Helio’s POV
“Erupting Eclipse still hasn’t answered our petition to trade?” I asked Cole.
I knew the answer, but Cole rattled it off anyway. Of course, they hadn’t answered. King Seb was probably still reeling from the fact that I’d asked at all.
In truth, I was only half listening to his answers. I rubbed my forehead, remembering the sting of the imagined R. Would King Olwen convince Aspen to reject me and stay with them?
I should never have left her there. I should have insisted she come home. My bed was cold. Or perhaps not cold enough. I missed the cool of her skin.
“And no answer from Howling Winds?” I went on.
“No answer from them, either. I suppose after the Ball incident, everyone is a bit leery of Ember Moon’s advances,” Cole explained.
There was no doubt of that. Still, I’
