The Luna Choosing Game

Yes, and the other girls seemed to feel nothing but resentment toward her for it.

*Julian said Kirsten made him a gift,” I said, “I wonder what it was.

“A heartfelt one, I assure you,” said a voice from beside us. I jumped. Susie half–hid behind me. But it

was only Mark, Nicholas’s beta. “The prince asked me to check on Elva.”

I accepted his explanation and we continued walking

“Somehow Miss Kirsten learned of one of the prince’s old wounds and made a personal gift for him,” Mark explained. “The prince found the gesture warm and thoughtful. He was very appreciative.”

There was something in the way Mark explained it, voice monotone almost, like he didn’t think the same as his prince.

“Is there reason to doubt her sincerity?” I asked.

“No,” Mark said straight away. After a moment, he added, “But the prince’s discomfort isn’t obvious. I hadn’t taken her to be so observant,”

Then he glanced at me and blushed. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s unfitting of my position to talk disparagingly about any of our candidates.”

“I heard nothing disparaging,” I assured him.

did I,” Susie

seemed grateful, but he said

archery lesson was given by the princes. We were separated into three groups,

been hitting my marks. None

I wondered if they were performing a show, pretending to be bad To get the prince’s

I

didn’t receive so much as an approving nod

the entire time. Only a few of the girls had even attempted to shoot a target, and even then, only when Nathan had

waved me closer.

challenge?” I asked. “What will

and eager. “What do

of his group

help it.

joined with

bullseye. He would. The princes were

went next, firing my arrow. It hit the

we tied,” he

joy made the afternoon pass quicker. In a way, it reminded me of the more fun days at the Royal Academy. How many times had Nicholas and I goofed off like