Page 65 of The Botanist and the Beast

Chapter Thirty-Eight

"I'll leave you three to catch up," Sebastian said once the fireplace in the small bedroom was lit.

"Thank you," Luna said with a smile. "And thank you for the sleepwear. It's much more comfortable."

"Of course," he said stiffly. "Theo, I'll be in our room, but you can stay here if you like."

He turned to go, and Theo gripped his wrist and lowered his voice. "I'll come to bed later. Can you stay awake so we can talk, please?"

"Sure," he said, avoiding his gaze.

"You two seem tense," Luna said once Sebastian was gone. She sat on one of the two twin beds that were side by side. Coralie was sullen on the other.

"He's a bit upset with me is all," he said, grabbing a chair and sitting between them.

"Is it because you're not allowed to leave?" Coralie asked, crossing her arms. "How are you in a relationship with someone who's held you prisoner?"

"It's complicated."

"He's not even human!" she snapped. "What even is he?"

"Coralie! He makes Theo happy. Don't say that."

"I can handle this, Luna," Theo said gently as he turned to Coralie. "He's a nymph that is currently also a snow leopard shifter. I'm not exactly sure how permanent the latter part is. But I don't care what he is. I love you and I missed you dearly but let's be clear, I also love Sebastian. I don't want you to speak soill of him, and I will never let him speak ill of you. You don't have to like him. You can even hate him. But let's all stay respectful in his home."

"He hurt you and trapped you in this frozen place. Why should I give any respect or kindness? Adora told us you were taken in chains."

"I was but as I said, it's complicated. This will sound outlandish, but I need you to trust me." He explained everything best he could and then sat quiet as he let them digest everything.

"So, we're not human, everyone here is cursed, and you're his Chosen?" Luna sat with the words then nodded. "I suppose that all makes sense."

"It makes sense?" Coralie scowled. "In what way does it make any sense?"

"I don't know what kind of nymphs you both are, but maybe now that you're here we can find out," Theo said with a sigh. "I'm trying to fix the curse now that I know I am Sebastian's Chosen but it's not going the best. I can't control my abilities well at all. Growing something on this cursed land feels impossible."

"You decided to stay before you knew you were his Chosen," Coralie said, glaring. "Why didn't you come home to us before then?"

"I ran at first. I got caught. I ran and failed again. I planned to run a third time but then I fell for Sebastian harder than I ever expected. He only has a few years left so it felt wrong to leave." He looked to Coralie. "I still thought of you both every day and I had no intention of staying gone forever. Sebastian and I have discussed a way I could visit despite his anxieties. The plan was always to at the very least visit and tell you both I was okay. I actually wanted to bring you back with me. I won't ask you to forgive me for my choice, but I'll do everything I can to show I didn't forget you. I could never forget you."

Coralie stayed quiet and Theo didn't press.It's only been a few hours. I'll let her come around in her own time.

"We'll help!" Luna said eagerly. "If we're nymphs, too, maybe we can do something. Three is better than one, right?"

"I'd appreciate that but don't feel like you have to."

"The faster you're done, the faster you can leave, so we'll help," Coralie said coldly. "I'll help if it means you will come home. But does that mean Sebastian will come with us, too?"

"I guess I'd have to talk to him about that, but I'd like him to travel with me when he can."

"Great," she spat.

"It's getting late. Do you girls need dinner or something?" Theo asked, changing the subject.

"We ate on the ride, we're fine," Luna said, shaking her head, and Coralie made a sound of agreement. "You should go and see your Chosen. He seemed distressed."

"I will. I'm four doors down so come knock if you need anything at all." He hugged them both. "Thank you for coming to find me. I love you both. I hope you know that."

"Love you too," Luna said, squeezing him back. Coralie mumbled an I love you and turned away.

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