Page 28

O nce they were back, the lounge was lively as everyone drank light purple liquid from glasses. In the back corner, there were two barrels where people were filling cups. Jacques and Oliver leaned on the wall near the barrels flirting.

"What's this?" Sebastian asked as he approached with Theo in tow.

"Don't be mad," Oliver said, slinging an arm around him. "We thought since we're stuck inside for a couple days, it was a good time to break out the liquor barrels. There's nothing like a strong drink when you're freezing."

"Please don't tell us to put it back," Jacques added, clutching his glass. "After the recent losses, this is nice. We left the other three barrels behind for a special occasion like you wanted."

"It seems like the choice has already been made," Sebastian said, shoving Oliver off. He grabbed a glass from a table, filled it halfway, and offered it to Theo. "Drink it slow. This is rather potent."

"I don't drink much in the human world," Theo said before taking a sip. The warm liquor smelled floral, like hibiscus petals and honey. Each sip tasted like early spring. "I see why everyone wanted to drink this tonight. Warms you down to the bone."

"I'm glad you like it," Sebastian said with a smile. "If you feel woozy, tell me."

"You two took a while collecting stones. Was there an issue?" Oliver asked with a sly smile.

"No issue, just tedious work," Sebastian said, bringing the glass to his lips.

"Right." He glanced at Theo then spoke in a low voice so no one would overhear. "I've never had to change my pants after collecting stones."

Sebastian choked on his drink, falling into some coughs.

"We got distracted," Theo explained. "Looks like we were caught after all."

"Don't worry, it's not too noticeable," Jacques said while Oliver laughed at Sebastian. "We just had a hunch since you both took so long."

"You're also doting on him tonight," Oliver added. "The post sex haze seems to make you more affectionate."

"I'm not doting, I'm expressing concern," he snipped.

"I wouldn't mind if you doted," Theo teased, clinking his glass to the prince’s. "I like to be spoiled from time to time, too."

"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 and pouted, 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?"

"Be honest with me, Theo," he said staring hard at him. "Do you or do you not have a key to the east wing? Were you planning to leave this whole time? Was sleeping with me and confessing your feelings just to...just to manipulate me like Lyle's suggesting? If that's the case, then please just leave."

The words slapped him in the face. "You have to know I wouldn't do that to you."

"So, Lyle is lying about the key?"

"No, but its more complicated than that." His heart ached. "Why are you so quick to listen to what your ex-lover has to say and not me? How is that fair?"

"Don't make this about him and I being together. That has nothing to do with this."

Theo swallowed his jealousy and tried to explain himself through tipsy thoughts. "I went looking to see if you were staying in his bed when you avoided me. That's all. He told me where my things were and gave me the key. I wasn't actively trying to escape. If I was, I wouldn't have talked to you about visiting temporarily." He took a deep breath to calm down. "I'm sorry. I should've told you sooner. Hearing that from him must have been really hurtful. I'm not using you or trying to manipulate you. I really care for you. I wish you would see that. I just begged you to stay with me back at the lounge a few minutes ago."

"I'm sorry, too. I'm anxious about us so I jumped to conclusions quickly. Lyle doesn't like you. I should've been more skeptical, but I just panicked." He held himself. "But I still don't know if what we're doing is right."

"What do you mean by that?" A pit formed in Theo's stomach.

"Our relationship started with me holding you prisoner. That's the foundation of us. That isn't right. Add in the fact that I want to eat you, and this is a mess. I've been deluding myself into thinking I could gain more control when it'll get worse over time thanks to the curse." He took a shaky breath. "I was going to tell you tomorrow but tonight is better. I'm not upset with you. I understand you weren't trying to sneak away but you obviously still want to go home. So, I think you should go. For good. You don't belong here."

"Because we drunkenly bickered once you want me to go?" Theo was dumbfounded. "That hardly seems fair."

"You should leave tonight while everyone is distracted," he went, on ignoring him. "The storm hits in two hours. After then, no one will be able to come after you even if they wanted to. Stay on the path and you won't see any dangerous animals."

Theo saw the way Sebastian fidgeted with his hands and avoided his eyes. “This doesn’t make sense.”

“I just—”

“You just held me in the yard asking for reassurance. You just said you wanted to spoil me. Sebastain, I’m not stupid. There's something else going on here. What else did Lyle say? Why are you always hiding things from me instead of talking it out?”

"This conversation is over. Now go," he snipped. "Lyle put your bow and arrow and things in my room. Sober up, gather your things, and leave. I don't want to see you in the morning."

"Are you drunk right now?" Theo said with a laugh of disbelief. "We were fooling around just hours before, now you're tossing me aside. You’re really going to do this?”

"Goodbye, Theo."

Theo reached for him again, but this time claws raked his wrist, making him yelp. "You scratched me?" He stared at the red marks in disbelief.

"I said go."

Theo stood there bewildered as he watched him storm out. He stood for a while there, hoping he'd come back and say he was sorry, but the kitchen stayed abandoned.

He went up to the bedroom and collected his things, continuously checking the door for Sebastian. Just come and tell me you were drunk and angry. Come and tell me you don't want me to go.

He walked the long way through the hall to prolong his departure. He strained his ears for hurried feet or paws racing after him. But Sebastian ever came. So, he left.

He walked up the winding snowy road through town and stood at the gate. The warmth of the veil blew against his face while frigid winds hit his back. He looked up at the large moon and starry sky that seemed to stop at a blanket of storm clouds over the kingdom. They thundered, hinting at the impending big storm that would consume the lands any minute now.

He ventured back into the lush veil. With every step away, that familiar pull in his chest grew. This time, though, it wasn't pulling him towards any fog. It was pulling him towards Sebastian's arms. But just as he did back home, he forced himself to press on and not look back.