Page 49 of Heavenly Bodies
‘He was always luring Isra and me into trouble,’ Leo was saying.
‘Do youknowhow many times I had to save Enzo’s arse before he learned to control his magick? The palace would have burned to the ground ten times over if it wasn’t for me putting out his fires.’
‘You’re exaggerating. I had impeccable control.’
Isra raised a brow. ‘Leo, was ityouwhosingedthe cook’s eyebrows off that time, or Enzo?’
Leo furrowed his brow in mock thought. ‘Enzo.’
‘Point proven.’
Merissa appeared, looking a little fearful as she curtsied to the prince. He waved a hand through the air.
‘None of that tonight, Merissa. Sit with us.’
Merissa did, producing a small basket.
‘I raided the kitchens,’ she said, a shy smile playing on her lips.
Isra applauded loudly and started chanting Merissa’s name, the others quickly following suit. Merissa beamed as she offered Elara the basket.
‘Chocolate-dipped gildberries,’ she said, taking one for herself. Elara picked one up and sucked on it, swirling thevelvety chocolate around her tongue. She dropped her head back in pleasure.
‘Now these,’ she said, savouring it, ‘thesearesomething to write home about.’
Leo roared, Isra and Merissa looked confused, and Elara turned to glance at Enzo. His eyes were black, gaze dragged to her lips as she sucked on her berry. Her surroundings faded to a distant drone as she looked at him, some dark part of her wanting to continue. She raised a thumb to her lips and nonchalantly licked the melted chocolate off. He leaned perceptibly closer, and she saw his fist clench in the grass. His eyes found hers, and she smiled a smile lent of her darkness.
Then the moment was shattered, the world coming back around her with a blast of rowdy music.
‘I love this song!’ Merissa yelled, hauling Elara up. Breaking eye contact with Enzo, Elara dragged her feet as Merissa hauled her over to the dancing by the fire. Elara joined in. She spun and whirled until Merissa’s hands left her for another. A handsome soldier smiled down at her, his eyes the colour of topaz gems as he went to take her hand.
‘I don’t think so,’ Enzo’s voice said behind her. The soldier dropped Elara’s hand, raising both of his in surrender as he turned around. Enzo gripped her hand tightly, spinning her arm.
Her eyes narrowed. ‘That was rude,’ she said.
‘Was it?’ His eyes were wide with play-acted innocence. ‘Can’t have anyone seeing through your glamour.’ With a winning smile he raised his cup, filled with a swirling amber liquid.
‘Ambrosia, a token of peace,’ he added.
‘Drink of the Stars? How expensiveisthat?’
Enzo shrugged, taking a sip. ‘So you don’t want to try it?’
‘I didn’t saythat,’ she scowled.
His gaze burned as he brought the cup to her lips. She hesitated, then, maintaining his stare, took a sip from it as he tilted it.
Warm, spiced sweetness slipped down her throat. It sparked in her veins, ecstasy mingling with the spirits she’d already consumed. She closed her eyes, sighing in satisfaction. She felt a shift inside herself as she raised her hands to the sky. She whirled in euphoria, shadows dancing behind her eyelids. She heard chanting, a drumbeat intensifying. She started laughing. Enzo was before her, dancing with her, light and fire pouring from him. Her shadows bent to him, curling around his light. She felt weightless. Then a flurry of images ran into one another beneath her eyelids, assaulting her senses. Two thrones—one made of pure, shimmering silver, the other of gold. Hungry red flames devouring them both. A roaring lion, and finally a blade plunged into a stone heart. Darker than any shadow, darker than any night.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Elara opened her eyes, gasping for air. Enzo was before her, concern plastered on his face. There was still laughter and dancing happening, and the flames leapt and cracked behind them, though now the shadows they cast on the grass set Elara’s nerves on edge.
‘Elara? Elara, are you okay?’
She looked at him, frowning.
‘You’ve been standing there for ten minutes.’