Helio’s POV
Stepping into the sun-drenched temple felt strangely familiar, a curious echo of the failed mating ceremony I’d endured not long ago. This was different. Now, the space was bathed in the soft glow of the Goddess’s light. This felt right.
The suit I wore was formal and crisp, and the cloak that was pinned to my shoulders was the same cloak every king before me had worn. As the murmurs of the gathered court crescendoed into a wave of applause, I couldn’t help but grin. My gaze instinctively sought Aspen among the crowd.
There she was in the front row with Kalinda and the rest of my family. My parents were there as well, but they did not sit right next to my mate. I could hardly pull my eyes away from Aspen in that gown of sapphire with her necklace sparkling around her neck.
