I was lost in one of my favorite dreams when the pounding on the front door shattered the calm. The echo ripped through the small cabin, and both Enrickio and I startled.He was on his feet in an instant, body tense, the low hiss in his throat a warning to whatever dared disturb us. His stance was so instinctive, so protective, that for a heartbeat I believed the danger was real.Then the door swung open.Marcov strolled into the sitting room as though he owned the place. With a casual flick of his wrist, Enrickio disappeared — gone in a shimmer of dreamlight.The ache that followed was all too familiar, that sharp tug of sadness every time I remembered: he wasn’t real. He has not been for a very long time.“Hi, Mamma.” Marcov’s smile curved, but it did not reach his eyes. It never did.“You’re lucky I wasn’t your mamma,” I said, forcing a thin smile to cover the sudden twist of pain.“Maybe I’d have turned out different if you were.” His tone tried for mockery, but the honesty beneat
Last Updated : 2025-11-04 Read more