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.

“We can try it. But if it fails, we

couple days, anyway. I think I can work with this for a while, really

are you talking about?”

at me.

said. Then, after a quick scowling glance

Julian laughed.

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

A heck of a

you,” I told

didn’t change, but he seemed satisfied with the

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

Nicholas said

glanced between them. “I could try to walk…?”

head. He turned so that his back was to me. “I will carry you.”

his guidance, I draped my arms over his shoulders, and he hoisted me up onto his back.

me

look. I couldn’t deny the position was nice though, pressing into the long expanse of Nicholas’s back. His strong hands pressing

thighs.

about it. Nicholas

to the palace. Romance had nothing to do with

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

go. Nicholas no longer cared for me like