Father tapped his cane. “No, I don’t.”
“You do an awful lot. That’s why he’s a fucking brat now because you had trouble saying no to him as a child. Did you hear anything I said?”
“He’s my last one, and his Dad is dead.” Father’s face tightened.
“Do you think Honoré would want his son acting like this? Stressing me out might cause problems when I give birth. I know you love us both, but you need to do this for me and your coming grandchild.”
Lord Monet seemed to deflate. “Very well.”
***
Zacharie’s sour expression grew worse when he followed Father into the office where Jaime and Aleric were sitting. If he fucked off with Gautier, it’d be a relief. Maybe Aleric could finally feel truly safe, not have to worry about his life so much, and focus on the coming baby. Gautier might not kill him soon, but the child was coming in a set time no matter what, and he didn’t want them under the same roof if he could stop it.
A part of Aleric didn’t like sending away Zacharie with the man who’d beaten him. Guilt needled him even though he was sure Gautier was careful to keep his pawn in good shape. He’d never hurt the man who could possibly end things and leave Gautier as an exiled lord of no importance.
Aleric was stuck between choosing himself, Father, Jaime, his baby, or Zacharie. And since he couldn’t be sure if Zacharie had no part, the choice wasn’t that hard.
Zacharie pulled the last chair further away from Aleric before sitting. The action was simple, and somehow, it suddenly stung more than earlier.
Father sat behind his desk and started on why Zacharie’s behavior was inappropriate and beyond wrong. The outrageous lie about Jaime had been uncalled for.
“Why on Ymir’s dirt would you even say that for?” demanded Lord Monet.
“They’ve got the same eyes.”
“Woooow. Orange eyes. Like no other fairies have orange eyes.” Jaime scoffed.
Father held up a hand. “That’s all? Even if he was Alex’s son, and he’d come to court-”
Zacharie snorted. “Aleric is also jealous because Alex is with me. We already know this.”
“No, I’m not.”
“That’s why you came to tell me about how horrible he is?” snarled Zacharie. “You kept a relationship secret for two years and said nothing after he supposedly beat you? Did you know that, Jaime? He tried to break us up. He’s going to be the lord, and he also wanted Gautier. He was too chickenshit to approach him before, and I got him, so he was furious, and he made up a bunch of shit so I’d stay away.”
“If you weren’t Aleric’s brother, I’d knock your teeth out,” said Jaime. “Don’t sit there and tell me whatever bullshit like that’s going to turn me against him.”
Zacharie blinked like he hadn’t expected threatened violence and for Jaime to be so firm in his decision to stand by the oldest.
“Both of you need to be quiet,” Father said slowly.
Aleric stared at the edge of the desk. The last thing he wanted to get into again was that bullshit or hear from Father that it was all lies.
Father cleared his throat. “Let’s not dig up old things.”
“But he did want to steal Gautier!” Zacharie smacked the arm of the chair. “I admit I just made up that bit about Jaime being his son, but I have every right to be mad. I bet he’ll try to fuck Gautier later once he gets tired of his new toy. You act like him getting married is exciting and-”
“Be quiet. I’m tired of your attitude, and Aleric needs to have peace. I’m sending you to Narter.”
Zacharie’s mouth dropped. “You’re sending me to that shithole?”
“It’s not a shithole. You’ll go with Alex.”
“Did Aleric put you up to this? I’m not going, and you can’t make me. Alex will take me away.”
“Oh, really?” Father tilted his head. “Where? I don’t see you getting a job and working. Alex isn’t a real lord anymore, so he has no other home to bring you to.” Zacharie flushed.
“I’m willing to let you have Narter later if you want it when I’m the lord of Côte,” Aleric said, trying to force his voice to be level. Keeping them in one spot for later would be beneficial. In fact, with them so far away, it might be a lot easier for Gautier to have an “accident.”
