Slave to Sapphire
Chapter 22

“What are you doing in my room?” She demanded struggling keeping the volume of her voice down.

Samson jumped from Julian’s lap to be beside Iris. He started purring and rubbing his head and cheek against Iris’ arm. Iris scratched him beneath his chin just how he liked.

Julian’s face was serious. “I came to check on you after you returned from the mines.”

Iris frowned. “How did you get in here? Weren’t you seen?”

“One: your door doesn’t have a lock. Two: you are not the only person who knows how to sneak around unseen, I do happen to be a spy.”

“I guess you couldn’t wait to get your precious intel about the mines.”

“The information is important, but I came because I was worried about you. The groom who escorted you and Ezekiel to the mines told me that you were practically catatonic when you left the mines.”

“I am fine, but I am glad my mental state is a source of gossip at the stables.”

Julian looked at Iris with intensity. “Bullshit, I can tell you aren’t fine, what happened?”

Iris sighed deeply, not wanting to relay in detail what had happened. “I got your information but ran into some trouble during the process.” Iris dropped her eyes and her voice lowered to a whisper. “I made it out of the mines a second time but not without them taking another piece of me.”

A muscle in Julian’s temple twitched. “Get some sleep Iris, I will wait here with you.”

“Don’t you want to know what I learned?”

Julian shook his head. “You can tell me tomorrow night. Let’s meet in the Palace gardens, I have to catch you up on the plans for Maddox’s escape. Who are your friends that you need me to arrange passage for?”

“The woman that I delivered the message to in Scarlet Town, her name is Sabine. She will bring a young woman named Cora with her.”

“I was afraid you were going to have me rescue more of your past lovers.”

Iris sighed. The events of the day weighed heavily on her, she wasn’t in the mood for banter.

Julian’s concern for her deepened. “I will make sure a message gets delivered to Sabine tomorrow.”

Iris yawned and laid down in bed. She stared at the ceiling, at this point she had memorized every crack and line of it. She was terrified of falling asleep and the nightmares that awaited her.

“I feel like I can hear your mind spinning,” Julian stated.

“I don’t think I can fall asleep tonight.” Iris paused. “Do you have family in Volos?”

“No, I am an only child and my parents died before I was smuggled to Volos.”

“I am sorry, my family is dead as well. Did you grow up in Scarlet Town?”

“No, my parents were farmers on the outskirts of Orinth. We grew corn.”

“Tell me about it.”

“Tell you about growing corn?” Julian sighed, but he understood Iris’ need for distraction. Julian gave in and described to Iris the process of planting, growing, and harvesting corn. His deep voice was soothing, Iris tried to imagine what it was like to grow up on a farm. The farmers didn’t own the land they worked; all the farmland was divided and owned by the wealthy. Life as a farmer was different but not easier than life in Scarlet Town. Eventually his voice lulled her into a deep sleep.

Iris woke with the sunrise to find that Julian had left.

The next day passed with Iris working in the study with Ezekiel. Iris continued to copy bits and pieces of information regarding the mines. It had become clear to her that the increase in azure sales in Scarlet Town correlated with an increased number of people being sent to the mines. Iris didn’t know if it was due to the increased number of charges associated with azure or people’s decreased ability to make coin when addicted to it. The guilt of selling azure to her fellow citizens had been a constant companion for years. Looking at the numbers caused that guilt to intensify.

As she worked, she tried and failed to keep distance between her and Ezekiel. When she wasn’t actively betraying him, she felt drawn to him. His presence helped distract her from her guilt and the events of yesterday. If she went to his desk to get something she needed she would brush up against him. When they ate lunch together, she sat so that her leg was touching his. Ezekiel took advantage of each moment to lean into her touch. Iris was the thick ocean fog and Ezekiel the unwavering shoreline that it clung to.

Towards the end of the day Ezekiel looked up from his desk. “The trial for the man who is being held prisoner starts the day after tomorrow. The trial is just procedural, they plan to find him guilty. The trial will only last a day and he will be executed the following day. It will be a public hanging down at the port.”

“Tell me his name, I need to know.”

“His name is Maddox Hawthorne; were you close to him?”

“I knew him, but I wasn’t close with anyone in Exodus Gang,” Iris lied.

Ezekiel easily accepted her lie, as he was apt to do. “I will be expected to attend the trial and the hanging. You will not be allowed to accompany me.”

“I understand.”

“You can take the days off if you like, you are also welcome to keep yourself busy and continue to work in my study.”

“You know I hate to be idle.”

Ezekiel smiled and then his face became serious. “Iris, about yesterday…..” Ezekiel ran his hand through his hair. “I want you to know that I am going to do everything in my power to improve conditions in the mines.”

Iris saw his sincerity and believed him; she just didn’t believe that he would be successful. “Thank you, I know that you will.”

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