The Luna Choosing Game

You and Nicholas have a special bond, and I can’t wait to see how far I can bend it.

I didn’t understand Julian at first. Nicholas and I hadn’t been a couple in three years. Whatever bond we

had was assuredly broken by now. The plans Julian had for us would make no difference anymore.

But then I realized, this wasn’t about me, or me and Nicholas as a couple.

Julian’s hostility was aimed fully at Nicholas himself.

They had always seemed like fierce enemies at the Academy. Perhaps the addition of them being brothers didn’t make that perception untrue. Maybe it only intensified their rivalry.

“If you are planning on using me against Nicholas, you are making a big mistake,” I said. “Nicholas no longer cares for me. In fact, he likely hates me. You’d be wasting your time.”

Julian’s smile neither grew nor wavered. He merely watched me a moment, then dipped his head. “Good luck in the selection, Piper.”

Without another word, he turned and exited the room.

I had no idea what he was thinking.

I stayed in the room for a while, after that. The maids that were assigned to me had yet to appear. That was fine. I didn’t need anyone to look after my daughter and me.

began unpacking our suitcases, placing our clothes into the empty drawers of a nearby dresser. Elval was diligently following me from the

vase atop a cabinet held

that? On the wall, a portrait of a couple hung

that!” Out the window, a pair of horses grazed in

best I could, until she grew disinterested and returned to her toys. Ed pulled the comforter off the bed and draped it across the back of

hide under

restond to impacking

Thad only blowed the door

the door swung open, Nicholas stood there

holding back my feelings, my heart leapt into my throat at the sight of him. It must have been a reflex. So many times he’d sneaked into my room at the Academy. Seeing him now, in my doorway, sent me straight back in

gaze held mine. I wondered if he was

then he looked

come in?” he

Then, remembering myself, I added, “Your Royal

of his title, but he didn’t say

the reminder was good for

each candidate’s needs.” He waved forward one of the guards,