Page 26

A nother storm was on the horizon, and everyone was busy prepping for it. Theo climbed high on a ladder to tack a tapestry on the wall for an added layer of insulation. He glanced over his shoulder and scanned the room for Sebastian.

When he didn't see him, he got worried he ran off to the mountains again. Then Theo finally spotted him in the corner in a hushed argument with Jacques, who shoved a satchel towards him despite his refusal. Theo tilted his head, curious what they were talking about but then he saw his antlers glow and had a suspicion it was about last night.

"Ward, you ready to move on?" Lyle voice snipped he walked by with his hands behind his back as he looked up.

Of all people, it had to be Lyle in charge. He forced a smile and climbed down. "Sure am. What did you need?"

"Stones," he said, with a smug look as he tapped a clipboard with notes scribbled on it.

"I don't think I understand."

"We heat stones in the fire, then wrap them in cloth so others can hold them to keep their hands warm. Some cases we place them under the bed to heat the mattress."

As he explained, Jacques, Oliver, and Sebastian came over. Theo was instantly distracted by Sebastian's beauty.

"Are we out of stones?" Sebastian asked, furrowing his brows. "It's not like they get tossed out. Theo shouldn't need to collect any."

"We have quite a bit, but on an exceptionally cold night we don't have enough for everyone to put them in the bed, hence why the ward should collect them," he said, shrugging. "Oliver and Jacques, can you collect the stones we have from the storage?"

"Sure," Oliver said, taking Jacques's hand. Since the last wave of death, he hadn't so much as let go of Jacques for more than a few seconds.

"I'll go with Theo," Sebastian announced.

"You should stay," Lyle said firmly. "It's cold out, you know. It's not great for water nymphs to be out in the snow too long. If you're worried about him running, I'll go with him."

"My shifter side nullifies that problem. I'll be fine." He flashed a smile and patted Lyle's arm. "I'm happy to do it."

Why do you always have to touch him? Is it that necessary?

Lyle reluctantly conceded and soon Theo and Sebastian were off strolling across the frozen yard towards some trees.

He could hear the subtle rush of the river implying the green house was tucked away nearby and the air nipped at his face. His mind kept going back to Sebastian touching Lyle's arm. This is silly. It was meaningless. He’s just pacifying him. Princes do that sort of thing.

Abruptly Sebastian gripped his wrist and pulled him to a stop.

"What is it? Are we in the right spot?"

"We are, but I wanted to talk to you." Sebastian stepped closer and peered up at him. "I'm inexperienced in relationships, but I am good at reading people."

"I don't think I understand."

"You don't need to be jealous of Lyle," he said, giving his hand a squeeze.

"Am I that obvious?"

"Completely," he said, offering an apologetic smile. "I won't touch him so much anymore if that'd make you more comfortable. I really feel nothing for him. If I did, I would have stayed betrothed to him."

"Right," he said with a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair." I feel embarrassed now."

"Don't be, it’s cute." He leaned in and pecked his cheek with lips that felt warm in the cold air. "Now come on, the rocks are buried in the snow this way."

"How many do you think we need?" Theo asked as he followed.

"Not many. I have a feeling Lyle is just picking on you today," Sebastian said, bending down and brushing snow away to reveal countless rocks. "We'll just fill the canvas bag we have and head back."

"Thanks for helping. I wouldn't have known where to start," Theo said, settling down next to Sebastian on the ground. He grabbed a few with his gloved hands and dropped them in the canvas sack they were given. "Are you out here with me because you're worried I'll run?"

"No." Sebastian paused as if choosing his words carefully. "Should I be? I assumed after the other night you wouldn't. Perhaps I'm being foolish."

"I don't plan to run," he said, feeling guilty seeing his worried look. "I admit that I do want to discuss going home soon for a visit."

"A visit?"

"Just to tell my sisters I'm okay. I'd check in and explain the situation and come back."

"The situation?"

"That I care deeply for you, but you can't leave so I need to stay for a while." Sebastian's eyes and antler glowed, but this time they were green instead of the flustered pink he was used to seeing. Theo didn't know what it meant but he could see he was displeased by the grimace on his face. "Do you not like that idea?"

"I...I suppose that's reasonable. Could we discuss the logistics after the storm? No use making travel plans now." He tugged his hood up roughly to hide the green light best he could.

"Of course." Feeling a bit guilty for hurting Sebastian, he decided it was best to change the subject. "What were you and Jacques bickering about earlier?"

"Oh, nothing. Jacques thinks he's funny is all," he mumbled. The green in his eye faded and a familiar pink replaced it. "They had a lot of questions about last night and refused to drop it."

"How'd talking to them about us go?" Has anyone ever chatted with their friends about me?

"As I expected. A lot of questions and suggestions since I decided to tell them about wanting to eat you." He gripped the satchel tighter and looked off. "It was a little embarrassing. I don't usually talk to them about my sexual habits, so they were a bit overexcited to help."

"That's kind of them." Theo's eyes went to the bag. "What did they suggest?"

Sebastian hesitated, then opened the satchel and pulled out a stone cylinder a pretty polished rose quartz with leather straps on the ends. "Apparently, they had this but never used it, so they offered it to us."

Theo stared not understanding at first then burst into laughter. "They found you a gag. How thoughtful. It's kind of pretty."

Sebastian scowled and tossed it back in the bag. "Yes, it's pretty, but it was still wildly inappropriate for them to give it to me in the lounge with others around."

"I think it's sweet. We should try it out next time. If you were gagged, I might not feel the need to hold you on a leash since it'd stop you from biting."

Sebastian was quiet and Theo glanced over. Sebastian's teeth had poked out and he had the faintest spots forming on his cheeks. He crawled closer and kissed him right on one of his spots. "You're very cute. Does the idea of not being held back excite you that much?" His eye and hood shined brighter as his blush intensified and Theo giggled.

They kept collecting stones and talking until there was the snap of a twig and the sound of something moving among the trees.

"Let's wait," Sebastian said in a low voice, holding his wrist. "If it's an animal, we'll go and get help."

They sat still and waited but only silence followed. Then Theo saw the white being crossing through the trees in the distance. "There! Do you see him? It's the being from the mountain."

"Theo, what are you talking about? I don't see anyone."

Theo hesitated then pulled away from Sebastian. "Wait here, I'll try and talk to him. I want you to see him, too." He took off after the glowing white being weaving through trees.

"Hello?" he called, and to his delight the being stopped and glanced at him. "There you are. Can nymphs see you?" The man shook his head. "Got it. That's why they think I've lost it. Can I see you because I'm human?" The man shook his head again, and Theo frowned in confusion. He racked his brain for a yes or no question that could explain why he was able to see him.

The being looked past him, smiled slightly, and vanished in a flash of light.

"Wait where did you—ah!" Sebastian tackled him into the snow and growled at Theo as he crawled on top of him. Theo groaned on his back. He stared up and saw Sebastian's five tails and hungry eyes. He swallowed and reached up, caressing his face. "Sebastian? Can you give me a sign that you hear me and are not about to eat me?"

Sebastian blinked and pulled his hands away. "Sorry. You were running and some instincts took over. Next thing I knew I was chasing you.”

He moved to get up, but Theo gripped his wrist. "Instincts to eat me or to fuck me?"

"Both," Sebastian said, his eyes dipping to Theo's lips. He squeezed his eyes shut. "I need to take a walk. You can go back to the castle. I'll come in later."

"Or," Theo said, playfully reaching into the satchel that hung off his side and pulling out the gag. "Let's try out our new toy today."

"We're outside in the open," Sebastian said, but he made no moves to get up.

"And everyone else is tucked away inside. It'll be fun. Besides, Lyle sent me out here for rocks; he clearly wants me to stay gone. I'm happy to give him what he wants."

"How will I communicate with you if we have to stop?"

Theo thought it over, then took his hand and crossed his middle and pointer finger. "Do this if it’s too much or tap my head. If I don't like something, I'll just tell you." He shrugged. "There, communication is settled."

"Okay. I suppose we can try." He smiled and leaned in. "Tie it on for me?"

"Of course." He kissed his forehead and moved the cylinder to his lips.