The Luna Choosing Game

Nicholas did glare harder then, for a moment. When nothing happened, he turned away and made his

way to his own seat.

Liiliana was still seated beside him, though she didn’t say a word as he sat down. If they didn’t like each

other, why hadn’t Nicholas asked someone else to sit there?

“Shall we, Piper?” Julian asked, a smug grin on his face.

We walked the two feet to our chairs. Julian held mine out for me, then helped push me in after I sat. He

took the chair beside mine.

Sitting like this, I couldn’t even see the Queen unless I leaned forward, Relief washed over me.

I still wasn’t feeling all the way better. I wasn’t sure I would have had the energy to wade through royal

politics tonight.

At least, not the Queen’s kind.

Julian was his own mess of royal riddles.

“I did try to talk her out of it,” Julian whispered to me. “Your punishment, I mean. I went to take responsibility for the morning I stole you away, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”

I softly shook my head. “That was only one of the things I was punished for.”

huh?” He winked. “A girl after

my eyes.

he straightened. “Don’t look now, but Nicholas

and locked eyes with Nicholas, who

at us.

not to look,” Julian hissed from

moment longer, despite having been caught. Then

worried about me being so close to the Queen, had he? But

to

Julian beat him to

was impossible. Nicholas had made clear that he had

in his

such a sore loser,” Julian said with

I could ask him more, the King touched his knife to his glass, creating a sharp ringing

drew everyone’s attention.

joining us this evening,” the King said, speaking mainly to

only a few more days until the

to

but never focused on any one girl

for

our next royal event. Tomorrow we will begin a three–day

resounded around the table, some girls

others seemed nervous, glancing around

have beneficial during a hunting trip, but I hadn’t practiced