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.”

me to say it. He really loved

“Yes, please.”

across from him. The

the Luna would not be present for today’s event. I immediately exhaled

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

them seemed to mind that Julian was in earshot. In fact, Julian himself seemed to encourage it, occasionally

about Prince Joyce’s shoe size or the best time

heard the girl beside me say, “I can’t believe

an invitation

i

the girl said

The per princes

When she sucked in an excited breath, he leaned forward

girls laughed, she did

meant it.

frowned at Julian, disapproving. He shouldn’t lead girls on like that. He caught my eye and

totally indifferent.

Kirsten did to earn that favor?” the girl directly beside Julian asked. She

chin was in his palm again, and his eyes were on me. “Kirsten made