A/N: Sorry this took so long to post. It's been a rough few weeks. Anyway, I hope the new format is easier to read. Please tell me if you don't like it and I'll return to the way I wrote before. If you do like it, I will continue to write this way, and I will change the previous chapters to match.

Chapter 28: Jay and Iris

Iris sighed a little as she looked in the mirror of her bathroom, watching Sarai comb the tangles out of her hair. She felt much better after having a good night's sleep and eating several bowls of broth. The two days she had taken to recuperate from her cold had gone by all too quickly. She hardly ever took days off from her duties, and although she was looking forward to getting back to her routine, she wasn't too happy to have to face the aftermath of the Mallrats' problems. She had decided to ignore them until they were presented to her and instead focused her attentions to getting the Mallrats started on the jobs they had chosen. It was one of the reasons she had summoned Jay.

Malik and Iris had discussed the security of the palace in detail. Malik had finally come to terms with the fact that Jay would be in charge of palace security when Iris finally told him one of the major reasons why she wanted Jay in that position. She felt that the biggest threat to her security would either be Ram or Ebony, and Jay knew them both well enough to be able to anticipate any attempts to take over. Iris also knew that neither Ram nor Ebony would be able to convince Jay to participate in anything they might try. Malik saw the wisdom in this and finally agreed. However, as often occurs with those who are in love, Malik could sense Jay's feelings for Iris and told her so. Knowing Malik's penchant for violence towards those he felt were rivals, Iris insisted that Jay get his orders from her instead of Malik as she had first decided.

It was for this reason Iris had summoned Jay.

Sarai put the finishing touches to her mistress's hair and followed Iris into her receiving room. She arranged Iris' skirts attractively around the chair, finishing just as a knock came at the door. Jay was ushered in by a chambermaid, who followed Sarai out the door, leaving Iris and Jay alone.

"You asked for me?" Jay asked.

Iris nodded and motioned towards an armchair. "Yes. Please sit. There are things I want to discuss with you," she said. She looked at him with concern, noting the redness in his cheeks and the angry look in his eye. "Is anything wrong?"

Jay leaned back in the chair. "It's not something I want to talk about right now, if that's all right," he said.

Iris shrugged slightly, inwardly cringing at the thought of the conflict that seemed such a part of the Mallrat's lifestyle. "I asked for you because I wanted to discuss your duties," she said.

Jay looked interested and nodded. "Yes. When do you want me to start?"

"Whenever you like. I wanted to give you these," Iris began, handing him a packet of papers and a large, rolled up map.

"What are these?"

"The roll is a map of the hotel, both the building and the grounds," Iris told him. "The other papers are a register of the palace guards, their names and information, what skills they know and what their duties are . . . things like that. There are also documents of any incidents that have occurred here in the past two years, those will be boring because not much has happened. In addition, I got Malik to give me his notes on the plans he had for improving things around here, as well as personal notes pertaining to the hotel and the people who work here."

Jay nodded as he glanced through the papers. "These will come in handy," he said slowly. "What about you? Is there anything you want me to do?"

Iris shook her head. "I trust your judgment," she said, folding her hands in her lap. "I only ask that you do your best."

"How much authority will I have?"

"You will take orders from and report only to me," Iris answered. "And I want you to have full reign concerning the safety of the palace and its inmates."

"I will do everything I can," Jay answered. His face softened a bit. "Iris . . . I would do anything to protect you."

She stared at him uncomfortably. "I thank you."

He stood up and came over to her, falling to his knees and putting his hands on hers. "Iris . . . I want to tell you that from the moment I met you, I had strong feelings towards you. Now, I know I am in love with you."

"Jay . . ."

"Please, let me finish. I know you think I'm some kind of . . . of man whore, but . . ." He broke off as Iris began to giggle.

"Man whore?" she asked, choking on her laughter.

Jay's face turned bright red. "It's not funny . . ."

"Sorry, it's just . . ." She was cut off by his mouth pressing hard against hers. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Jay!" she cried as she pushed him back.

"I apologize, Iris, I shouldn't have . . ."

"You're right. Jay, you shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry, but I have no intention of causing more conflict between you and your tribe than is already there."

"Amber and I are no longer together," he told her quietly. "We settled that just this morning."

"It's not just Amber, it's more than that," Iris said. "I don't feel that way towards you, Jay."

"Give me the chance to change your mind." Without waiting for an answer, he leaned over and kissed her again.

To her surprise, Iris opened her mouth and allowed him to kiss her. It wasn't so much that she felt something for him, it was the fact that she hadn't been kissed in that way by anyone for almost a year. Her body responded to his touch, even if her heart did not. Jay pulled her up and held her close to him as his kiss intensified. Iris felt as if she were melting in a puddle of desire. Encouraged, Jay's arms came around her and fumbled with the lacings on her dress. Iris panted as his lips trailed down her neck, feeling like fire down her throat. She gasped as his teeth grazed her throbbing artery.

"Jay . . ." she whispered.