Page 161 of Bloom
“Have some.” William slid the bottle over to Aleric who caught the minty smell.
“I’m pregnant, and I’m not drinking even though I’d damn near cut off a pinky for some. I love Winter’s Edge sherry.”
“The baby can’t get drunk,” rumbled William. “The mint will probably put hair on its chest.”
“I’ll pass, and the baby doesn’t need hair on its chest. Jaime.” Aleric pushed it over to him.
Jaime took a good mouthful and nearly spit it out. “Fuck! That’s horrible!”
Aleric cracked a smile. “It’s good, but it might be a bit strong for someone who’s never had it before.”
“I’ve never tasted anything so minty.”
“It’s Iceland mint.” Lord Monet took the bottle. “It’s a bit of an acquired taste. Is Zacharie still in his room? I should go up and talk to him.”
“I thought he went outside,” said William. “He didn’t look good.”
“I think we're all going to be a bit fucked up for a few days,” muttered Jaime.
“Fuck. I need to talk to him.” Father took another gulp and made a face. “Gautier told him he was an accident, and I said that in confidence.”
“You told me he was planned too,” said Aleric. With the revelation about Gautier being Jaime’s Father, and everything else that night, he hadn’t thought too much of the claim of Zacharie being a mistake.”
Lord Monet closed his eyes for a moment. “I didn’t want him to know or feel like an accident. After Honoré died-how could I? Honoré and I were together for companionship. That was it. We didn’t plan to have children, but the herbs failed, and he found out he was pregnant. Honoré thought it’d be fine-he was excited even. We planned on what we’d do, and I thought-”
William mumbled something and clapped his shoulder without looking at him.
“Zacharie probably thinks I blame him. I don’t. I never did.”
Aleric stood. “Let me go find him.”
Aleric found Zacharie outside and huddled on the steps. A blood streak at the top was from one of the bodies the guards had hauled out. The four Gautier had told to wait weren’t in trouble. They’d disobeyed a command from their Commander, fled their post, and gotten William because they’d been too unnerved by everything and not quite brave enough to enter the Hall and see what was happening. Father said he was giving them a hefty raise.
Aleric sat by Zacharie who was hugging his knees as he stared at the dark yard. “You should go inside and talk to Father. He mentioned-”
“I don’t want to. I already know I’m the accident. Gautier told me that a while ago, but he didn’t have proof. Father confirmedit. I can’t believe he told his damn friend in confidence and not me.”
“He didn’t want to hurt you.”
“He probably didn’t want me as a baby. You’re the favorite, and even you don’t want me. I’m not Florence or Fleur. Even Gautier didn’t want me. He was using me.” He sniffled. “I’m not crying over him.”
Aleric took a deep breath. “It’s okay if you cry over him.”
“He’s a rapist and a murderer. Was.”
“But you thought he was someone else for a long time. You can cry over what you thought you had and lost. I did. He left me on the floor and walked out. There was no talk, no real closure. He was just done with me, and not counting the physical, it fucking hurt. He hurt us both, and honestly, I think he tried to manipulate you worse since he told you all kinds of things. He never asked me to kill anyone.”
Zacharie didn’t like him, but he’d refused to kill him. He’d also taken abuse for the breakfast incident so Aleric would be mad and certainly not willing to drink and make up with him. And when he finally got the guts, he ran to admit the truth to Aleric.
He’d also killed Olivier, suspicious of the man who was supposed to keep the residents of the Castle healthy.
If Gautier hadn’t told Zacharie things in an attempt to lure him in and force him into being an accomplice, he might have succeeded. He’d used Zacharie a little too much.
“You’re braver than me,” said Aleric. “I don’t think I could have shouted those things and risked Gautier’s wrath.”
“It was better than killing you,” mumbled Zacharie.
“When did he tell you Jaime was his son?”
