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.”

waited for me to say it. He really loved these

“Yes, please.”

the empty seat straight across from him. The one

later, he mentioned the Luna would not be present for today’s event. I immediately exhaled in relief. The girls near me did as well, though

and beautiful,” one whispered to another. “I

earnest. None of them seemed to mind

it out for the most part, not truly caring about Prince Joyce’s shoe size or

girl beside me say,

an invitation

i

prince right away.” the girl said to me. Typically you

The per princes

When she sucked in an excited breath, he leaned forward and said, “1 invite you

few of the other girls

meant it.

lead girls on like that. He

totally indifferent.

asked. She looked

his palm again, and his eyes were on