He slipped out of clothes as fast as he could with one thought in mind. Iris had given him, a little insight in what she dealt with, and it was Pelham's turn to rise to the occasion. Puddin' would have to bend himself over and get it done. He was tired of waiting, for something to happen to push them, in the right direction.
As he suspected, puddin' was in the kitchen, lingering among the boiling pots and pans, sucking on the spoon that he dipped, tasting each dish.
His eyebrows quirked up when he finally noticed his presence. Pelham was a tight-lipped bastard. He always said not to meddle with things. Let events flow their course and everything will fall into place.
" I need something from you," Corvin began in a grave tone. He wasn't mucking around, anymore.
" I need control of the sisters and I know, you know how," Pelham's jaw fell open at his words, sputtering. He didn't expect him to know about the sisters.
" I don't know anything about any sisters," Puddin' muttered hugging his jiggling belly, as he nervously chuckled. Playing dumb.
" Yes, you do," He pressed further, clenching his hands at his sides, fuming at puddin's denial. At least if he would be honest about why wouldn't he help? But he had to lie about it too.
" Pelham, " Corvin closed his eyes, " I'm not going to ask you twice, so spill," He took a few steps closing the distance between them, as puddin' took a few steps back and hit the kitchen counter with his plump ass.
" You can't hurt me," Puddin sputtered, " Dakran will have your head," He fretted, shaking, when his hand curled around his neck, feeling each heartbeat as he squeezed his blubbering neck.
" I will kill you if don't give me what I need," He hissed through gritted teeth. His control was slipping. He needed the sisters to obey her commands at any cost. They couldn't afford to let themselves at the whims of the three sisters. Iris might have accepted them as they were but he wasn't willing to let some conniving old bitches get what they wanted when they wanted.
His eyes bulged out, as grappled at his hand, flailing to free himself.
" Fine," He rasped when he was nearly out of air. The weasel would have done anything to cling to his pathetic little life. Anything, other than willingly offer to help.
" I expect you to have it ready by the time the ball ends. See, I'm reasonable" Corvin smirked as leaned against the kitchen table, watching Pelham rubbing his neck, giving him the most evil side eye he'd ever seen on someone.
" I warn you, the sisters won't be pleased to be leashed. If they escape your grasp you will feel their reckoning. Even through your thick skin," He cautioned. Good to know. Mumbling fool.
" I will keep it in mind. Make sure that they don't, then. You better make sure that she has a tight leash on them, Or else..," Corvin smirked, patting his shoulder with a heavy hand. He knew the rest. There was no need to fill in the blank for puddin'. He would suffer unimaginable pain if he would only dare to cross Iris.
In a slightly better mood, he climbed up the steps to her chamber. There were too many ears. Dakran had clustered everyone on the top floor. Since then, he, Maya and the children made use of the entirety of Ironstone, main quarters.
He took a deep breath, before entering the chamber. Things were falling into place, finally. It took him a moon and a half with Maya, while she advised him on what to say, and how to be a tad gentler. Maya was kind, sweet and gentle, perfect in every way. No wonder Dakran fell head over heels for her. And their story gave him a shred of hope, that he could sway Iris's heart.
" You don't look any different, " Iris's brows quirked up, scrutinising his attire. He didn't own much, and most of his clothes were utilitarian. He focused on being pragmatic rather than dashing.
" It's all I have, " He grumbled, as he walked to where she was at the dressing table, tying her hair.
" You on the other hand look, as ravishing as ever," His nerves were playing on him while he tried to find the right words. They never came at the right moment when he needed them. The tunic and the trousers that Maya had fashioned for Iris were a snug fit. Hugging every curve, showing her enticing silhouette. Maya had chosen, pearly pewter, with dark blue embroidered cuffs and hems.
Leaning, he locked eyes with her in the mirror as she tied the ribbon at the back of her head, leaving half of its length down, that stretched to her lower back.
" We should meet with the others before I change my mind and stay in this room," He wickedly smiled against her cheek, as they both stared at each other through the mirror. Her little heart began galloping in her chest so fast that even without his hearing could be easily heard. She wasn't fooling anyone. She liked him more than she would ever admit even to herself.
Nodding, she pushed herself up, trying to find her footing on the heels that he'd ordered from the cobbler in Gaerwen. He had two moons to prepare himself for the day she would come. And he would make sure she knew that she was his.
" The shoes, " Iris paused, halting right before they stepped out of the room, while he picked their winter cloaks. Seasons were indeed changing, but it was still a little cold outside.
" What about them?" He'd hoped they fitted because he'd spent quite some time measuring her dainty feet.
" They are very comfortable. How did you know my size? " She asked with a shadow of angst in her tone.
" I guessed," It was a lie. She didn't need to know all the details.
" Oh," That was all she mustered to say, downcast. He'd settled to drape the clock over her lovely shoulders and clasped it together at the front as she stared at the shoes.
A pair of lovely leather boots, with a thick heel. He wanted her to enjoy her time in the North. And with some luck, soon to be her home. Their home in the future.