Page 70 of Taking Jenny
I didn’t see anyone until supper. When I finally walked into the dining hall later than usual, the rest of my misfit circle was already there. Discord wasted no time reminding me of my tardiness.
“So, youareplanning to feed us?” she said, deadpan.
I rolled my eyes. “You know the staff will bring you whatever you want, Discord.”
“Oh, aye, but I can’t give you grief until you arrive.”
Despite my mood, I chuckled and waved Vine over to begin serving. As I surveyed the table, I was greeted by a fuming Jenny—a distinct reminder of last night’s fight between us. And whatever that strange, abrupt exit was this morning. She hadn’t spoken to me since.
“Jenny,” I began with deliberate calm and a true inflection of contrition in my tone, “I am sorry for what I said to you last night. It was undignified. And unworthy of us both.”
She didn’t soften. “You acted like I’m going to lose Illiapol.”
I sipped my herbal water, my throat tight. “I did not mean it. I was merely trying to provoke your fighting spirit, not wound your pride. Still, I’m sorry.”
She sniffed indelicately. “I have more important things to hold against you now.”
I exhaled and resisted the urge to rub away the throb in my temples. “And what would that be? Whatever it is, I’m sorry for that too.”
“You took Tiger to the palace to be questioned by monsters!” she snapped.
Every head turned in her direction at her outburst.
“I didn’t have a choice in the matter,” I said, keeping my tone firm but even, a part me understanding her anger because I’d felt the same way. “Believe me, I would have gladly kept him here, far away from those bastards. But I—”
“You didn’t have to make it so easy for them to torment him!” she said, her eyes blazing. “They hurt his friends and you just let it happen!”
I clenched my jaw,tryingto remain calm after those accusations. “You’re being irrational.”
She crossed her arms over her chest, still enraged at me. “And you don’t care what happens to anyone else, so long as you get your dick wet, do you?”
“Mal can fuck who he wants, Jenny,” Surge reminded her. “You’re all adults, with no monogamy claim.”
“Stand down, Jenny,” Discord growled at her.
Longshot stood, looking annoyed with the entire conversation. “None of this matters. Only Illiapol matters. Every detail of the trial will determine the fates of you two—” he glanced from Tiger, to Jenny, “—and possibly ours as well, once they realize we’ve been training you. So if you could all focus on what matters right now, we can sort out the rest of your issues later.”
But Jenny wasn’t ready to let it go. “He’s being an asshole—”
Tiger stood abruptly. “That is enough.”
“See?” Jenny snapped at me.
“I’m talking toyou, Jenny,” Tiger clarified.
She blinked in confusion. “What?”
“I don’t needyouto defend me. I can take care of myself,” he said, then stormed out of the dining hall.
Jenny jumped up from her seat and chased after him. “Wait!”
“No!” Tiger said, his voice hard.
“Tiger, stop, please!”
The rest of us at the table remained quiet, but we could still hear the two of them, their voices echoing from down the hall.
“I don’t need you to defend me, Jenny,” he said again, more heated this time. “And I definitely don’t need you picking fights with Mal because you’re still pissed we fucked, especially when the thought of him fucking me while I’m inside you got you off this morning. Who’s the hypocrite now?”
