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

“Don’t look now, but Nicholas is glaring at me

with Nicholas, who was leaning improperly far over the table

at us.

not to look,”

been caught. Then his

me being so close

me to sit near

beat him

clear that he had

back in his chair, and I

a sore loser,” Julian said with

ask him more, the King touched his knife to his glass,

drew everyone’s attention.

this evening,” the King said, speaking mainly

a few more days until the first round

to improve your

focused on any one girl

empty chair for a moment

royal event. Tomorrow we will begin a three–day

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

nervous, glancing around

have beneficial during a