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

Then he straightened. “Don’t look now, but Nicholas is glaring at

locked eyes with Nicholas, who was leaning improperly far over the table

at us.

told you not to look,”

having been caught. Then his gaze shifted

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

me to

beat him

made clear that he had many

back in his chair, and

sore loser,” Julian said with a sharp

the King touched his knife to his glass, creating a sharp ringing

drew everyone’s attention.

us this evening,” the King said, speaking mainly to the cameras.

only a few more days until the first round of eliminations, and therefore you

to

room but never focused on any one girl for long.

empty chair for a moment

will have your chance at our next royal event. Tomorrow we will begin

and ahs resounded around the table, some

others seemed nervous,

that would have beneficial during a hunting trip, but