Page 21 of The Botanist and the Beast

He agreed and hopped up on the cart next to Sebastian who glared at Henri before cracking the reins.

Theo took in the view as he bounced along and when he was certain the others were deep in conversation spoke softly to the prince. "Have I done something to spur your shifter side? I don't want to overstep, but I noticed the teeth. If I upset you, I'm sorry."

"No, no," the prince said quickly then cleared his throat. "You didn't do anything. But can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, I'm an open book."

"What exactly did you do in the human world to get so"—he paused and swept his eyes over Theo—"strong?"

"I lugged a cart to market every morning and into the veil in the spring. It's a good workout." Theo looked down at himself. "Do I look odd in your clothes? Be honest."

"It looks fine. It just highlights how muscular you are. I think it was a bit surprising for us to see a human so fit."

"We're you ogling me after you snipped at me so many times?" he teased. "That's a bit hypocritical."

The prince scowled but his opal eye and antlers turned a soft cherry blossom pink. "Anyway, what did you sell?"

"Flowers I collected and grew. I like to crossbreed them and see what magic properties I get."

"You would have loved Amaryllis before the curse. It used to be overflowing with flowers. Being children of the veil nature is very important to us. Every flower had its own meaning."

"Meaning?"

"Yes, there was an entire complex language of flowers that was used."

Theo couldn't help but smile as the prince lit up like a sunflower on a summer day. "So, people speak through flowers?"

"Exactly! For example, lilacs can represent first loves, so if you suddenly saw a floral nymph growing a garden of lilacs, you know they're smitten. Or maybe begonias that represent warning suddenly bloom in a yard like weeds. Whoever owned the garden would be on guard. Many grow white roses around their homes because they represent familial love. They all have different meanings in different contexts of course, but it's fun to decipher." He looked at Theo and was suddenly bashful. "Sorry. It was a favorite subject of mine, so I rambled."

"Don't apologize," he said with a laugh. "I'll have to try and learn so I can better understand my own garden. What's your favorite flower?"

"Pink camellias," Sebastian said without hesitation. "Camellias represent love and longing, so I find them romantic."

"A regal flower for a prince. I suppose that makes sense. They are rather pretty."

"There used to be tall hedges of them around the castle grounds. Maybe I can show you a painting of the kingdom before the curse took over."

"I'd like that. If you have paint supplies in the castle, can I use them?"

"Are you an artist, too?"

"I sell paintings, if that's what you mean, but I also just paint to clear my head." He looked at the city. "You know, there's a lot of beauty here still. The cold is brutal, don't get me wrong, but there's beauty under all the frost."

"I'm glad you see that, too. Despite everything, I still love this place."

"It shows." Theo nudged him lightly. "You light up when you talk about your kingdom. It's cute."

"Oh. Thanks."

Theo heard giggling and looked back to see Jacques sitting on Oliver's lap among the crates. "How long have you two been together?" he asked. "I don't mean to overstep, but it seems like you two are rather smitten."

"Too many seasons to count." Jacques nuzzled into Oliver. "He was supposed to be training up the new guard and the day I showed up, I knew he was my Chosen with one look."

"Chosen?" Theo repeated, not understanding.

"Nymphs and many creatures in the veil have a partner or partners that are picked for them by the stars and the veil," Jacques explained. "It's like your soul singing for another person. They progressively possess your thoughts and heart until it borders on unbearable. It quiets a little once you agreeto be together, but it's still rather intense. It's overwhelming and beautiful."

"I'm jealous." Theo sat back on his hands and looked up at the snow flurries overhead. "Humans don't have certainty in that way, but I'd love to know for sure I had someone out there."

---