Page 52 of The Botanist and the Beast

"Noted, but let's discuss this later," he said, swatting Theo.

He followed the trio to a cluster of chairs. He quietly listened to the three of them drink and talk about Henri and life before the curse. As time passed, he found himself longing to take Sebastian away from the kingdom altogether.

He wanted to go sit on a sunny beach with him and put their toes in the sand, or soak in hot springs. He wanted to walk Sebastian through the human city streets explaining the different shops and showing him off to everyone. He wanted to make love to him on a hot sunny afternoon under trees, letting the dappled sunlight come through leaves and make his opal patches sparkle. He wanted his sisters to meet him. He wanted everything and yet he knew as long as the curse persisted it, wouldn't happen.

A sadness gripped his heart, and he drank fast and refilled his cup, forgetting Sebastian's warning until he was a bit woozy. He leaned over, resting his head on Sebastian's shoulder andpouted, frustrated at the curse and how he still didn't know how to fix it.

"You alright?" Sebastian asked, clearly surprised by the sudden closeness.

"I think I'm a bit drunk."

"I told you to drink slow," Sebastian scolded, taking his cup away. "How many cups did you have?"

"Maybe two?"

"It was three," Oliver said with a laugh. "I thought about stopping him, but now I'm glad I didn't."

"Poor thing." Sebastian patted his leg. "I'm going to get you a snack and some water, just stay put, alright? Since Oliver thinks you’re funny, he'll watch over you."

"It's fine, I'll just stop drinking." Theo gripped his hand. "Stay with me a little longer, okay?"

“I want to but—”

“Please Sebastain,” he whined nuzzling his hand to his cheek. “I don’t want you to go.”

"I’m seeing why you had him pinned to your desk," Jacques said, stifling a laugh. He was already nearly six cups down and swayed a little. "It's so sweet to see the two of them finally getting together."

"I'll come back for you, but for now I have to go," Sebastian said with a small smile, then leaned into his ear. "You said you liked to be doted on, right? Let me spoil you. Stay here and wait for me."

Theo nearly melted on the spot as he left.

"Has the veil tainted you, Theo?" Oliver asked. "You seem to be smitten with our prince."

"I'm trying not to make it obvious since he wants us to be a secret for now, but I can't really deny it. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but I think he likes me quite a bit, too."

"He does," Jacques said with a laugh. "Sebastian hasn't been so interested in some one in years. I'm glad you make him happy."

"Me too. Thanks for saying that, and thanks for being supportive of our relationship. Sebastian said others may have an issue with us." The two shared a look. "So, he was telling the truth? Is having relations with a human taboo?"

"Not really, but it's taboo for Sebastian specifically," Jacques slurred. "The thing is Sebastian—"

"You should talk to him about it," Oliver said, cutting him off and taking the glass away. "Go find Bastian and if you can, bring a water for Jacques, too. He's drank too much."

Theo was curious about what Jacques wanted to say but it was clear tonight he wasn't getting further. He got up and went looking for Sebastian in the kitchen and found him glaring at Lyle with tear filled eyes.

Before he could think, he went over and tugged Sebastian to his side. "Are you okay? Did he do something?"

"Calm down, ward. I haven't done anything to your master." He turned to Sebastian. "Think about what I said. I'm only trying to help you and in turn help everyone else." He bumped Theo's shoulder as he left.

"What on earth was that?" Theo demanded. "Tell me what happened. What did he say to you?"

"I'm going to bed," Sebastian said coldly, trying to brush past Theo.

"Wait." Theo gripped his wrist. "Why are you running away?"

"You upset me, not him," he snipped, snatching his hand away.

"I did?" He was taken aback. "If that's true, let's talk. What exactly did I do?"

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