Page 28 of Choosing Jenny
Deacon’s expression darkened even more. “I don’t fucking believe you.”
“Believe him,” his father, Valor, said as he entered the room with Jac, Silence Bateen, and two young children. The older ghost looked just like his son, Deacon, but weathered with time. “I’ve had a while to think on it, Son, and I do not believe it was Malice Ripper who beheaded me.”
Mal’s attention was taken by Silence, the woman he had been betrothed to so long ago. In his words, it would have been cruel for Justice to unite them—she was too tender-hearted for someone like him—but in that moment, seeing him stare at her so reverently, I wondered whether he had wanted her anyway.
I couldn’t blame him, if he had. She was the Ladrian ideal of womanly beauty, especially after having the children. Her generous curves added softness to her, but it was her sweet round face that was so captivating.
Her gentle voice was like music when she spoke. “Hi, Mal.”
He crossed the room fast and hugged her tight. “Gods, Silence, they told me you were alive, but—”
“It’s different when you see it for yourself, I know,” she finished for him, smiling over his shoulder as he clutched her.
Next to me, Jenny sat up straighter, frowning at them.
I leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Are you jealous?”
“Of course not,” she murmured, too quickly, but her eyes were locked on Mal and Silence.
Mal stepped back, holding Silence by the shoulders, a gentle smile on his face. “Motherhood agrees with you. I always knew it would.”
“Thank you.” She returned the smile. “I’ve never been happier.”
“Then I am happyforyou.” His voice cracked slightly. “I can’t believe…are these your babies?”
She gestured to the children standing next to her. “This is Vox, our daughter, and Zenith, our son. Say hello, children.”
“Hi,” Vox said with a tentative wave. She was a miniature of her mother. Same sweet smile. Same soft, kind eyes.
But Zenith shyly clung to his mother’s leg. He was so dark, he could have been Mal’s son. I wondered if that thought occurred to him, too.
Silence gently stroked her hand over Zenith’s hair. “It’s far past their bedtime, please excuse his shyness.”
Mal smiled down at the little man. “No excuse needed. There is nothing wrong with being shy, Zenith. Perhaps one day, we can be friends.” Then he glanced back at Silence. “How is it possible your children are this old already?”
“Sarah’s abilities as contra. She aged them up to—”
“Not now, Silence,” Deacon said, his sharp tone cutting her off. “We don’t know half these people, and the ones we do know are questionable.”
Valor eyed Deacon with disdain. “You will not speak to her like that again, Son. If Jenny and Tiger think these people are worthy of our company, then by all means, we can trust them.”
Deacon sat back in his chair, not happy with his father’s reprimand.
Mal turned to Valor. “How did you know it wasn’t me under the headman’s hood?”
“Because he hesitated.” The look in Valor’s eyes was kind. “I have attended dozens of your executions, Malice, and youneverhesitate. You’re decisive and precise.”
Mal swallowed hard and nodded. “Then part of me regrets not doing your execution, Valor.”
That surprised me, since there was no spite in Mal’s tone. “Why is that?” I asked.
“When a headman hesitates, the blade isn’t as true.” Mal grimaced as he explained. “It hurts more. If I had done it, it would have been over with quickly.”
Sam raised a tentative hand. “So, this might be a dumb question—and hi, sir,” she said, giving Valor an awkward wave. “But there are ghosts here on Halla that we can all just…see, like Valor. And Deacon thought Malice executed his dad because Valor had an affair with Silence, and now Mal’s over there fawning over a lady who is very muchnotJenny. And I know Ladrian’s have a huge issue with cheating so seriously, what the fuck?”
She looked thoroughly confused by the dynamic, and Mal laughed, soft and almost nostalgic. “Silence and I were raised in the palace together. Along with Discord,” he explained. “Silence was like a little sister to me.”
“We were betrothed, but it was never romantic,” Silence added. “It wasn’t like that between us ever. My father used me as a reward for the men in his realm, because he thought everyone wanted to unite with a princess.”
