Verdant Skies

Making his way through the halls of Kouen's palace, Koumei was tempted to check in on Iris after hearing from Seishuu that she was awake but knew he could do so later. Arriving at Kouen's study, he took barely a moment to adjust the scrolls in his arms before knocking. Hearing his brother call for him to enter, he was a bit surprised at the somewhat hushed tone though pulled the door open. As he entered the study, the reason why Kouen's voice had been so quiet became clear.

Peaceful expression on her face, Iris's head lay on Kouen's shoulder as she sat on his lap with her legs half-hanging on the armrest of the chair. As he slowly stepped further into the room, Kouen spoke drawing his attention, "Ah, Mei, you're here."

"Yeah..." Koumei dragged his eyes away from Iris as the door shut behind him and he slowly walked towards the desk, "I've brought some more information that I think would be useful,"

Despite managing to keep his expression calm, Koumei's chest felt like a whirlwind was running through it. Surprise, concern, and jealousy rippled through him, a part of him wanted to tug Iris away from Kouen if only to hold her in his arms. Pushing against those emotions, he carefully laid the scrolls down on the desk before taking a seat across from Kouen. Kouen spoke as his gaze flickered towards Iris, "She woke up then fell back asleep not long ago. I doubt she'll sleep for long."

The relief in Kouen's voice eased some of the emotions currently running through him, Koumei nodded slowly, "I hope this means her recovery is swift."

Nodding with a faint smile, Kouen reached out to grasp one of the scrolls that Koumei had brought and they began discussing the information that they'd gathered. The atmosphere in the room shifted as they delved into the intricacies of the gathered intelligence. Even so, he found himself glancing towards Iris each time she shifted. Jealousy threaded through him in waves, he narrowed his eyes when one of Kouen's hands began to move strangely. As he grabbed a scroll to look over a piece of information, he managed to get a proper look and realized Kouen was running his hand along Iris's leg.

Eyes widening at the sight, Koumei's calm facade slipping momentarily as he watched Kouen's hand trail along Iris's leg. A surge of discomfort and jealousy coursed through him. While he understood the complicated nature of their relationship with Iris, seeing Kouen's intimate gestures still stirred conflicting emotions within him. Clearing his throat, he dragged Kouen's attention to him. Part of him felt a minor amount of relief when Kouen stopped trailing his hand along Iris's leg, he pushed it away while gesturing to the scroll in his hand, "So far, I think we can both agree that with recent events a shift is going to occur whether Gyokuen remains in her place or not," Kouen inclined his head, "Even as we speak, the various nobles are dealing with a drastic shift in power with the death of those five. Once we bring what happened to the light, some might attempt to align themselves differently."

"Which is part of the course," Kouen set his scroll down and gestured for Koumei to continue speaking.

As he continued to address what he'd managed to notice so far even with the distraction, Koumei couldn't fully shake off the unease that settled within him. He stole occasional glances at Iris, silently willing her to wake up and alleviate some of the tension in the room. As if some entity had decided to answer his prayers, Iris began to stir not long later. Letting out a low sound, Iris's eyelids fluttered open and she shifted against Kouen. There was a momentary look of confusion on her face before she began to flush, a hand quickly covered her face as she muttered, "I-fuck, how long was I asleep for?"

"Not long," Kouen chuckled softly as he finally removed his hand from her leg, "Are you embarrassed? It's just Koumei,"

As Kouen gently tugged the hand covering her face away, Iris's eyes met Koumei's, and her flush darkened. Despite the unease and jealousy he'd been feeling, he managed to smile at her, "Good morning, Iris."

"It's nighttime," Iris murmured as her eyes flickered toward the nearby window which was allowing moonlight to pour in.

Chuckling at the fact she was correcting him, Koumei's smile widened, "Night or day, the sentiment remains. How are you feeling, Iris?"

"I...definitely better than when I'd first fallen unconscious," Iris rubbed at her temples with a soft sigh, "I'm tired, but not to the point I can't stay awake," She glanced at the documents littering Kouen's desk, "Is this everything?"

"Just about, we might end up getting more information later on, but there's no true telling," Koumei shook his head feeling a bolt of gratitude flow through him at the fact Iris wanted to get straight to the point, "Planning on helping us?"

"Of course," Iris straightened and reached out to grab a document from the pile, "I did tell Kouen earlier I'd do it and with this much stuff, you could use the assistance,"

Lips pulling into a small smile, Kouen nodded lightly, "Indeed, your insights would be invaluable. We're discussing the potential shifts in power dynamics among the nobles, given recent events. It seems alliances may be in flux."

Clicking her tongue, Iris's nose wrinkled, "Oh joy, the funniest part of noble circles," She paused before offering them an apologetic look, "Not that I have any problem with you guys, but I-"

"No need to explain, we're well aware that it's a shit show," Koumei assured her with a chuckle.

Smiling back at him, Iris glanced over the document in her hand, "Let's get to it then. The sooner we understand the landscape, the better we can navigate through it."

As the trio delved into their strategic discussions, Koumei found himself once again impressed by Iris's analytical mind. She cut through the complexities of the information, asking pertinent questions and offering astute observations. The initial tension that had gripped him seemed to dissipate in the face of their shared purpose and collaborative effort. Even if she continued to sit in Kouen's lap, she seemed to be treating his elder brother more as a perch than anything at this point which was somewhat amusing.

The grand room buzzed with activity as courtiers filled the space, their hushed conversations creating a low hum that echoed against the grand walls. Kouen entered with a purposeful stride, his crimson robes trailing behind him as he made his way toward the raised throne where Emperor Koutoku sat. Beside him on a smaller throne, Gyokuen was settled with bandages coating a majority of her visible skin which made him inwardly snort. The courtiers' whispers ebbed as they took notice of the Flame Prince's arrival. As Kouen approached the throne, the Emperor's stern gaze fixed upon him, a frown deepening the lines on his forehead.

The air grew tense with anticipation as the courtiers awaited an explanation for this unexpected court session. Koutoku's voice cut through the murmurs, demanding clarity, "Kouen, why have you called court? This is an unusual move, and it better be justified."

Halting a respectful distance away from the throne and bowing deeply to his father, Kouen bit back the urge to smirk. Rising after a moment, he met his father's eyes, "Father, I apologize for the abruptness of this court session, but the matter I bring before you is of utmost importance. It concerns the safety and stability of the Kou Empire."

The Emperor's eyes narrowed, a mixture of irritation and curiosity coloring his expression. "Explain yourself, Kouen. What could be so pressing that you disrupt the normal proceedings of the court?"

Clearing his throat while keeping his gaze steady on his father despite the urge to glance towards Gyokuen, Kouen clasped his hands behind his back, "As you know, Father, you've tasked myself and Koumei to capture the assassins that have been wreaking havoc among our nobles," He heard horrified gasps and whispers kick up, "Per your instructions, we began our search and have managed your request."

"And this...pageantry was needed?" The Emperor's eyes bore into Kouen demanding further information.

"As we were investigating, we uncovered a plot to destabilize the empire," Kouen continued, choosing his words carefully. "These assassins were not acting alone; they were part of a larger conspiracy that could pose a significant threat to our rule,"

Out of the corner of his eye, Kouen saw Gyokuen's features twitch. Despite the bandages covering her and the frailty she was trying to establish, the woman's eyes were drilling into him with a keenness that would have been disturbing if he wasn't used to it. There was a growing tension in her posture, the way her eyes seemed to flicker between his father and him was amusing. As his father's frown deepened, the flicker of concern and displeasure on his face became more pronounced, "A conspiracy? Explain the details, Kouen. I need a clearer understanding of what you're presenting here."

Nodding to his father, Kouen began to explain everything they'd uncovered with Iris's help though left out her participation for the moment. The names, connections, and potential motives behind the orchestrated attacks. The courtiers listened intently, their expressions shifting from shock to contemplation. The grand room, once filled with the low hum of gossip, was now consumed by Kouen's account of the unfolding crisis. As the Flame Prince laid out the information before the Emperor, he couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction. The court's reaction mirrored the gravity of the situation, and it became evident that his decision to call this court session had been justified.

Despite managing to force his expression into one of stoicism, The Emperor's eyes betrayed the surprise he was currently feeling, "This is a grave matter," he finally remarked. "If what you say is true, we must act swiftly to eradicate this threat. Bring forth the captured assassins and let justice be served."

Kouen inclined his head in agreement, "That, Father, is precisely why I've called this court. To present the captured assassins and address this threat openly. Transparency will strengthen our unity against those who seek to undermine us."

As he turned to gesture for Seishuu to pull the doors open and let Koumei begin the process of bringing in the assassins, Kouen's eyes caught Gyokuen's. Almost wanting to smirk as he spotted the slight panic in her calculating gaze, he turned fully and gave Seishuu the signal. As the doors swung open and Koumei walked in with the nine alive assassins, the various courtiers let out sounds of distress at their bound forms. Reaching his side as their soldiers began arranging the assassins into a small line, Koumei addressed their father, "Father, they are all ready to answer any questions you have. And they will speak the truth, we've ensured it."

There was a doubtful look on his father's face, Kouen felt a small amount of amusement at the fact it wouldn't be long until that expression would be washed away. The Emperor finally nodded to them, "Very well, you may proceed."

Gesturing to Seishuu to pull the woven sack off of the first assassin's face, Kouen heard the whispers kick up at the man's lax expression. Head lolling to the side, the assassin barely reacted to no longer having his vision blocked. As Seishuu's questioning began, he watched his father's expression transform from the initial doubt into genuine intrigue and, eventually, impressed acknowledgment. The Flame Prince had strategically presented the captured assassins and their revelations, dismantling the conspiracy piece by piece. As Seishuu continued the questioning, extracting critical information about the motives and collaborators involved, he glanced toward Gyokuen occasionally. The panic in her eyes had transformed into a subtle desperation. The bandages that concealed a majority of her skin couldn't mask the tension in her posture. Kouen found a certain satisfaction in the fact that the elaborate plot she had concocted was unraveling before the court.

Despite having been called to be spectators, the Courtiers were now witnesses as soldiers moved swiftly to arrest the named nobles. Cries of denial echoed through the room, the men and women wore expressions of shock and disbelief as they tried in vain to fight against the soldiers. Emperor Koutoku, though reserved in his expressions, nodded approvingly as the truth unfolded before him. As the last of the assassins was questioned, and the implicated nobles were apprehended, Kouen stepped forward once more. While part of him was disappointed that Gyokuen hadn't been named, he'd known that the bitch was a bit too clever to be caught so quickly, "Father, this conspiracy runs deep, and it threatens the very fabric of our empire. We must remain vigilant in rooting out any remnants of this corruption."

Giving Kouen a nod as his features twisted, the Emperor grimaced, "You have done well, Kouen. The empire is indebted to your efforts in exposing this threat. We shall convene with the council to decide the necessary actions to ensure our stability," He started to step back only to pause as his father asked, "Though how did you manage it? I've never seen a magic quite like the one used on those assassins."

Low chuckle leaving him, Kouen told the not-quite lie that they'd all agreed on, "Lady Iris was happy enough to lend her assistance. After all, she is a trained potion maker."

"Potion maker?" The Emperor's expression shifted through a myriad of emotions.

"It's not a skill she uses very often. Lady Iris much prefers to spend her days painting," Koumei added with a light expression, "But seeing that we were somewhat troubled and wishing to contribute as she's our guest, she offered her services,"

"I see..." The Emperor nodded after a long moment, "Very well," He stood while addressing them, "We shall convene with the council promptly. The stability of the empire cannot be compromised. Kouen, Koumei, prepare a detailed report for the council meeting. I want a comprehensive understanding of the situation,"

Bowing to his father alongside Koumei, they watched the Emperor and his entourage begin to leave the grand room. Eyes going to Gyokuen, he felt a bolt of smugness hit him at seeing the desperation in her eyes. The realization that her web was crumbling must be hitting her hard. As the door closed behind their parents and the pair's entourage, he turned to Koumei with a slight smirk, "While we do need to get that report written, I believe tonight is a night to celebrate."

"No doubt," Koumei smiled in return, "Shall we go inform Iris of our success or wait until later?"

"Later, I'll send a messenger back to my palace and have them start preparing something special for us to eat," Kouen decided after a moment as he turned, "Father will likely not give us long to prepare that report and I'd rather not be bothered by one of his messengers,"

As Koumei nodded to him, they began leaving the grand room amid whispers and long glances cast by courtiers.

Mentally groaning as she rubbed at her face, Iris stared at the half-drawn charcoal drawing of a tree. Much like every other drawing, she had managed to fall into a slight trance after finally finding a comfortable position somewhere in the palace then the restless feeling that dragged her into wandering the palace in the first place kicked back up. No matter how much she tried to ignore it, she found herself packing up the charcoals she'd been using and her sketchpad before moving to another suitable spot somewhere within the palace. Feet starting to drag against the ground, she felt a slight bolt of irritation flash through her.

Ever since Kouen had left that morning, Iris had been in this state of restlessness. Seemingly unable to settle herself down, she knew in the back of her mind that until he returned or they received news about what had happened at court she'd likely never settle. She wandered through the halls of the palace, the echoes of her footsteps mingling with the thoughts that tumbled through her mind. The restlessness seemed to weave itself into her very being, refusing to be cast aside. Each room she entered, each spot she chose to sit and draw, offered only fleeting solace before the unease crept back in.

As she strode through the palace halls, Iris found herself wandering towards the lower areas. As she rounded a corner, the maid who usually checked in on her called out from further down the corridor, "Lady Iris, what on earth are you doing down here?"

"I-" Iris's cheeks flushed as she admitted, "I'm a bit restless. Uh, has any news from Kouen arrived?"

There was a soft giggle from the woman, she nodded gently and gestured for Iris to come closer, "Just now actually, Miss Mary is havin' us all gather together. I don't think she'd mind you join' us."

Almost hesitating, Iris slowly nodded and found herself being grabbed by the maid. In an almost Ginny-like manner, the maid dragged her through the lower halls and into a semi-crowded room. As the door closed behind them, an older woman that she recognized as the head maid began to speak, "Alright, Ladies! Prince Kouen has sent word back that the staff is to prepare a feast!" Excited murmurs kicked up as many of the maids began to glance at one another, "Now!" They all quickly fell silent, "We have much to do. Food needs to be prepared, I want everyone not working on any specific duties to assist the kitchen staff. If you're unsure about what to do, come see me immediately! Anyone assigned to Lady Iris will need to ensure she is ready as well," A light smile formed on Mary's face, "Prince Kouen wants to ensure that she is properly thanked for her part in everything. Now off you all get!"

Anticipation and excitement gripped her, Iris was relieved to know that everything had gone to plan as Kouen wouldn't have wanted to celebrate if it hadn't. She glanced at the maid who'd brought her into the room as she was quickly tugged back out just as a flurry of activity started up. As they made their way through the corridors, she noticed the excited air filling the halls and almost smiled. After they entered her room, she set down her things as other maids entered the room. With excitement filling them, she was ushered towards the baths to freshen up while they prepared an outfit for tonight's celebration.

Submerging herself in the warm water, Iris allowed her mind to drift for a long moment. The restlessness that had been eating away at her finally drifted away with the bubbles that escaped her lips. As she rose from underneath the water, a slight grimace formed as a few maids entered the baths carrying a few dresses. Slowly sinking until only her eyes and the top of her head were visible, she eyed the maids for a long moment. One of them stepped forward and gestured to the dresses, "Lady Iris, we really would like it if you could pick a dress. It would make this evening better."

Despite the reluctance edging through her, Iris knew she wouldn't be able to force one of the maids to pick. Slowly emerging from the bath, she felt only a minor amount of discomfort as their eyes slid across her form, but managed to ignore it long enough to grab a towel. Glancing over the array of dresses, she tossed out the idea of wearing two of them as they were too dressy for her taste and she doubted Kouen intended to have many people around tonight. Another two were dismissed after another moment, she'd worn one and the other always felt uncomfortable after an hour of wearing it. As she glanced over the others, she finally settled on a more understated dress.

Mainly crimson-colored, the dress had soft pinks and darker reds splashed across it. Gesturing to the dress, Iris told the maids, "That one."

There was some hesitance before the maid that had brought it smiled, the woman said, "I'll get it set out with the corresponding jewelry, M'lady."

Giving the maid a small nod, Iris finished drying herself off and put on the robe that had been left out for her. Following the maid who was waiting for her, she returned to her room where the maids were waiting to assist her. As per her usual request, the necklace that would have been used with this dress was absent and the maid didn't bother trying to cover up the scar on her neck. As they carefully arranged the fabric and attended to the final details, the maids murmured among themselves about how well the dress seemed to fit her. Glancing into the mirror as they all moved away, she admitted that they weren't wrong.

Heading downstairs now that she'd gotten prepared, Iris found herself directed to the dining room. Walking through the open doors, a small smile formed on her face at seeing Kouen's household there alongside Chuu'un, Kouha's attendants, Meihou, and Kouha. Kouen and Koumei were standing at the back of the room with Hakuei as well as a blue-haired boy she hadn't seen before. Before she could take more than a step into the room, Kouha noticed her and shouted with a grin, "Iris!"

Bolting towards her, Kouha tackled her into a hug and sent them both sprawling onto the ground. Letting out a surprised laugh that shifted into a groan as they hit the ground, she muttered, "Fuck you're heavy, Kouha."

Laughing rang out around them as Kouha pushed himself up, the boy grinned down at her, "Missed me, Iris?"

"If I let you tackle me, I must've," Iris saw movement from the corner of her eye and glanced over to see Kouen walking up, "Kouen, mind getting your little brother off of me? The floor is uncomfortable,"

Approaching them with a chuckle, Kouen extended a hand towards her, "Kouha, you heard the lady. Let her up, I don't think we need a repeat of the last time you refused one of her requests."

A giggle left Iris at how quickly Kouha scrambled to get off of her. She took Kouen's hand and was helped to her feet amid the laughter echoing through the room. Rather than release her hand, he threaded their fingers together and began leading her towards the table. She offered Hakuei a light smile though glanced at the woman's companion curiously earning a soft laugh, "This is Seisyun Ri, my household member."

"Pleasure to meet you," Iris greeted the curious-looking boy.

"You as well," The boy nodded to her.

"So," Hakuei's expression turned a bit mischievous, "Is what Kouen telling me true? The childhood illness you two told me about was a lie?"

Cheeks flushing, Iris rubbed the back of her neck as she admitted, "Yes though-"

Shaking her head as she raised a hand to stall Iris's words, Hakuei assured her, "Kouen and Koumei have been explaining things to me. While I know there is quite a bit more to your story that they're not telling me, I am glad to know that you are not being troubled by something so debilitating," She gave Kouen and Koumei a look of mock disapproval, "I do hope they won't try to convince you to do so again."

"That is not a plan we intend to use again," Koumei confirmed with a slight scowl.

Squeezing her hand, Kouen's expression was stern, "We learned our lesson with that particular approach. It wasn't the best way to go about things."

Laughing gently as she smiled, Hakuei offered them a light look, "I'm relieved to hear that. Now, let's enjoy this feast and celebrate the successful outcome at court."

Everyone began to sit down at the table with Iris being seated between Kouen and Koumei. Conversation flowed freely within the light atmosphere, she found herself drawn into multiple conversations with everyone at the table. As dinner progressed, the wine they were drinking was exchanged for stronger spirits though the servants ensured that her glass only ever had wine or water in it. Ever excitable and spontaneous, Kouha managed to drag those who were steadily becoming drunken into dancing with him. Covering her mouth, she giggled alongside Hakuei at the sight of Seishuu and Kin being caught up in Kouha's antics.

Unfortunately for Iris, Kouha was quick to try and draw her in when his current partners decided they'd had enough. Kouen and Koumei weren't willing to save her this time so she found herself dancing with him. As Kouha twirled her around the improvised dance floor, she couldn't help but join in the laughter. His infectious energy seemed to lighten the mood, and despite her initial hesitation, she found herself enjoying the impromptu dance. Kouha's antics and lively movements had a way of dispelling any lingering tension. The others at the table watched with amusement, and even Kouen wore a small, fond smile as he observed his younger brother's exuberance.

After a series of spins and twirls, Kouha finally released Iris causing her to stumble backward as she struggled to catch her breath. The room was filled with cheers and applause as the dance concluded. Face flushed and heart pounding in her ears, she laughed while taking a moment to compose herself before rejoining the table. As the night progressed, the celebration continued with music, laughter, and shared stories. Slowly though things began to calm down, Hakuei and Seisyun excused themselves, expressing their gratitude for the delightful evening.

Head propped up on a hand, Iris watched with a faint amount of amusement as Kouha continued to try and pull people about with increasing failure. Tiredness was beginning to tug at her, the wine coating her lips was almost starting to taste sour. She reached for the glass of water she'd requested and snorted as Kouha stumbled across the sleeping form Kin. Jolting when a warm hand curled around her wrist, she shifted to glance about and found her eyes locking with Kouen's. Wine-red eyes soft, he leaned in close, "Tired?"

"A bit," Iris admitted with a slight smile.

"Would you like to retire for the night?" Kouen offered as his thumb ran across her wrist gently.

Mind semi-slow with her contentment and tiredness, it took a moment for the words to register. Iris nodded with a slow smile, "Yeah...I think that would be a good idea."

Rising from his seat, Kouen coaxed her out of hers and they made their way out of the room. As the sound of laughter and music began to fade into the background, Iris leaned into Kouen's side as they walked through the palace halls. Even with the tiredness clinging to her, she still had a semblance of curiosity that wouldn't go away. Speaking softly as they walked up the stairs, she asked Kouen, "What's next?" She saw him glance at her curiously, "We know that Gyokuen won't let those nobles drag her down, so...what's the plan?"

"It's difficult to say mostly due to how much Father trusts the bitch," Kouen's arm tightened around her, "With the half-truth we gave him about you and the obvious result of your potion, Father is likely going to be requesting more examples of your work,"

"Which means figuring out a range of what I can and can't give them," Iris rested her head against his side, "Not exactly complicated, I bet she didn't like the fact you figured out a way to ensure I'd be useful,"

"She wasn't," Kouen chuckled softly as his steps began to slow.

Noticing that they were approaching her room, Iris felt her stomach flutter about uneasily as a tightness in her chest formed. Swallowing slightly as their steps slowed, she felt eyes on her and glanced at Kouen as she cleared her throat. She struggled to find any words to say as his fingers tightened against hers, "Kouen..."

Kouen seemed to sense the shift in her mood and paused, turning to face her. Despite his voice being soft, it seemed to echo through the quiet hallway, "Is something on your mind, Iris?"

Hesitating as words caught in her throat, Iris's eyes met Kouen's. The unspoken desires she felt seemed to echo in the air, and she found herself entangled in a web of conflicting emotions. Uncertainty layered her voice when she finally managed to find it, she murmured, "I..."

Trailing off as her voice seemed to fail, Iris felt her cheeks flush. Kouen's expression softened and his hand rose to grasp her cheek. Gently running his thumb along her cheek, he spoke softly, "You can tell me anything, Iris. Open communication, remember?"

As the tightness in her chest eased at those words, Iris nodded as a small smile formed, "Open communication..." She searched for the right words, "I...Kouen, I..." She still struggled to get it out, "I want," She saw his eyes widen slightly as those words left her mouth, "More...Part of me...needs more," She swallowed as his eyes darkened, "I-it's-"

Understanding flickered through those dark eyes, Kouen's thumb ran underneath her eye gently as he murmured, "Iris," She shivered at the husky quality of his voice and how low it'd become, "Make no mistake that I want more, I have every intention on ensuring you'll want for nothing when we finally reach that step," She felt a flash of heat roll through her, "But I won't rush you, I may enjoy teasing those adorable reactions out of you, but never will I rush you. Anything further will be when you're ready."

Heart thudding against her chest as if she'd been racing around again, Iris felt something in her ease at those words. Nervousness still gripped her, the desire shimmering beneath her skin shifting against another thought. She swallowed uneasily, "A-and Koumei?"

Gaze locked with hers, Kouen seemed to contemplate her words for a long moment before he replied, "Koumei and I have discussed this. We both care for you deeply, Iris. Whatever happens, we want it to be consensual, and we want you to feel comfortable."

As relief washed over her, Iris knew she wanted to hear those words from Koumei. Breathing in through her nose, she shuddered as Kouen's scent filled her lungs. Desire hummed through her veins, she still felt some hesitation though doubted it would go away until they were doing the deed. Still, though, she found herself murmuring, "I...let me have some time to think. J-just a bit-"

Kissing her gently, Kouen cut Iris off before pulling away from her completely. Feeling almost cold, Iris stared at him as he stepped back. Offering her a small smile, Kouen told her, "Take your time, Iris. We're not going anywhere."

As Kouen left her standing at the door of her room, Iris couldn't shake the swirling emotions within her. Heading into her room, she felt a mixture of emotions rush through her. Desire mixed with hesitation and irritation, the latter most one was aimed solely at herself. But the thought of Kouen's words sent a shiver down her spine and she almost sank against the door, the question was how she'd do this? When? Pressing a hand to her burning face, she muttered a soft curse.

Moving to change out of her dress into a thin shift, Iris decided it would be best to think about everything tomorrow.