Page 121 of Bloom
Jaime took Aleric back into Côte to a stall he’d seen earlier so they could get egg buns to eat while riding. They still needed to see the wise woman.
Aleric seemed all right, although Jaime had a feeling his typical distrust wasn’t fully gone. Muted was likely a better word. It might rear its head again after a bit even though he’d enjoyed what they did.
Jaime kept wanting to touch him as they rode through the woods. The time of holding Aleric and making him feel good had been too short. Combined with seeing him let loose a little, it had been like a blink.
Not receiving an orgasm in return had made his balls ache. It was worth it to see Aleric free for a few minutes and to give him something he wanted so badly after years of being afraid to say so.
“I’m not feeling this.” Aleric handed over the uneaten half of his egg bun. “I’m not hungry, and it’s such a chore to eat it.”
“Are you craving anything?”
“Not particularly. I think it’s a bit early for that.”
“We’ll get you something when we go back to the Castle.” Jaime wanted to ask the wisewoman too if his lack of appetite was a serious concern even though Aleric didn’t seem worried.
Delphine had just let them in when Foofy let out a chirpy purr from across the room. He hurried to Aleric.
“There’s his favorite pregnant fairy.” Delphine tried to pry off Foofy who was climbing up Aleric, and the minky smacked away her hands.
“Let him. He’s obsessed with my stomach.”
“Why?” asked Jaime.
“I guess he’s got a sixth sense about babies,” said Delphine.
Aleric sat at the table with Foofy wrapped around his torso. Seeing he was settled, the minky shifted and started rubbing Aleric’s belly while making little noises.
Delphine didn’t look thrilled about being asked to work at the lord’s Castle.
“I’d rather not,” she said, and Aleric’s expression immediately grew closed off. Jaime could imagine him faintly panicking inside about finding a new physician and letting someone he didn’t know at all touch him in the months to come.
“The pay is a lot more,” said Jaime. “You could have a large workroom too.”
“It’s not about the pay or a workroom. I didn’t get into this sort of work for the money. I do it because I want to help people. My husband died from wasting disease when we were young, and there’s no cure for it, so no one could have saved him, but perhaps I can save a few others and help them. I don’t want to work for a lord who can afford anyone. I’d rather help locals who might not be able to afford a physician in Côte. They're a bit pricey, and most won’t halve a fee or waive it entirely. That’s not a problem for most courtiers.”
Aleric patted Foofy. “What if you came for a while and returned to your home here? Father would send elsewhere for a physician if I asked. I don’t want a total stranger in my home or possibly touching me. I’d also prefer a female during my pregnancy and when I give birth.”
“Wouldn’t you prefer a man since you’re one?”
“No. Not in this case. I don’t know you well, but you’re not entirely a stranger either. If you came for a while, you could save the money I’d pay you. Use it to expand your stock. Have a bigger house built. Move into the city if you want to take on more people who can’t afford expensive care. Do whatever you want with it.”
“Or save it for a rainy day,” added Jaime. “If you’re willing to accept a low fee or nothing, there might be a time when you wish you had more savings.”
She frowned as she thought. “I see, but I have a couple of people who come to me regularly for certain herb mixtures, and a woman from a nearby farm is due in a few weeks. I said I’d act as her midwife, and I can’t go back on my word, especially when I’ve been the one seeing her throughout her pregnancy.”
“You could still give them whatever they need,” said Aleric. “You’d be given free use of the spare horses in the stable if you want to ride to see anybody or even to simply go out by yourself. You could also have a guard come along if you want. What if the woman needs you at night? You could take a guard to ensure your safety. I’d like you to stay for the first year to make sure my child is healthy and growing as they should. You could leave afterward. Of course, I only ask that when my time comes, you stay with me.”
She stared out the window for a few seconds. “Of course, I wouldn’t leave you in the middle of labor to go anywhere. Fine. I’ll do it, but make sure your Father knows I’m not staying forever.”
“I will. My Father wants you to take a test.”
“A test?”
“It’s the one the physicians take in Finkin when they graduate from the College there. He has a copy of the appropriate answers. It makes him feel better since he’d rather not hire someone simply on their word. The last one had to take it too. You told me before that you're the third wise woman in your family, and your Grandfather was a physician, right?”
“He was. My Mother started teaching me as soon as I could walk, and we still had Grandpa’s books too. I read them all.”
“I think you could pass the test. Some physicians have no training until they step foot into Finkin College. You’ve been studying for years.”
