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" T heo? You need to wake up."

Theo slowly opened his eyes and realized he was snuggled close to Sebastian. He had buried his face in his tail. "When did I fall asleep?"

"A while ago." He nodded to the cave entrance. "The storm has passed. Let's start heading back before the heavy snowfall comes again."

"Right. I'll follow your lead." Without the tail holding him, the air felt even colder than before. "Do you need to get dressed?" Theo asked, trying not to stare at his muscular body.

"I didn't come with clothes since I shifted before I left. I'll be fine. Stay close to me so you don't get too cold."

The world Theo walked into was a sloping winter wonderland. The snow fell much softer now in flurries. Even under the dark clouds, the snow shined bright. "Wow," he said as he stared awestruck. "Sebastian how long do you—oh!" He was startled as Sebastian tugged him close to his bare chest. "Um, yes?"

"I think I should carry you down. Get on my back."

"I can walk myself. I'm just a little slow."

"You only caught up to me because you were swallowed in a cyclone. It's fine. Besides, you weigh practically nothing."

Theo hesitated but agreed and held on to Sebastian and fought not to think about how he could feel the heat of his back through his clothes. "If you get tired, just put me down."

"You carried me right after we met. What's the big deal?"

"That was different. You were hurt, I only supported your weight, and the lands were flat. This is down a mountain." Theo held tight as they went down a particularly steep hill. "Just carry me for a little while then I'll walk myself."

"Just make it up to me later if you're so concerned," Sebastian said, glancing back at him. "I'm not putting you down. You've been out in the cold too long as it is."

"And how can I make it up to you?"

He hummed to himself as he thought it over, then glanced back again. "How about I can call in a favor?" Sebastian flashed a smile and Theo's heart fluttered too much for comfort .

"A bit silly considering I'm your ward, but sure."

"Does doing me a favor make you nervous?"

"Sorry?"

"Your heart is beating pretty fast," he said with a laugh. "I can feel it on my back."

Theo's face went hot. "No, I'm just stressed walking down the mountainside. You're going awfully fast."

"I suppose I am. If it's too fast, let me know. I don't want to make you terrified on the journey back."

They made their way all the way back to the castle and Sebastian let him down under his own bedroom window.

"I'll go up this way, but it's best if you go in the front door. Please come to my room so I can get you out of your clothes."

"Sure thing," Theo said with a laugh. At this point the veil is taunting me.

"So, you can get into dry ones, of course," Sebastian added quickly.

"Of course," Theo said, still amused by how shy he was. He watched as Sebastian shifted back into the striking snow leopard. Agilely he climbed up the tree outside his window and leapt branch to branch, sending a couple of angry bluebirds fleeing from their nest before hopping in his room.

When Theo finally made his way inside, he walked right into Lyle in the foyer. "Sorry, excuse me." He went to sidestep him, but Lyle slid in his way. "Do you need something?"

"Where have you been?" He swept his eyes over Theo's body.

"Just looking at the snow since I've never seen anything like it."

"Right." He reached up and plucked a tuft of fur off Theo's shoulder and examined it. He gave a dry laugh and shook his head. "Be careful, ward. Know your place."

"I believe my place is next to the prince, so if you excuse me." Theo rolled his eyes and brushed past him. He was irritated the whole walk back, but as soon as he entered the suite, he forgot about Lyle. Sebastian was by the door in his own black silky pajama pants and nothing else. He held out a stack of folded wool sleepwear to Theo.

"Put these on and then come sit by the fire in my room."

Theo quickly did as he was told and found Sebastian sitting on a thick fur blanket in front of his fireplace. He patted the floor next to him. "Come warm up. You shouldn't' get sick. We don't have great remedies for humans here."

"This is cozy," Theo said as he settled in at his side. He glanced at Sebastian whose eyes looked heavy with sleep. "Tired?"

"A bit." He yawned. "I usually take a nap before I come back but obviously that didn't happen."

"You didn't sleep when I did?"

"I wanted to keep watch over you," he said, closing his eyes. "It's fine, though. I'll nap after the fire goes out."

"You wanted to watch over me?" Theo repeated and Sebastian gave a sleepy sound of affirmation. He's definitely half asleep. "You made fire for me, right? I'll watch it, take a rest."

"I'll just sleep for a little bit. Just a quick nap," he said, lying down and curling into himself, more like a leopard than a man.

"Right," Theo said, chuckling. He sat staring at the flames. I should be looking for my bow and arrow while he sleeps or trying to think of a way out. I need to go home.

Sebastian crawled over in his sleep and laid his head in Theo's lap as if it was a pillow. He pulled his tail up to his own chest and bit down on the tip of it. He snored slightly and every exhale he let out a small purr.

A cat if I ever saw one. A surge of butterflies hit his stomach, but they were quickly drowned out by a pool of guilt . It doesn't matter how I feel, I have to go home. I need to go back to my sisters. They need me. I know that.

Theo let his fingers lightly brush against those gentle waves of iridescent hair in the firelight.

It's foolish to want this, isn't it?