The Luna Choosing Game

My eyes went wide. As poor as I felt, I still pushed myself upright on the bed – until he placed a hand on

my shoulder and eased me back down.

“I won’t give up,” I told him. “I can’t.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to, except for your own safety, Piper. If you truly don’t care about being Luna, like you say, then you should care more for yourself. The people here only want to do you harm.”

“It doesn’t matter what happens to me. Can’t you see? I will stay. I’ll do anything they want to make sure

that Elva continues to get the best medical care.”

“Even if this happens again?”

“Even then.”

Crossing his arms, he let out a quiet sigh. “I’d forgotten how stubborn you could be.”

“Only with important things.”

I felt a bit strange with him standing so rigidly beside the bed while I was within it. I motioned toward the

edge of the bed.

“You can sit if you want.”

“I shouldn’t,” he said. Yet after a moment, he propped himself on the very edge of the mattress, as far

as he could be. “You asked me not

wasn’t entirely certain. I had just wanted him near. “I don’t want

your maids would sit with

trust my

gaze focused on

out the blankets on my lap. “Though I

would have found another

thought you

never let them win like that, by scaring me off. “I

I’ll be

“You seem certain.”

as a publicity stunt.

in acknowledgement

to warm up, and with that warmth, sleepiness followed. In my exhaustion,

away, and

with the

gave me a curious look. I had

competing for the attention of three men is so ridiculous. And in

ever supposed to find someone you

are essential,” Nicholas said. “The royal family needs a strong public image. The

kingdom might

couldn’t you invite the public into your lives

“None of us have found our mates on our own, Piper. The selection is a