Page 7 of Bloom
“Twenty-five isn’t bad,” said one of the other men.
“Any Commander should be thirty or older. I didn’t get my position until I was older. You’re even older than me. You knowwe were still dumb at twenty-five. It’s not about how many kills you made in a war or if your swords ever had blood on it.”
“I’ll be happy to be around when my new grandchild comes. I don’t see why you’re not retiring. Isn't it time to sit back and enjoy life?”
“I enjoy working. Three days at home, and my wife will be telling me to find something to do.”
It seemed William would be leaving, and the other older man was retiring. The third was younger, so Jaime might see him again.
A stableboy with sandy hair, freckles, and eyes still nearly closed came from a side room in the stables when William yelled for him to take care of their horses. Aleric patted his mare’s neck, told her she was a good girl, and earned himself a pleased snort. He snapped his fingers like Jaime was a dog and started heading for the Castle.
Jaime followed, thought of the rumors he’d heard, and took a deep breath. The landlady had said Aleric had been friends with his first wife since they were children. After they married about three years ago, she’d run away three days later. Of course, there was always the chance the marriage had been forced on her by her parents, and she’d fled. Not every woman wanted to be a Countess or have children. She might have been in love with someone her parents didn’t approve of and run to be with that person.
Depending on the man, a woman might have more important reasons to flee.
The landlady said she had a feeling that Aleric was quite horrible in private. He might have even been one of those men who beat their wives, and he'd shown his true colors after the wedding. Jaime, not thinking he’d ever have a reason to deal with Aleric, had brushed off her gossip because the stupidest things can be twisted out of proportion.
The Castle was quiet and felt empty. Lanterns dangled in the hallways to give light. Jaime remembered the Castle where he used to live. It wasn’t that far since Côte was by the ocean and bordering Moria. Three days along the coast would bring him back.
He hadn’t been in a Castle in years, and while the inside was different, and some of his old memories had grown a bit fuzzy, there was something almost comforting about it. Before that one night, his memories were mostly good.
Aleric didn’t speak as they took the stairs up several floors. Down the first hall they went, a portrait showed Lord Monet, Countess Monet, and a young Aleric who appeared to be about three. Jaime paused to study the family. Aleric’s little face was round and innocent. Getting him to sit still even for short sittings must have been a struggle.
The Countess had been dead for years. The landlady had said she’d grown feverish after giving birth to a set of twins. The twins had come too early and failed to thrive.
Countess Monet had been from Rowland. Her son, who had gotten her coloring and eyes, had his Father’s white hair. Countess Monet had rich brown hair swept up in a diamond hairnet which was something that had mostly fallen out of style in Soleil.
Currently, Rowland and Soleil didn’t get along thanks to the recent, vicious war that had ended last year. Regent Corentin and Regent Lupo had signed a treaty, but hard feelings don’t always vanish so soon. Aleric’s parents had married long before those events. Still, he wondered if the rumors were made up because of the Rowland side of Aleric. People from there were often called savages and idiots by Soleilians. The event at Calmerra hadn't helped.
He caught Aleric turning and looked over to see his cutting gaze.
“Keep up. You’ll have time to dawdle around and look at portraits later.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Jaime muttered under his breath. He wondered what the younger half-brother looked like.
They turned right once and came to a door at the end of the hallway. Jaime raised an eyebrow as Aleric pulled a key on a cord from his pocket to unlock it. Why did he lock his rooms? Only a fool would try to steal something belonging to him, and his little brother was old enough to mind himself and stay out.
“You can read the books on the shelf or get ones from the library,” Aleric said as he entered his sitting room. A lantern had been left on the table in front of the couch, and he tapped another on a table under the window to Jaime’s right. “Don’t fold the pages or tear them, and that goes for library books too because the librarian will have a fit.”
“I know not to ruin books,” said Jaime.
“Can you even read?”
“Yes, I can read.” What a stupid question to jab at him for nothing. Most fairies could, and Jaime had learned quite fast once Mother had taught him.
Aleric pulled off his riding gloves and tossed them on the table in front of the couch before he undid his cloak. Once he’d flung it over the back of an armchair, he turned to Jaime who was awkwardly standing a few feet away.
The flush had dissipated from Aleric’s face, showing that his heat was gone. “Draw your sword and give it to me.”
Jaime scowled and gripped the handle as he tried to think of a way around the command.
“Partial freedom doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. When I command, you act. Think of yourself as a pet.”
“I’m not a pet. You also said you wouldn’t collar me, and I can use my magic. I need my weapon for my magic.”
“I highly doubt you’ll require it within the next few minutes. The Salty Blower owner isn’t about to barge in and try to get revenge.” Aleric held out his hand. “Sword.”
Jaime drew it and held it out so it could be taken by the handle since that was proper, and Father had taught him so. Aleric gave him a look before he gripped the handle and stepped farther into the room where he had room to swing. His own weapon hanging at his side was quite nice with emeralds on the hilt. It had likely cost a fortune.
