The Luna Choosing Game

I desperately tried to memorize all that I could from this moment.

Nicholas being sweet with Elva as he lifted her up off of Night. Night licked at her face and she giggled.

event

Julian had been so kind to me, making me laugh even though I had fully intended on sitting here quietly

and alone.

Silver,

so relaxed and protective, head resting in my lap.

Near the end of the night, Elva fell asleep in Nicholas’s arms. Mark took her from him to carry her back

to my room.

Most of the other girls had retired by now. The stars were bright in the sky, and the hour was late.

Nicholas approached me and asked, “May I walk you back to your room?”

He pushed, my chair for me through the palace toward an elevator in the back. It was tucked out of the way, but helpful for situations like these. Nicholas said the servants used it to bring heavy loads up and

down the stairs.

Outside of my room, we hesitated. Now was the time to say goodbye. Neither of us said it.

“The next time we see each other

likely be at the elimination,” he said…

That was true. Though we would be under the same roof, the royal family only interacted with the girls during specific scheduled events, none of which had been arranged for the next couple of days.

both know I’m going to be sent home,”

nodded, expecting it, yet oddly, I still felt a bit sad

inside.

miss you,”

miss her

if you wanted. Even after we’re gone. I’m sure she’d love to hear

you

duty bound to both the throne and whichever

sliced in between my ribs. I understood, of course, Princes belonged more to their

said. “T’m just not what you are used to. The novelty of me will wear off eventually.”

glanced at me sideways Tm not so sure”

glanced in our direction His face immediately

glared.

aa

best to ignore him. I knew Nicholas had warned me about Julian being a playboy, but he

broken bow.” Julian

“What?”

least knew who did it, il she hadn’t ordered it herself. I made my intentions clear to her, though, so you

trouble from her

sat heavy on me. “What are your intentions,

have her plans to sabotage you, Piper, but

to sabotage

up my spine. He

would do, all with a smile on his face? I was relieved, in this case, that he was on my side

my enemy.

to a group of girls who had begun to inch closer. “I better head. them off or they will come over here.” He hopped to his feet. “Always a delight,

hearts,” I

amount,” he replied. The

Silver’s fur as!

this might be my true last night of fun. The elimination ceremony was

said. “I’m just not what you are used to. The novelty of me