The Luna Choosing Game

“I don’t care what the King thinks of me,” Nicholas said. “I will see justice done.”

“That’s incredibly noble of you, brother Julian rolled his eyes. “But I have a different scheme. It would provide the same result, with less mess.”

Nicholas shook his head like he didn’t even want to hear him out. But I disagreed. We should hear every

option before acting, especially if Nicholas’s plan would hurt him in the long run.

“Please explain, Julian,” I said.

Nicholas shot me a look, which I pointedly did not acknowledge.

“If we call out the bullies directly, we could back them into a corner and make things worse. It would be

so much simpler if we lifted up Piper instead. We could make her untouchable.”

Nicholas thought a moment, then asked, “How?”

I had the same question.

Julian nodded toward the boar carcass that the wolves were protecting.

Understanding crossed Nicholas’s face. I still wasn’t sure.

if it fails, we will do it my way instead.”

think I can work with this for a while, really

you talking about?”

me. “You’ll see.”

Then, after a quick scowling

Julian laughed.

wasn’t wrong. I wasn’t sure I could trust Julian. But Nicholas? Even with the misunderstanding of betrayal looming between us, I knew I could still trust him

A heck of a lot,

you,” I told

seemed satisfied with

have to get her back to the palace.” Julian waggled his

said at once.

“I could try to walk…?”

that his back was

shoulders, and he hoisted me up onto his

giving me

gave me a knowing look. I couldn’t deny the position was nice though, pressing into the long

thighs.

tried not to think too much about it. Nicholas

back to the palace. Romance had

explain why he hadn’t wanted Julian to carry me instead, however.

let those thoughts go. Nicholas no longer cared