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,”

seemed grateful, but he said nothing

next day, an archery lesson was given by the princes. We were separated into three groups, with one of the three princes leading

grouped with Nicholas. After an hour, he hadn’t looked at me, much less at the target where I’d been hitting my marks. None of the

that I wondered if they were performing a show,

I

receive so much as an approving

the girls had even attempted to shoot a target, and even then, only when Nathan had looked over, a

me closer. “Shoot with

challenge?” I asked. “What

and eager. “What

of his group swooned. One

couldn’t help it.

joined with

would. The princes were well–trained

It hit

this means we tied,”

afternoon pass quicker. In a way, it reminded me of the more fun days