Chapter 17: Reaction
Iris stood in front of the Council and the Mallrats, the only signs betraying the fact she had slept not at all the night before were the shadows under her eyes and the weary tone of her voice. She carefully kept her gaze from Ram as she began to speak. "I have decided to allow Ram to stay here on Genesis, providing he finds all members of the Mallrat tribe who are missing," she told them. Iris closed her eyes for a moment, trying to keep herself from looking over at Malik, who was staring at her with incredulity and anger. "He will have exactly one year to find them," she continued, "and if he hasn't when that time is over, he will be sent away as a slave."
No one spoke. Iris waited for a moment before dismissing the Mallrats. Her Council gathered around her, waiting to hear why she had chosen the way she did. Malik remained at a distance, his eyes still blazing with anger. "My Queen . . ." Joker began. Iris held up a hand. "I am tired, Joker," she said wearily. "This has been a hard decision to make. But it is done now, and I trust no one will see fit to argue with their sovereign." Joker took in Iris' tiredness and nodded. "One reason I decided the way I did," Iris said quickly, "is because I am afraid of what Ram would do if we did send him away." The Council exchanged curious looks.
"You mean . . . you believe he would have attempted to take revenge?" Althea asked. Iris rubbed her temples and nodded. "As much as I hate to admit it, 'Thea . . . yes, I do. He is a genius, after all. Who could say whether or not he would have gathered forces and attempt to take over our island?" "We would have stopped him!" Malik said; his tone seething. "We have weapons and trained fighting men!" "You are speaking of a man who took over numerous cities and may still have troops available and willing to follow him!" Iris cried. Althea, Ethan, and Crystal exchanged glances and bowed their way out. Joker and Gray stared hard at Malik. "Don't talk that way to Her Majesty," Gray said in a quiet, yet forceful tone.
Malik glared at Gray, pressing his lips together so tightly that they turned white. "Thank you, Gray," Iris said. "I will speak to Malik alone. You and Joker need to return to your tribes. I have kept you from them for too long." After the two men left, Iris turned angrily to Malik. "You are overreaching yourself!" she cried. He shook his head. "I can't sleep at night for thinking of what will happen to you if that piece of shit remains here!" he shouted. Iris sighed. "It was my decision, and I made it," she told him. "You will have to live with it." She cried out as he grabbed her shoulders. "Yes," he said, "but will you?" With that he turned and walked away.
Iris watched him go before putting her hands to her face, willing herself not to cry. She let out a cry of fear and turned quickly as someone touched her shoulder. It was Jay. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you," he said, looking sheepish. "I just wanted to see how you were doing." His eyes rested on the door Malik had left through. Iris laughed shakily and wiped a tear from her cheek. "I take it you heard what Malik said?" she asked. Jay nodded. "I did. I'm sorry our coming here has caused such a disruption." She smiled. "I am glad we could help you," she said. "But I'm not too happy about this Ram thing."
Jay sighed and shook his head. "It is difficult to examine how I feel about him," he told her. "I hate him, pity him, and at the same time know he can be a truly useful asset." Iris nodded. "I pity him as well. But not as much as I pity those he ruined. What am I going to tell Ved?" Jay's face softened at the mention of his younger brother. "Let me handle Ved," he said with a smile. "And know that it won't only be Malik who will be watching Ram like a hawk. I'll have my eye on him as well; if he tries anything he won't get away with it." "Thank you," Iris said with a grateful smile.
"Have you seen Ved, by the way?" Jay asked. Iris shook her head. "No. But if you wish to see him, I can have someone show you where he and Cloe live." "I can't believe he's going to be a father," Jay said, running his hand through his hair. "He will be a great father," Iris answered, "you should have seen him when he announced Cloe's pregnancy." Jay laughed. "I wish I could have. What did he do?" The two began to walk down the corridor towards the courtyard as they spoke.
Iris smiled at the memory. "I had invited him and Cloe to dinner here with me and Malik," she said. "Cloe came into the room all quiet and looking at the floor as she usually does, although she did have a pink tinge to her cheeks and looked almost happy. Ved, on the other hand, was glowing like a light bulb!" Jay began to laugh. "Ved? I can't picture it!" "He did!" Iris cried. "His eyes were radiating happiness, his expression was just delighted . . . he was even bouncing as he walked!" She laughed, shaking her head. "He had this huge grin on his face, a big stupid one. It was hilarious!"
Jay laughed heartily. "No chance of getting a picture of it?" he asked. Iris smiled slyly. "When we heard the news, I insisted that he and Cloe have a picture taken to commemorate the occasion." "I would love to see it!" Jay said, delighted. "Ask Ved to show it to you," Iris answered. "He has it hidden, after the first happiness wore off, he realized his masculinity was threatened by how he looked." Jay snickered. "Now that sounds more like Ved," he said. They reached the entrance to the courtyard and stopped. "Would you like to take a walk outside?" Jay asked. Iris smiled but shook her head. "No, I think I'll go get some sleep," she said. "But thanks."
Jay smiled back. "I'll see you at dinner?" he asked. Iris shrugged noncommittally and grinned. "Maybe. I might sleep through it." "Do you want me to walk you to your room?" Jay asked, his eyes glinting. Iris stared for a moment, wondering how insinuating his question was. It sounded innocent enough, but his eyes told a different story. She felt herself being drawn in by his gorgeous brown eyes, his handsome, sexy smile, and his muscular body so full of delightful promise. Giving herself a small shake, Iris straightened up. "No . . . I'll be fine. But thank you," she said. She gave him a small smile and hurried away.