“Any one of them can have it,” Iris insisted. She couldn’t help but feel as though she hadn’t asked for any of this. All she had ever wanted was to live a quiet, happy life. Whether that meant finding the love of her life or travelling the Isles, she wasn’t sure, but she certainly hadn’t counted on being sold into slavery by her father just so he could save his business from going under.
“There’s also the fact that if King Ember changes his mind, he can have you dragged back here in chains,” Pria shrugged, looking as though she hadn’t heard what Iris had said. “If he is feeling truly vengeful, he could even suggest that you ran away without his knowledge. Nobody would question him and he’d be well within his rights to have you de-winged or even executed.”
Iris’s stomach turned over at that. She had never thought of it that way before. Yes, she had thought of the consequences of what might happen if she managed to escape from her master, but she had never allowed herself to imagine what might happen if she were freed and then her master changed his mind, especially when that master was the king. There wasn’t a single person above him. What King Ember said was law.
And yet he hasn’t actually used that authority to force me to do a single thing, Iris realized with astonishment. She had been so blinded by Lord Perivale’s cruelty that she hadn’t been able to see King Ember. Did I get it all wrong?
“Do you really believe that the king would do something like that?” Iris asked, knowing Pria probably knew the king far better than she did as she had served him since she was practically a child.
Pria shrugged and averted her gaze. She busied herself with removing Iris’s slippers from beneath the bed and placing them at her feet.
“I can’t begin to pretend that I have any idea what a king would do,” she admitted, blushing slightly, “but I can say that he shouldn’t be underestimated.”
Iris quivered at that. She couldn’t help but feel that it was not just a warning but a promise. A part of her even wanted King Ember to chase her across the Isle. Perhaps if he went to that kind of effort, she might finally be able to give herself to her master.
Don’t be such a lust sick fool! she scolded herself. Just because she found the king attractive did not mean she could willingly throw herself at his feet. Every inch of her body had always told her never to give herself to a man who merely wanted her for her body, and that was all any man ever seemed to want. She was no stranger to the desire-filled looks that men gave her, their gazes travelling up and down her body. Their eyes rarely remained on hers, instead moving all over her slender body, sometimes resting upon her breasts. She always felt like she was covered in slime afterwards and no amount of washing could make her feel clean.
Yet, with King Ember, she hadn’t felt that. Though he had glimpsed her body upon entering the room, he had quickly averted his gaze and his eyes had stayed on hers even when she could not bring herself to look at him.
“Even if he didn’t change his mind and you decided to leave, where would you go?” Pria asked, her voice filled with concern. Even though she had not known the young maid for long, Iris couldn’t help but feel as though they were fast becoming friends.
“Don’t worry about me,” Iris insisted. She reached out and stroked Pria’s hair, cupping her face with her palm before she added, “I can take care of myself.”
Pria did not look entirely convinced, but she did not question her on the matter again. Instead, she asked, “Do you wish to get dressed?”
Glancing across the room to the arched window that overlooked the side of the mountain, Iris realized that the sun had risen and it was well past dawn.
“I probably should,” she responded, forcing herself up from the bed. She was certain she would need Pria’s help to dress. Her legs were still weak from her encounter with Ember, and she was more than a little grateful for the maid’s presence.
Where will I go if I leave? she asked herself. Though she had assured Pria she could look after herself, deep down she wasn’t so sure. Her father had always left her to her own devices so long as she did her chores. Lord Perivale had left her alone so long as his needs were met. All her life she had been given all that she needed so long as she gave the men in her life whatever they wanted.
Will it be any different if I leave and go my own way? she asked herself, wondering what she could possibly do to keep a roof over her own head. She had never had a job, never been forced to forage or kill to eat, never been taught anything save for how to read and write, and how to play a musical instrument. Not that any of the men cared about that. They only ever cared about how she looked and how she treated them.
This is a man’s world, she thought grimly even as Pria helped her to wash with a bowl of warm water and a cloth, I must play by their rules, even if I have to bend them a little.
Chapter 8 - Ember
It felt as though hours had passed since he had sent a messenger for one of the palace courtesans. His mind was so preoccupied with everything that had passed between him and Iris that when the courtesan knocked on the door, he almost jumped out of his skin.
Forcing his wings to stop fluttering, he yelled, "Come in!"
The courtesan was exceedingly beautiful, just as they all were, with flawless skin and glossy jade hair. She removed her outer robe almost immediately upon entering and drew Ember's eyes to her thick, curvaceous figure.
"You asked to see me, Your Grace," Jada said, bending into a low curtsey.
"Yes, I am in need of your assistance," Ember admitted, though for once his needs were not physical. He didn't feel a stirring in his loins at the sight of her as he usually did. In fact, he almost felt guilty for even requesting her presence.
What is wrong with me? Ember grumbled to himself, not moving from where he stood in the middle of the room, at the end of the bed.
Jada moved swiftly to him and placed the palm of her hand against his chest.
"How can I be of assistance, my lord?" She practically purred, her spine twisting as if she were a feline rubbing herself up against him.
Ember's jaw tensed, but if she noticed his discomfort, she did not make a comment.
"I wish to forget," he said through gritted teeth.
Jada gazed at him through curious, forest green eyes. "Forget what, my lord?"