Page 40 of Heavenly Bodies

His fingers dug in further.

‘You’re a smart girl. Sheltering within my domain.’ He tilted his head. ‘Ariete knows he cannot enter Helios without my invitation.’

The Stars’ Invite. Elara remembered it from her history lessons. Stars could be invited into one another’s kingdoms. But unless they were, any other visit would be a challenge of outright war. Unless that Star was Eli—the messenger god, who seemed to be welcome everywhere.

‘You won’t deliver me to Ariete?’

Leyon tipped back his head and laughed, the sound a rich melody. ‘And see my brother get what he wants? Come now, Elara Bellereve, surely your history tutors taught you about our feud better than that.’

Elara blinked. She had forgotten in her blind panic that Leyon was the King of Stars’ brother. ‘Ariete is growing too brash. First, he descends—uninvited—into Piscea’s territory. And only her slumber meant that this did not cause an outright celestial war. Then, he acts upon this prophecy. And cannot even kill the object of it, a mere mortal girl.’ He looked at Elara. ‘No offence.’

Elara raised a brow. ‘None taken.’

‘And now? Now he has made us look weak. Now he hunts you, disregarding his every duty. The Stars are not happy.’

He took a step back to observe her, really observe her. His gaze trailed from her feet up to her hips, lingering on her breasts before roaming her face as he sucked a tooth.

‘ “You will fall in love with the King of Stars, and it will kill you both.” Now, I don’t think I’d mind one bit if the prophecy was for me.’

‘You’d be the first,’ she muttered as his magick washed over her. She took an involuntary step closer to him. Save for Ariete, she had never been in the vicinity of a Star before. His charm was warm, full of light and music. Intoxicating. She could almost hear it sounding from him, achingly gorgeous compositions, could see colours she’d never even dared to imagine before, so rich and vibrant.

‘I think you’re too modest,’ he murmured. ‘Many men would be happy to die for you. Perhaps gods, too.’

‘There you are!’ a loud, familiar voice interrupted. Its owner’s face was plastered with an arrogant smile as he swaggered over, the people in the square halting to gawp at the spectacle.

‘Prince Lorenzo.’ Leyon nodded his head. ‘What interesting company you keep.’ His eyes ran over Elara again.

A tiny muscle in Enzo’s jaw ticked, barely noticeable before he bowed deeply to the Star. ‘I see you’ve met my esteemed guest.’

‘No need to skirt around it, prince. I know who she is.’

Flames leapt in Enzo’s eyes, his usual gold burnished to warm orange. ‘Is that so?’

Leyon’s smile tightened. ‘The only thing I can’t quite puzzle out is why a Helion prince would be hosting his mortal enemy in his kingdom.’

Elara blanched.

‘When Ariete killed her parents, my father took pity on Elara. His vendetta lay with them, not their innocent daughter. So, when she crossed the border, she became our problem. Better to know thy enemy, and all that.’

Leyon gave a shallow, tinkering laugh. ‘Then your secret is safe with me. For now. Tell your father he hasn’t visited my temple recently. I highly advise he does.’ Threat was laced in his honeyed words.

Enzo bowed, grabbing Elara’s arm. ‘We’d best be going,’ he said smoothly, and bowed again. ‘My revered Lord Light.’

‘Farewell. And, Elara? If you ever tire of playing with mortals, you know where my temple is.’ Leyon winked before sauntering off, his golden hair glimmering as he strolled through the piazza, a ripple of citizens bowing in his wake.

Enzo yanked Elara along quiet side streets, pulling her along at a pace that left her panting.

‘Will you just stop for a moment?’ she finally got out.

‘You know, you’ve done a lot of stupid things in the short time I’ve known you, Elara, but this trumps them all.’ He was seething; she could almost imagine flames bursting from him at any moment. ‘Youran.’

Elara raised her chin. ‘What did you expect? That I would stay like a good little prisoner?’

‘I thought—’

‘What? That things had changed after last night? You are Helion, Enzo. And I am Asterian. Our very magicks abhor each other. Like night and day. We’ll always be on opposite sides.’

He blinked, and the fire within him had gone. ‘You’re right,’ he said, and he released her arm. She saw that they had reached Isra’s, the eye carved into her door staring at Elara. ‘I don’t know why I expected any more from an Asterian. You’re born to betray. You got what you wanted, and now you run.’