Page 21 of Taking Jenny
“And if she doesn’t?” I asked, though I already knew.
“She’s supper for Justice and his cronies,” Discord said simply.
I pushed my plate away, queasy at the thought. “That’s a nightmare.”
“Agreed,” Discord said. “But for some, it’s the only way out of poverty. If the tribute survives, she, and her family and their descendants, will never need to work again. Additionally, and most importantly, she earns the people’s favor, which can be even more useful than the rest of it, if that power is wielded properly.”
I shook my head. “Not worth it.”
Malice tapped his glass with a silver utensil, drawing our attention. “On to better topics. Tiger?”
“Yes?” he answered from beside me, voice tight.
“Are you nervous to be in the capital, considering everything?”
I frowned, glancing from Tiger, then back to our host. “Considering what?”
Malice’s gaze met mine. “Justice hunted the Orne clan during the war. That’s why so few remain.”
My stomach clenched. Could this night get any more morbid? And that wasn’t the version Tiger had given me—but I didn’t blame him. I reached under the table, resting my hand gently on his knee. He flinched at first, then relaxed, warmth flickering in his eyes before he looked at Malice again.
“I’m not nervous to be here,” Tiger said evenly.
“Why not?” Malice asked, too softly.
“Once you’ve lost nearly your entire family,” Tiger said, voice calm but steel-laced, “it’s hard to be nervous about much of anything.”
Malice was quiet as he studied Tiger for a long moment. Then, he raised his glass to him and drank. “I’m sorry for your loss, Tiger.”
Tiger nodded, drinking his wine as well.
“And to prevent any more loss to your family,” Malice continued, “I suggest you both stay within my estate while you’re here. For your own safety.”
I looked at Tiger, but he seemed just as confused by Malice’s comment. I said, “You mean…we can roam freely and we’re not going to be locked in our rooms?”
“You are not my prisoners, Jenny Hollinger,” Malice said, his eyes slowly, deliberately sliding from my lips, to my breasts, then back up again. “You are my guests. However, not all of my neighbors are so open-minded. They would happily turn you in to the palace for a reward. And they would not be kind about the process.”
I hesitated, but couldn’t help but say what was on my mind. “I thought you were supposed to torture us for information, or something like that.”
That got the whole table laughing—first his friends, then him. His eyes sparkled as he leaned in ever so slightly.
“Are you disappointed?” he asked, his tone dipping into a lower, more husky timbre. “Were you looking forward to chains and cold floors and hungry cinas to nibble off your toes? Or perhaps…are you a masochist?”
My face flushed instantly at the wicked look in his eyes. “No, I just—none of this is what I expected from you.”An executioner.
“Good,” Malice said, settling back in his seat. “You’re in the capital of Orhon now. Never expect anything. Anticipate everything. It might be the only thing that keeps you alive.”
I shivered as his gaze burned into me for a beat too long. And the way he said it—almost like a promise—I wasn’t entirely sure he was only talking about survival.
CHAPTER 8
Tiger
Ididn’t realize how much I wanted Jenny until I saw her smiling at another man. Malice, specifically.
After our meal and colorful conversation, Malice rose from the table first. He walked to Jenny and pulled out her chair with a mocking elegance that felt performative, but still made my chest tighten. His hand brushed her bare shoulder as she stood, lingering a fraction too long. She didn’t recoil from his touch. She even laughed at something he murmured low in her ear.
I clenched my jaw so hard it ached.
