Page 156 of Bloom
Jaime glanced over his shoulder. “Drop your weapons. All of you.”
“Are you fucking insane?!”
Jaime turned to Commander Smith. “We haven’t announced it yet, but Aleric’s more than a month along, and if you harm him, you’ll harm a baby who’s done absolutely nothing wrong. You can’t execute him and a child.”
Smith paused and frowned. The innocent four mumbled to each other. While the court had likely gossiped nonstop, not all of the guards might have heard anything about Aleric’s condition.
“He is pregnant,” Lord Monet hastily said. “That’s why I sent the court home. Aleric wants peace so he can rest and give birth later.”
“So?” demanded Gautier. “I said to arrest him. You can do that without killing him.”
Jaime shot him another look. Aleric could think of a few ways surrendering would work, but that would depend on everyone else playing fair. They wouldn’t. Gautier wouldn’t let Aleric end up in the city prison to await a trial. He’d run his mouth and admit everything along with Zacharie.
Gautier wasn’t going to let him see the next sunrise if he could help it.
If he fought, Jaime would pick up his sword and try to defend them, but he’d put himself at a disadvantage. Zacharie wasn’t enough, and Lord Monet might bear worse injuries from a weapon or magic because he couldn’t move very fast with his poor knees.
Putting up a stand right there wasn’t going to end well. Aleric dropped his sword and let it clang on the marble before nudging Zacharie who was shaking. “Put the dagger down.”
Lord Monet started to say something as Zacharie obeyed, and Aleric interrupted. “Just do it.”
Father gritted his teeth and dropped his sword before letting his fire vanish. Smith immediately moved for Jaime, probably judging him to be more dangerous due to his size. Two more headed right for Aleric, and he stepped back, thinking they might immediately kill him and turn the entrance hall into a slaughter.
“I wouldn’t hurt a pregnant man and deal with Elira’s wrath if you harm an unborn baby.” A vein stood out in Jaime’s forehead, and he’d clenched his fist.
“If he doesn’t fight back, he'll be fine,” said Gautier. “Into the Hall.”
Zacharie grabbed Aleric’s arm. “We’ll go in. You don’t have to touch him.”
Father had gripped his cane so tightly, his knuckles were white as he led them into the Hall. A few lanterns sat on tables for the ambiance. Gautier clapped twice with a piercing whistle, and the magic light that came from nowhere brightened the room. It was almost like they were about to have dinner or a party, except there weren’t enough people. Every damn thing was wrong, and Aleric wasn’t sure if he’d ever have another meal with his family and Jaime.
He wouldn’t have a chance to fix all the damage he’d done with Zacharie.
Gautier came with Smith into the Hall. Three closely followed, and Aleric knew all their names. They’d worked at the Castle for six years, and like almost everyone, he hadn’t trusted them although they’d never done a single wrong thing. Tim, Johnson, and Gregory. Gregory was the only one who stood out since he had reddish hair, and small, white horns.
The other four followed with unsure expressions. Gautier stopped and held up a hand to them. “You can stay out there.”
“Uh, Lord Gautier-”
“I need to discuss a few things with Lord Monet. Only a few of the guards know what’s fully going on and what Aleric has been doing. This is a sensitive matter.”
“But-”
“I couldn’t risk bringing everyone in on this in case anyone betrayed us. I needed to acquire proof to show Lord Monet, and it took time. Surely you can understand. Since you came whenI said so, Lord Monet will reward you once he’s been filled in. He’ll understand your loyalty and that you’re only trying to do your best.”
An older, blond man pursed his lips slightly. “Shouldn’t we get the city guard since this is a serious matter?”
“Absolutely not. Lord Monet can decide who is permitted to know the full truth after I’ve told him everything. If you ruin this, you’ll be lucky if he only sacks you. I’m not the lord, but you have to listen to me. I’m the one who has been working behind the scenes to aid Lord Monet for quite a while now.”
What a snake. He was making it sound like he’d had a little spy network, and if anyone had whispered to Lord Monet, it would have ruined everything.
“Wait outside on the steps until I relieve you,” commanded Smith. “Now.”
The four moved to obey the order of their superior, and Gautier hastily shut the double doors.
Maybe Jaime had been onto something. Gautier had just split his forces, although the odds still weren’t good. They’d left their weapons, and only a couple of things could be used in the Hall. Getting to them would be a problem. Jaime and Aleric could only channel, and he wasn’t sure if Zacharie could fight. He looked like he was about to piss himself.
Gautier sighed and motioned at them. “On the dais.”
