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.

this was not something the royal family wanted

to see.

floor, near the back

to her sense of decency. If I

nightgown, it would soak straight

should have thought of

time? Somewhere between being startled awake

I knew talking back to her would get me nowhere. I had

guards shoved me forward, out into the gardens. They forced me down

them warned. Then they disappeared somewhere behind

the palace.

I reasoned, looking out at the flowers and the

on me like tiny, frozen daggers. After only a few minutes, my nightgown was entirely damp,

I wrapped my

said I couldn’t do that. It was all I had to fight

growing chill.

didn’t know how long I kneeled there. The cold had set

a nearby tree and I

I

1. up.

to do. They hoped I

I couldn’t. Elva needed her medicine. Julian and I were

trade. And Nicholas…

way he smiled. His