Chapter 11 #2
We make our way down the long hallway leading to the ballroom, where I can already hear music playing.
“I’m excited,” Trey says next to me. He has his rifle strapped to his back, as do Josh and I. Fancy ball or not, we’re not letting our guard down. “I can have a few drinks, right?” he asks me.
“You know your limit. Don’t get anywhere close to it.”
“Roger that, Captain.”
“If there are going to be any more diplomatic discussions this evening, I’d appreciate being included,” Otto tells Finn.
“You saw that the king asked to speak with me yesterday. I didn’t try to keep you out of this.”
“Well, maybe if I was there—”
“—he would’ve offered us his unconstitutional support? Sure.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sure you did your best.”
“There you are!” Remy walks toward us, wearing elegant black clothes. “The king has been expecting his guests of honor.”
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 and violins. 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.”
“Yeah, but I’m not picky. Remember that mystery stew Betty used to make us? Totally fucked up my standards. So, listen, mind if I ask you something?”
I turn to face him, not used to the serious tone of his voice. “Shoot.”
“I’ve been thinking of what’s next for me with the Defenders.”
“You want out?”
“No, no. I want up. A promotion and more responsibilities, especially with how serious things are getting out there.”
I nod. “You’ve been doing this for a long time. It makes sense for you to climb up if you’re ready.”
“Would you help? I don’t know how to go about it.”
He’s likely coming to me because his last captain died in a clash with Raiders a couple of months ago, and they haven’t found a new squad for him yet. “Let’s sit and talk tomorrow morning. I’ll be needing a lieutenant for my new squad.”
His eyes grow wide. “Are you serious? Oh, man, that will be so sweet. Thank you.”
It will also be a challenge considering his zero experience as a leader, but he’s been my friend for over fifteen years, and I know I can trust him. Besides, it doesn’t seem like others will be waiting in line to join my future squad, so I’ll take what I can get.
“Keep in mind I won’t be going out on missions as much as before,” I say.
Trey nods. “If it’s because of Finn, I’m happy for you. Oh, look at them go.”
I follow his gaze and find River and Josh dancing. Josh’s movements are limited because of the rifle on his back, while River is hopping around like a bunny. Whether that can be considered dancing is up for debate, but he seems to be having a blast. More importantly, he’s making Josh happy.
I catch Lyla talking with Remy on the other side of the hall, while Finn and Timothy are talking with a different group of people.
I continue to scan the crowd until my eyes land on the king.
There are dozens of people between us, but his eyes are locked on me as though everyone else is made of air.
I try to look away, but his hold feels physical.
“Caden. Yo, Caden.”
I shake my head, feeling a faint trace of a headache. “What?”
Trey frowns at me. “You spaced out.”
“Sorry.” I watch the king on his throne again, but he’s no longer looking at me.
Finn finishes his conversation while the band switches to a slower song. I seize the opportunity and walk to the dance floor, offering Finn my hand. “A dance?”
He glances around. “To this song?”
“Yes.”
I’m making him uncomfortable, but he looks too adorable for me to care. I place my palms on his hips and pull him against me. He rests his hands around my neck. “You’re too good at getting what you want,” he says.
“Everything I want?”
“I don’t recall saying no to you often.”
“Well, there was that one time with the tree—”
“I wasn’t about to dangle from a tree while you… never mind.” He rests his cheek against my chest, and we sway slowly to the music. For a few precious moments, there’s nothing in the world that can scare me, and no other place I’d rather be.
“Did you find out anything?” I ask quietly.
“Yes. People are uninformed about what is happening with the Raiders.”
“A certain someone may be trying to keep his people in the dark.”
“I think so too. Maybe we should leave tomorrow morning if I can’t get us those jetpacks.”
He sounds worried, and I trust his instincts. “You’re the boss.”
“You’re the captain of this mission.”
“I’m but a simple tool for you to use. And speaking of that…”
“Yes?”
“I was thinking that after this ball is over, we can do what we did the other day.”
“Hmm, you'll need to be more specific.”
I whisper in his ear, “When you fucked me until I came. When you made me moan and grunt while you spanked—”
“Okay, shh. Yes, I want to. Tonight.”
When the song ends, Finn straightens. “Thank you. I’d better go mingle some more.”
“Have fun.”
I return to Trey, debating whether to make myself another plate of food.
Caden.
I turn toward the entrance at the sound of my name. Two guards stand there, but neither of them is looking at me, so I doubt it was them who called. But I did hear my name, or did I?
“I’m going out for some air.”
Trey scans my face. “You look a bit pale.”
“I’m fine.”
Caden.
I turn sharply to the entrance again, seeing nothing but the two guards who are now talking with each other, too far for me to hear their words. Someone is clearly messing with me.
Trey pats my back. “Let’s go outside.”
We step into the long hallway, leaving the crowd and music behind. We don’t get far before I hear Josh calling for me. He catches up to us and asks, “Where are you guys going?”
“I need some air.”
He looks at me closely, and I don’t bother telling him not to worry because I can already hear my name being whispered again.
“I’ll join you,” Josh says.
We keep walking, passing through the room with all the animals. I hear my name again, louder this time. “What the fuck do you want?” I shout.
Trey reaches for his rifle. “Who are you talking to?”
I rub my face, telling myself to get my shit together. “No one.”
We exit the palace and reach the long road with the apple trees. The streetlights make the branches seem like claws. I stop by a large rock and rest my foot on it.
“What did you hear?” Josh asks me.
“My name. I heard it in my head. The voice sounded familiar.” I let out a long breath. “I think it was Hector.”
“Do you hear him now?” Josh asks, not suggesting I might have imagined it.
I try to focus, but I hear nothing but the rustle of the trees and the wind.
“No, but I think I know what’s causing it.
” I touch my neck, where Hector had cut me with his tail.
The cut has long healed by now, but between hearing voices and experiencing those vivid and horrible nightmares, I’m left with little doubt.
“Hector cut me with his tail right before he let me go. Whatever has been happening since then, I think it’s in my blood. ”
“In your…” Josh shakes his head. “Don’t jump to conclusions. Maybe it’s an infection or a virus. You just need the right treatment. We can ask around for a doctor.”
I’m doubtful that any doctor can help with something like this, but what other option do I have? “Okay. Worth a shot.”
“Hey!”
We turn to see half a dozen guards running toward us.
“What is it?” I ask.
The woman leading them is tall and thin like a long stick, her hair tied in a tight ponytail. “We caught suspicious movement from the south. We think someone is planning an attack.”
“Can anyone really attack this mountain?” Josh asks.
“Unlikly, but they seem to be going for an old platform we use to transport supplies to the caves below.” She glances at the palace in annoyance. “Too many of us are on duty because of that stupid ball. Will you join us to check what is happening, Defenders?”