Page 109 of Bloom
“Son, if he hurts you, you know you can come to me. I wouldn’t let my grandchild live in those circumstances either, but I think that’s a bit extreme. Why are you worried he’ll beat you?”
“Plenty of men end up beating their spouse later.”
Father sighed. “If you come downstairs with a black eye, do you think I’ll ignore it?”
Elira, he was so gullible if he thought every single hurt left a visible mark.
“Why are you so worried about this?” demanded Father.
“Because people change. He’s trapped. Maybe he planned to go back to Moria and find another Morian to marry. Maybe he was going to stay single and sow his oats across the realm for another ten years.”
“Plenty of people decide to stay together for a baby, and they’re happy later on. He seems like a good guy so far. He’s helped you, and he’s been a bit protective of you at times. I don’t see him as the sort to hit you or the child.”
“Hm.”
Gautier had seemed to love him and look what happened there. Father didn’t see him as that type either. How could he be so blind? After Aleric’s earlier story and his fear now, why couldn’t he fucking link it together and realize his oldest hadn’t been lying and attempting to break up Zacharie and Gautier? Aleric wanted to shake him.
“He kept coming in to check on you the first night after we brought you back, and he got to you first after…you fell.” Father looked away like he didn’t want to remember that day. “His knees are fine, so he was faster than me. He held you while Olivier did his work. You didn’t bring him here under normal circumstances, but since he’s not a slave, I don’t think he hates you at all or is the kind of man to start beating on you. You might find that he’s an excellent Father and husband and fate brought you together. I think Elira brought me and your Mother together.”
If so, she should have kept them together instead of taking Mother and the twins.
“You’ll be fine. Make a real effort to spend time together and get to know each other better before the baby comes. It’ll be a lot easier. If you two decide you want to start humping likerabbits tonight-” Father waved a hand. “That’s your business, so do whatever, but don’t make lust the focal point. You’ve both had lives before this, so talk to each other. Don’t let every single thing be baby-related. In a couple of months, you’ll probably feel quite close.”
Easy to say. Aleric didn’t know how to tell him that he sometimes thought Gautier had broken something in him.
“Don’t expect the worst things, son.”
“Do you think we could send the court home too?”
Father blinked. “Well, I can, but why?”
Gautier wouldn’t be going anywhere, and neither would Zacharie. If Gautier had any secret allies, they could be separated, unless he went the stableboy route again. “I know you like having people around to talk to or ride with, but I think I’d rather have a quieter home while I’m pregnant. After the baby is born, I’d still prefer it. This is a big change, and some peace might be better.”
“All right. If it makes you feel better, I will. I might not mind the break either.”
“Thank you, Father.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jaime figured he’d better stay used to the couch. He wouldn’t be invited to the bedroom anytime soon since Aleric wasn’t about to allow a man to sleep next to him.
Jaime had found better books where the authors didn’t talk about abundant males like they were pests. After Aleric had returned from his moment of privacy with Lord Monet, he’d simply said goodnight and gone to his bedroom with the air of someone who didn’t want to talk.
Jaime was about to tap the crystal lantern and go to sleep when the handle rattled, and he sat bolt upright.
“Aleric?” came Lord Monet’s voice.
Relief flooded Jaime as he went to unlock the door.
“Why is it always locked?” Lord Monet asked without preamble.
“He likes his privacy,” said Jaime.
Lord Monet stepped in and paused as he looked at the couch. “That’s where you’re sleeping?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
