"We couldn't possibly take advantage of such generosity, my lady!" Pablo lowered down into a more than respectful bow, and Iris feared he might topple over.
"Honestly, you would be doing me a favor," Iris admitted with a sigh, remembering how she had been meaning to speak to Ember about her current maids. "Please, at least say you'll think about it while I discuss it with the king."
Melia looked to her father and Iris was sure that she saw a hopeful gleam in the girl's eye. As if he saw it too out of the corner of his eye, Pablo nodded and sighed, "We will think about it, my lady. Thank you."
"Either way, Pablo, I must make a request of you," Iris told the old farmer. His head whipped up in surprise and he nodded, waiting silently for her to add, "Make sure to be good to her. We daughters remember everything."
Her heart twisted with pain at the memory of her own father, and she struggled not to let tears prick the corners of her eyes.
"Always, my lady. She is my sunshine."
Iris felt a mixture of both sadness and joy as Pablo pulled his daughter into an embrace once more.
"Thank you," Melia mouthed silently and Iris gave a nod of acknowledgement before she turned and began to make her way from the room, leaving them to enjoy their reunion.
Outside the throne room, she was startled to find Ember waiting for her. Without speaking, he offered her his hand and the moment she took it, he pulled her into his arms.
"I am so proud of you," he told her, squeezing her so tightly she felt like her heart might burst. His words brought a tear to her eye. Nobody had ever been proud of her before. It was an odd sensation, especially when she was also feeling proud of herself.
I did it, she thought. Not only had she kept her promise to Melia, she had also stood up for herself against a man who had been a tyrant from the moment she met him.
"I need to ask you something," Iris said, pulling back once she'd felt Ember kiss her forehead.
"You know you can ask me anything," Ember assured her, still holding her affectionately in his arms. He smiled warmly down at her, and Iris felt her heart swelling once more. She was unused to voicing her needs and desires, unused to having them heard, but with Ember she felt as though someone was finally listening.
"I suggested to Melia that I may be in need of a new maid," Iris explained and her cheeks began to heat when Ember looked at her with concern. Perhaps she should have broached the subject more carefully.
"What is wrong with your current maids?" he asked, leaning back slightly to examine her face, searching for more information.
"Oh, nothing terrible," Iris shook her head quickly, her entire face hot now. She couldn't very well tell him that her servants had been gossiping about his manhood. Instead, she said, "I just don't feel like one of them quite fits."
Ember looked thoughtful for a moment. Then he seemed to understand, and he began to nod.
"Iris, you are going to be a queen," he pointed out with a deep sigh, "You have every right to choose your own staff. You don't need to ask my permission to hire or fire anybody."
That felt like both a gift and a curse. On the one hand she could be rid of anyone who made her uncomfortable, but on the other, she had only herself to blame for any heartache she might cause someone.
"Don't look so worried," Ember brushed a strand of hair from her face as he spoke, looking as if he'd read her mind. "There are plenty of other jobs in the palace for displaced maids. You won't be taking a livelihood away from anybody by trying to find the right fit."
That was certainly a relief. She pushed herself up onto her tiptoes and kissed him once more on the cheek, "Thank you."
She had so much to be grateful to him for and she wasn't at all sure how she could possibly ever repay him. One thing she was sure of was the fact she no longer felt as though she was a prisoner.
Chapter 18 - Ember
Dressed in an all-black suit, the only color in Ember's outfit was his crimson hair, the red in his wings and the red rose that sat happily in his buttonhole. The outfit was simple, yet somehow it felt as though it was the most important outfit he would ever wear. In just over an hour, he would marry the woman who had turned his world around.
"You look marvelous, Your Grace," Filton complimented as he entered the room, dodging a couple other male servants who had been darting to and fro all day trying to make sure the king had everything he needed for his big day.
"You think so?" Ember asked, giving himself one last glance in the mirror before turning his attention to his advisor. The moment he saw the other fae's face, his heart sank. "What is it? Is something wrong with Iris? Has she changed her mind?"
"Oh, no, sire, I can assure you your bride is quite content," Filton quickly shook his head, looking remorseful that he had given Ember such worries. Then he added, "Though I fear my news may affect her somewhat. That is why I have come to bring it to your attention first."
Ember's entire body tensed and his stomach groaned with anticipation. His wedding day was stressful enough. What more could there be?
"Well? Out with it!" Ember snapped at his advisor's usual refusal to get straight to the point.
"My lord, there is a man wishing for an audience with lady Iris and yourself," Filton explained, his cheeks burning, already sensing his king's reaction.