You Have Twenty-Four Hours to Leave

Helio’s POV

Dawn had barely cracked the horizon, but a new certainty burned bright in me. The taste of forever still lingered on my lips, and the mark of Aspen’s love on my neck was warm like the sun. It pushed me out of the bed like a fire had been set in me. I felt confident in a way I never had before.

I knew what I had to do, and I knew that I could do it. Aspen was still sleeping. She’d been curled up with me peacefully all night. She’d fallen asleep before I’d even gotten her under the blanket. Leaning down, I brushed a kiss against her forehead. I loved the sight of her here, with her golden hair spilling everywhere.

The cast of ice over the fire still hadn’t melted, but the room was plenty warm. I shook my head and slipped out of the bed, ready to start the day with the first t……