Page 107 of Taking Jenny
“I do,” he said as he released my tie, then sighed. “And as much as I’d like to explore that deviance with you, we have a ball to attend.”
I nodded, and we left with the others for Justice’s palace. I had not heard from Longshot about his time on the hunting field yet, and wondered aloud, “Were you the one who threw the rock?”
He blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
“When discord threw her rock at the hunter and it went wide, another one came from the other side of the path and hit the guy. That was you, wasn’t it?”
Longshot almost smiled. “Aye, that was me,” he confirmed.
But I was not appeased. “Why didn’t you come out to help us?”
He shrugged. “I was in the middle of rigging a snare, and the two of you appeared to have things under control.”
“You let us risk our lives over a snare?” I asked, a bit angrily.
“As I said, you appeared to have things under control,” he said, absently tugging on the cuff of his suit jacket. “Additionally, the snare caught Craven, making it far easier to dispatch him.”
“You didn’t leave his corpse in the snare, right?” I asked, remembering Discord’s rule about making sure the bodies looked like something Jenny could do.
He stiffened in his seat, looking offended. “I am not an amateur. Of course, I didn’t.” He paused, then said, “I know you are upset, Tiger, so let me explain. I executed two men I have known for over a decade and tried to kill my planet’s ruler with another trap. I will go to my grave regretting the fact he did not fall into it.”
Surprise rippled through me. “You nearly killed Justice?”
He nodded once. “It was just before Jenny won. The trap was a hidden pit, right next to where I presumed he would hide in the trees to watch the finish line. The sadistic bastard is notorious for killing avatars close to the finish line, snuffing out their chance of victory when they are so close to winning. I stayed close by, keeping a rock ready to throw at Justice in case things went south for Jenny. But he just…it was the oddest thing. He just let her go.”
Mal and frowned, then said, “He let her go, how?”
“He said something about novelty and how he was wrong about her, and she had surprised him, which he appreciated, so he let her win.”
Mal’s body went tense beside me. “Good to know.”
I glanced at Mal. “What is it?”
“Just a feeling.” His troubled gaze remained fixed ahead. “I’ll know more after the ball.”
Before I could press further, our onworlder pulled up to the palace. We valeted the vehicle and made our way to the grand ballroom, which had a pair of gold thrones erected at the far end, with a wall of windows behind it.
I leaned close to Mal and asked, “Why is everyone just standing around? And there’s no music. I thought this was a ball.”
“It will be,” he said, his gaze scanning the room. “We’re waiting for—”
The boom of ceremonial drums cut him off, announcing someone’s arrival. Everyone turned as Justice strode into the ballroom, dressed majestically, and walked to the larger of the two thrones. Once there, he turned and smiled at his guests, his eyes honing in on Mal, before they continued to scan the court.
“Friends!” he said, garnering everyone’s attention. “We have a first tonight. Let me introduce your Illiapol champion and human avatar, Jenny Hollinger.”
The massive doors opened behind us. I turned, and forgot how to breathe, completely mesmerized.
Jenny entered like a vision conjured from a dream, radiant and regal. Her long, straightened blonde hair, streaked with blue, flowed down her shoulders and back like a silken cape. The purple ballgown she wore shimmered in the light, but it split at the front to reveal fitted purple leather pants and boots beneath. A glowing gauntlet braced her left forearm. She wore makeup for the second time since I had met her, but this was far more dramatic. Indigo at the eyes and lips.
When she saw me and Mal, a ghost of a smile curved her lips.
She looked healthy and unharmed, and relief bloomed in my chest, followed by a trickle of unease. Something felt…off.
Jenny walked calmly up to Justice and knelt in front of him.
He smiled over her. “You have proven yourself worthy of a place in my court, Lady Hollinger.”
She inclined her head, poised and polished. “You are too kind, Ruler.”
