DEAN

The day passed in a blur and, before I knew it, morning sunlight was spilling into the room.

Another day has arrived.

For a moment I lay still, disoriented, listening to the steady, even breathing of the person curled against me.

I looked down. In sleep, Lilith’s features softened, delicate and almost fragile in the pale glow filtering through the curtains.

My arm had gone slightly numb under her head, yet I still drew her closer and brushed a kiss across her forehead, my heart unprecedentedly calm and relaxed.

Even now, a part of me feared last night had been another dream I would eventually wake from—alone.

But no....