Page 223 of Inside the Sun

Sun leans into me hard, his lithe body, taut and alive against mine, pressed tight, invigorating me, waking something in me.

"Thank you… You always seem to know just the right thing to say to lift me up," he murmurs, and his lips graze my neck. It’s definitely getting warmer between us.

"And I might even know what to do," I whisper, "not just what to say."

***

When I wake on the fourth day, just before dawn, I know today’s the day I keep the promise I made to him. I’m going to take Sun on that ‘early retirement’ he kept joking about.

I check my phone and see the text I’ve been waiting for. Hunter, early bird as always, just messaged. Old habits from the military die hard. He has time to bring me my bike today. So I shoot him a quick reply asking him to swing by.

He says he’ll be here within two hours.

I glance at Sun. Still fast asleep. He’s definitely not a morning person. He could sleep till ten, maybe longer.

And he looks so peaceful. The stress is gone for good. His golden hair is scattered like spun silk across the pillow. His lips are slightly parted, soft breaths rising and falling with the rhythm of his dreams.

I just lie there, staring at him for a long moment. Sometimes I can’t even believe how lucky I am. Sun is so beautiful, like something out of a dream. His face, those perfect features, long eyelashes… and this guy is mine? I’m just a plain soldier. I never even deserved him. If anything, I failed him. But in my head, I make a promise toearn himevery single day for the rest of our lives.

Finally, I get up quietly and start packing the essentials into my backpack. I carry it downstairs and leave it by the front door.

The sound of bare feet behind me makes me spin around fast. My nerves are still way too strained. Yeah, I probably deserve retirement too.

Summer is standing there, staring at me with those mismatched eyes, identical to mine.

I smile and walk over.

"Summer… it’s time," I whisper and put my hand on his shoulder. "I know I’m leaving you in good hands. And I don’t just mean safe hands, because with your power, you’re safe anywhere." I smile, bittersweet. "But I really believe Sun’s family is the right place for you."

I hesitate, then add, "Sun and I… we’re heading off. Father and Dad are safe in Iceland. They have different names and bought a new house there. If you ever feel like it, you can always join them. It’s important Ferros can’t use them against us anymore. If they show up, deal with them however you wish." I tilt my head and meet his eyes.

Summer doesn’t say anything, just keeps looking at me. I lightly squeeze his shoulders.

Suddenly overwhelmed, I lean in and whisper, "I believe things will end well for you too! I really do. Moon was convinced this path would lead us there, and I know you're on it now. Here, you'll have the time to heal. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve that. We all do."

Then I whisper a secret in his ear, one I haven’t told anyone else, for fear of putting my twin brother at risk.

When I straighten back up, I see something shift in him for the first time. A faint smile touches his lips, and his eyes glisten.

"See?" I say softly. "Even his path led him to happiness. I was wrong, doubting him. Obviously, he got so much better at this over the years. Those gifts take time. So you too… keep that hope alive."

I kiss his forehead and pull him into a tight hug. I can hear his heart beating, steady and calm. And in that moment, I know, deep down, I’m doing the right thing by bringing him here.

***

I spend the next hour out on the porch, gazing toward the lake.

Above the water’s surface, high up, a bird circles. Looks like a falcon, if I’m not mistaken. I’ve always felt a strong connection to birds of prey; solitary and free, yet always ready to fight. Maybe, in some way, I even identified with them? That’s why I ended up getting a falcon tattoo.

My mind is surprisingly quiet, as I observe it. I’m resting…

At one point, I hear the patio door creak open, and Snow steps out.

He sits beside me without a word, just the typical him, then pulls a harmonica from his pocket and starts playing something soft.

I sit there with him in silence, the music rolling over me, drifting through a fog of half-formed thoughts about freedom, the road ahead, me and Sun, whatever’s coming next.

Then I hear tires on the gravel driveway.

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