The Luna Choosing Game

In the werewolf tradition, he wore a tuxedo, though with a blue shirt rather than white.

His eyes were deep red as they focused on me.

“Ambassador Zale, may I present Piper,” Mark said.

Well, it was now or never. Trust Mark, and presumably Nicholas, or take the chance myself.

Reaching up, I placed a hand on either side my neck. “My life, my friendship.”

Zale’s eyes went impossibly wide.

My heart pounded hard. Had I upset him? Was this a trap? How would I explain this to the Queen?

But then Zale smiled, showing a set of sharp teeth. “Nice to meet you, Piper. I had yet to meet a candidate tonight who know the proper Merfolk greeting.”

“I’ll make my exit now,” Mark said, backing away. “If you will excuse me.”

In Mark’s absence, Zale stepped closer. He must have been an older Merfolk. I could see now the gray at his temples, and the lines beside his striking eyes.

“Tell me,” Zale said. “How did you come to know our greeting?”

For one wild moment, I tried to think of a lie, but in the end, what could I saw but the truth?

I

“I’m sorry, sir, I wished I could tell you I learned it long ago, but the truth is… I only learned it just now when Mark told me.”

His eyes went wide again.

I shouldn’t have said that.

But then he threw his head back and laughed so hard his gills fluttered,

“Oh, Piper. How delightful you are. Do you have any idea how truth is valued in my culture? I am so used

to your kind attempting to deceive me. To have you here, so honest and open, is a great comfort to me as a stranger in a faraway land.”

I’m sorry the others tried to lie to you,” I said.

I couldn’t agree that I was an overly honest person entirely. If I was, I would have told Nicholas from the start about Elva and what truly happened to my powers.

Chapter 0051

The girls around me were freshening up their Merfolk language. Some were fluent. Others, less so. Though most seemed to have a baseline knowledge.

My grasp of the Merfolk language was rusty, at least. I vaguely recalled some lessons during my days at

the Academy, but that felt like so long ago now.

T’hadn’t had any need for Merfolk language or traditions in my day to day since leaving the Academy. I

didn’t really retain any of that knowledge.

I thought I might be able to recall some customs, though the bits of information I was hearing now and

then around me confused with my memories and left me unsure.

Also, I couldn’t trust what the girls around me were even saying.

Linda, especially, seemed to be purposefully polluting the water of fact and fiction. My knowledge was

shaky, but even I knew the Merfolk greeted each other with a deep bow, and not a fist bump like she was

the more gullible

been in worse situations.

everyone shouting orders and demanding

as a waitress,

had to be careful.

want to have to stand in the

wait our turn to

and shorter, my anxiety

leaving the ambassador had mixed reactions. Some seemed pleased. Olivia and

But most

was a nervous ball of energy who felt a bit like I was

den.

to

one who

me to escort you

Whether Nathan had said it when he announced the challenge.

said,

away that he was guiding me

“You!

the first time Prince Nicholas met a Merfolk he made a common mistake.

believe that Merfolk bow at the waist as a form of

us in the Academy,” I

remains a tradition,” Mark conceded. “However, the

just going to tell me what it

either side of their neck. ‘My life, my friendship,‘

if perhaps Mark was

person. Surely he

me humiliated, or worse.

continued. “Fortunately, the Merfolk and the Werewolves have

They don’t always correct the incorrect greeting

royals showed

either side of

phrase,” Mark

“My life, my friendship.”

now to a waiting gentleman. Compared to everyone

he was practically otherworldly. He had a head

bridge of his nose.

fluttered at his neck, though his chest moved with breath. I

both above and under

Chapter 0052

werewolf tradition, he wore a tuxedo, though with a blue

were deep red

Zale, may I present Piper,”

never. Trust Mark, and

a hand on either side my neck “My

went impossibly

I

pounded hard. Had I upset him? Was this a trap? How would I explain

sharp teeth. “Nice to meet you, Piper. I had yet to meet a candidate tonight who knew the proper

Mark said, backing away. “If you will excuse

must have been an older Merfolk. I could see now the

and the lines

me,” Zale said. “How did you

I tried to think of a lie, but in the end,

I wished I could tell you I learned it long ago, but the truth is… I only learned it just

when Mark told me.”