In a quiet cottage nestled among pine trees, where the scent of wood and winter lingered in the air, a small white kitten named Lumi discovered her favorite place in the world, the hearth.
Each evening, as the sky turned lavender and the wind whispered through the branches, Lumi would pad across the pinecone patterned carpet to the glowing fireplace. It wasn’t just the warmth that drew her it was the stories.
One night, Lumi found a curious pink book left open on the floor. Its pages were filled with swirling illustrations and scribbled spells. She climbed atop it, curling into a ball, her blue eyes scanning the words as if she understood them. The fire crackled softly behind her, casting flickering shadows that danced like fairies across the walls.
The book was titled A Magical Bond, and though the rest of the inscription was smudged, Lumi felt something stir in her chest. She imagined herself as the heroine of a tale perhaps a brave explorer of enchanted forests, or a guardian of forgotten lore. As she lay there, belly up and paws twitching in dream, the room seemed to hum with possibility.
Outside, snow began to fall. Inside, the fire glowed, the book waited, and Lumi dreamed on wrapped in warmth, wonder, and the quiet magic of stories.
Shannon Willis can usually be found in the company of furry friends. A passionate animal enthusiast, her work is often inspired by her deep love for cats, dogs, and the animal kingdom as a whole.
