Page 11 of The Botanist and the Beast

A loud knock made him jump and broke his focus.

"May I come in?" the prince called.

Theo grabbed his blanket and pulled it to the floor to cover the wood chips and dust he had made in the room. "Uh yes. Come in," he said, forcing the panic out his voice as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Sebastian opened the door and stared at him with a tray in one hand and a lantern in the other. "Do humans run warm in the winter?"

"I'm fine, thank you for the concern." He wiped the sweat off his brow and quickly changed the subject. "What can I do for you, your majesty?"

"It's Theo, right?" he asked, setting the items on the small table in the corner.

"Yes," he said, surprised the prince knew his name.

"I don't know about humans really, but I assume they probably eat a few times a day. I apologize for not coming by with something to eat until now. I had personal matters toattend to this morning. I brought extra food to make up for it. You can eat while we discuss what you being a ward here will entail."

"Will you take my shackles off while we chat?" he asked.I need to get these things off so I can work faster, or I'll be stuck in here for days at this rate.

"No."

"I haven't proved that I'm staying yet? I could have run last night, but I stayed even after you forgot about me."

"You take me as a fool." The prince crossed his arms. "I don't blame you for trying to escape, but I can't allow it."

"I told you I'm not trying to escape," he lied effortlessly as he shook his chain. "How will I eat?"

"Humans aren't stupid. I'm sure they can eat with hands tied." The faintest smile crossed his lips. "If not, I can feed you. I don't mind."

"You don't mind treating me like some pet how noble. Have you forgotten my travel partner touched the statue not me?" Theo did his best to not sound as irritated as he felt. "I've done nothing for you not to trust me."

"You aren't one of us and unfortunately, that is enough to warrant precautions."

"Then I'll starve," Theo said, rolling his eyes.I need him to get out and stay out for the night so I can finish this.

"That isn't necessary." Prince Sebastian scoffed. "I know this isn't ideal but—"

"Not ideal? You're treating me like an animal."I need to push him to leave."Actually, you're treating me as less than since your actual pet gets to roam the halls freely."

"Pet?" The prince's eyes darkened.

"Yes. That beastly monster nearly broke down the door and tried to eat me."

"It tried to eat you?" he repeated in disbelief. "You're sure?"

"Obviously, I'm sure! I'm lucky to be alive. Meanwhile, as a man, I can't feed myself. Do you know how insulting that is?" Theo saw a flicker of hurt in Sebastian's eyes as if his words burned. Instantly, he wanted to apologize, but his sisters panicking over his disappearance kept his apology in the back of his throat. "Please leave me alone and take the tray with you."

"As you wish." He snatched the tray and stormed out, letting the door fall heavily behind him. There was a loud thunk and Theo knew he was once again locked in.

When he didn't hear the prince's boots, he moved the blanket and started chipping away at the last of the wooden leg.

Chapter Ten

Thwack! Joy rushed over Theo as the bed leg snapped off. He caught the bed in his hands and carefully lowered it to not draw the attention of the prince. With his knife back on his hip, and chain gathered in one hand, he went straight to the window and got up on the ledge.

The kingdom was dim during the day, but now in the middle of the night the world was drenched in darkness.

The hunger pains had set in, and he was lightheaded as he looked the long way down. "I got this," he mumbled to himself. "One, two, and jump."

He grabbed wildly at the branches on the way down but all were so brittle, they crumbled to pieces in his hands.

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