Stone by Day, Love by Night

ra. Though the curse still claimed him by day, transforming him into stone as the sun reached its zenith, at ni

d the whispers of the flowers, but they had always remained just beyond his grasp. Now, with her guidance, he had a renewed sense of purpose. She had tol

ill so much Alis

one evening, his voice tinged with curiosity. "How do they s

at him. "They respond. It's more than just whispers-they share memories, feelings,

ld the roses hold the answers to everything-

rstand how to unlock their secrets. It's not just about to

ed, feeling the weight of the

t. And sometimes, you need to be in

their usual places, the familiar clusters that lined the path near the castle. But as they moved forward, the garden seemed to open up, revealing a hidden part of itse

ftly, her voice reverent. "It's where the oldest

shimmering in the moonlight. The flowers glowed faintly, and though the wind had died down, a soft rustli

hushed, as if speaking too loudly might

ent and powerful, stretching beneath the soil and rising into the air around them. It was as if the

bled, their petals unfurling to reveal their deep, almost otherworldly glow. As she touched the blooms, the

"They respond to those who understand them-those who don't fear

mind raced with questions. What was she feeling? What was she hear

he nearest rose. The moment his fingers made contact, he felt a surge of energy course through him, almost like an electric sho

e hidden in shadow, standing before a dark figure. A curse, a betrayal, a powerful force that bound a

?" he asked, h

ses show us memories. Sometimes, they reveal things from the past-things that were lost, hidden in time. The c

t racing. "But what does it mean? W

o face him. "You've touched the magic, Alistair. And now, the roses know

ing-fragments of the past, clues that could lead to the key. He didn't know what it was yet, but he was certain now that

his voice filled with new determination.

meets the eye. There are paths hidden in the shadows, places where the roses don't allow the lig

he beginning-that the roses would guide him, but they wouldn't make it easy. There was a pa

and they were ready to show him more. He wasn't alone anymore, not with Elara by his side. Together, they would uncover the se