O0o 6 What Do You Think About Adoption?

Jules got a deep tureen and ladled Halian a good portion of soup. He put down a plate with flatbread on it, and gave Halian a spoon. Lastly, he poured Halian a large measure of wine.

"Thank you, Jules," Halian said. "Please serve yourself, and sit with me. I'll feed you as you like tonight, but I think we both need quicker sustenance right now."

Jules got himself a bowl and a gla.s.s, and sat beside of Halian to eat.

For a short while it was all silence and tension. Then, Halian tore off a piece of bread and hand fed it to Jules. "Your face is going to be bruised," he said. "How many times did he strike you?"

"Twice," Jules reported. "Your mom took Keita to her room."

"I'm glad." Halian ran his hand through Jules's hair. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," Jules said. "Bill calmed me down a lot."

Ellaine returned and began portioning out Jules's soup for the other people in the house, her head down and sniffles coming often. Halian got up and embraced her from behind, whispering something in her ear that Jules couldn't hear. She sagged backward against Halian a moment, then gathered some strength and began carrying out bowls to the servant's dining room.

Jules and Halian finished their meal, and walked upstairs together. Halian locked them in his bedroom and stared at the door. "You've suffered more in my own home than you ever did at your school," he said quietly.

Jules got in bed and pulled the covers up. "I didn't have you at my school," he pointed out. "This had nothing to do with you. At all."

"I feel responsible," Halian said, and sat on the bed, looking down at him. "I knew Lucien was damaged. I just didn't know he was so far gone from how decent people interact."

"Hal, he might die out there in the cold," Jules whispered.

"He won't learn his lesson by ordinary means," Halian replied, monotone. "Did he say anything to you of importance? Can you recall?"

"Yeah. He basically said that all he had to do was tattle on you to his servants, and you'd be in trouble," Jules answered. "If that's not verification of how dangerous they are, I don't know what is."

Halian nodded. "It seems I'm not done. Stay here, Jules. Do you want Felix to keep you company while I'm gone?"

"If he's around. Don't waste time looking for him." Jules shut his eyes. "What will you do?"
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"Witches are usually burned alive," Halian said. "But, I see no reason to draw out their deaths. I will be humane, Jules. Don't worry."

Jules wished Hal wasn't going out to cold-bloodedly murder two people, but facts were facts. The Stadelts were dangerous, and Lucien had control of them. Probably. Jules rolled onto his side, feeling like he couldn't get warm.

"h.e.l.lo, darling," Felix's voice rather inveigled into Jules's ears. The door shut and locked, and Jules heard Felix dragging a chair close to the bed. "Don't spend a lot of time fretting over any of this. Halian will clean up the mess. You just relax."

Jules sighed. "Have you seen Lucien?"

"Sam and Bill got the stocks done before you even quit lunch," Felix informed. "Lucien is in it, awake, aware, and cussing a blue streak. Isla and Adrian are leaving for home this evening, I suppose because Halian's taming of his brother will be brutal, and they don't want involved."

"Can't say I blame them," Jules muttered.

"Well, they intend to ask if they can take Keita with them," Felix said. "They'd be back in three months. I think it's a good idea. Get the temptation out of the house and somewhere he feels safe. As Isla's pet project that young man will reap great benefits."

Jules didn't want to be parted from Keita, but it really was the safest thing. "Yeah," he said. "She likes him a lot, and he should see that not all rich alphas are out to just use him."

"It's possible she's replacing Lucien, you know," Felix said quietly.

"Yeah, I guess. She wanted more than two children anyway," Jules told him. "Adopting Keita would please her."

A knock came at the door. Felix opened it to reveal Keita himself, who looked in and instantly went for Jules.

"Jules, Madam Isla wants to take me from here," he said, sitting on the bed and wringing his hands. "I kind of want to go, too."

"Then go," Jules advised, sitting up to hug him. "Let the nice lady give you good clothes and an education and social contacts. The Novars are powerful people, Kei. They can give you things you never dreamed of having."

"But, I shouldn't leave you," Keita protested.

"Why?" Jules hugged him again. "You won't be gone forever. We can write to each other. I'd see you again in three months, buddy."

Keita nodded, relaxing into Jules's embrace. "I'll get to travel on a s.h.i.+p again. I loved that. Madam Isla says she can teach me the family business, and how to keep the books."

"Sounds like you really ought to go with her," Jules said. "I just started a new life here, Keita. You're getting offered a good deal, I think."

"Yeah." Keita slowly pulled free of Jules and took a sharp inhale. "I'll go tell her I want to. I want to do this."

"All right. I'll see you again before you leave," Jules told him.

Keita left. Felix shut and barred the door again. "Well handled, Jules," the tailor praised.

"I'm gonna worry about that kid, and miss him," Jules confessed. "But, who am I to stand in the way if Isla wants to make him a personal project?"

"Indeed," Felix said.