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

my eyes. “Be

look now, but Nicholas

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

at us.

not to look,” Julian hissed from

moment longer, despite having been

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

to sit near

Julian beat him to

made clear that he

his

Julian said with a

the King touched his

drew everyone’s attention.

thank you all for joining us this evening,” the

until the first round of eliminations, and therefore

time to

on any one girl

chair for a

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

the table, some girls excited to show

nervous, glancing around

would have beneficial during a hunting trip, but I hadn’t practiced