Page 239 of Fallen Stars

Merissa’s heart ached for them. She didn’t feel envy; she never would for her best friends, two people so suited to each other. But she did feel a complete and utter loneliness.

Her brother’s words rang in her head. “You’re cursed in love.” Again and again and again.

She would never have someone look at her the way Enzo looked at Elara. Would never love someone the way that Elara did Enzo, with such a selflessness that she was willing to trade her life for him. Would never have someone who worshipped her, who was her equal, who understood every facet that made up her being.

Merissa pulled a fresh bottle towards her, chugging half the contents as Adrian looked at her.

“If it helps,” he murmured, “I’m unlucky in love too.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Merissa slurred, the wine already flushing her cheeks and loosening her tongue.

Adrian tutted, taking a sip of his own wine. “You want a love like theirs. I thought myself that I was on the brink of it, but it turns out she was just a lying, treacherous goddess.” His face grew bitter as he slung back his own wine. “To losers,” he said, raising his glass.

Merissa snorted in a very unladylike fashion and clinked his glass with hers. “To losers.”

Their conversation was interrupted by Elara, who was standing and clinking her glass.

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for being here, for being the best family I could ever ask for.” Her gaze dropped on Ariete with disdain. “Save you, of course.”

Ariete made an amused noise, raising his own glass with his two bound hands—Merissa wasn’t sure where he’d got it from. Then his eyes locked with hers as he grinned, the hint of a sharpened tooth showing, and took a sip.

Merissa quickly looked away, heart thundering again as she raised her chin.

“This year has been more difficult than any of us could fathom,” Elara continued, “but we made it through, together. United. And whatever may come, whatever darkness we may face, it brings me utter strength and peace to know we will face it together.”

Enzo stood, kissing her cheek.

“And now,” Elara grinned, “presents!”

Chapter Eighty-One

Elara looked around the tableone last time, allowing the foreign feeling of gratitude into her heart. It was a gift, she realised. For all of her family, all her loved ones, to be before her. She sent a thought out to her parents, to Sofia, even to Eli whom she wished could have stayed to celebrate with them.

Enzo pulled her around to the space between the tables, the stack of presents feet high. She squealed, a little tipsy from the honeywine and high off the sheer love radiating off her. Of course she was worried about the news of Piscea, but her favour had been given to Ariete, and that weight at least was off her shoulders.

With lunging hands, she picked a present off the top. “Let’s see,” she pondered, looking at the terribly wrapped gift. “I wonder who this could be from.” She raised an eyebrow at Leo who chuckled from where he sat.

Ripping the paper off, she found inside a sketch.

Elara’s jaw dropped. “You didn’t,” she whispered.

Leo shrugged. “Us Helions are artists in every sense.”

Elara showed the painting to Enzo, tears threatening to spill for the hundredth time that day. It depicted a scene from Eli’s ship.

Elara was sat on the piano, her mouth open wide in song as Enzo sat playing, beaming up at her. The others were around them, Isra forcing a drink down Adrian’s throat, Merissa cross-legged on the floor, Eli smoking in his chair with a small smile on his face, and Leo. Darling Leo clapping in the corner.

But it was Enzo’s face that stopped her heart, the expression on it that Leo had captured so perfectly. It was an expression of half awe, half utter adoration as he watched her.

Elara threw her arms around the commander, Enzo embracing him too.

“Enough, enough,” Leo said, clearing his own throat. “Next present!”

“Hmm.” Elara looked, her eye catching on one in the centre of the pile. It was a large black box, tied with a black silk bow.

“This one,” she grinned, pulling it to her as she settled into Enzo’s lap.

As she began to undo the ribbon, there was a clap of thunder. She jumped, looking up.