Page 236 of Fallen Stars
“There is a reason she hates you, a reason the Dark has always tried to separate you. And though it pains me to tell you, what I’m about to say is true. The two of you together are the only thing that have been able to subdue her. The two of you are the only threat against her.”
Elara looked at Enzo who was burning a hole through Ariete—figuratively.
Unspoken words passed between the two, Elara understanding her husband’s every mannerism, every expression. And intuition told her that Ariete wasn’t lying. It had all been too easy, she realised. Again.
And as much as she hated the god in front of her, would have killed him in a blink if he wasn’t tied to her, she knew she didn’t have a choice but to accept.
“Fine,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “Beg.”
Ariete laughed. Enzo however narrowed his eyes, glancing at Elara only once before fixing his gaze back onto the god.
“What?”
Elara raised her chin, a cruel smile curling on her face. “Get on your knees and beg.”
The smirk slipped off Ariete’s face. “You’re not in a position to give out orders, Elara,” he snarled. “As of right now, I control your blood. You have no choice but to accept my request.”
Elara nodded. “Icertainly don’t have a choice.” A smile toyed at the corners of her mouth. “But my husband does. And you need both of us to defeat Piscea, no?”
The muscles in Ariete’s neck strained as he clicked it, jaw clenching as he realised that Elara was right.
“I have to give you my truce and my help because we struck a bargain. But Enzo did no such thing. His life may be tethered to mine, but his will isn’t, so if you want our help,” she continued, “if you want our magick, if you want to vanquish Piscea, then beg.”
Ariete glared at Enzo.
“You heard my wife,” the Lion crooned. “On your knees.”
Ariete seemed to war with himself, clenching and unclenching his fists. He spun on his heels, paced a step, then halted. Turned back around.
And with a tremble, as though his very body was fighting it, he bent a knee, his eyes to the floor.
Elara tutted. “Look at me.”
Ariete did, his red stare filled with hatred.
“Now, what are the magic words?”
“Please, Elara.”
Enzo made a warning sound in his throat. Red starlight crackled around the Star as he seethed, every muscle in his body trembling and tense as he fought against his very pride.
“Please, Your Majesty, help me.”
Elara’s smile crept further up her face, a gleam of triumph in her silver eyes. She flicked a hand to Ariete, motioning him to rise. He did.
“It is done.” She took a step closer to Ariete, her fear for him dissipated with every second he had knelt on the ground at her feet. She crouched over him. “We will work together.” Her mouth was by his ear now as he jerked, her long nails digging into the back of his neck. “But don’t for a second think this means I’ve forgotten what you’ve done. You killed my parents, my best friend, and nearly my husband. The minute Piscea is no longer a threat, the moment the Dark is at rest, I will hunt you and kill you.”
Ariete’s lips twitched as she pulled away. “I look forward to the fight.”
Elara motioned Ariete to rise, and he did, nodding tightly.
Elara turned on her heel, and Ariete made to follow her.
Enzo laughed. “I don’t fucking think so.”
“I think I should stay with you,” Ariete said.
“We are in the middle of my wedding,” Elara said. “We may have agreed to this truce, but you are not welcome with us, and you willnotruin our day.”