Page 9 of Heavenly Bodies
‘This is barely going to cover my breasts,’ she said in horror.
Elara could have sworn the corners of Merissa’s lips lifted. ‘Isn’t that the whole point? Helions believe that their Star Leyon created the Light, in part, to display the beauty of his kingdom proudly.’
‘Skies,’ Elara muttered, taking the clothes from Merissa. ‘I’ll dress myself,’ she added hurriedly.
Merissa ushered Elara behind a screen, waiting as Elara attempted to wrangle the flimsy cloth over her chest in a way that wouldn’t show her nipples.
‘Clothes here are designed for comfort as well as style,’ Merissa called over. ‘We don’t restrict ourselves, and you’ll find corsets are only used for formal occasions—balls and such. You’ll get used to it before you know it.’
Elara dressed hurriedly, making her way out from behind the screen.
Merissa raised her eyebrows. ‘You’re going to blend in perfectly.’
‘Wonderful,’ Elara said flatly.
‘I just have a few finishing touches.’ Merissa twined some small white starflowers through Elara’s hair. The fragrance of them calmed Elara as she breathed it in deeply. ‘There. Now you’re ready for a royal dinner.’
Elara turned to herself in the full-length wardrobe mirror and stilled. The outfit, although still too revealing for Elara’s liking, fit her like a second skin. The silk seemed to drip off her frame. Then she took in her face in the reflection, and felt a twinge of sadness. Merissa had made her up beautifully, but no makeup or glamouring could hide the haunted look that Elara saw in her own silver eyes.
Merissa clicked her fingers, and her reflection evaporated, replaced with the dark-eyed, golden-lit Elara once more.
She tugged a strand of silky hair through her fingers and forced a smile.
‘Thank you, Merissa. I appreciate the kindness you’ve shown me today.’
She meant it. In this place, she would grasp on to any kindness that she could.
Merissa’s eyes filled with warmth, and she gave a little curtsy. ‘It’s best I escort you to dinner now.’ She squinted atan ornate clock mounted on the bedroom wall. ‘It will be served soon, and it will be a good test for my glamouring. Especially as you meet the court.’
Elara looked once more to the room—her new prison—then begrudgingly followed the glamourer out of the room to where the hungry predators waited.
CHAPTER SIX
The banquet hall opened on to a terrace, half of it exposed to the balmy evening air. It was surrounded by a cream-coloured veranda, the sound of birds trilling through the night. Long tables graced the length of the space, with a raised table made of oak for the more distinguished members of the court, looking out over a lush garden blooming with exotic flowers.
Although, as Elara was coming to realize, the sky never fully darkened to the blue-black she was accustomed to back home. Here, late into the evening, the sky was painted a deep red, streaked with vivid orange.
She noticed other guests, dressed in the finer clothes of Helion courtiers, sat around lower tables, chatting and laughing. King Idris was seated at the head of the raised table, his crown gleaming in the flickering lantern light. Further down that same table, she saw Leonardo. He’d swapped his golden armour for umber-brown linens, though she didn’t miss the knives lined upon a strap slung across his chest. His face lit up as he spoke to the woman next to him. She was stunning, with tan skin and chestnut curls. There was something oddabout how high she seemed to be sitting, and as Elara neared the raucous tables, she saw why. She was perched in someone’s lap, and as Elara saw the jewelled hand teasing up and down her waist, she saw that the owner of that lap and hand was Prince Lorenzo.
All three were laughing, the pretty woman tipping her head back and flushing girlishly at something the prince was whispering in her ear as she leaned in. Elara looked away quickly.
Merissa yanked her arm as they stuck to the outer edges of the room, and Elara saw that she had reached the high table by the king. The raucous laughter and upbeat music mercifully didn’t halt, though the king noticed her presence immediately.
He looked over her appraisingly. ‘Helios suits you,’ he said with a serpent’s grin, his stare greasy. His eyes flicked to Merissa. ‘Good work, glamourer.’
Merissa curtsied, and Elara tried not to curl her lip at the king’s words, instead raising her chin.You are a queen now, she reminded herself.
She heard a yelp and turned. Prince Lorenzo had pushed the brunette off his lap, and his gaze was piercing Elara’s.
She matched his stare, making sure to look down her nose at him. His eyes dragged over her body, pausing on her exposed midriff. She clenched her hands by her sides to stop herself from covering the bare skin with her arms. Tilting her head, she stared back defiantly. King Idris followed her gaze as the brunette girl who’d been on Lorenzo’s lap sidled away, her cheeks flushed.
‘Ah yes, you will sit by my son,’ he said, raising his voice over the music that had jumped into a boisterous, loud tune. Elara’s stomach dropped as she saw the seat next to Lorenzo was vacant. Merissa left a moment later, and Elara debatedcalling after her. Glowering, she made her way to the table, slotting in to her appointed seat. She stared straight ahead as she waited for her food to be served, unwilling to acknowledge the prince who sat next to her.
‘I think we’ve met before,’ a low voice rumbled, and she turned finally. She smiled coldly, ignoring how up close, the prince was somehow even more handsome than when she’d seen him in the throne room.
‘Elara,’ she said quietly with a tight nod. ‘Although you already know that, don’t you?’
‘Elara.’ He rolled her name off his tongue, under his breath, the word sounding lyrical with his accent. ‘I’m sure you already know who I am.’