Page 38 of Bloom


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Even better, maybe the responsible ones would be found.

Jaime caught Aleric’s voice in the bedroom, and he got on his knees to lean over the back of the couch and listen. He couldn’t make out what was said, and he figured screw it.

He went into the bedroom. Aleric, who didn’t look much better, held up three fingers as his Father set down the water glass. Olivier entered the sitting room at that moment and excused himself past Jaime.

“What did they look like?” asked Lord Monet.

“...covered their faces. Grey clothes.”

“Was there anything to make them stand out? Anything the guards could look for?”

“No. Plain horses. Good ones. One could channel. The sw-sword…sword was plain.”

Lord Monet, who had been leaning over his son, straightened up and swore.

Considering Aleric wasn’t saying anything about Gautier now, maybe he hadn’t known what he was telling Jaime earlier. He’d mumbled nonsense. It was also possible that Jaime, distracted by the spear sticking through Aleric’s front, had completely misheard him.

“I’m sure they’ll find something,” Olivier muttered. “Three new men in an area?”

“Or they might vanish,” snapped Lord Monet. “They could split up too. One new man in an area is nothing worth noting.”

“I don’t feel good,” Aleric mumbled.

“You lost a lot of blood,” said Olivier. “I need you to drink this to help replenish it. There’s honey in it too because you need the sugar.”

Aleric’s eyes flicked to the small bottle, although he seemed to be having trouble focusing on it. “No.”

“It won’t taste bad.” Olivier uncorked it.

“Get it away from me.”

“You have to take it right now.”

“Maybe we should give him a few minutes,” said Lord Monet. “He’s not feeling well.”

“Of course, he’s not.” Olivier lifted a hand. “You wouldn’t feel great either after having an arrow and a spear in your back.”

“I mean, we can let him rest for a couple of minutes.”

“The sooner he drinks it, the better,” said Olivier. “If it was you, Lord Monet, I’d be pouring it in your mouth right now. Blood loss is no joke.”

Lord Monet sighed. “Fine. Aleric, I’ll help you sit up a bit. Can you manage that?”

“I’m not drinking anything.”

“You need it. Your shirt and vest were soaked with blood. You’re not going to be entirely better overnight, and-”

“I’m not taking it.” Aleric’s eyes suddenly found Jaime awkwardly hovering in the doorway before he backed away. He probably didn’t want an audience.

Jaime closed the door and went to sit on the couch while the other two spoke. He wasn’t able to tell what they were saying. Aleric swore at them before it cut off. Olivier’s faint voice reached Jaime again, and he was pretty sure he heard the word “swallow” after several seconds.

Considering what happened earlier, no wonder Aleric was agitated. The silence ended with Aleric’s faint, “Fuck you!”

“For Elira’s sake.” Jaime pinched the bridge of his nose. A man who acts like the physician is killing him can be quite difficult to deal with. He had a feeling they’d held him down and forced him to swallow the medicine, and he’d be even more irritated now.

Hopefully, in the morning, he’d have more sense.

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