘I love it when you come to visit,’ Rico breathed, and Enzo chuckled, tousling his hair.
The boy ran off towards the stables, as Elara cleared her throat.
Enzo’s eyes darkened as he turned. ‘You lied to me,’ he said, his voice low, dangerously soft.
Elara folded her arms. ‘About what?’ she asked sweetly.
‘I swear to the fucking Stars,’ he muttered. ‘This whole time, you knew what was stopping your shadows. Tell me why.’
‘Or what?’ she seethed, placing her foot in a stirrup. In a deft move, muscle memory kicking in, she was mounted on the horse. ‘Are you going to force it out of me the way you forced me to go to Isra’s? The way you forcedIsrato pry my most vulnerable memory from me against both of our wills?’
She clicked her tongue, and her horse began to walk.
‘Where are you going?’ Enzo called.
‘I’mgoing back to the palace. You can go wherever you please. Perhaps to one of those delightful pleasure houses we just passed. Or maybe that bridge up ahead so you can jump off it.’ She continued onwards as Enzo cursed.
‘So help me gods, Elara, do not test me,’ he shouted as she trotted further down the street, away from him.
‘What was that? Sorry, I can’t hear you!’ she called back, finally losing him around the corner.
Footsteps thundered behind her and she let out a frustrated sound as he reached her. He yanked her horse’s reins, bringing it to a halt. ‘Let go of my horse,’ she said, her tone deathly low.
‘Actually, it’s my horse. I paid for it.’ He gave a sarcastic smile as he grabbed on to the saddle behind Elara, and swung himself on.
‘What are you doing?’ she spluttered.
‘Something I should have done the first time I met you. Putting you in your place.’
The horse trotted through Sol until the paths began to widen, the hustle and bustle quietening. Rather than taking a right in the direction of the palace, Enzo continued on straight ahead.
‘Where are you taking me?’ Elara demanded.
When Enzo replied with only a dark laugh, she lashed out for the third time, struggling to get off the horse as she cursed foully.
Enzo swore in turn, the arm he’d looped around hertightening. ‘You’re abrat,’ he hissed. ‘The most ungrateful creature I have ever met.’