Bloom

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jaime hurried down the stairs. Going around in his sleep clothes and a cloak wasn’t proper if one lived in a Castle. Mostly everyone would be in their rooms by that point even if they weren’t asleep, so he didn’t care.

When he entered the kitchen, the fire gave everything a warm light, and a lantern had been left on dim to one side. The cook had likely left it on to see since she’d be up early, but wouldn’t she bank the fire? A familiar figure stood by the main work counter, and he caught a familiar smell. He hadn’t drunk warm milk with melted cacao in years.

The figure jumped, and he realized it was Zacharie who quickly slipped something into the pocket of his sleep pants. Or had Jaime imagined it in the dim light?

“Hi,” Jaime said neutrally as he headed right for the larder. The last thing he felt like was dealing with Zacharie.

Instead of running his mouth, Zacharie must have remembered the threat about his teeth being punched in. He said nothing and merely gave him a dirty look before he grabbed the two mugs. Each had a cinnamon stick, and he hurried out.

What the fuck had he been doing? Jaime paused by the larder door and listened to his footsteps fade. He was pretty sure he’d seen Zacharie put something in his pocket. A jar of cacao nibs had been left on the work counter next to another with cinnamon sticks. On the hearth lay a pot, and he peered in to find a little milk in the bottom.

Most lords and their children can’t cook, but warming a liquid isn’t hard, and neither is adding cacao to melt. It only requires mixing and for the milk to not be overboiled. It was normally a drink for cool or cold weather. Perhaps Zacharie had a craving for the rich taste. The cook would likely huff to find the unwashed pot with a wooden spoon forgotten by it.

What if Zacharie hadn’t been simply making a late-night drink for himself and Gautier?

Jaime thought for a second and hurried out. He couldn’t leave things to chance. Zacharie was already gone, and at the bottom of the stairs, he peered up and thought he heard a faint noise from above, although he couldn’t see the younger brother. Aleric wasn’t sure if Zacharie was in on things or simply Gautier’s pawn.

If he was a part of the plot, what if he was going to try and play nice with his Father to make up? Lord Monet would accept the sweet drink and not think twice. He might be willing to poison his Father with the Earldom on the line, although killing him first wasn’t a good idea since they still needed to get rid of Aleric.

Jaime crept up the stairs as swiftly and quietly as possible. What floor was Zacharie on? He couldn’t remember if Aleric had ever told him.

After he unlocked the sitting room door, he called out so Aleric would know it was him. When he came into the bedroom, Aleric was in his sleep clothes and rubbing at his hair with a drying sheet. He frowned when he saw Jaime had no food.

“Did we run out of bread?”

“I need you to go check on your Father. Make up something. Say you have a question or-”

Aleric tossed the drying sheet on the foot of the bed. “Why?”

“If Zacharie’s in there with a drink, don’t let your Father have it. I just saw him in the kitchen making hot cacao, and I think he put something in his pocket. It might be poisoned. I’m not sure where he went.”

Aleric ran to grab his cloak from its hook on the wall. “I have a book I was supposed to give him. I’ll use that as an excuse to go in.”

“I’ll stay in the hall unless I hear something, okay?”

Aleric snatched a book from his sitting room shelf and rushed out with Jaime.

By his Father’s door, he took a deep breath and knocked as he clutched the book. Jaime stayed to the side to listen.

“Come in,” called Lord Monet.

Aleric entered and left the door cracked.

“Is something wrong?”

“No. I just finished this, and you said you wanted to read it, remember?”

“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot. I thought you were never going to finish it.”

“Sorry it took so long.”

It seemed Lord Monet was alone. The hall was empty, and Jaime couldn’t hear anything.

“Jaime made us some hot cacao earlier,” Aleric was saying.

“It’s summer.”

Aleric let out a light chuckle. “So?”

“You’re just like your Mother. She craved it a lot while pregnant with you in the last month.”

“It tasted off. I think the cook needs to throw out that batch.”

“Isn’t pregnancy supposed to change your tastes? Your Mother couldn’t stand certain foods, and the smell of bacon made Honoré nearly throw up in the first few months.”

“Jaime said it didn’t taste right, so it wasn’t just me. I don’t think it was the milk either. The cacao’s gone off.”

Thank Elira Aleric could think of things to say on the fly.

“We can tell one of the servants tomorrow. They’ll toss it. Do you feel ill?”

“No. We didn’t finish it.”

“If you feel sick, let me know. I’ll send a guard to fetch Delphine.”

Jaime waited while they made a little more small talk. Aleric finally exited and firmly closed the door.

“It’s just him,” he whispered. “Let’s go downstairs.”

Jaime waited until they were in the kitchen to explain himself. “Maybe I overreacted, but I swear it looked like he hid something in his pocket, and with the way he jumped when I came in, it gave me a bad feeling. He was too nervous for a guy making a couple of drinks. All I could think about was Gautier getting him to poison your Father…I guess I worried for nothing. It would be stupid to kill Lord Monet because you’d automatically become the lord and take over. I couldn’t take the risk.”

Aleric bit his lip and looked at the pot as he brushed his hair back. “He was so nasty earlier…maybe…”

“What?”

“I’m glad you told me. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Zacharie was so angry and off earlier…and now this. He wasn’t with Father, and he had no drink, so I know my brother didn’t drop it off for him. What if he’s trying to kill Gautier?”

“He’s besotted with Gautier,” whispered Jaime. “The sun might as well rise and set on him.”

“I believe he was nervous and put something in his pocket. You said that’s what it looked like.”

“What if it was nothing important? Or maybe he was…scratching his hip. I don’t know.”

“If he’s innocent, what if he wants to kill his lover because Father’s forcing them to go away? Zacharie might be the type to do just about anything in bed. For all I know, he might even be into consensual nonconsent. He also might not.”

Jaime had a feeling what he meant. “You mean…”

“Zacharie’s attitude and way have been consistent in the past two years. He’s never been the type to keep his mouth shut if he gets hurt or he’s pissed about something. Still, it could be that there’s something wrong, and Gautier’s scared him.”

“And now he’s afraid to go somewhere alone with Gautier because it might grow worse.”

“Yes.”

“Then why attack you? He pretty much got himself kicked out.”

Aleric narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think he imagined Father would go that far even if I asked. Remember, I don’t know if he’s a part of Gautier’s plan or clueless and simply being nasty because he can. If Gautier died right this second, we still wouldn’t get along. Either way, what if he’s decided to poison his lover because he’s afraid to go away with him? When they’re alone and far away from home, Zacharie might know that things could change. If he knows about Gautier’s kink and hasn’t been allowing it…I wouldn’t even let you in my rooms if you were into that shit.”

Jaime leaned against the work counter. “You might be right. Gautier doesn’t want to hurt his ticket, but if Zacharie doesn’t know what he’s planning, he might be thinking that he’ll be forced into something he doesn’t want once they’re away and alone. He nagged you quite a bit, right?”

“Yeah. He can’t risk a second rape accusation, but he’ll do the next best thing. Even though he originally intended to use me to get the position of lord, he couldn’t help but pressure me for it.” Aleric made a face and went to sit on the stool.

Jaime didn’t want to think about the mind of a man who likes control that much. “You could try to talk to Zacharie tomorrow. If Gautier’s pressuring him…”

Aleric shook his head. “He’s not going to open up to me. If Zacharie is trying to poison Gautier, he had the perfect opportunity to get several poisons. Father sold Olivier’s collection to an apothecary in the city. They only took the labeled things.”

“What happened to the rest?”

“I guess a servant dumped it. I didn’t think, but Zacharie could have snuck in and taken a few things before. Even though he’s not the sharpest tool, he could have learned a few things about poison. Before Olivier died, he also could have snuck in and found something labeled. Maybe Gautier won’t wake up in the morning.”

“Let’s hope.”

“I can’t see my main problem going away that easily.”

Jaime sat on a stool by him. He couldn’t see it either, but it was nice to imagine. OIivier had croaked from a heart attack. “Perhaps your brother will unwittingly help you, and you’ll be free of him.”

“I don’t want him to be hung for murder.” Aleric glanced at Jaime. “I can’t make myself go up there with any excuse to find a way to stop it either. Gautier has to die. It’s him or us.”

Aleric’s Father was also in danger, and if Gautier could be gone in the morning, Jaime wasn’t saying anything. He’d pick Aleric and their baby over Gautier any day of the week. “Lord Monet won’t suspect him. Come on. Zacharie? He’ll verbally jab at you all day if he feels like it, but he doesn’t seem like a killer. He also hates sick people, remember?”

“Or you might have seen him put something innocent in his pocket, and he jumped because you simply startled him. He doesn’t like you, so he left, and Gautier will be alive tomorrow.”

“True. We’ll see if Gautier is at breakfast.”

“And maybe Gautier hasn’t done a single thing to Zacharie.” Aleric stared into space. “I wish I could honestly talk to him and find out what Gautier has been like in the past two years. He might not have ever mentioned his kink. If Zacharie ends things, that’s it. Gautier couldn’t kill us and get the position. The position would pass to a cousin if Father and his sons died. If he killed everyone, the Regent would assign a new person to his hold. Gautier has no special relationship with Regent Corentin, so I don’t see him worming his way to the top like that. He has no real home now either, so where would he go?”

“He’s been to the Royal Court.”

“It was only for a little while when I was sixteen, and I don’t think he was close to the Regent. Well, he wasn’t the Regent just yet. He was Prince Corentin since King Jean was still alive. He told Regis he didn’t like it and never wanted to go back. I think he liked it and just didn’t want to say so.”

“Why?”

“Most of the courtiers there have slaves.”

“Oh, yeah. Your Father hates slavery.”

“With the Princes being under eighteen, the slaves had to be fully dressed, and nothing sexual could be openly done. In private, I’m sure you can imagine the debauchery that went on.”

“Prince Sébastien is an adult now, so I imagine it’s worse.”

“It is. The Regent allows the court to do whatever they want to their slaves. They’re forced to do sexual things in the open, and sometimes they have to perform with each other. Whatever their owner says, they have to do it.”

Those activities could be done in private, and who knew what sort of “fun” Gautier had engaged in while visiting? A slave that can’t say no and is shared by his owner might have been enough to fulfill Gautier’s sick desires. Jaime made a face. He’d heard horror stories, and it was disgusting that a person enslaved for petty thievery might be raped or forced to endure public humiliation. The Regent’s court sounded like a midden.

Once the Crown Prince became the King, he needed to put a stop to that. Unfortunately, he might think like his Father and Uncle, and nothing would change.

“I’m sure Gautier would enjoy watching or participating in that sort of thing, but he couldn’t say so to Father,” said Aleric. “Besides his one visit, I don’t think he has any real relationship with the Regent, and he’s a Morian who was sacked and banished. The Regent might not be inclined to raise up someone like that. A man with an unquestionably clean past would be the better option.”

“Okay.” He hadn’t been back, and he didn’t claim to be friends with anyone there. Gautier needed to marry Zacharie since he had no other way to rise. “We’ll see.”

It made Jaime feel odd, and he guessed Aleric had felt the same when Olivier died. But if fate dropped the chance, they couldn’t reject it. Gautier’s death would bring untold relief.

“Er, do you still want a snack?”

“Yeah. I’m a little hungry.”

***

Gautier was still alive at breakfast, and he looked well. Damn it.

Jaime had to keep his face neutral and make sure he didn’t appear disappointed or pissed. Not only was Gautier alive, he was sitting at the High Table by Lord Monet in Aleric’s usual spot. Zacharie was at a round table with courtiers.

“You should have a few,” Lord Monet nudged over a platter with sausages.

“Eh, I’m fine with the eggs,” said Gautier. “The cook’s sausages haven’t been as good lately.”

“They seem fine to me.”

“It smells disgusting,” Aleric announced as he came around the High Table.

Gautier gave him a side look like he thought Aleric was directly insulting him.

“Father, please move that platter down.” Aleric pointed at sausages.

Jaime remembered reading in the pregnancy book that a pregnant man or woman might grow quite sensitive to certain smells and tastes. Lord Monet had mentioned it too. Jaime wasn’t sure if Aleric was disgusted by the breakfast smells or if he was saying that so he could sit away from Gautier.

Either way, Jaime hastily pulled out a chair for him. “Sit here.”

He settled between Aleric and Gautier. Let the bastard try to touch his future husband now.

Lord Monet pushed the platter farther down the table. “Is that better?”

“It’s bearable. I can’t believe how much they stink.”

“Have you been getting morning sickness?” asked Lord Monet.

“No. It’s just the smell of those things.”

“Do you want some toasted bread?” Jaime inched over a small platter with thick slices of golden brown bread. “That won’t bother you, right?”

“No. Thanks.” Aleric took a couple of pieces, and Jaime pushed over a bowl of norben.

“Aren’t you attentive?” Gautier asked Jaime, like offering Aleric toasted bread was monumental.

Jaime tried to make his smile appear real even though he’d rather stab Gautier in the throat. “I don’t want him to feel sick, and he needs to eat.”

He also didn’t want Gautier touching Aleric and trying to pass it off as innocent. Gautier could have easily sat on the other side of Lord Monet. He didn’t need Aleric’s spot even if it was on the lord’s right.

Lord Monet leaned forward. “Jaime, Aleric said you had hot cacao last night, and it tasted odd?”

“Yeah. It didn’t taste like bad milk either. We didn’t finish the drinks.”

Gautier narrowed his eyes. “Zacharie and I had some last night. What a coincidence. It tasted fine.”

Jaime shrugged. “Maybe you didn’t notice.”

“It’s best if we get rid of it and not take chances with our food, especially with Aleric pregnant.” Lord Monet signaled for a servant, and when she hurried over, he told her to get rid of the cacao in the larder and why.

“I’ll tell the cook right now.”

“Are you sure that is necessary?” Gautier asked. “Zacharie and I noticed nothing.”

“I’m not taking chances,” said Lord Monet. “Maybe the whole jar isn’t bad. Why risk it? Someone else might eat it and find themselves ill.”

“I suppose.”

***

“Zacharie didn’t poison him.” Aleric sighed as Jaime locked the sitting room door. “It was a nice fantasy.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk to Zacharie one last time? He’ll be gone tomorrow. You could pretend you’re trying to make up, and probe to see if anything is going on. It’s just an idea.”

“No.” Aleric settled on the couch. “I don’t feel like being insulted. Besides, whatever happens later, I don’t think we’ll ever be close again. I’m a shit brother, and I can’t deny it.”

Jaime sat by him. “I wouldn’t say you’re a shit brother. When you two do fight, he’s the one that starts crap. I don’t remember you calling his Dad a whore.”

“Things could have been different if I’d treated him a little better when I was younger. I had friends as a teenager. They came and went with the court, but I had some. He’d try to tag along with me at times, and I’d often tell him to go away or to stop bothering me. I kept pushing him away because he seemed so immature to me, and I wanted to do stuff with people my age. I didn’t spend much time with him, and I wasn’t a very good big brother. He got on my nerves a lot, and I’m sure in his mind, it overshadows the good times. I never felt the same about him like I did about Fleur and Florence.”

“You were a kid and a teenager. You didn’t know what would happen later, and the situation with him was different. A lot of older brothers don’t want the younger one around because he’ll be embarrassing, and it’s normal for them to want a bit of separation because of the age difference. You’re not responsible for how he acts, and he purposely says hurtful things. I don’t have siblings, but I’m sure calling you a whore isn’t considered brotherly jabbing.”

Aleric leaned on the arm of the couch. “When I was sixteen, I was mad at him because he bent the pages in one of my books, and we started going back and forth. I told him I wished one of the flowers represented him because I’d rather have Florence or Fleur. He’s not the only one to be overly hurtful.”

“Wait, what?”

“The red flower in my bedroom window was given to Mother by Grandmother when I was born. Father’s Mother, I mean. She had the green ones made for the twins. Father let me keep them, and they’re more like a remembrance now. I basically told Zacharie I’d prefer him dead and only remembered by a damn light catcher in my window. I was sixteen and knew better than to say something like that just because he bent the pages of one of my books. I did a lot of little, shitty things. It adds up, and I don’t think he’s forgotten most.”

Jaime took a deep breath. “Okay, that was pretty bad. It’s not worth him now calling you a whore in front of everyone or saying your Mother was a whore. He hit below the belt.”

“Either way, I’m pretty sure our relationship will never recover, so talking to him won’t be happening. He’ll always resent me. He’ll probably resent me more if his precious lover dies later. I’ll be married and raising a kid while he’ll feel alone. If he suspects anything about Gautier, he’ll probably never say a word because how is he going to explain it to Father? He’d also have to admit he was wrong and treated me like garbage for nothing. I can’t win with this.”

“Can I put my arm around you?” Even though Jaime had licked his ass last night, he figured he should ask since Aleric wasn’t exactly in a good mood.

Aleric hesitated. “Yeah…”

Jaime gave him a light squeeze. “Later, we’ll see what happens, okay? Perhaps you two can, and his nephew can be the bridge. A new life that’s done nothing to him might soften him a little. He’ll likely mature as he grows older. Once he’s an older adult, maybe you can both put the past away.”

“Hmm. We won’t cross that bridge for a bit even if it comes.” Aleric leaned his head on Jaime’s shoulder for a second. “For now, we should get ready to go out soon. We have to see the court off.”

***

Jaime knew he better get used to certain things if he was going to be the lord with Aleric in the future, not that he felt very lordly. Judging by a few looks he got in the yard, some of the courtiers didn’t view him as higher-up material and didn’t see why he was out there to see off the court. He was just the guy Aleric was marrying because he was pregnant.

Lord Monet hadn’t announced Aleric’s pregnancy, but many had guessed, and Zacharie’s words had helped. A few openly gazed at Aleric’s stomach as if checking for a baby bump even though it was too early.

Jaime caught a few grumbles about being made to leave so hastily, and a lady complained about home being so boring. A couple were talking about going to the Regent’s court, although they’d have to write and ask for permission. One couple said they’d be going to a Morian lord’s court since they were friends. A few of the Morian higher-ups came to say goodbye to Lord Monet and congratulate Aleric. They were the picture of nobility with their pleasant smiles to fellow higher-ups.

One of the lords pretended as if Jaime wasn’t even there. Oh well. There would always be lords who didn’t feel kindly toward commoners jumping up so fast.

Cousins came to say goodbye. A few asked when they could come back, like living at a court mattered more than the fact that Aleric wanted peace while he progressed in his pregnancy. Lord Monet gave a polite but vague answer.

Some were riding horses, and they left rather quickly while leading pack horses. Those in carriages were slower, and Jaime grew bored in the yard. Lord Monet started fidgeting with his cane, and he wondered if the lord was bored too, although he wouldn’t say so.

Gautier and Zacharie didn’t come out. Perhaps they’d already said goodbyes to those they liked. Once the last carriage was heading for the gate, a guy poked his head out, and Jaime recognized him as the guy who’d first played chess against Lord Monet.

He cupped a hand around his mouth. “Name the baby after me if it’s a boy!”

Aleric gave him a stiff smile and waved as he muttered. “I’m not calling my potential son Billy.”

Lord Monet snorted. “That’s done. I’m going to try to speak to Zacharie so he’s not so sour when he leaves tomorrow.”

“Hm.”

***

Dinner had been stiff with Zacharie and Gautier at the High Table. With no more courtiers to sit with, it didn’t make sense for the brother to sit in the Hall at a round table. Lord Monet had tried getting his sons to talk to each other without success. Zacharie wouldn’t even look at Aleric or Jaime, and he only spoke to Father or Gautier.

Lying in bed that night, Jaime was looking forward to it just being three at meals. Without Zacharie, Aleric could relax more. Jaime wasn’t sure if he’d start getting sick soon or if he’d skip that symptom. His current book said not everyone suffered from morning sickness. For some, it was more like all-day sickness. Others grew nauseous and didn’t puke. Either way, it didn’t sound like fun to Jaime.

He rolled over toward Aleric who was fast asleep and put an arm over him. He should go into the city and get ginger candies to have on hand just in case. Those were supposed to help with nausea. Mint could help too, so he’d ask Aleric which he liked best.

Thumping on the sitting room door made him jump slightly. It sounded a bit loud, and Lord Monet wouldn’t come banging like that, would he? Unless he was checking to see if Jaime was still stuck on the couch.

Aleric didn’t move when Jaime slid out of bed. While crossing the sitting room, the pounding started again.

“Aleric!”

Damn it. Jaime opened the door and blocked the crack with his body. “What are you doing?”

Zacharie was in his sleep clothes, and he pushed on the door with a frown. “Let me in.”

“What for?” If this was to torment Aleric one last time, Zacharie could go fuck himself. “With the way you treat Aleric, you’re an idiot if you think I’ll simply let you stroll in.”

“I said to let me in.”

“Open the damn door!” Zacharie hissed before he looked over his shoulder. Something about his torso was stiff, and Jaime suddenly wondered if Gautier had hurt him.

“Tell me what’s going on. Aleric’s asleep, and you-”

“For Elira’s sake. Let me in!”

“Zacharie!” Gautier’s voice came from down the hall, and his tone wasn’t exactly pleasant.

If Zacharie was trying to get away from Gautier, Jaime couldn’t quite bear to leave him out there. He opened the door to look out. Gautier was coming in his sleep clothes and a faintly confused expression.

“I thought we were going to bed.”

Zacharie took advantage of his smaller body to slip through, and Jaime spoke. “Uh, he needs to talk to Aleric. Can you give him a minute?”

Gautier scowled. “It’s late. He can talk to him tomorrow.”

“That’s his brother.”

“He needs to come to bed now.”

“What are you? His Mum?” Gautier blinked at the comment, and Jaime hastily closed the door to lock it. “Hey! Wait.”

Zacharie was already throwing open the bedroom door. “Aleric! Wake up.”

“Huh?” came Aleric’s sleeping grumble.

“Get up or I’ll throw cold water on you.”

“What the fuck? What are you doing in my bedroom?”

Jaime ran in just as Aleric tapped the lantern and squinted at his brother standing at the foot of the bed.

“Talk to Father and ask if I can stay here.” Zacharie gripped the bedpost with one hand. “I don’t want to go to Narter.”

“You snapped me out of a sound sleep because you don’t want to go?” grumbled Aleric.

“Please. Let me stay here. I don’t-”

Gautier knocked. “Zacharie! It’s late, and I want to go to bed.”

“Please. Tell Father. If Gautier goes away, we can ask Father right now.”

“What’s going on?” demanded Jaime. There was no way Zacharie had decided this on a random whim.

“Why do I have to tell Father right now?” Aleric asked slowly. “And why is Gautier banging on my door?”

Zacharie hesitated. “I don’t want to go to Narter, and…”

Aleric, sitting up in bed, glanced down his brother’s body. “Are you hurt?”

Zacharie flinched when Gautier pounded on the sitting room door so hard, it sounded like he was trying to knock it down.

“ZACHARIE! It’s late! Knock off this nonsense.”

“Whatever’s going on, you better tell us right now,” Jaime snapped in a low voice. “I don’t think Gautier is simply eager to go to bed.”

Zacharie paused and spoke in a rush. “I-I wasn’t supposed to say you were his son, and he got mad at me. It’s a secret.”

“I’m not his son! There’s no secret.”

Zacharie lifted his shirt, and Aleric’s eyes widened as he immediately got out of bed.

Jaime caught a glimpse of the bruise on his side. Shit. Someone had slugged him likely more than once judging by the tones of the black and blue.

“He hit you?” demanded Aleric.

Zacharie dropped his shirt and moved away as Aleric reached for him. “Don’t touch it. I wasn’t supposed to say anything about it. I mean, not the bruise, but that too. No one is supposed to know Jaime is his son.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” asked Jaime. “I know who my Father is.”

Zacharie glanced at him. “Gautier said so.”

“Then Gautier’s been eating funny mushrooms from the forest. Aleric, we need to show Lord Monet. He can’t deny his son being bruised, and he needs to be arrested for assault.”

“You expect us to walk right past him?” Aleric demanded as Gautier knocked again. “He’s not letting up.”

“Well…he can’t stand there and knock all night. I’m pretty sure he’s not strong enough to break through either.”

Aleric went for his sword on the dresser and grabbed Jaime’s from where he’d leaned it against the wall. “Here. I don’t think Gautier is going to be content to let us take Zacharie to Father.”

As if on cue, Gautier thumped on the thick wood again. “I’m not playing games. It’s late.”

“I think he suspects. He’s practically been pasted to my side all day and…He went to the privy room, so I snuck out. He was mad at me this morning because I wouldn’t do what he asked, and if we go to Narter, I don’t know what to do. The more I think about it-” Zacharie’s breath hitched.

“What are you talking about?” Aleric kept his voice low. “Suspects what?”

“I killed Olivier, and I tried to poison Alex last night.”

Aleric’s mouth dropped slightly, and Jaime spoke. “You poisoned the physician?” Gautier slammed his fist into the door. He had to be kidding.

“Zacharie! Why are you ignoring me? Aleric, send your damn brother out here now!”

“Don’t open the door, but you see if you can get him to go away.” Aleric turned to his brother. “Tell me what happened.”

Jaime hurried into the sitting room. He caught something about a glass and rubbing the edge.

Fuck. If Gautier knew Zacharie was blabbing…but what could he do? He approached the sitting room door to call through it. “Hey, Zacharie’s talking to Aleric. Can you give him a minute? You’re kind of distracting.”

“It’s almost midnight,” came Gautier’s acid tone.

“He’s about to leave tomorrow, so let them talk. They’re fine. Zacharie will go to bed when he’s done apologizing and ready.”

“Open the door.”

“They want privacy.”

“I said to open the door,” Gautier snarled.

“For fuck’s sake, Zacharie doesn’t need you pasted to his hip, and they’re not fighting. Wait for him in bed. He’ll come out when they’re done. Why are you being so rude?”

“I don’t trust Aleric. That’s my future husband in there, and you can’t tell me I can’t see him.”

“Your future husband is talking to mine,” Jaime snapped. “I don’t have to let you in. Piss off.”

Only Aleric’s low voice, the words indistinguishable, broke the uncomfortable silence that followed. Jaime was pretty sure he heard a faint sound like footsteps. He hadn’t expected Gautier to walk away so quickly. He pressed his ear to the door and listened for several moments. Nothing.

Carefully, he got down on the floor to look under the crack. A lantern hanging from the ceiling cast enough light for him to tell that no one was standing in front of the door. He inched closer, trying to see if Gautier was standing to the side.

He wouldn’t walk away, wait in bed, and give up that easily.