Chapter 30:
"We would like permission to schedule the naming ceremony, Your Majesty," Ved told Iris.
She smiled down at him as he knelt next to Cloe, both with the glow of parenthood obvious on their faces. "Of course, Ved," Iris said, beckoning Salene forward, who stood at the door holding both babies. Salene moved aside the blankets covering the babies' faces so Iris could see them. "They are beautiful," Iris smiled.
"Aren't they?" Salene asked, smiling as if they were her own children.
Iris' smile faltered as she thought of Amber giving birth to Jay's baby. The moment passed fleetingly and she turned her attention back to the babies. "Have you decided upon a date?"
"In three days, if that is all right," Ved said with a huge grin.
Iris nodded. "That will be acceptable." She smiled at Cloe and touched the young girl's cheek. "Motherhood suits you, Cloe."
Cloe blushed and looked down at the floor, a tiny smile on her face. "Thank you, My Queen."
"Then it is settled," Iris said firmly. "Three days from now." She waited until the three had gone before walking back up to her chair. Moments after she sat, the doors to the room slammed open and Malik strode in, his expression like a thunderstorm. "What in God's name is the matter, Malik?" Iris cried, leaping from her chair.
"You slept with Jay? You deny me your bed but you slept with Jay?"
Iris swallowed hard as she stepped down from the dais. "You forget yourself."
He stepped up to her and grabbed her upper arms painfully. "Don't do this to me, Iris. I want you!"
She jerked away from him, stared at the bruises appearing on her arms and then slapped his face. "How dare you! I . . ."
The doors opened once more. Both Iris and Malik turned to see Trudy standing there, holding her daughter. "Is . . . is this a bad time?"
"Of course not," Iris said, giving a warning glance to Malik. He snorted once before bowing and striding out.
Trudy shrank back as he passed, frightened by his expression. She turned her attention back to Iris quickly in an attempt to conceal her fear. "Queen Iris, I would like to tell you that I am leaving the hotel."
"What do you mean, Trudy?" Iris asked, smiling at Brady.
"Bray has asked for my help in caring for Skye. He invited me to live with him."
Iris looked perplexed. "Lex's daughter?"
Trudy took a deep breath and held Brady closer. "Lex . . . refuses to care for his daughter."
"What? What happened?"
"After he saw Taisan's grave, Iris, he broke down. He wouldn't even see his daughter. He's been locked up in his room ever since."
"And Sarai?"
"He threw a candlestick at her and told her to . . . to fuck off before he killed her."
"Lex loved Taisan then? From everything I've heard about him, he likes the physical gratification more than the woman herself," Iris said, stroking a lock of Brady's hair.
"He loved Siva, in a way," Trudy answered sadly. "But Taisan . . . Taisan was everything to him. He never stopped searching for her. It was what tore him and Siva apart."
"Two women he loved, dead. How terrible."
"Three, Iris. His first wife was Zandra. She died in an explosion, pregnant with his child."
Iris stared in shock. "Does he have a curse on him, then?"
Trudy shrugged. "If it wasn't so sad, I would say yes."
Iris shook her head. "I'll see if I can talk to him. Until then . . ."
"I'll . . . we'll be living with Bray." Trudy smiled. "I think it will be good for all of us. Especially with Amber . . ."
"I understand. I'll have a wagon bring your things as soon as possible."