Until she ran away three days after their marriage.
“I could have you arrested, and you can present your case against the owner to my Father,” Aleric said after a moment. “My Father is typically fair.”
Jaime had heard that he didn’t like slavery or own any. He also didn’t like anyone at his court to own slaves. Despite that, he could sense the ‘but’ in Aleric’s words.
“Father tends to favor locals over those from elsewhere, and he doesn’t like thieves.” Aleric brushed his hair away from his eyes. “He’d probably give you a year. Where are you originally from?”
“Riverview village in the north of Moria.” Jaime’s stomach clenched. He’d stay in the city prison until someone purchased him. If nobody wanted him, he’d sit in a cell and stare at the wall until his sentence was over. If he was bought, a year as a slave…untold things could be done to him in a year or even a few days. His owner might not do much of anything to him, or they could brutalize him. He’d heard stories he’d prefer to forget, and that included slaves who were used for sex and didn't get the option to say no.
“Do you want me to arrest him?” Beard looked impatient to get on with whatever decision was made.
“No. I’ve got another idea. Come here.” Aleric gestured. “The rest of you stay here.”
“M’lord,” started Beard.
“I’ll be fine down the hall. Don’t wear yourself out on your last night.”
“My job isn’t over until I leave tonight. It doesn’t matter if I’m worn out.”
“I said to stay. Come on, Jaime.”
He followed Aleric down the plain hall and past a few closed doors. If Aleric expected a bribe, Jaime only had a few coins on him. He’d left Natora because he hadn’t been able to find work, and his savings had dwindled. Aleric picked a room andstepped in. The lady from earlier was gone, and faint sounds of merriment from elsewhere in the Hidden Pearl reached Jaime’s ears.
The bedroom beyond was sparsely furnished and contained the basics: a neatly made bed, a chest of drawers, and a shelf with a few books that had likely been forgotten. A basin with water sat in a corner, and a crystal lantern hung from the ceiling. If anyone needed the room, the Madam would set out wine and anything else required.
“The Madam won’t mind if we borrow this room for a few minutes.” Aleric turned to Jaime who closed the door. “You said you’d do anything.” He arched an eyebrow.
Jaime regretted saying that because Aleric was looking at him like a whore while undoing the silver clasp on his cloak. “I meant, within reason.”
“Mhm.”
“Fine. What do you want?”
“I can think of something you can do to make me happy since my fun was interrupted, and I doubt you want to wait with the others while I make use of one of the men here.”
Jaime kept from rolling his eyes. “Just tell me what you want. Do you want me to bend you over?” Not that he'd mind. If the pretty future lord wanted a good pounding, it would almost be like a reward.
Aleric scoffed and flung his cloak on the bed. “No. This is what I’ll do. You can be my slave which means you stay with me until I say otherwise. Maybe a year. Consider yourself an aid if you like. You’ll have partial freedom.”
“But-a slave? I didn’t steal anything! I literally did nothing wrong.”
Aleric shrugged. “It’s the word of two men against each other.”
This fucker. The way he was standing there with a faintly smug expression grated on Jaime’s nerves. He wouldn’t be so blasé if his freedom was on the line. “What’s partial freedom?”
“You'll be more like an aid. I won’t dress you in a tunic or rags like some slaves. I won’t make you wear a lirek collar either, so you can use your magic if needed. You’ll be permitted to go out under guard as long as you promise to behave and return. If I don’t require you, you can also go around the Castle as long as you don’t bother anyone, and you can have books. When I require your presence, you’ll do what I say.”
“Like a private servant?”
“Yes. That’s basically what an aid is. You’ll have a roof over your head and food.”
It’d be sort of like having a job except he wouldn’t be paid. That was better than most criminals who received nothing and might not even be fed properly, depending on their owner.
“I’ll pay you too-”
All right, that made it a little better so Jaime wouldn’t be on the street later with just a few coins in his pocket.
“-if you agree to another job, which is to service me when I require it,” added Aleric.
