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.”

He winked. “A girl after my

rolled my eyes. “Be

deadpan. Then he straightened. “Don’t look now, but

with Nicholas, who was leaning improperly far

at us.

told you not to look,”

a moment longer, despite having been caught. Then

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

me to sit near

beat

clear that he had many

back in his

a sore loser,” Julian said with

touched his knife

drew everyone’s attention.

the

the first round of eliminations, and therefore you

to

his gaze around the room but never focused on any one girl for long. He

chair for a

have your chance at our next royal event. Tomorrow we will begin a three–day hunting

ahs resounded around the table, some girls excited

nervous, glancing around

skills that would have beneficial during a hunting trip, but I