Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE
The heat did nothing to soothe the pounding in Elara’s head as she was pushed to the foot of the Palace of Light’s promenade. Reality had begun to set in, her veneer of cool confidence shattering as she tried not to tremble, as she tried so desperately to keep a leash upon her emotions. And yet, even through the pain, and the anger, and the Stars-damned ropes biting at her wrists, Elara couldn’t help but look at the structure before her in awe. Spires reached into clouds, casting shadows that seemed to shimmer upon the cobbles below. A waterfall, its waters streaked with molten gold and bronze, rushed down behind the palace, framing the home of the D’Oros. She was pushed up the incline towards the palace entrance, the cobbles making way for smooth ground stone that sparkled in the Light, neat flowerbeds filled with apricot-coloured flowers lining the wide path. She tried to ignore the trickling of sweat down her back, or the fact she was in only her ripped undergown, about to enter the home of her sworn enemies.
‘Enjoying the view?’ Leonardo asked from beside her and she scowled.
‘For a city so beautiful, it’s a shame your monarch is such a conceited prick.’
Leonardo pulled her tighter to him. ‘You will watch your tongue,’ he said, voice low. ‘And keep your traitorous spew to yourself.’
She bit back a retort as they arrived through a pair of gilded gates to the palace entrance.
Flanking either side of the towering doors sat two winged lions, carved from the pure gold that seemed to pour from the city, evidence of the riches of Helios. The mythas were said to have flown through Helion skies once upon a time. The sentinels stood mid-roar, wicked fangs gleaming in the Light. As she was pushed through the doors—carved with reliefs of the infamous Descent of Leyon, the patron Star of Helios—she couldn’t help but feel she was stepping right into the lion’s maw.
The cool marble corridors passed in a blur, the art—so much art, all hanging from intricate frames—seemed to morph and shimmer in the airy space as she was led onwards. More doors swung open, these inlaid with twirling flowers and vines, and she was shoved unceremoniously through by Leonardo.
Elara took two staggering steps in and stopped. The throne room was cavernous. Painted frescoes adorned the ceiling, walls and even the windows, depicting images of the history and myths of Helios. She saw the infamous battle between the ancient winged lions of Helios and the angels of Sveta. Her eyes narrowed as she saw a mural dedicated to the War on Darkness, King Idris painted as a grand saviour as he lay siege to Asteria’s walls, wearing a crown of light.
The arms at her back propelled her forwards, and she gritted her teeth, praying that her magick would replenish by the time she arrived by the thrones she could see waiting at the other end of the massive room. She passed a small pool lined with peach-coloured flowers, noticing the scent that wafted from them. Frangipani, exotic and sweet. Small alcoves were hewn into the walls, gauze curtains drawn across them. Before she had time to check her magick again, to even pause, she was shoved in front of the larger throne.
She didn’t look at the king, instead looking up to the frescoed ceiling, knowing the dismissal would infuriate him.
‘Apologies for our tardiness, Your Majesty,’ Leonardo said behind her. ‘This one gave us more trouble than we expected.’
Elara made a small sound of dry amusement—of course the general hadn’t wondered why Elara had exercised her power upon the guards—her gaze finally sliding to the king.
Idris D’Oro’s skin was olive; his nostrils flared in a permanent sneer. His frame was one of an ageing man; she could see where muscles had once been, gained from the infamous battles she had heard the stories of, but they had been replaced with a paunch of gluttony. His black hair was slicked back, revealing slanting eyebrows, but it was his eyes that made her shiver. They were golden, but like shards of glass. Empty.
‘Princess Elara.’ Oil slid over his words, as she inclined her head.
‘It’s Queen now, technically.’
It was then that her attention was taken by the figure in the throne beside the king, who had leaned forwards as she spoke, his chin now resting indolently on his hand. She felt a dull thump as she locked eyes with him. He was so handsome that for a moment, her mind froze. His skin was darker than the king’s—a golden shade of brown. His jaw cut into his face, and the hard planes of it were accentuated with black brows and black curls that fell across his forehead. A small hoop in his ear glowed in the Helion rays casting through the stained-glass windows. But it was his eyes that made her pause. They were gold also, but the liquid gold of the waterfalls outside. They glinted like the crown he wore tipped on his head, and they looked at her like she was prey, glancing down her figure, taking in her torn nightgown.
Elara realized with a start who she was staring at. He gave a slow, hungry grin as he saw the understanding dawn in her eyes. Prince Lorenzo. The Lion of Helios.
‘I believe there needs to be a coronation to officially become queen,’ Idris sneered.
Elara’s attention was still fixed on the prince. ‘I suppose I was a little busy getting kidnapped to attend mine.’
With a blink she tore her eyes from him, the stories and whispers she had heard of him roiling below the surface of her consciousness. She willed calm into her veins and forced her focus back on to King Idris, trying to ignore the prince’s piercing gaze.
‘Which brings me to my next point,’ Idris said. ‘We were sorry to hear about the late king and queen’s passing, princess.’
The truth spoken aloud nearly made Elara crumple to the floor. But she kept her back straight, even as her hand twitched by her side. All she wanted was to retaliate against Idris’s disrespect, but no magick reared up, her source empty.
‘You mean their murder.’
‘It’s a good thing my guards found you when they did, or perhaps your death would have been next.’ Idris inclined his head. ‘Or perhaps not, if the story of how you escaped the wrath of a Star is true.’
The dry heat had dissipated from the room, Elara’s entire being growing cold and stiff.
‘How do you kn—?’
‘Come, now. You believe that every king and queen across Celestia doesn’t know? As servants to the Stars, of course we heard the news. Star Leyon called us to his temple the moment he heard of the events that took place last night. And also told me of your little prophecy that started it all. That summoned Ariete in the first place.’
Elara fought against the images that once more bubbled up—her mother and father in tears as she had returned from the fair only the night before, and demanded to know if the prophecy that the Concordian priestess had spoken there was true.
‘Then you risk much by dragging me here, now that you know the King of Stars will do anything to find me. He killed an entire throne room of people for concealing me from him. Think what he would do to you.’ The smile that crept upon her face was tight.
The crown prince was still silent beside Idris, though his eyes had narrowed.
‘It is for this exact reason, that you were brought here.’
‘Elaborate.’
Idris’s nostrils flared at the order. He looked back to his son, who only raised an eyebrow, still silent, before he stood. There was a gleam in his lined, pale eyes.
‘I want to kill a Star. And you’re going to help me.’