Chapter 15: That Night
Amber fought back tears as she climbed into her bed. Jay was still sleeping in another room, they still hadn't made up from their fight. She curled up into a ball and closed her eyes, wondering what was going to happen. A soft knock came at the door and Trudy slipped in quietly. "Amber? You awake?" she asked. Amber sat up. "Yes." Trudy came over and sat next to her friend. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened today." "I hoped you would," Amber said with a weak smile. "You know how it has been for Brady and me," Trudy began. "A lot of it was my own doing . . ." Amber shook her head. "No, it wasn't, Tru," she told her. Trudy smiled. "I need a safe place for her, Amber. Please understand."
"I do, Trudy, it's just that . . . well . . . so much," Amber half-laughed, half-sobbed. Trudy's eyes widened. "Amber! What's the matter?" Amber laughed through her tears. "I was stupid and selfish," she cried. "I was so mad when Jay found Ved!" Trudy put her arms around her friend, looking incredulous. "What do you mean?" she asked. Amber began to sob. "I thought . . . for just one second . . . that if Ved was here then maybe, just maybe Bray would be too!" Trudy patted Amber on the back. "That doesn't make you stupid and selfish, Amber. It just makes you want to find your baby's father. And if Ram knows where they are . . ."
"He doesn't!" Amber cried. "You know he doesn't! He's just saying that so he can stay here!" Trudy shook her head. "But Lex said . . ." "I don't care!" Amber insisted. "But that . . . that's not all, Trudy." "What else is wrong?" Trudy asked. Amber looked down at her hands. "It's been . . . two months." Trudy looked confused. "Two months since what?" "Two months since . . . since I've had my period," Amber said quietly. A look of pain and shock crossed Trudy's face. "You're pregnant?" she asked, her tone a little higher than usual. Amber nodded. "I think so." "You and Jay . . ." Trudy began, her face flushing. "Yes, Trudy," Amber answered.
Trudy nodded, a single tear falling down her cheek. "I bet Jay is very happy," Trudy said quietly. Amber shook her head. "I haven't told him. We . . . we aren't speaking right now. He left because of how I felt about Genesis City." Trudy nodded again, obviously holding in intense emotions. "I think . . . I think I hear Brady," she whispered and fled from the room. Once inside the small room she and her daughter shared, Trudy shoved a blanket into her mouth to stifle her sobs.
At the same time . . .
Iris shut the door of the Council meeting hall and began to walk wearily up towards her room. She had taken only two steps when she was accosted by Malik. "Majesty . . . Iris . . ." he whispered, taking her hands in his, "you can't be thinking of letting that monster stay." Iris disengaged her hands gently. "I haven't decided yet, Malik," she said quietly. His hand went up to her cheek. "Iris . . . please . . ." "Malik, you cannot do this anymore," Iris told him, stepping back. "I told you, I can't think of you in that way. No matter how best of friends we are."
"You know I will always hope," Malik said gruffly. Iris watched him sadly. "I'm sorry, Malik." He shrugged, bowed, and left her. She sighed and continued up the stairs. Once in her room, she dismissed all her women and headed to the bathroom. After washing her face and hands, Iris brushed her hair and threw on a long, comfortable silk nightdress. Just before she was about to crawl into her bed, she heard a commotion at the door. "You can't come in!" she heard one of her guards say in an irritable tone. Iris rolled her eyes and stomped to the door in frustration. Throwing open the doors, she glared at her guards and opened her mouth to upbraid them. "I wanted to talk to you, alone," she heard a voice say. She turned to see Ram standing behind the open door, his brow furrowed with anxiety. Iris narrowed her eyes, intending to tell him to get lost, when something stopped her.
"Let him in," she said quietly. "My lady Queen . . ." began one of the guards, having heard of Ram's past from many others. Iris raised her chin. "Don't argue." With a fearful glance at his companion, the guard moved aside to let Ram pass. Iris followed Ram into her room, slamming the doors behind her. "What do you want?" she asked irritably. Ram looked at her standing in front of him, clad only in the thin nightdress with her hair tumbling around her angry face, and felt a jolt pass through his body. "I . . . I wanted to speak with you . . ." he stammered, trailing off at the end of his words. He still couldn't understand why it was so important to him to explain himself to this girl.