Stone by Day, Love by Night

placed on him years ago, and it had never loosened its grip. By day, he was stone, frozen in place, unable to speak, move, or interac

ross the castle grounds, turned to stone, the cold creeping up his body like the hands of some ancient being reaching to claim him. He had

y was di

g caught his at

ar

the stone bench for weeks now, marveling at her grace as she tended to the magical roses that bloomed only in this garden. Th

her voice lilting with a melody that seemed to echo through the garden. Alistair had heard the stories-how the roses were imbued with an

d a powerful sorcerer, and in revenge, the sorcerer had cursed the royal line to be bound to stone, trapped between life and death. The roses, the l

that Alistair envied. It was as if the garden itself had woven its magic around her, creating a barrier between her and the world outside. She didn't belong to t

, inch by inch, freezing him in place. His heart ached, a dull throb, not from pain, but from the de

wear on him. There was something deeply isolating about being trapped in stone for so long, unable to communicate, unable to feel anythi

silence. She wasn't speaking to anyone, just humming softly to herself as she

e garden itself came alive whenever she spoke. Alistair's mind drifted, and for a brief moment, he imagined what it would be like to speak to her, to

could have sworn she was looking directly at him. But how could she? He was stone, a life

atching her. A chill ran down Alistair's spine, though it wasn't fr

rushing against the petals with a tenderness that made Alistair's heart ache. His mind raced. Was she the key? Did she know the

es meeting his. She didn't flinch or look away, as most would have if they saw a prince tur

yes held something-something that made him feel as though she saw through his curse, as if she k

ent lingered. It was a simple exchange, a glance, but it felt like the world had shifted. The truth was, he didn't know if she could feel the magic tha

y the curse. His thoughts were with Elara, with the mysterious bond that seemed to connect them. He h

help him? Would she be t

ece, but his mind remained sharp, focused on the gardene

eel the first stirrings of hope. For the first time in years, he dared to