Page 78 of Choosing Jenny
Discord lifted her chin. “I am a Lady, therefore my business is my own.”
“I’m afraid I cannot let you pass—wait,” He leaned in, his gaze finding me in the backseat. “Prima Hollinger?”
“Hello.” I gave him a cool and direct look. “Are you going to detain us further? I’m sure our fair ruler would love to hear all about your insolence.”
The blood drained from his face so fast I thought he might faint. “Of course not. Apologies.” He half-bent in a submissive bow, then hit a button at his station which lit the driveway ahead and lifted the gate. “Again, apologies. Please forgive—”
Discord drove on, ignoring his simpering. “For a humble common girl of Earth, you certainly knew how to wield your title.”
“Thanks, I think.” I never knew for sure with Discord.
“It was a compliment,” she said, dry as ever. “And as I’m sure you’ve noticed, I don’t give those freely.”
“No shit,” Surge mumbled from his hiding place in the flowers.
We valeted the onworlder, and Discord had to snap at the staff at the palace door to leave her flowers alone. Everyone wanted to carry them for her. “I picked them myself for Aphonic and you will not touch them!”
They were wise enough to back the hell off.
The same could not be said for the women of the court. They hovered in pairs, whispering, preening, watching Discord with wary eyes and me with open fascination. None of them were introduced, but every single one knew who I was. A few bowed to me as we passed.
The whole situation made me feel awkward, and I said the first thing that came to mind. “Please, don’t do that.”
“You are the Prima,” one of the women said graciously. “It is our honor to show you our respect—”
“Yeah, I’m not one for ceremony,” I said, cutting them off. “So, please stand up. You look very uncomfortable, and that’s making me uncomfortable.”
She straightened, still smiling. She was pretty, as Ladrian women go. Long black braided hair, pouty lips, and a generous figure that all the Ladrian men seemed to like. Her brown eyes were more amused than afraid, unlike her counterpart.
“Prima Hollinger, I am Lady Winderbell,” she said, introducing herself. “This is Lady Feleuscon. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
I recognized Winderbell’s name from when Jac and Deacon had told us about their allies on Orhon. I did not recall her friend’s name among the ally list, though. Smiling politely and not saying too much seemed to be a good idea.
“Nice to meet you, as well. We are—”
“Too busy to trifle with us, I understand,” Winderbell finished kindly. “Perhaps we will see you at the games.”
Right, the games. Where Deacon plans to hold a riot in the city.I tried to maintain my polite smile, but the thought of his plans almost killed it. “Yes, perhaps.”
“Good to see you, Lady Scrylock. We’ll be going.” The pair strolled off into the common area of the palace.
Discord, who made carrying the floral arrangement with Surge inside look easy, mumbled, “I cannot believe she’s on our side.”
I tilted my head toward her. “How come?”
“Until I discovered her intentions, I had believed her to be daft. I’ve known her for years and never seen any evidence to thecontrary, only evidence that supported that theory. I suppose it’s good when you can still be surprised, right?”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugged, a small smile teasing her lips. “That even a cynic like me isn’t always right.”
A mysterious shocked cough came from the flowers.
“The flowers are getting mouthy.” She bounced the bouquet in her arms to emphasize the point, and Surge grumbled in response.
I bit back a grin as we continued deeper into the palace, the mood shifting with every step. We left the familiar corridors behind, entering a wing I’d never seen before. It felt…different. The air didn’t seem to move. The silence pressed in around us. Most of the lights were out or dimmed, and there wasn’t much staff in sight.
“What is this place?” I asked quietly.
