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.”

rule–breaker, huh?” He winked. “A girl after my

rolled my eyes. “Be

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

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

at us.

not to look,” Julian hissed

been caught. Then his gaze shifted to the

so close to the Queen,

me to sit

Julian beat him to

he had many girls he admired here at this

back in his chair, and I did

Julian said with

ask him more, the King touched his knife

drew everyone’s attention.

all for joining us this evening,” the King said, speaking mainly to the cameras. “As

days until the first round of eliminations,

to improve

never focused on any one

chair for a moment before

have your chance at our next royal

the table, some girls excited to show

others seemed nervous, glancing

have beneficial during