Chapter 6
Laying there in the afterglow of their lovemaking, the sun starting to inch its way over the horizon, an idea came to Io, one born from Cinder’s earlier use of the word purpose. As he rested with his head on Cinder’s chest, his fingers dancing over bare skin to the rhythm of Cinder’s heartbeat, a new sense of joy flooded him.
“May I ask you something?”
“Always, my dear. What’s on your mind?”
He pushed himself up into a half sitting position so that he might look Cinder in the eye when he spoke from the depths of his heart. He licked his lips. “I know this sort of thing is uncommon, perhaps even unheard of for your kind. But will you be mine, Cinder, body and soul?”
Cinder’s eyebrows shot up. “What exactly are you asking me?”
Even before he got the words out, heat flushed hi
