Page 112 of Choosing Jenny
It was surreal to execute a prison break and have the guards start off on our side. All the others I’d been involved in, the guards needed to be bribed before they were helpful. Once we were back in the throne room, I was due for another surprise.
“He escaped? Really?” Haze sat back in her chair and looked unconcerned. “Huh. Good for him.”
“Good for him?” Mal shouted in a façade of rage. “Are you mad?”
“Well, I mean, he’s been stuck in there for a long time. Almost as long as I’ve been alive. So, yeah. Good for him,” she said flippantly, before she took another long drag of yesanosh from her diamond pipe.
Mal hurled the keys at her feet. “ThenIwill be the one to inform our ruler of this treason, and you would do well to take this offense more seriously. He will not take your lack of securitylightly. He might even suspect your involvement, Cyonling, so get your house in order before he calls on you.”
She frowned as she looked at us, her eyes glassy. “Wasn’t there a half-size with you?”
“What half-size?” I asked quickly, hoping her guards would not speak up or that they were as intoxicated as she was.
She shrugged and looked at her diamond pipe, blinking slowly. “I guess I should smoke less.”
“Which is exactly what I will tell Justice, when he asks how this could have happened,” Mal said, fury vibrating in his tone. “You are incompetent, Haze. Don’t think I won’t lay this at your feet.”
She rolled her eyes at him. “Youshould smoke more. You’re really intense. I’ve got some premium yesanosh, if you want some. I don’t mind sharing.”
Mal released a grunt of annoyance, spun on his heel, and headed out of the throne room. We all followed behind him, wearing masks of disgust and disappointment. Once we were onCheesecakeagain, we could finally relax. Well, sort of.
“I have to call Justice right now,” Mal said, his jaw tight. “He needs to hear this from me immediately.”
Jenny nodded. “Cheesecake, call the palace.”
“Calling the palace of Orhon,” the ship’s silky voice purred.
It took a few minutes before Justice Bateen’s face appeared onCheesecake’smain monitor in the lounge. I had hoped never to see him again, much less on the ship I considered to be a part of my home. His presence was intrusive and spiked my anxiety.
He looked at each one of us and frowned. “Well, you all look too clean. Did he at least beg?”
“Not exactly,” Mal said.
Somehow, Mal remained calm and composed while sounding furious at the same time as he gave Justice themodified version of what had happened, putting all the responsibility on Surge, just as planned.
“…I had no idea Surge had ties to the Dembecks,” Mal finished angrily.
“Half-sizes are all traitors,” Justice snarled, his face contorting with his outrage. “I will burn Yesanol to the ground for this!”
Longshot stepped forward. “If I may, Ruler, burning Yesanol will only unify your enemies and the Yesanol citizens together, as many still have relatives in this cursed city.”
“Then what would you suggest, advisor?” Justice barked angrily.
“If memory serves, Buster Dembeck had allies residing on Poscou during the war,” Longshot told him as a diversion. “Since Dembeck has been active in this rebellion, it would seem likely he has kept in contact with them. Perhaps I could take a squad there and see what the word is on the ground. If we’re lucky enough, we might be able to end both him, the traitor Surge Footwick, and his allies there.”
Justice thought it over, then narrowed his gaze on Jenny. “And you, Prima Hollinger, you won’t tell your queen sister about this escape, will you?”
Her jaw tensed, but she kept her composure. “You have my other sister, Ruler. I wouldn’t dream of putting her at risk.”
He smirked. “You are far smarter than your queen sister. It will be interesting to see if your other sister, Elizabeth, is as smart as you, once she wakes up. I look forward to your next court visit. I’m sure the two of you will have plenty to discuss, and you will be able to see how well she is being treated.”
“I owe you my gratitude, Ruler,” she said as humbly as possible, which was remarkable given the circumstances. “Elizabeth has never experienced such a lavish lifestyle as whatyou have at the palace. Feel free to impress her with your generosity and luxuries.”
He laughed. “What an artful way to ask me to be nice to her. So much more decorous than our last conversation. Has my ward turned you into a proper lady?”
Jenny smiled, but her fist tightened so hard at her side that I thought her fingernails might bloody her palm. “I have learned much under Malice, Discord, and Longshot’s guidance. I look forward to seeing how well my sister is treated.”
“Now, now, don’t worry,” he said, his tone dripping with condescension. “She is my personal guest. I assure you she will be well treated, provided there is no more confusion about allegiances among you and your friends.”
