Page 50 of Bloom
“Thanks for rubbing it in my face, asshole.”
“Is it Gautier? You said his name after you fell. You don’t seem to like him, and I don’t think it’s because you’re an arse about chess.”
Aleric stared ahead. “Watch what the fuck you say when you don’t have all of the facts.”
Jaime narrowed his eyes. “You keep your doors locked, don’t you? Except you didn’t earlier because you were carried right in. You feel safer withmearound. That’s why you decided to take me as a sort of partial slave. You think someone’s going to be waiting one day when you come in. I doubt Olivier decided on his own to kill you. You said Gautier did it, but he’s an old family friend. Still, he could marry Zacharie to get the position of lord, except that’s years away since Lord Monet is well. Do they plan to kill Lord Monet? With or without Gautier, you’ve got a brother who might want everything.”
“Don’t start running your mouth and picking whoever with your half-assed facts. You’ll make a fool of yourself if you point the finger at someone.”
Jaime gritted his teeth. Why couldn’t he just get a straight answer? Aleric’s replies made it sound like it could be them or not, and Jaime almost wanted to shake him.
“Father won't hear a word like that, and if you say anything against his other son, he won’t let you go,” continued Aleric. “Not with that kind of talk smearing Zacharie’s name. He’ll blame me and probably take it out on you by tossing you inprison for making up wild accusations about Zacharie. He’ll probably think you paid off someone to attack me. After that, you’ll wish you’d kept quiet.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm sure someone will be paid to buy you and make sure you never talk again. Not Father, but someone else. So if you want to go, get out, and keep your mouth shut.”
“Why didn’t you say something before? Why can’t I get a proper answer now? Do you have any idea how maddening you are?”
Aleric let out a rough laugh and shook his head. “Like I’d blurt out my issues to a man I barely know. Are you that stupid? Why don’t I make a notice and tell the whole city so they can all think I’m crazy too? Do you have any idea how dangerous it can be to drop names?”
Jaime’s face burned. Of course, he wouldn’t blab everything on day one, but he could talk now. “Is it someone else? Have I somehow gotten everything wildly wrong? Come on-”
“You wouldn’t even believe it anyway.”
“Do you think I’m going to run and work for this person? Is that what you’re thinking? If you can’t tell me because I’m new and you barely know me, why don’t you tell your Father? If he’s not seeing certain things, but you are, he needs to know. Explain it to him. You were attacked, and he can't deny-”
“Jaime, just stop. You’re getting on my nerves. You don’t know shit about my life beyond whatever bits of gossip get around, and you haven’t known me for that long. You barely know anyone here.”
“You could tell me what’s going on. I’m here now! I could get to know you and help-”
“And be called a liar again? No, thanks.”
Again? He’d tried to tell Father or another before? What was going on in this court?
“Is it your Father? Is Lord Monet trying to set you aside because he prefers his younger son?”
Jaime regretted the words as soon as the empty cup came hurtling toward his head. It missed, hit the wall, and shattered on the floor.
“What the fuck?!” He jumped out of the chair because other things were in Aleric's reach to throw.
“Fuck you!” Aleric shouted as he sat up more. “Don’t you dare ever speak about my Father like-”
“For fuck’s sake, I just asked-”
“You don’t know shit, so get the out-”
“I’m trying to ‘know shit,’ but you won’t tell me, and you’re being an absolute prick about it!”
“You’re not going to sit there and insult my Father like a damn prick. I better not ever hear another word out of your mouth about him.” Aleric shifted onto his knees and pointed at the door. “Get. Out.”
If looks could kill…Aleric’s chest heaved, although not because he was deathly ill anymore. His face had flushed with rage, and Jaime was pretty sure if he didn’t leave the room, the juice jug was going to take a trip toward his skull. Without another word, he left without a backward glance. He almost expected something to nail the back of his head before he closed the door.
He paused by the couch and took a deep breath while wobbling between wanting to apologize and shake Aleric until his brains rattled. Both would require returning to the bedroom. No, thanks.
If Lord Monet was truly innocent, Jaime had just stepped over a major line. Most sons would be enraged to hear their Father falsely accused.
In his position, Jaime would also be outraged if anyone talked shit about his Father. He’d deck them in the face. Aleric didn’t have the energy to get out of bed and punch Jaime.
