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 family wanted

to see.

floor, near the back door, Lena had her arms

me change,” I said, hoping to appeal to her sense of

it would soak straight

“You should have thought

I have had the time? Somewhere between being

back to her would get me nowhere. I had no power

shoved me forward, out into the gardens. They forced

warned. Then they disappeared somewhere behind

palace. I couldn’t see what happened

view was better though, I reasoned, looking out

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

I wrapped my

around myself. They hadn’t said I couldn’t do that. It was all I had

growing chill.

long I kneeled there. The cold had set in. The wind had picked

nearby tree and I

to hide them. I was cold and

1. up.

wanted me to do. They hoped I would give

her medicine. Julian and I were going to expose the

trade. And Nicholas…

he smiled. His kindness when playing