Page 225 of Inside the Sun

I head upstairs and return to the bedroom.

Sun is still in bed, freshly awake, stretching at the sight of me. He looks seriously tempting, but I resist the adorable pull and sit next to him, handing him the tray.

"Looks delicious," he mumbles, then starts stuffing his mouth with pancakes and maple syrup.

I take a bite of toast and egg. We eat in silence, exchanging glances.

My eyes wander to his neck, where the mark from my bite is still visible in a form of healed mating scar. I smile under my breath, then let out a long sigh and say,

"Backpack’s packed and strapped to the bike. Everything’s ready, Sun. Just like I promised you once: today that promise comes true. We’re hitting the road."

Silence. Sun’s whole body tenses in disbelief. His eyes blink fast, like his vision’s not working right.

"You’re serious? It’s here? Your bike?"

"Yep. Hunter brought it. It’s in the driveway, just waiting for us to finish breakfast and head out. No destination. No set route. No deadlines. Just you and me, doing what we love."

Sun’s lips tremble slightly, and then a single tear rolls down his cheek.

"You did it. You really did."

I close my eyes for a second.

"Of course I did."

Sun lets out a quiet whimper. "Freedom… shit, we’ll have it after all, and… it’s the most precious thing in the world," he whispers, his mouth trembling. "I don’t care how cliché that sounds."

"Yeah. Nothing’s tying us down now."

We sit like this for a while, I play with his fingers absentmindedly. Then I have a flash of realization.

"You and me… we were eighteen when everything changed for us. After my grandpa was killed by the NFH, I joined the army, and my youth ended. Death and stress surrounded me. You… got thrown into the fortress, into hell. That carefree youth got ripped away from you too. But I believe we canreset, Sun. Take it back. Rewind. Be eighteen again, and not worry about a damn thing. Just… be young. Heal."

Sun stares at me, tears running down his face, one after another.

"I always thought you were just saying that, about the bike… just to comfort me."

I shake my head. "I was dead serious. And now it’s happening. So eat up, then hit the shower, let’s go downstairs and say goodbye to your family."

Sun’s whole face lights up like he’s actually turned into the sun. The tears are still there, sparkling on his cheeks, but there’s not a trace of sadness left, only excitement. All the energy in his body shifts like magic. He leaps out of bed and bolts to the bathroom.

A moment later, we head down the stairs together.

In the living room, his family gathers at the table: his parents, Snow, and also his famous brother Bay, a singer and musician.

Summer and Hunter are there too. All eyes are on us.

"We’re heading out," Sun announces, and Bay mutters,

"Yeah, we figured." He gives him a sarcastic side-eye.

Sun’s dad stands and pulls him into a long hug. Sun clings to him for a few seconds more, his eyes leaking a few final tears.

His father comes over and gives me a warm, solid hug too.

"Take care of yourselves, and stay in touch, okay? If you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to come back. You’re always welcome here."

I’m filled with this deep sense of peace. I made the right call. I glance at Sun and catch that wild, fiery look in his eyes.

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