Bloom

Chapter Twenty-Six

Aleric leaned back in his armchair, partly blown away. “That’s it? You never found out anything?”

Jaime shook his head. “They killed everyone except for me, so…it could have been revenge. I don’t know what for. They didn’t loot the Castle, and while the burned bodies were random, it seemed like malice. All the Scaligers were killed, and the rest were permanently quieted. Uncle William said the married couple might have angered someone, and since they’d been friends with Father…I don’t know. Whoever it was, I’m guessing they never suspected where I was. They must have realized no one had managed to kill me, but they had to go, and if a particular person was overall responsible, perhaps they lied and said I was dead too. I don’t know.”

“Someone specific must have been in charge of the event.”

“And I don’t know if that person was there. Maybe they burned bodies to cover up the fact that one had gotten away. Technically two, since Jed made it out of the Castle.”

“Do you remember any of those men’s names?”

“No. I was young, and courtiers came and went. Not all of them lived either since the court tried to fight against the sudden attack. Mixed in with the rest, they would have been counted as victims.”

Aleric couldn’t think of any reason or any person who held a grudge against the Scaligers. He’d never heard anything. Then again, it wasn’t something a man would speak of out loud. All he remembered as a child was the shock of everyone who heard of the vicious attack.

“Aunt and Uncle told me over and over to lie and never admit my real name, especially the last one. If anyone ever found out who I was, and that info reached the wrong ears, they might come after me. If my parents pissed off the wrong person, killing me would be further punishment.”

“But you go by Jaime.”

“I didn’t want to be Theo. Jaime is common enough, and so is Meyer. I kept my Aunt and Uncle’s last name, Father’s sword, and the name Mother gave me. I told no one the truth, and I changed my story to make it harder to trace me, just in case. I’ve wandered since I was sixteen. Every time I stayed in a place and wondered if I could settle, it never worked out. Work would get a bit scarce, I didn’t like the area, my job was terrible, or someone I’d be seeing wanted to break things off, or I just couldn’t see myself married to them. I thought things were pretty serious with one guy. It turned out he was fucking two others…” He looked away.

His protectiveness made sense now. He wouldn’t leave Aleric because others had stayed with him either until they couldn’t or didn’t need to. Jaime said Vemer and his mate had gone away to the South Sea where a good deal of werewolves lived, and he’d never seen them again.

“I’m sorry about the way I acted,” said Aleric.

“I meant to tell you,” said Jaime. “I swear I did. I didn’t think you’d run to blab to everyone who I am, but it’s not easy to tell someone the truth when you’ve kept it a secret for most of your life. I lived a lie for so long, it’s become normal to me. It was safer even when I left to drift. Gautier’s not my Father, and every time I look in the mirror, I see bits of Federico. Mémé always said I looked so much like Nonno when he was young, and I took a lot after my Mother, but I’ve got Father’s eyes. They were orange.”

“I’m sorry, Jaime. About your family and what I said downstairs.”

“I’m not mad. We’ve both had shit going on in our life, and I can see why you started thinking the worst.”

“Zacharie’s words…” The statement had beyond shaken Aleric. To hear his future husband was Gautier’s son…He’d already thought Jaime didn’t seem quite right for a common man, and he’d almost thought Gautier had worked out an elaborate plan with a bastard child no one local knew of.

“It’s not your fault. Your brother must have said that to hurt you, and maybe he thinks a couple of idiots will believe it because we both happen to have orange eyes. I promise I won’t lie again. You can ask me anything about my past. I wanted a couple of days to tell you because I wasn’t sure how to break it, and I didn’t want to marry you with that secret.”

Aleric took a deep breath and folded his arms. “I see your reasoning.”

“I’m not looking to get a new lord position to replace what I would have had,” Jaime added hastily.

“I know.” Jaime couldn’t have planned for Aleric to get heat fever or to be picked up that night. His insistence on staying and making things work with Aleric seemed to come from protectiveness. He’d watched his Mother and unborn sibling die as a helpless child. Two others had died shortly afterward, and he’d lost the rest of his family. In the back of his head, Aleric and their child dying probably scared him more than he’d want to admit considering Aleric was in danger.

He also clearly wanted a family.

“Zacharie must be pissed you’re getting married before him again,” said Jaime. “You’ll be giving Lord Monet a grandchild too. Lucky you, getting to do everything first since you’re the heir.”

“Yeah.” Aleric closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. This morning had been full of revelations, and he was tired already.

Someone knocked on the door. “Aleric?”

He sighed. “Can you let Father in?”

He’d probably be blamed somehow. Or told to go make up with Zacharie. He was sure they’d never get along now. The rift was too deep, and while that was mostly Aleric’s fault since he wasn’t the best brother at all, he didn’t care to fix it at that point. Zacharie had gouged it a little deeper.

Lord Monet looked deeply wounded when he came in. “I’m sorry, son. I don’t know what happened downstairs. Zacharie’s being unbearable, and he’s in his room now. I said he needed to apologize, but he’s refusing. Jaime, I’m sorry you had to hear that too. Zacharie’s just-”

“Jealous?” spat Aleric. “I’m getting married first again. And he guessed right. I’m also pregnant with the next heir. He’s a brat.”

Lord Monet tapped his cane on the floor as he stopped by his son’s armchair. “This is unlike him-”

“He’s an immature brat.”

“He’s never spoken or acted quite like this before,” said Lord Monet. “He flipped. Gautier’s shocked by his behavior, and Zacharie’s saying you’re so desperate to be with Gautier, you picked his son.”

Zacharie had dragged up bullshit to shame his brother, and Aleric didn’t want to bring the old argument back. “He’s not Gautier’s son.”

“I know who my Father is, and if you saw him, you’d see I look like him,” Jaime said firmly.

Lord Monet waved a hand at him. “I don’t doubt that. Everyone knows Alex has no children, so nobody believes it. It’s ridiculous.”

Aleric knew it was pointless to say he’d also never intended to steal his brother’s lover. He’d tried to protect Zacharie.

“They need to go,” Jaime said suddenly. “In fact, the whole court should leave before Aleric gets married, if he’s fine with that.”

“I am,” said Aleric.

“You don’t want them to see you get married?” asked Lord Monet.

“They’re leeches and more interested in feasting afterward,” said Aleric.

“Zacharie and his lover should also go,” added Jaime.

“Excuse me? You can’t kick out my other son-”

“You have the village-”

“You better watch your tongue. Just because you’re about to marry Aleric doesn’t mean you can demand I boot out my other child.”

“My future husband is pregnant, and he doesn’t need this kind of shit stressing him out,” Jaime snapped. “Considering the way the court was talking, a small, quiet wedding is better, and Aleric would like to return to a quiet home. He won’t get that with Zacharie running his mouth. If you think he was bad this morning, I bet he’ll be worse later. What if he starts more shit in the Temple to humiliate Aleric? A good deal of the citizens will be standing outside to watch.”

“I-”

“What would you have done if your wife had been stressed while pregnant, and someone was saying things to upset her? Your grandchild is about two feet away from you.” He pointed at Aleric’s midsection.

“I can’t tell Zacharie to move out.”

“Why not?” asked Aleric. “How am I supposed to give birth and deal with this?”

“I’ll talk to him, and things will be fine. How do you expect me to ask my other son to go away? If you’d like, I can make the court leave tomorrow. We can hire carriages from the city for anyone who doesn’t have one or a horse. The Castle will be much quieter.”

“I’d rather Zacharie go too. If he’s this mad, what about when I’m showing? What about when the child is here? Shall we be confined to my rooms? I’m already stressed, and this didn’t help. He doesn’t even know for sure that I’m pregnant. He guessed, and if he yelled like that at breakfast, I don’t know what else he’ll do. He’s not going to give a fuck if you talk to him.”

Father furrowed his brow. “I don’t want you to be stressed out, but-”

“Send him to Narter,” Aleric said firmly. “Let him play Baron and have the home to himself.” And he could take the bastard, Gautier, with him too. “Nothing happens there, so he can’t mess it up.”

“He’ll say I’m putting him in a fish hole. When can he come back later? Shall I banish him for life?”

“No.”

“If you don’t do something, I’ll take Aleric and go,” Jaime suddenly said. “That’s my son or daughter in there, and I’m not sitting around while he’s treated like rubbish.”

“I’m not leaving home where my Mother and the twins are buried, or my Father-” Aleric started.

“To keep you safe and healthy, perhaps it’s best for a bit. It doesn’t have to be forever.”

Except if Gautier was around later, Jaime would never bring him back. He’d see it as dragging Aleric into a bear’s den.

Father made a frustrated noise. “You’re not taking my son Elira knows where.”

“You think I can’t take care of him? Maybe I can’t buy him silk, but I can work and keep him fed. He’s not asking you to turn your back on Zacharie forever. Do something for your oldest.”

“Jaime, maybe we should go on a long holiday,” said Aleric, seeing a spot to jab since Father’s resolve on keeping the family together might have been weakening. “I’m not traveling with a newborn, so you can see him or her later, Father. A couple of years or so. In fact, maybe we won’t ever return since I don’t want my shit brother being a shitty Uncle to our child.”

Lord Monet’s expression grew hurt. “Aleric, please.”

“I’d never put our child through that.”

“Fine, I’ll-I’ll tell him that maybe it’s best if he goes.”

“Not maybe,” argued Jaime. “He needs to be gone for a while so Aleric can rest and give birth. He also needs to recover and feel safe at home with a newborn. Zacharie needs to learn to grow up and not start shit in the Hall.” He jabbed a finger at the floor. “I will not have my husband and the other Father of my baby treated like that, and you know damn well this isn’t the end because Zacharie thinks he can get away with whatever.”

“You let him get away with shit as a kid,” said Aleric. “I had to go to bed without argument, but he’d wheedle you to stay up a bit longer, and you’d let him. Or you’d let him slack off on training because it was hot outside or whatever. Even though I’m the future lord, that wasn’t good for Zacharie. Besides, if he goes to Narter, he won’t even care after a while as long as he has Gautier. He can lord it over the villagers, and if he does anything stupid, step in. You’re still the Earl. I know you want to keep both of your sons at home with you, but this isn’t working out.”

“Fine.”

“We’ll all speak to him alone. Without Gautier.” Aleric could step in if Zacharie prodded Father to let him stay.

“This afternoon, or whenever Aleric feels comfortable enough. Tomorrow-”

“I’d rather do it right now.” Aleric stood.

“Can we wait-”

“No, we can’t wait. I’m tired, and I don’t feel like dealing with this shit after lunch. I want it done now.”

“Aleric-”

“Now. I don’t even want to go to lunch or any meal after he just embarrassed me in front of everyone. If you have time, you’ll change your mind, and you’ll take his side.”

Father tapped his cane. “No, I don’t.”

“You do an awful lot. That’s why he’s a fucking brat now because you had trouble saying no to him as a child. Did you hear anything I said?”

“He’s my last one, and his Dad is dead.” Father’s face tightened.

“Do you think Honoré would want his son acting like this? Stressing me out might cause problems when I give birth. I know you love us both, but you need to do this for me and your coming grandchild.”

Lord Monet seemed to deflate. “Very well.”

***

Zacharie’s sour expression grew worse when he followed Father into the office where Jaime and Aleric were sitting. If he fucked off with Gautier, it’d be a relief. Maybe Aleric could finally feel truly safe, not have to worry about his life so much, and focus on the coming baby. Gautier might not kill him soon, but the child was coming in a set time no matter what, and he didn’t want them under the same roof if he could stop it.

A part of Aleric didn’t like sending away Zacharie with the man who’d beaten him. Guilt needled him even though he was sure Gautier was careful to keep his pawn in good shape. He’d never hurt the man who could possibly end things and leave Gautier as an exiled lord of no importance.

Aleric was stuck between choosing himself, Father, Jaime, his baby, or Zacharie. And since he couldn’t be sure if Zacharie had no part, the choice wasn’t that hard.

Zacharie pulled the last chair further away from Aleric before sitting. The action was simple, and somehow, it suddenly stung more than earlier.

Father sat behind his desk and started on why Zacharie’s behavior was inappropriate and beyond wrong. The outrageous lie about Jaime had been uncalled for.

“Why on Ymir’s dirt would you even say that for?” demanded Lord Monet.

“They’ve got the same eyes.”

“Woooow. Orange eyes. Like no other fairies have orange eyes.” Jaime scoffed.

Father held up a hand. “That’s all? Even if he was Alex’s son, and he’d come to court-”

Zacharie snorted. “Aleric is also jealous because Alex is with me. We already know this.”

“No, I’m not.”

“That’s why you came to tell me about how horrible he is?” snarled Zacharie. “You kept a relationship secret for two years and said nothing after he supposedly beat you? Did you know that, Jaime? He tried to break us up. He’s going to be the lord, and he also wanted Gautier. He was too chickenshit to approach him before, and I got him, so he was furious, and he made up a bunch of shit so I’d stay away.”

“If you weren’t Aleric’s brother, I’d knock your teeth out,” said Jaime. “Don’t sit there and tell me whatever bullshit like that’s going to turn me against him.”

Zacharie blinked like he hadn’t expected threatened violence and for Jaime to be so firm in his decision to stand by the oldest.

“Both of you need to be quiet,” Father said slowly.

Aleric stared at the edge of the desk. The last thing he wanted to get into again was that bullshit or hear from Father that it was all lies.

Father cleared his throat. “Let’s not dig up old things.”

“But he did want to steal Gautier!” Zacharie smacked the arm of the chair. “I admit I just made up that bit about Jaime being his son, but I have every right to be mad. I bet he’ll try to fuck Gautier later once he gets tired of his new toy. You act like him getting married is exciting and-”

“Be quiet. I’m tired of your attitude, and Aleric needs to have peace. I’m sending you to Narter.”

Zacharie’s mouth dropped. “You’re sending me to that shithole?”

“It’s not a shithole. You’ll go with Alex.”

“Did Aleric put you up to this? I’m not going, and you can’t make me. Alex will take me away.”

“Oh, really?” Father tilted his head. “Where? I don’t see you getting a job and working. Alex isn’t a real lord anymore, so he has no other home to bring you to.” Zacharie flushed.

“I’m willing to let you have Narter later if you want it when I’m the lord of C?te,” Aleric said, trying to force his voice to be level. Keeping them in one spot for later would be beneficial. In fact, with them so far away, it might be a lot easier for Gautier to have an “accident.”

“Oh, how nice,” spat Zacharie. “You get the city while I get the shitty village that smells like an old fish.”

“Or you could have nothing. How about that?”

“It’s too early to make decisions like that,” said Father. “For now, you could build a nicer home for yourself and Alex. It would be good for you to take some responsibility and separate from Aleric for a while. Narter rarely has issues, so if the people have any minor problems, you could easily deal with them. The nearby hunting is also good.”

“I bet he’s pregnant,” Zacharie said as if Father hadn’t spoken. “He stuck his ass up for Jaime, and now he’s got a bun in his oven. Poor Jaime is stuck here with the whore he fucked.”

Jaime clenched the arms of his chair. “Call him a whore one more time, and you’ll be stuck eating soup for the rest of your life once I punch out your teeth.”

“No one’s fighting in my office or having their teeth busted,” said Lord Monet. “Yes, he is pregnant. Don’t you dare call your brother a whore. He’s carrying your future niece or nephew.”

“If I were an abundant male and a guy I barely knew impregnated me, I bet you’d have choice words for me.” Zacharie rolled his eyes. “But not precious Aleric.”

Father leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. “What is wrong with you? I didn’t raise you to shout like a fishmonger in the Hall and insult your own flesh and blood. Can we forget about before? You have Alex-”

“That your flesh and blood wanted to steal.”

“It’s in the past. It’s over. Has Aleric ever tried to do anything since? Has he gone behind your back and seduced Alex?”

“Alex has morals, so-”

“Has Aleric done anything untoward him in that manner?”

“He acts as though a turd is in the room, and he’s rude to him. That’s how you treat a future brother-in-law?”

“But you can talk to me like crap and pretend I’m sticking around for a whore’s baby?” demanded Jaime. “Do you hear yourself?”

“You and Alex are going to Narter before the wedding,” said Father. “I’m not risking your attitude during Aleric’s marriage. You’d do well to use your time away to learn how to act toward family and not shout ridiculous lies.”

Zacharie stared at him for a long moment before he stood and stalked toward the door. “I hate you both.”

***

Lunch was stiff even though Zacharie stayed at one of the round tables with Gautier as usual. Dinner wasn’t better, and Father looked miserable.

“He didn’t mean it,” Aleric told him yet again. “He’s mad and often doesn’t think before he speaks. He doesn’t hate you.”

“I know,” mumbled Father.

“He’ll look forward to having his own place and feeling like a lord. He probably won’t be able to shut up about it by the time Delphine moves in, and he’ll forget his anger.”

Delphine would be returning in three days with her things to settle in Olivier’s old rooms. Since she’d passed the test with flying colors earlier that afternoon, Father had said she could go to Finkin and become a certified physician. She’d replied that she didn’t need a piece of parchment to tell her she knew how to aid people.

Father set his fork down. “After Delphine left, and you and Jaime went back upstairs, Zacharie came down only to tell me that he’s leaving the morning after tomorrow, and I can sit alone here with my favorite son and his new toy. He wouldn’t say anything else to me.”

“Oh…”

“Honestly, maybe it’s better if he goes earlier instead of moping around for a few days. Once he’s not so mad, he’ll stop looking at me like I’m a terrible Father, and after you get married, we can have a quiet dinner here. I’m sure Alex will talk sense into him, and later, things won’t be like this.”

He’d use the opportunity to turn Zacharie away. “Look at how they treat you.” Or something like that.

“I still feel like a terrible Father,” said Lord Monet. “He’s never been so angry with me. Alex came to talk to me, but it didn’t help, and I’m sure he’s not comfortable since he’s my friend and Zacharie’s future husband. He wants his husband to be happy and not mediate between our disputes since I’m his friend.”

“You’re not a terrible Father.”

“But what if he stays angry and marries Gautier this summer in secret? I wanted to see both of my sons marry, not just one. Zacharie showed he’s thinking spitefully this morning.”

“Lord Gautier won’t let him do that,” Jaime piped up. “I’m sure Zacharie values the opinion of his future husband, and he’ll talk sense into your son if he suggests they marry in Narter. Lord Gautier surely knows you want to see your youngest marry too.”

“True.” Father sighed. “Well, at least with court leaving, we won’t have to worry about that minky pestering anyone except for the servants.”

***

Despite the stressful morning, Aleric couldn’t pretend he didn’t feel lighter. He took a bath while imagining a home free of potentially traitorous courtiers, a possibly traitorous brother, and Gautier.

Bliss.

His problems weren’t entirely gone, but it’d be a relief while he navigated the coming months with Jaime and gave birth later.

He also wanted to discuss something with him. After he bathed, Jaime had his and came out. Aleric hadn’t bothered to comb his hair, and he had a book open on the bed as he lay on his stomach.

He realized he wouldn’t be able to do that for a while in a few months. His belly would be too big.

“I wanted to ask you something.” He closed the book and sat up. “Have you ever thought about going to King Alton and getting your hold back?”

Jaime paused by the foot of the bed. “I’ve thought about it, but I can’t. He might not even believe me.”

“You have your Father’s sword.”

“What if it’s stolen?”

“It would have been hard to get your hands on that. A bandit probably would have tried to scratch out the name.”

“Still…I’m also sure my parent’s old paintings are all gone, and I don’t have any. I can’t compare my looks to them. A man coming to say he’s a dead lord’s son sounds like a fairy tale and like I want a position handed to me.”

“What about the family who lived elsewhere? You said they came to visit.”

“They did, but I’m sure those homes have been cleaned out, and their possessions sold or tossed out. Who knows? Quite frankly, I don’t want to know if anyone’s using my family’s stuff. They may not have had a portrait of my parents. Just because you believe me doesn’t mean the King will. How often does he get people coming to reclaim their family name and hold? Lastly, there was someone who wanted my family dead. How do I know if it was a lord, and he’s-erm, I think King Alton keeps a court. What if someone responsible is there?”

“I’m pretty sure King Alton does keep a court.”

“Even if he doesn’t, and word travels…” Jaime shook his head. “Whoever was responsible might hear of it. What if they decide to get rid of me? The attack wasn’t to loot or take over. Whoever it was, they likely hated my family with a burning passion. Someone even chased Jed to get me and erase me from the realm.”

“I’d vouch for you, and you could get people in the village to corroborate your story, but maybe he would believe you.”

“It’s best if I stay ‘dead’ and out of everyone’s mind,” said Jaime.

“But what if you weren’t in danger? Maybe something was later found out, and you didn’t hear about it. What if King Alton knows something that’s not public?”

Jaime hesitated. He’d likely cut off a finger if he could actually know why his whole family and life had been utterly destroyed that night. “It’s not worth it. I’ve got you and a baby on the way. If there’s any chance I’d be in danger, you might be too. Our baby has Scaliger blood. Gautier’s going away, so let’s try to enjoy that, shall we? We need to get rid of him permanently since I doubt he’ll give up. He’ll simply wait and try to put together a new plan even if he can’t implement it for a while.”

“All right. If you do ever change your mind, tell me. Father could help you write to the King to address it.”

Aleric leaned back on his pillows. Zacharie likely wouldn’t care to visit after the baby was born. If Father wrote to tell him, he’d likely make a nasty joke to Gautier about Aleric’s ass being ruined from pushing out something the size of a watermelon.

What if Aleric and Jaime went to visit later with some bullshit about making nice and putting away the past? They could kill Gautier while in the house. Zacharie might have a new one built, but it wouldn’t be huge. Father wasn’t about to give him funds to have a Castle of his own.

On their last visit, he remembered the servants went home at night. There had been no need to have the house staffed overnight with the lord and his two children. Father probably couldn’t boil water without burning it, but they’d been quite capable of fetching themselves a drink or a basic snack from the kitchen.

There might be a way to work out a plan later. He imagined failing, and Father thinking he was a cold-blooded murderer.

“What are you thinking?” asked Jaime.

“About what we can do later. I wish Gautier had tried luring you in so we’d have something more as evidence that he’s against me. Your messed up herbs aren’t enough. Father might think Olivier made a mistake and didn’t mean to give you stomach issues.”

“Maybe he’ll give up since you’ve got someone willing to protect you. He might have guessed that you’ve told me.”

“I don’t think he’ll give up that easily. You’ll be a target too. Perhaps he wanted to give you more time to get settled. A couple of months. Except we’re getting married now, and Father’s kicking everyone out to make me happy…I doubt he was accounting for drastic changes.”

Zacharie had certainly told Gautier that his brother was pregnant. He was probably hoping Aleric would die in childbirth or from complications afterward. He didn’t say so out loud because neither needed that in their heads.

“I notice none of the family wants to stay and see you get married,” said Jaime. “At lunch, when he said they’re leaving tomorrow, they were more annoyed about being forced out of court.”

“I said they’re leeches.”

“They could at least pretend to be disappointed.”

“They don’t give a fuck about Father or me. We’re here for activities and to talk too. Other than that? Pfft. My grandparents died, and we were left with a bunch of useless cousins. Some are so removed, they barely have a drop of Monet blood in them. I won’t miss them.”