Chapter 29:

Iris' eyelashes fluttered, her eyes opened, and she woke up to find herself staring straight at Jay. Stifling a gasp, Iris bit her lips together, not wanting to wake him up. She slipped out of the bed and tiptoed into the bathroom, wincing at the pain in her legs and groin from her exploits the night before. Staring at herself in the mirror, she let out a deep sigh of regret.

Not that it hadn't been fun.

In fact, it had been wonderful. Iris had had several lovers in her lifetime, and Jay's expertise surpassed even Malik. She blushed at the memory of his mouth and fingers . . . and other things. But the fact remained that she had made things between them more complicated. Not to mention what would happen if the rest of the Mallrats, as well as her own Council . . . especially Malik . . . found out. She shook her head at her stupidity as she put toothpaste on her toothbrush.

After she had bathed and dressed, Iris called a maid and ordered breakfast, still undecided on how to best handle the situation she had created. Jay was still asleep when she reentered the bedroom, so she went out onto her balcony to stare out at the hotel's gardens. She hadn't been out there very long when she felt a presence behind her, then arms wrapping around her waist.

"Jay . . ." Iris whispered.

"My love . . ." Jay whispered back, biting her earlobe.

"We need to talk," Iris said firmly, willing herself to resist the pleasure his ministrations were giving her.

"About what?" Jay asked, his tone hurt. He stood back from her, wrapping his muscular arms around his body against the chill of the morning.

"Us. Jay," Iris began, taking his hands. "What happened last night meant nothing to me. It was just fun. We can't be together, and I don't want to give you the wrong idea."

His jaw clenched and his eyes widened in pain. "You don't want me?"

Iris dropped his hands and shook her head. "I don't want you to be hurt."

He scrutinized her for a long moment. "Then why did you do it?"

Iris closed her eyes and turned away. "I am not sure. I think . . . I think it was because, it has been so long . . . so long since anyone has held me like that. And I do like you, quite a lot. Maybe under different circumstances . . ."

"What do you mean?"

"There's too much going on right now, Jay. You and Amber just broke up. She's having your baby for God's sake! You've just arrived here, I don't even know you that well. To tell you the truth, what I do know scares me!" She turned back to face him. "I don't want to end up having feelings for someone that may end up deciding later on that he wants someone else! You've done it to three girls in this very hotel! Girls I happen to like . . . well, at least I know I like Trudy. Amber . . . maybe. Ebony . . . not so much."

"That's what you're afraid of?" Jay asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.

She shook her head. "Not afraid. Not really. But there are other things. You have to understand, I am Queen of Genesis. I have a duty to my people. I have to place them over myself and whatever I feel."

"What do you mean?" he asked, his tone concerned.

Iris opened her mouth to speak, but the maid came in bringing breakfast. She gave a warning look to Jay and both sat at the little patio table as the maid arranged the food. Once the coffee was poured and the maid was gone, Iris began again.

"My people are wary of you and the others, Jay. They haven't had time to process what happened to you. They sure as hell aren't happy with Ram being here. My popularity with the people is everything. Can't you see that?"

He was silent for a long minute, sipping his coffee with a thoughtful expression. "I can't understand you at all, Iris," he said finally.

"Have you ever read about the ancient kings and queens?" Iris asked.

Jay shook his head.

"The smart ones all knew that it wasn't their supposedly divine blood that kept them on their thrones," she explained. "It was the people. Many royals were usurped by others, simply because they lost their popularity and the people refused to stand by them. I don't want that to happen to me. If it happens, the city will be thrown into chaos. If they see that they can overthrow me, no other ruler after me will be safe again, any rules or regulations they make for the people's own good will never be followed. I cannot lose my place."

"So you are afraid of what people will say?"

She nodded. "I am. And not just the people. My Council are my good friends. I don't want to disappoint them, and I will if this goes anywhere. I especially don't want to hurt . . ." Her voice trailed off.

Jay was alert at once. "Hurt who?" he asked, stiffening.

Iris looked away. "No one. Forget about it."

"You mean Malik, don't you?"

She sighed and nodded. "Yes. We were together once. I broke it off with him, and he has never gotten over that. He still loves me."

Jay swallowed hard. "I . . . I understand." He smiled sadly. "This is why I love you so much. You are a great leader, a great person."

Iris stared at him, surprised at his acquiescence. "I'm sorry."

He nodded. "We can still be friends?"

She nodded back. "Of course."

Jay stood up, pushing his plate away. "Then I think I'll go back to my room. I want to look over the map and make some plans for the guards."

Iris watched him go, still wary about his sudden acceptance of her decision.