Page 39 of The Botanist and the Beast

Theo stopped and glared at him. "Call me a pet one more time and we're going to have a problem."

"What you want from Sebastian, he can't give. You're destined for disappointment. Trust me."

"I don't want anything from him," he spat.

"Deny it if you want. I'm only looking out for you."

"Because you care so much about me," he said sarcastically. "Is that why you said I should be hanged?"

"Details," he scoffed and gripped Theo’s shoulder too tight. "Look, I'll prove myself. Come and find me when you're ready to trust me, and I'll give you your bow and arrow so you can escape. I'll walk you out. If you want, I'll even protect you from the wild beasts on the journey. Sebastian will never know."

"Are we done?" he snapped as he reached the door to the suite.

"For now. When you want out, I'll be waiting."

Why would Lyle think I'm that stupid?Should I tell Sebastian?Theo slipped inside and took a deep breath to calm the simmering anger in his chest.No, he's been through enough today. I don't want to talk about Lyle anymore tonight. I'll mention it tomorrow."Sebastian? You still in the bath?"

"In my study," he called back.

Theo entered backwards using his back to push open the door. "I grabbed what I could, but I can get more if..." His mind went blank as he took in Sebastain’s current state.

Sebastian was standing in a bathrobe drying his hair with a towel. The hemline was dangerously high thanks to his tail and showed off his thighs dotted with splashes of glimmering stone. His tail swished behind him, lifting the hemline even further and revealing he wasn't wearing underwear.

Theo closed his eyes and he struggled to remember what he was saying. "If...If um...Anyway, here's food."

"You've seen me naked. I don't know why you're acting so strange," he said with a small laugh.

"Context is all," Theo said, clearing his throat. "This feels a bit more inappropriate." He felt the weight of the tray leave his hands.

"Thank you. I see two bowls here. Why don't you sit and eat in here with me? I sat down so you can open your eyes."

Theo didn't need to be asked twice. Soon they were sitting across from each other at a desk. At this distance he could see the faintest outline of fading leopard spots on his skin.

"Tell me more about your sisters," Sebastian said, taking a bite of food. "What are they like?"

"They're lovely girls. Luna loves the stars. Her head's always in the clouds in an analytical way. Coralie is interested in the sea mostly. She has probably read every book about the sea. I feel like they're going to be great at whatever they do."

"They had a good older brother to raise them. You did a good job with them." Sebastian smiled. "You get this wistful look sometimes when you think of them. It’s sweet. It had to be hard raising two kids so young."

"It was," he said, nodding. "It still is some days. I'm glad and I'd do it all over, of course, but sometimes I don't know."

"Sometimes you wish you just got to be a child?" Sebastian gave understanding smile.

"Yeah. I know it doesn't matter now but I still think about it sometimes."

"Me too. I was only about seventeen when the curse hit ten years ago." He stirred his soup and sighed. "I love my people so I took charge and did everything I could to make surviving this curse as comfortable as possible. I'd also do it again, but some days I think about what would have happened if my dad actually lived to old age and I got to just live my life for a while.”

"Exactly," Theo said with a laughed. "I've been asked if I want kids and I just think about how I've spent so long raising my sisters. I used to want lots of kids but now I can't fathom it unless I got a decade to myself after the girls move out. But by then in human years I don't know if there would be a point.”

"Well after your decade of rest, I feel like you’d be a great father or uncle. Whatever you decide you want, I hope it works out for you.” Sebastian flashed a pretty smile. "It's nice to talk to someone who can understand somewhat of what it's like. I really appreciate you letting me be honest with my feelings earlier and now. It means a lot."

"Oh, of course." Theo was taken aback by his gratitude. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Can the curse be broken?"

"How long were you eavesdropping exactly?" he asked, sipping his soup again.

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