Page 26 of The Botanist and the Beast

"You earned enough to get them back, I assume?" he asked, placing another log for Theo to hit.

"Yes and no. At nineteen I had earned enough to bring one of the girls home. I couldn't separate them, so I approached a woman in town, Mrs. Fallon, who gave out loans. I begged herfor a sizable loan I'd be paying off for a long time. I told the girls it was for the house because I didn't want them to feel guilty. With the money she gave, I was able to take both girls home. She's actually the mother of the girl I was escorting. My debt is part of why I agreed."

He stopped and leaned on the axe handle, looking down at the prince. "You know, even years after being out of the orphanage, they talked about how lonely and cold the place was. When I said I admired how you were with those kids, I really meant it. If my sisters had someone like you that cared for them when I was working too much to visit, I bet their stay at the orphanage wouldn't have been so bad."

"Oh," he said, looking down.

"Sorry, I know compliments aren't your favorite."

"I don't mind compliments. It was just unexpected. Thank you for saying that." He clutched one of the logs before setting it down. "For what it's worth, I think your sisters are lucky to have you looking after them."

"Wait a minute, did you say something nice to me?" he teased.

"Slip of the tongue."

"Fleeting kindness as always. Why are you so hesitant to be too nice to me?"

"Your ego doesn't need it."

The prince giggled and Theo swore he heard spring and all its light in his laugh.

"Sebastian," Jacques called from a few feet away to the right, bringing them both into reality. "Your antlers are growing, and your ears are out. Did you shift again this morning?"

"Are they?" Prince Sebastian touched his shorter antler and blushed slightly. "Um, no. I didn't shift. My shifter traits are coming out randomly these days. It hasn't been a serious issue so I didn't think to mention it."

"Randomly?" Jacques looked at Theo then back at the prince and his eyes lit up. "Never mind. We can discuss it more later."

"Am I doing something wrong?" Theo asked. "It seems like you partially shift around me often."

"No," he said, avoiding his eyes. "Don't worry about it. We have a lot of logs to work through, so let's refocus."

"Sebastian," Lyle said, coming over holding a canteen. "You should drink something. You can’t let yourself get dehydrated as you work."

"I'm feeling okay," Prince Sebastian said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Your well-being is important to me and water nymphs need more hydration that others. Humor me and drink." Lyle held the canteen to his lips. "Please?"

Sebastian parted his lips and let Lyle pour water into his mouth. His eyes dropped closed as he swallowed it down.

The act was innocent, but the way Lyle smirked as the prince’s throat bobbed made Theo grip the axe handle harder.

"Thank you, your majesty." Lyle lifted his chin and used his thumb to wipe the water off the corner of Sebastian's mouth. His touch lingered longer than it needed to. "I wish you took better care of yourself."

"Yes, yes I know. You told me," he said with a sigh. "Now go. I want to finish this. If you want to help next time, don't allow such immature antics such as overloading the ward's wheelbarrow play out next time."

"Why do you think I knew about that?"

"Because you didn't ask what I was talking about," he said with a small laugh. "Lyle, I know you. You typically know everything that's going on. It was childish and stupid. Don't let it happen again."

"I'm not saying I knew, but I apologize for my negligence. I'll discuss cutting out the pranks this evening."

"You really are sorry about being harsh with me the other day if you're folding so quick," he teased. "Accountability looks good on you."

Theo watched as Lyle rustled prince Sebastian's hair between his antlers. There was no denying he felt some affection for him. Theo wanted to tear Lyle's hand off him.What's wrong with me? Why do I care?

"Lyle let's go!" Henri called with a huff. "It's cold out here and I want to go inside and have breakfast."

Lyle gave Prince Sebastian a nod and sauntered back. "Patience is a virtue, Henri."

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