It usually happens near the end of the day, you know, when exhaustion kicks in and twilight settles over the house like a blanket. That's when I catch a glimpse of them.  That's when I hope for a glimpse of him.

I know it's impossible, being hopelessly in love with the Prince of the Mirror People is ... well ... hopeless.  But that doesn't stop my heart from pining, and my eyes from searching every mirror I see.  This wretchedness fills my days as I wait for my favourite time of day to arrive.

He knew it was impossible when he first appeared to me in the mirror.  I admit, I shrieked at first, but he just stood there, with his calm green eyes, held his hand out to me, and waited.  Mesmerized, I reached out towards him, towards the mirror and we connected.  He pulled me through the mirror, catching me in his arms and proceeded to waltze me about the room, laughing at my shock.  I slowly relaxed and we spent the evening looking up at the mirrored stars and talking.

Every night was the same, green eyes, a hand, a connection.  Beyond my mirror home, my Prince's realm, extended into a vast fairyland with forests and stunning castles. Every night we explored a different corner, laughing and dancing or in deep, meaningful conversations.  Nothing could stop us. Every night we fell more in love with each other as we kissed under the starlight.

That one night, that amazing, magical night that went on until dawn, and made my heart sing... came crashing down when the King turned up with all his disapproving advisors. 

My Prince had been keeping me hidden. I hadn't given it any thought, every night it was a different deserted spot in the kingdom. He had planned it all very carefully. 

That one night, the plan failed, the King finally caught up with us. 

The King was... upset. 

My Prince was forced on his knees, surrounded and bound before the King.

He made a passionate plea to his Father, one that demonstrated how true our love for each other was.  The King, moved by his son's love for me, relented.

By day I live my life, mundane in the world.  Come twilight, the mirror people collect me, deliver me to my happy Prince. They rejoice that he has finally found his love, impossible though it seems.

Author 's note: 400 words, romance with title from spooky collection.  This is from a different challenge contest.