Page 22 of The Botanist and the Beast

"The veil can rub off on others. Your scar is proof of that," Oliver said, squeezing Jacques. "Perhaps you'll find your chosen if you stay long enough."

"Ha." He shook his head. "I tend to be unlucky in love."

"Are you not with that girl?" Prince Sebastian asked while keeping his eyes on the road. "The one you replaced."

"Absolutely not." Theo burst into laughter. "That girl is just that, a girl. I don't care for anyone near the age of my sisters. I've been raising my siblings on my own for a while now. Well, they're almost grown now and don't need me as much, but still. I see them as kids, so it's hard to even imagine Adora in that way."

"Then why did you replace her? That's quite the sacrifice." He hesitated then glanced at Theo. "What exactly is she to you?"

"I was told to escort her because she's getting proposed to across the way. I honestly think she's too young for all of that, but it isn't my business, I suppose."

"So, you're not seeing anyone?"

"Nope," he said with a shrug. "I know my dashing good looks makes it shocking, but I am with no one."

"I assume humans must find your looks intriguing. Do they not?"

"Was your plan to stroke my ego today? First saying I'm muscular and now this." He chuckled. "To answer your question, people find me attractive, but things stop there. Those kissed by the veil aren't seen as suitable long-term partners." He got a sly smile. "Do you find me intriguing, Prince Sebastian?"

"Not the word I'd use."

"And what word would you use instead?"

"Irritating."

"We were getting along a few minutes ago. Don't be that way."

"Vexing. Annoying. Burdensome."

"Alas, the most beautiful faces are often the cruelest," he said with faux hurt, clutching his chest. "It seems you're determined to keep me humble. For what it's worth, I find you intriguing."

"Stop it." His eye shined pink again.

"Sorry, sorry," Theo said, laughing. "I'll stop for now."

"Perhaps your personality is why you're unlucky in love."

"If we're stuck together, aren't you glad I make it fun?" He nudged him playfully. "I think you find me charming."

"You're mistaken," he said dryly.

"Not even a little bit?"

"Not in the slightest."

"You two bicker a bit like Oliver and Jacques," Henri said with a yawn from the back of the cart.

"We don't bicker, we flirt," Oliver said, placing a soft kiss on Jacques's stone cheek.

"I said what I said," Henri said with a shrug.

"We're here," Sebastian snapped, stopping the cart abruptly. "Theo, you'll help unload. Be warned, my people will be fascinated with you, but they won't mess with you directly while I'm here."

"I see. So I was brought for show and tell."

"It's good to show off pets," he said with a small smile.

"Ouch." Theo laughed. "I suppose I had that one coming." He climbed back in the cart and join the trio. "Alright, Henri, you want me up here or on the ground?"

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