The Luna Choosing Game

I awoke the next morning to the sound of thunder outside my window and pounding on my bedroom door. I’d barely gotten out of bed when the door burst open and a slew of Joseph’s guards flooded in.

“Mommy!” Elva shouted as she hid under the covers.

“At least let me get dressed,” I said, holding up my hands.

The guard closest to me shook his head. “Orders are orders.” He grabbed me roughly by the arm and

dragged me toward the door.

met

In the hallway, Joseph’s guards were arguing with Nicholas’s. Mark was running toward me.

“Mark!” I called to him. “Elva’s in there!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll watch her!” he called back. He tried to come closer to me, but one of the guards roughly

shoved him. “Hey!”

“Mark, please.” I was worried he might start something. “Elva!”

Mark grit his teeth, but stepped backwards, letting the guards and me pass.

“Keep her away from this! Please!”

“I will,” he promised.

In my nightgown, I was dragged through the hallways. It was early, just before dawn, but many of the

girls peeked their heads out of their doors to see the spectacle.

to be seen. Likely this was not something the royal

to see.

floor, near the back door, Lena had

to appeal to her sense of

would soak straight

“You should have thought of that

I have had the time? Somewhere between being startled awake

I knew talking back to her would

out into the gardens. They forced me down to my knees

move,” one of them warned.

was facing away from the palace. I couldn’t see

was better though, I reasoned, looking out at the flowers and

only a few minutes, my nightgown was entirely damp, clinging to

I wrapped my

I couldn’t do that. It was all I had

growing chill.

The cold had set in. The wind had picked

nearby tree

hide them. I was cold

1. up.

wanted me to do. They hoped I would give

Elva needed her medicine. Julian and I

trade. And Nicholas…

yesterday. The way he smiled. His kindness when playing