"No shit?" Z's eyes were wide as he looked at Jory with new interest.
"No shit." Jory, in turn, examined Z's beautiful jacket and well-fitting pants. "I don't suppose you know a good tailor."
"My uncle's a tailor. He's not famous or anything," Z said, looking carefully at the quality of Jory's clothing. "But he'll make you good clothes for a decent price, and unlike the palace tailors, he's not too proud to listen to his customer." The last part he said in a lowered voice as if confiding a deep, dark secret.
"I'm sure we can work something out. I just want to wear something that will help me blend in and attract a good mate. If your uncle can do the job, I'd be happy to hire him." He could always look for another tailor later if this one didn't work out.
"Great. I'll give him a call." Z pulled a communicator from his pocket and went to the other end of the room for privacy.
Jory walked over to the balcony entrance and opened the doors. It took him a moment to realize what was wrong with the structure. There were no rails on the balcony, just a long ledge. He considered it a safety hazard until he remembered dragonkin probably used this room and didn't want to have to hop over a railing to get into flight. Still, as a non-dragon, he decided he'd stay off the balcony and admire the view from the windows. While he didn't fear heights, he didn't have a death wish either.
A knock on the door drew him away from the perilous ledge.
Jory brushed past Z and opened the door to a female messenger. She giggled when she caught sight of him.
"Are you Joriah?"
He nodded.
"Message for you."
"Thank you." He accepted the paper she handed him, but as he reached to give her a tip, she ran off.
Shrugging, he closed the door again and examined the paper.
"What's up?" Z eyed Jory's note with interest.
"I don't know yet." Unfolding the note, he read the scrawled words.
Jory,
I am unable to get away for the evening.
Ask Z to take you to the Dragonrider's Club.
Yours,
Val
"Dragonrider's Club?" He tilted the paper for him to see.
Z laughed. "I'm surprised Val would choose that place, but he probably wants to make sure you follow the contest rules and don't stay hidden in your room. You can easily find a hookup at Dragonrider's." Z slapped him on the back. "You're in luck. My uncle said he could fit you in his schedule if I get you over there now."
"Great." Jory let the questions and stress fade for a moment. He hoped Z's uncle was as good as he said. It would be a boon if he were able to find a talented tailor to rebuild his wardrobe. "Let's go."
Chapter Four
The two men exited the hover-cab in front of a cream-colored building with the words Britson's in bold scrawling gold script across the front window.
Catching a movement out of the corner of his eye, Jory turned. For a second, he thought he'd seen Brill, one of his brother's personal guards, but when he turned around, he wasn't there. Scanning the street, he didn't see anyone who matched Brill's description.
Must have imagined it.
"Are you coming?" Z asked, giving Jory a curious look as he held open the door.
"Yeah." Jory glanced around again. "I'm coming."
They entered the shop to see a pretty girl sitting behind a large wooden desk. The rich honey gold of her hair and the yellowish color of her dress matched the creamy outside of the building.
