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.”