We step into the wide ballroom, where high chandeliers illuminate everything in amber light. A band plays on the right side of the room with a strange combination of guitars andviolins. Most people are dancing, and behind them, I notice the king.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter.
He’s seated on a royal throne made of old computers, with screens and keyboards all jumbled together. It can’t possibly be comfortable.
“It’s hideous,” Finn says next to me, “but don’t dare tell him that.”
“You’re going to say hello to him?”
“We all are.” He holds my hand.
We join the line to greet the king. He acknowledges people with a nod or a short hello, wearing his crown and holding his golden staff. At the sight of us, he jumps to his feet. “River, there you are!”
“You didn’t come to see me,” River says as the king pulls him into a hug.
“Well, I had a ball to arrange! Could you ever forgive me?”
“Maybe. Your chair is very strange. Say hello to Josh.”
It’s Finn’s and my turn next. I expect to be done with this quickly, but the king holds my hand firmly for more than necessary. There’s something in the way he looks at me that makes me uncomfortable. I can’t help but notice a slight trembling in his hand, as if he’s nervous.
“Sir?” Finn asks next to me.
“What? Oh, apologies. And who’s this? You must be the scientist I heard about. How fascinating!”
“Timothy Brown, sir. A pleasure to meet you.”
“We must speak later about the old world and such. Now, go and enjoy yourselves! We can discuss boring things later.”
Once dismissed, I walk with Finn and Timothy to the back of the room, where the food and drinks are arranged on a long table.
“That was strange,” I say.
Finn crosses his arms, watching the king on the other side of the room. “I noticed.”
“Do you mind keeping away from him for the rest of the evening?” Finn asks quietly.
“With pleasure. You’re going to mingle?”
“Yes. You want to join me?”
“Nope.”
“I will be happy to join,” Timothy says.
Before Finn leaves, I hold his hand and say, “Spoken for.”
He smiles. “I remember. And it’s a shame about your lice.”
I’m left alone, so I make myself a plate and eat while observing the crowd.
“You seem troubled,” Trey says as he approaches, holding a glass of beer.
“Just a weird feeling I have.”
“Should I call the others?”
I shake my head. “We’re safe here. The food sucks, though.”
