The Luna Choosing Game

During the next official banquet, I stopped just inside the entrance of the dining room. The girl who had

sitting in my seat beside Nicholas.

shoved Elva that first day w

Julian, sitting nearest the door, rested his elbow on the table and his chin in his palm. He grinned at me

with a toothy smile, much the way a cat would look at a mouse it had planned to eat. Eventually. After

playing with it, of course.

I

“My brother Nicholas personally invited Kirsten to take that seat,” he said. “It makes sense, I guess. We

are supposed to get to know all the girls here, and he’s already well–acquainted with you.”

Some of the girls around us perked up at that bit of gossip.

“Be truthful,” I said, hoping he’d notice the emphasis and keep secrets instead.

He only beamed wider. “Want to know where Kirsten was sitting? That’s your spot now.”

still waited for me to say it. He really loved these games of

“Yes, please.”

from him. The one right beside the queen’s

for today’s event. I immediately exhaled

so regal and beautiful,” one whispered to another. “I feel like a toad being in the

girls‘ gossip began in earnest. None of them seemed to mind that Julian was in earshot.

about Prince Joyce’s shoe size or the best time

back in, however, when I heard the girl beside me say, “I can’t believe Kirsten

an invitation

i

right away.” the girl

The per princes

you like an invitation?” Julian asked her. When she sucked in an excited breath, he leaned forward and said, “1 invite you to sit right

girls laughed,

meant it.

Julian, disapproving. He shouldn’t lead girls on like that. He caught my

totally indifferent.

that favor?” the girl directly beside Julian asked. She looked relieved now,

his palm again, and his