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.”

winked. “A girl

rolled my eyes. “Be

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

my head, and locked eyes with Nicholas, who was leaning improperly

at us.

told you not to look,” Julian hissed

longer, despite having been caught. Then his gaze shifted to

about me being so close to the Queen, had he? But then why hadn’t

me to sit near

Julian beat

that he had many

back in his chair,

sore loser,” Julian said with a

ask him more, the King touched his knife to his

drew everyone’s attention.

joining us this evening,” the King said,

the first round of eliminations,

time to improve your

never focused on any

for a moment

at our next royal event. Tomorrow we will

around the table, some girls excited to show off their miscellaneous

seemed nervous, glancing around

to have many skills that would have beneficial during a hunting trip, but I hadn’t practiced