Mom held my hand and pulled me to sit on a wooden bench we had built when we were teenagers.
"Tell me everything," she said.
"I don't know what's wrong with Alaric, but he seems completely blank. I can't understand him at all. Two days ago, he was desperate to know about Corinna's condition; he even cut himself to make a balm for her wounds and did his best to avoid spending time with Rose." I paused.
"And what about now?" my mother asked.
"Now, it's like he has fallen in love with Rose. He doesn’t even ask about Corinna anymore. But it’s not just love; it’s like he adores her. I’m trying to find the right words, but I can’t."
My mom frowned and tightened her grip on my hand.
"Like he might be enchanted?" she suggested.
"Yes," I replied, and my mom looked away, clearly deep in th
