The Luna Choosing Game

The guards grabbed me by the arms and yanked me to my feet. Once I was standing, they continued to

grip, as if I might try to run away.

I’m not surprised,” Lena said, turning up her nose at me. “It was only a matter of time before this one

started some trouble.”

I struggled to maintain my calm. “She wished harm onto my daughter.”

Kirsten rolled her eyes. “Please. No one believes that. I am of the highest breeding. My word carries so

much more weight than yours, or that of your spawn.”

“But-

off

“Save your excuses for the head of the royal guard.” Lena cut me off. “He’ll be the one deciding a

punishment that will fit this show of disrespect.”

The head of the royal guard? Not the King or Queen or the princes?

must have seen the confusion on my face. “Arguments between candidates are

the royal family about. These matters can be handled by

knot began forming in my stomach. What punishment could the head of

wasn’t likely to be ejected from the competition

me flat before the first elimination. But expulsion wasn’t

ΠΕ

windowless room. Or take away some of my freedom of movement through the grounds. Perhaps, they would want me to

those potential punishments I could handle. None of them were what made me feel

they would take away Elva’s medical

fear alone kept me silent and complacent, as

were you hoping Prince Nicholas would save you again? You

low. You don’t deserve to breathe the same air as the prince, let alone

Nicholas chooses whom he can speak to,” I said, daring a

imply that Nicholas would not speak to anyone

me had been regarding our shared

Her eyebrow twitched, revealing the truth of

talks to you because he is a

think you actually have a chance in this

no misconceptions about my place here. I knew I was allowed to

royal family among the common