The Cursed Land

- Nikolai Volkov:

Dawn.

The first sliver of light crept over the horizon, painting the world in a soft, hazy glow.

I was still in that half-dream state when I felt it—gentle hands on my shoulders, the soft caress of fingers brushing through my hair, and then the lightest kiss pressed to my forehead.

It was a familiar sensation, warm and grounding.

I opened my eyes, blinking against the faint light filtering through the curtains.

Alexei was sitting beside me, his hand still on my shoulder, his face full of affection as he gazed at me.

Dimitri was beside him, his usual poker face softened into something more tender.

There was a quiet peace in the air, the kind that only came in the early hours when everything still felt possible.

"Morning," Alexei whispered, his voice low, as if he didn't want to disturb the stillness of the moment. "Time to wake up, Nikolai."