Page 16

" W e're delivering rations today," Sebastian explain as he led Theo to a collection of horse-drawn carts lined up at the back door of the kitchen. Steadily, guards carried wooden crates out and loaded them onto different carts. "You will be riding into town with Oliver, Jacques, Henri, and I."

Guards flowed in and out with crates full of canvas bags. The smell of smoked meat filled the space, and Theo's mouth watered as they stopped inside.

"Colette, do you have my special crate by chance?" Sebastain asked.

"Yes of course." She nodded to one crate that sat aside on a dark countertop. "Everything you asked is in it."

"Perfect, thank you."

As soon as he lifted it up he winced, and Theo snatched it from his hands. "I got this. Just tell me where to go."

"I am capable." The prince reached for it, and Theo turned away.

"I know you're capable. I also know you're sore from the other night. I don't mind carrying things. You can focus on your clipboard."

"Why are you sore?" Lyle strolled over and looked Sebastian up and down. "If you're hurt, you should stay with me today. Let the others watch the ward. He can go with Remy and Charles."

Theo looked over and saw the two men that chatted under his window before waiting by a loaded cart. Like I'd trust them to not harm me after agreeing I should be hanged. "I'd much rather stay with the prince."

"I didn't ask you."

"I said Theo would be my responsibility. If I don't keep a watchful eye on him, you're going to be sour."

"I understand I was harsh the other day but—"

"Your harshness is never a surprise," he said, turning away and scribbling something with a fountain pen on the clipboard. "Theo, don't fall behind. I need that crate up front with me."

Theo quickly followed, trying to ignore Lyle's eyes boring into the back of his head.

He dropped the crate and looked at the horse with a midnight black coat. "Where do you keep these horses, and what do you feed them?" Theo asked, surprised to see any domesticated animals in such harsh conditions. Maybe I can ride one of these out of here if I time it right.

"The animals are unaffected by the curse, so we let them roam outside the kingdom to graze, but they return when called for. You probably heard the whistle yesterday evening." He used his pen to count how many boxes had been loaded so far. "They won't let you ride them, so don't bother."

"What do you mean?" he asked innocently.

"You're painfully transparent and I'm not a fool. If you're going to consider escaping, at least be less obvious."

"Theo!" Oliver said, hopping off the cart. "Come on, no time to stay and chat with Sebastian, we need to make good time."

Theo left his cloak on the back of the cart and followed Oliver. He worked happily, grabbing two or three crates stacked on top of each other at once. A thin layer of sweat coated his brow despite the cool air, but it felt good to get some exercise, so he didn't mind. He repeated this until he got to the last stack. On his way over, he noticed Jacques and Henri were watching him intently as they set perched on some boxes. The prince was also there standing between them. His fangs poked slightly out of his lips.

"Everything okay?" He dropped the crates with a grunt and looked up at the prince. Maybe the pain is physically overwhelming?

"Yes, every thing's fine." His voice slurred slightly over his teeth, and he quickly covered his mouth with his clipboard. "We're done. Please come up so we can leave."

"You're sure?" he asked, noting the glances between Henri and Jacques who were stifling laughs.

"Yes, positive." He left without another word and moved to the front of the cart to take over the reins.

"That shirt is a bit tight, Theo," Jacques said as he stuck out a hand a heaved Oliver up to join them. "Is it comfortable?"

"Oh." He laughed. "Is that why you two are giggling at me? It's Sebastian's, so I suppose it's a bit form fitting, but I feel good. Does it look silly?"

"Not at all," Henri said with a sly smile. "Oliver usually rides with Sebastian, but Jacques and him want to spend some time together. Why don't you join our prince up front?"

He agreed and hopped up on the cart next to Sebastian who glared at Henri before cracking the reins.

Theo took in the view as he bounced along and when he was certain the others were deep in conversation spoke softly to the prince. "Have I done something to spur your shifter side? I don't want to overstep, but I noticed the teeth. If I upset you, I'm sorry."

"No, no," the prince said quickly then cleared his throat. "You didn't do anything. But can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, I'm an open book."

"What exactly did you do in the human world to get so"—he paused and swept his eyes over Theo—"strong?"

"I lugged a cart to market every morning and into the veil in the spring. It's a good workout." Theo looked down at himself. "Do I look odd in your clothes? Be honest."

"It looks fine. It just highlights how muscular you are. I think it was a bit surprising for us to see a human so fit."

"We're you ogling me after you snipped at me so many times?" he teased. "That's a bit hypocritical."

The prince scowled but his opal eye and antlers turned a soft cherry blossom pink. "Anyway, what did you sell?"

"Flowers I collected and grew. I like to crossbreed them and see what magic properties I get."

"You would have loved Amaryllis before the curse. It used to be overflowing with flowers. Being children of the veil nature is very important to us. Every flower had its own meaning."

"Meaning?"

"Yes, there was an entire complex language of flowers that was used."

Theo couldn't help but smile as the prince lit up like a sunflower on a summer day. "So, people speak through flowers?"

"Exactly! For example, lilacs can represent first loves, so if you suddenly saw a floral nymph growing a garden of lilacs, you know they're smitten. Or maybe begonias that represent warning suddenly bloom in a yard like weeds. Whoever owned the garden would be on guard. Many grow white roses around their homes because they represent familial love. They all have different meanings in different contexts of course, but it's fun to decipher." He looked at Theo and was suddenly bashful. "Sorry. It was a favorite subject of mine, so I rambled."

"Don't apologize," he said with a laugh. "I'll have to try and learn so I can better understand my own garden. What's your favorite flower?"

"Pink camellias," Sebastian said without hesitation. "Camellias represent love and longing, so I find them romantic."

"A regal flower for a prince. I suppose that makes sense. They are rather pretty."

"There used to be tall hedges of them around the castle grounds. Maybe I can show you a painting of the kingdom before the curse took over."

"I'd like that. If you have paint supplies in the castle, can I use them?"

"Are you an artist, too?"

"I sell paintings, if that's what you mean, but I also just paint to clear my head." He looked at the city. "You know, there's a lot of beauty here still. The cold is brutal, don't get me wrong, but there's beauty under all the frost."

"I'm glad you see that, too. Despite everything, I still love this place."

"It shows." Theo nudged him lightly. "You light up when you talk about your kingdom. It's cute."

"Oh. Thanks."

Theo heard giggling and looked back to see Jacques sitting on Oliver's lap among the crates. "How long have you two been together?" he asked. "I don't mean to overstep, but it seems like you two are rather smitten."

"Too many seasons to count." Jacques nuzzled into Oliver. "He was supposed to be training up the new guard and the day I showed up, I knew he was my Chosen with one look."

"Chosen?" Theo repeated, not understanding.

"Nymphs and many creatures in the veil have a partner or partners that are picked for them by the stars and the veil," Jacques explained. "It's like your soul singing for another person. They progressively possess your thoughts and heart until it borders on unbearable. It quiets a little once you agree to be together, but it's still rather intense. It's overwhelming and beautiful."

"I'm jealous." Theo sat back on his hands and looked up at the snow flurries overhead. "Humans don't have certainty in that way, but I'd love to know for sure I had someone out there."

"The veil can rub off on others. Your scar is proof of that," Oliver said, squeezing Jacques. "Perhaps you'll find your chosen if you stay long enough."

"Ha." He shook his head. "I tend to be unlucky in love."

"Are you not with that girl?" Prince Sebastian asked while keeping his eyes on the road. "The one you replaced."

"Absolutely not." Theo burst into laughter. "That girl is just that, a girl. I don't care for anyone near the age of my sisters. I've been raising my siblings on my own for a while now. Well, they're almost grown now and don't need me as much, but still. I see them as kids, so it's hard to even imagine Adora in that way."

"Then why did you replace her? That's quite the sacrifice." He hesitated then glanced at Theo. "What exactly is she to you?"

"I was told to escort her because she's getting proposed to across the way. I honestly think she's too young for all of that, but it isn't my business, I suppose."

"So, you're not seeing anyone?"

"Nope," he said with a shrug. "I know my dashing good looks makes it shocking, but I am with no one."

"I assume humans must find your looks intriguing. Do they not?"

"Was your plan to stroke my ego today? First saying I'm muscular and now this." He chuckled. "To answer your question, people find me attractive, but things stop there. Those kissed by the veil aren't seen as suitable long-term partners." He got a sly smile. "Do you find me intriguing, Prince Sebastian?"

"Not the word I'd use."

"And what word would you use instead?"

"Irritating."

"We were getting along a few minutes ago. Don't be that way."

"Vexing. Annoying. Burdensome."

"Alas, the most beautiful faces are often the cruelest," he said with faux hurt, clutching his chest. "It seems you're determined to keep me humble. For what it's worth, I find you intriguing."

"Stop it." His eye shined pink again.

"Sorry, sorry," Theo said, laughing. "I'll stop for now."

"Perhaps your personality is why you're unlucky in love."

"If we're stuck together, aren't you glad I make it fun?" He nudged him playfully. "I think you find me charming."

"You're mistaken," he said dryly.

"Not even a little bit?"

"Not in the slightest."

"You two bicker a bit like Oliver and Jacques," Henri said with a yawn from the back of the cart.

"We don't bicker, we flirt," Oliver said, placing a soft kiss on Jacques's stone cheek.

"I said what I said," Henri said with a shrug.

"We're here," Sebastian snapped, stopping the cart abruptly. "Theo, you'll help unload. Be warned, my people will be fascinated with you, but they won't mess with you directly while I'm here."

"I see. So I was brought for show and tell."

"It's good to show off pets," he said with a small smile.

"Ouch." Theo laughed. "I suppose I had that one coming." He climbed back in the cart and join the trio. "Alright, Henri, you want me up here or on the ground?"

"I'm good down here," he said, hopping down and holding out his arms. "The prince gets a better view of you up there anyway."

"Henri, stop talking," Sebastian said, shoving him lightly as he passed. He put on a regal smile and addressed the citizens. "Hello, everyone. Please line up and be patient. My ward Theo will be working with us. He is not dangerous or cruel. His companion broke Sara, and he is taking the punishment in her stead. Though he isn't from here, he has been kissed by the veil, and I believe that suggests he is safe. Please be respectful."

Theo stayed up on the cart and passed crates one by one down to Henri. He worked steadily and the prince was right. The people were peering up at him and whispering about the lack of stone on his skin and his scar. He knew it wasn't the same as back home, but he felt a slight discomfort similar to when he first emerged from the veil with his new marks.

As his old insecurities bubbled up, he distracted himself by eavesdropping on the prince who was chatting with those who already got their rations.

He complimented a woman on the new braids in her hair, discussed an ongoing card game he had with an old man he had to finish despite playing for months. While chatting with another, he asked about the new cloak they had sewn by hand. And with another he asked about their sick parent. There was no doubt the prince loved his people. He remembered every detail about them, and it was clear that attention to detail made his people love him back. The warmth as they all spoke was like a spot of sunlight in the wintry kingdom.

When it was done, he realized that Sebastian still had the special crate that road up front by his feet.

"Who's this last one for? Did we miss a family?" Theo got his answer when a door opened and two teens, a boy and a girl, timidly came over.

"Hello, Prince Sebastian," they said in unison, bowing.

Theo's heart ached seeing their arms covered in grey stone. Regardless of how Wynter felt at the time of her death, the children didn't deserve this.

"Hello, you two," the prince said, kneeling and shifting through the crate. "Thanks for waiting. I have your rations but there's something special in here for you both."

Theo watched curiously as the prince pulled out a small sack and untied the twine. Instead of the dried meats, it was full of colorful dried orange fruits. The kids’ eyes lit up.

"You actually got them?" the girl said with wonder.

"An elk had an apricot branch tangled on its antlers and I know you two said you've never had fruits before and wanted to try them. Now I don't know when I'll be able to do this again, so please savor them, alright?"

"Yes, yes we will," her brother, said practically bouncing.

"Good. Now don't fight over them. There's an even number in there, so share." He bent to grab the crate but was cut off as the kids hugged him tight. He paused, surprised, and hugged them back. "Enough now, you need to get out of the cold. Make sure you eat a real dinner tonight. I packed some frozen broth for you to heat up, too."

They took the crate and practically ran back to their home.

Theo's heart melted. "Do they live alone?"

"Their parents were near the center in town, so they've been on their own for a while, but the community raises them together."

"I see what's going on now."

"You see what, exactly?"

"I see that you're secretly quite soft hearted. I don't know how I missed it," Theo said, laughing a little and shaking his head. "You act so cold but it's a facade."

"I don't know what you mean. As the prince I should do what I can to make this curse bearable for the most innocent." He climbed back on the cart. "Ollie, Jacques, Henri, we're leaving."

"I know a gentle soul when I see one," Theo insisted as he took a seat next to him. "Your people are the reason you call yourself a prince and not a king, right?" Theo crossed his arms and looked at the sky. "You're sweet and strategic."

"I don't know what you're talking about." The prince cracked the reins, and they took off.

"I just mean if I lived in a kingdom that was suffering, the prince keeping authority so there's less chaos but still trying to show he didn't view himself as too far above us by calling himself a prince instead of rushing to take the crown would be comforting. How much you love your people is admirable. They're lucky to have you."

After a long stretch of silence, the prince spoke in a soft voice. "Thank you for the compliment earlier."

Theo was going to tease him, but he noted the prince's opal nails growing into claws. Not wanting to provoke an attack on the road, he held in his taunt. "You're welcome, Prince Sebastian."