The Luna Choosing Game

Around us, the girls were speaking with each other and the royal family. Only Nicholas, Susie, and myself

were silent.

The King gave Nicholas a hard look, and Nicholas’s lips twitched like he wanted to frown but didn’t.

I thought he might talk to me, but instead, he leaned forward to see Susie around me.

“It is a pleasant evening, wouldn’t you agree, Susie?”

Susie paled. “You… know my name?”

“Of course. I know the name of every candidate.”

“… oh…” She audibly swallowed a spoonful of soup. “Of course. Sorry to offend.”

“I’m not offended,” Nicholas said. “But, to my question. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Susie’s face shifted from white to red so fast, I worried she might be lightheaded. I placed an arm beside her, ready to catch her if she tilted.

“A–Agree?” Susie stuttered

“Yes.” Nicholas’s brow furrowed slightly. “That the weather is pleasant?”

“Ohl Yes, Yes, very pleasant.” Susie pushed her chair back. “If you’ll excuse me, I… I, uh… I have to use the bathroom!”

She jumped to her feet and started walking away. Halfway to the door she turned around, seemingly having realized she was still clutching her cloth napkin. She dropped it onto her chair, and then scuttled away, pressing her hands to her face.

a couple of times. He hadn’t moved at all otherwise, like he couldn’t quite believe what had just

shy,” I

then, glancing at me. He sat back

Nicholas had gone back to not speaking! www he was furious with

the girls,

be zooming in

the attention to

me again, his frown clear this

I tilted my head

immediately schooled his frown into a passive

Piper?” he asked me. He didn’t wait for me to answer. “I’ve taken to raising some. Beautiful, majestic creatures. But there is one bird that

“Which is?” I asked.

His gaze sliced into me. “They lay their eggs in other birds‘ nests.

tactic, but shameless.”

talking about me. I

in the Luna choosing game. Did he think this was some clever ploy of mine,

aim higher than I had any

with my napkin, giving myself a moment

Then I spoke.

I

love

he feigned interest. He lifted his soup–filled

They are so pure, loyal. Monogamous. Among swans, you would