Page 27 of The Botanist and the Beast

"And pretentiousness is annoying," he spat back. "Hurry up."

Theo sucked his teeth, still leaning on the axe. "You two are close. Are you childhood friends or something?"

"Yes well, being betrothed for years does that," Sebastian said with a shrug. "Makes the boundaries blurry. Makes dynamics complicated." Theo stared as if the words bounced off him. "Theo? You alright?"

"Sorry, I think I blacked out for a second," he muttered, shaking his head. "Betrothed? What do you mean you were betrothed?"

"We aren't betrothed anymore, but once you plan to marry someone for a while, it complicates things."

"How on earth did they suggest you two get together?" he said louder than he intended. There was a laugh from Jacques and Oliver across the way.

"We have also asked the same question," Oliver said.

"Don't be cruel." Sebastian stifled a laugh. "He's not so bad. Just rough around the edges."

"So what? Was that your parents' reasoning when they chose him? Isn't he also a bit older than you?" He frowned. "And what about Chosens? Is that what he is to you?"

"Yes, he is older than me by a few years, and no, he isn't my Chosen. In the past royals did heed the veil and pair off with their Chosen. However, my great-great grandmother was the last ruler who did this. She passed and her brother took over. He refused to follow the veil and paired off with someone to give him stronger offspring. This tradition continued. My father picked my mother himself, and he picked Lyle for me." He shrugged. "Lyle was from a good family, highly respected in the kingdom due to some heroic acts in war, but the most important thing was his bloodline suggested our children could be water nymphs. Water nymphs are rare. They are only conceived when a water nymph and a fire nymph with multiple water nymphs in their bloodline come together."

"You two can have children?" Theo asked, tilting his head. "I don't mean to be rude but how does that work exactly?"

"We're not like humans. Nymphs can procreate regardless of gender. I believe the actual act of procreating is similar to your people but anyone who is—" He paused. "Jacques, how do I explain how we conceive children without being crude?"

"Whoever is getting penetrated can get pregnant," Jacques called with a laugh.

"Precisely," Sebastian mumbled, his antlers flickering pink. "Still slightly crude but to the point, I guess."

"I see." Theo dropped the axe with more force now. "Lyle being a Fire nymph is not surprising."

"Most of the guards are fire nymphs." The prince nodded toward the other guards. "Some are floral nymphs like Jacques. Henri is our only Celestial nymph since they don't usually enter the guard."

Theo hesitated then asked the question that was lingering on his tongue. "Did you have feelings for Lyle?"

"I did at one point." The prince tilted his head and thought it over. "It was easy to picture him risking anything for familywhen I know he'd do anything for my kingdom. But ultimately, we were too different. On top of that, children aren’t in my future due to the circumstances. Even if they were, I wouldn’t care what their gifts were. That was my father’s obsession not mine. Once the curse hit, I ended it. It was for the best."

"Right." Theo gripped the wooden handle so hard now it made his palms sting. "Well, I'm glad you realized you two aren't the best fit. Is there someone else who has your heart these days?"

Prince Sebastian gripped the log in his hands and stared back up at Theo. "Why are you asking me that?"

How do I say that the idea of him being sweet with others makes me undeniably, irrationally, jealous?"No reason," he lied effortlessly. "Making conversation."

Jacques and Oliver finished up and headed back to the shed. Before they left, Jacques came over and leaned into Theo's ear. "Don't worry, Bastian isn't interested in Lyle anymore."

"What are you whispering about?" the prince scowled.

Theo was unsure what to say, because he truly didn't know why Jacques told him this at all.

"All I said was you two should work quicker so you can both join us inside by the fire," Jacques said, flashing a smile and rushing to keep up with Oliver.

"I suppose he's right," he said with a sigh. "Let's finish before the fog rolls through. The clouds are getting lighter which means sunrise is on the way."

"Sure," Theo said, biting his tongue instead of pointing out the prince didn't answer his question.It doesn't matter.They moved quickly and Theo did his best to push the question away.It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.He repeated it over and over, but it was like his mind was possessed with the prince kissing a faceless man. Or worse, on his knees for Lyle as hebrought something other than a canteen to those pretty lips. Finally, with a swift crack, they finished.

"Excellent." Sebastian clapped his hands together once he was on his feet. "Let's get as much into the shed as possible."

As they walked, Sebastian watched the sky overhead. "I need to head to the kitchen and see how much wood they need. It's best to try and bring it in now before the storm. I'll run in and out." He set his lantern down inside the shed. "Add the logs to the pile and I'll be back as soon as possible. If by chance I miscalculated and you hear the fog, stop stacking and run inside."

"Sounds good." Theo diligently added their logs to the neat rows along the wall. He waited until he didn't hear the prince's boots. When he was certain he was alone, he took the lantern, abandoned his wheelbarrow, and ran off, determined to make his escape this time around.

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