Aspen’s POV
“You’re staying here, aren’t you?”
Tangled up together, having just made love several times, it was hard to respond. But it had to be said, and I owed it to Helio to have the courage to say it. “Yes,” I replied softly. “I have to stay here for a bit longer so that I can get to know my family.”
“I have to return to Ember Moon. I have to make sure the riots are under control and start taking care of all the other problems Father left for me,” Helio murmured, running his fingers through my hair.
“Yes, I understand,” I whispered. “I’ll stay here a week or two. Then I’ll return to Ember Moon.”
Helio smiled sadly. “I notice you didn’t say, ‘home.’”
I swallowed. “No. I didn’t. But you’re my home, Helio. I’ll go where you are. I just need some time here with my family. That’s all
