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

to the

panic. I had been in worse situations. Heck, even

everyone shouting orders

I could manage hungry, irritable customers as a waitress, I could

careful. I had to try

didn’t want to have to stand in the rain for

to wait our turn to meet the

and shorter,

ambassador had mixed reactions. Some seemed pleased.

confident. But

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

den.

a servant to escort me to the ambassador,

was the one who offered me his

escort you to Ambassador Zale,” Mark

name. Whether Nathan had said it when he

you,” I said,

right away that he was guiding me the

“You!

Nicholas met a Merfolk he made a

that Merfolk bow at the waist as a

in the Academy,” I said. I’d been mostly

Mark conceded. “However, the royal family and their ambassadors have a much different

glanced at him. Surely he wasn’t just going

neck. ‘My life, my friendship,‘ they say. It’s

was trying to lead me astray,

Surely he wouldn’t be so cruel as

me humiliated, or worse.

continued. “Fortunately, the Merfolk and the Werewolves

always correct the incorrect greeting

royals showed Nicholas

on either side

phrase,”

“My life, my friendship.”

we are.” Mark led me now to a waiting gentleman. Compared to everyone else in

head of

bridge of his nose.

his chest moved with breath. I remembered reading that

above and under the

Chapter 0052

the werewolf tradition, he wore a tuxedo, though with a blue shirt rather

eyes were deep red

I

now or never. Trust Mark,

up, I placed a hand on either side

eyes went impossibly

I

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

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

said,

closer. He must have been an older Merfolk. I could

temples, and the lines

said. “How did you come to know

of a lie,

I learned it long ago, but

when Mark told me.”