Heavenly Bodies: Book One of the Heavenly Bodies series

by Imani Erriu

‘Fine. But we need a safe word, if it gets too much, or you change your mind—’

Enzo cricked his neck, and a veil fell over him. Flames ignited in his eyes, and fear began to pound in her heart.

‘Why aren’t you hurting me?’ she shouted. ‘I shouldn’t need to burn you from the fucking inside out,’

‘I swear, Elara. If you fall off that cliff, I won’t follow you.’

Enzo rushed closer in and grabbed her by the back of her

neck, his other hand gripping the fabric at her hip, fire rippling off him in waves. It seared through her, and Elara welcomed it. He heaved, his full lips so close that if she so much as shifted, they’d graze hers. She swallowed, as she fixed her hate-filled gaze upon Enzo’s, raising her chin. His grip tightened in her hair. She had never seen a hatred like it, what burned within his eyes for her. And she understood. Because she hated herself too for what she was about to say. But she didn’t let it stop her.

upon his beautiful face.

saw Enzo jump.

Enzo’s body collided with hers, and she sucked in a breath as he clutched her tightly. The

No, that just wouldn’t do.

‘Spread. Your. Fucking. Wings.’

‘For him, if not for me.’

and Enzo looked around, startled to discover they were both still very much alive, and riding on the back of a creature made of shadow. A lion.

‘I think I left my balls back there,’ he

Her hair drifted past his face, and she felt his hands digging deeper into her waist as they soared.

With a press of her palms, her shadows dived in a huge drop towards the ocean as she screamed in delight,

‘Power looks good on you, princess,’ he said, his voice deep.

Something softened in Enzo’s eyes.

‘There you are!’ a

A tiny muscle in Enzo’s jaw ticked, barely noticeable before he bowed deeply to the Star. ‘I see you’ve met my esteemed guest.’

bracing both hands on the door behind her. She was trapped, his tall frame blocking out the pale streams of the afternoon Light. She could feel the heat that radiated from his skin, see the bronze that glowed from it.

‘Careful, princess.’ Enzo’s voice was low and deadly as he dipped his head, his eyes fixed on hers. ‘You’re very close to committing treason. People have burned for less.’

‘My technique works perfectly well. Or do you forget how I had you

on your back and between my legs not so long ago?’

‘Trust me, El. I’ve not forgotten. Although the next time you have me on my back and between your legs, I’m hoping ther...

‘It’s one of the few things that makes you more tolerable.’

‘Description, Elara. Hair, eyes, what did they look like?’ ‘Does it matter?’ She huffed out a nervous laugh. ‘Yes,’ he snapped.

‘Did they touch you?’

‘Did they fucking touch you?’ he asked again.

She felt a rough hand raise her chin and Enzo’s eyes searched hers.

‘That will never happen to you again.’

‘Yes. But in my kingdom, you are under my protection.’

Scorched, blackened earth where he had sat, smoking madly in the afternoon rays.

Prince Lorenzo, the Lion of Helios, all-powerful Son of Light, the deadliest warrior to grace the land in centuries.

‘These men are charged with assault of the highest degree.’

Of touching a woman against her will. Let this be a lesson,’

‘that you will burn.’

‘You love to force me into compromising positions, don’t you?’

Enzo flinched at her words as though they’d struck him.

They fucking touched you, Elara. I saw them—looked into their very souls, before I tied them to posts.

say it was my choice, my burden to bear, and don’t you dare for a second take it as your own. I have to say that I would fucking do it again and enjoy watching every last one of them suffer for what they tried to do to you.’

That’s the last thing that I wanted to do, El. They just…they deserved it. So I won’t once regret ending their lives.’

she raised a hand, brushing a curl out of his eyes.

‘So, if I’m to remember correctly,’ she asked, eyes still glued to the dancing glimmers above, ‘you’ve never been in love?’ His lip quirked. ‘Ah, a secret for a secret.’

She could hear the smirk in his voice and struck out to hit his arm from where she was lying. She felt him catch her hand, stopping her, and he brought it to rest between them. She became acutely aware of the fact that he hadn’t moved the hand that now covered hers.

Enzo let out something like a hiss of anger.

‘You’re destined for Ariete?’ Enzo asked roughly.

‘You deserve to feel true love, El,’ Enzo said finally as his thumb began to trace the inside of her palm. Her breathing shallowed, trying to focus on the light show. ‘You deserve to be adored.’ His thumb stroked the inside of her wrist. ‘To feel pleasure.’ It came to rest back on her palm. He paused. ‘To be the one they look for first in every room.’

His eyes flickered to her lips, gazing intently. His lips parted, and she felt it, a palpable tension in the air, something that would consume her if she breathed it in.

‘I think you would be very easy to worship,’ he murmured, his voice so soft she almost melted into it.