Page 78 of The Botanist and the Beast

"I like the sound of that."

"So, say yes," he purred, leaning in closer. "Say you'll leave this place with me, Prince Sebastian."

"I'll leave with you." He laughed, his eyes filling with happy tears. "I love you."

"I love you, too." He kissed his head and led Sebastian to the bed. The four tree bedposts that held the curtains were no longer bare. Instead, they were bursting with soft white blossoms that floated down as Theo laid him back on the blankets. "Let me show you how much I adore you."

Epilogue

A few years later

Tucked away in the veil was a small village of shifters and nymphs. Theo walked down the village's winding road one summer night, pushing his cart as the sun steadily set in the horizon. Nearly every house or cluster of people he passed, smiled, waved, and called out cheerily to him.

He continued his walk up a steep grassy mountainside. On the way up, he passed by a cottage and through the window he saw Jacques sitting on a counter pulling Oliver into a kiss. In their yard, among the stargazer lilies, was Henri's statue.

A short walk later he made it home. He had a small cottage and a yard overflowing with enchanted flowers. There was a small stream that winded through the yard ending at a large pool. Swimming through the waters were blue and purple koi. He wheeled his cart to the backyard where the stained-glass greenhouse twinkled. He parked it but didn't unload. Instead, he went into the fruit trees and followed a stone path he had made.

Eventually, he came upon a hot spring surrounded by slick rocks. He sat down and watched the steam waft off the aquamarine surface. In the middle of the water was a lone blue rose drifting across the top.

A smile tugged at his lips, and he lightly tapped the water, sending a ripple through the surface.

The rose stopped moving, then glided quickly towards him. Once it was near the water's edge, Sebastian materialized. The small blue rose was on his head. Most of the stone and flowershad gone away, but Veil told him a few would always remain like a scar. Sebastian still remained a shifter, but he was now able to control it and not get lost in his animalistic urges most days.

Sebastian was naked as he smiled up happily at Theo. "Welcome home."

"Thank you." Theo caressed his cheek and leaned down, kissing him softly on his head. "You look relaxed."

"I am. I spent the morning with the other shifters. Notice anything different?"

"Looks like you finally figured out how to make your antlers and ears go down." He rustled his hair. "I'm proud of you."

"Thanks," he said, smiling triumphantly. "Are you coming in with me?"

"No." Theo smirked, then pulled his shirt off and tossed it aside. "But I do want you to come out."

Sebastian eyes slipped into a predatory gaze and in a flash, he pounced, stripping the rest of Theo's clothes off through kisses and giggles.

Soon Theo naked and laying back on a cool rock with Sebastian between his legs as Sebastian fingered him steadily.

"I'm ready," Theo said, pulling him up. "We've done it enough times."

"I don't want to hurt you, though," Sebastian said hesitantly.

Those cute expressions get me every time. He sat up, grabbed Sebastian's face, and kissed him. "Sebastian Adair, I was thinking about you all day. Now hurry up and fuck me before I leave you out here."

Instantly, Sebastian's little furry ears popped out the top of his head and his tail appeared swishing behind him.

"Do you like when I'm demanding?" Theo asked with a laugh.

"Don't make fun of me." Sebastian groaned as small antlers poked out of his hair again. "I can't fully control them when I'm excited."

"Don't be embarrassed, it's adorable." He wrapped his legs around him.

In a tight embrace, they made love as the stars ignited overhead. Compared to when he was claimed, Sebastian was soft and gentle. He placed kisses on the bite mark on Theo's shoulder and purred happily.

Theo felt Sebastian's knot swelling inside of him and gripped him tighter. "Harder," he said breathily, arching up. "Don't stop."

They had done it countless times, but the knotting always made Theo whimper slightly as pain and pleasure blurred together.

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