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.”

for me to say it.

“Yes, please.”

from him. The one right beside the queen’s

he mentioned the Luna would not be present for today’s event. I immediately exhaled in relief. The girls

one whispered to another. “I feel like a toad being

the King finished and was seated, the girls‘ gossip began in earnest. None of them seemed to mind that Julian was in earshot. In fact, Julian himself seemed to encourage it, occasionally

truly caring about Prince Joyce’s shoe size or the

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

an invitation

i

right away.” the girl said to me. Typically

The per princes

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

When a few of the other girls laughed, she did too, though

meant it.

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

totally indifferent.

directly beside Julian asked.

can tell you,” Julian said. His chin was in his palm again,