Page 68 of Awakened Light

“Come on.”

He flashed out of the car and opened my door. I relished the coolness of his skin as he took my hand and led me into the castle.

“We’re back,” he called inside.

One by one his family appeared in the entryway, each hugging us with a warmth that still surprised me.

The monsters I’d been led to believe didn’t exist in his family.

The betrayers.

The ruthless slayers of the werewolves.

The bloodthirsty killing machines that I’d spent my whole life hating.

Instead, the people wrapping their arms around me and squeezing me tight were a family I would give anything to join.

They cared about each other. Fought for each other. Would die for each other.

Not unlike the family waiting for me at home. The one where this impossible choice meant sacrificing my own happiness.

“Well? Was I right or was I right?” Mark said as he let go of my shoulders. “O’ahu was a winner, wasn’t it?”

“It was amazing,” I answered.

“Perfect choice, Mark.” Thorne clapped him on the back.

“Zipline? Did you do it?” He looked between us expectantly.

“Hell yeah, we did.” Thorne grinned. “Took a little convincing to get Cat up there, but once she started, it was almost impossible to get her to stop. I have a feeling she’s going to be trying to rig up zip lines across her island.”

They all laughed, and I joined them. “I love it. To think I was so scared to fly when I got here, and now all I want to do is soar across the sky over and over again. The views were incredible.”

“And you should have seen this girl on a surfboard.” Thorne blew out a slow whistle. “Seriously. She could go pro with a little more practice.”

“I’ve never tried it,” Mark said. “But I have spent a lot of time watching surfing, because hello hotties. There’s something about a dude on a surfboard that just—” He bit his lip. “Yum.”

He wasn’t wrong. I’d been mesmerized watching Thorne’s shirtless, toned body maneuvering that board across the waves. Just the thought of it made me want to drag him upstairs for one last roll in the sheets.

“I’m so happy you had fun,” Emilia said.

“Me too,” I answered, shaking the thoughts of Thorne on top of me from my mind.

Or at least trying to.

“Is it going to be hard to go back now?” Aiden asked, and I saw the exchange between him and Thorne.

“It’s going to be impossible,” I admitted.

They stared at me in silence, and each one glanced at Thorne who just dropped his gaze to the ground.

“I hope you all know how much I have come to care about your family. I’m so sorry for all the misplaced anger from my tribe. I swear to you that I will set things right when I take over as their leader. And I will lift the sunlight curse as soon as I am able. After the first of the year, I’ll find a way to send word. You can all come to the island, and I’ll perform the spell.”

“Thank you, Catrain. It means the world to us,” Lothaire said.

“So, this is it?” Emilia frowned. “You’re just going back, and we’ll only see you one last time when you remove their curses?”

“I wish it could be different.” I pursed my lips into a tight smile.