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

my eyes. “Be

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

locked eyes with Nicholas, who was leaning

at us.

look,” Julian hissed from

longer, despite having been caught. Then

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

to

beat

impossible. Nicholas had made clear that he

back in his chair, and I

loser,” Julian said

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

drew everyone’s attention.

thank you all for joining us this evening,” the King said, speaking mainly

few more days until the first round of

time to improve

on any one girl for long. He did, however, frown

chair for a moment before

royal event. Tomorrow

the table, some girls

nervous,

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