The Luna Choosing Game

I hope you can understand and respect Nicholas’s need to move on from the train wreck you once shared together,” the King continued.

I swallowed thickly, fear mixing with anger. What Nicholas and I had was special, not anything like a terrible accident. We’d cared deeply for each other. I’d had to leave him for his own sake, but I had never stopped caring about him.

Yet as annoyed as the accusation made me, I did understand the King’s point of view. Nicholas had revealed to me that he was still hung up on our break up even now, three years later. He deserved to be

free, to find someone to love.

I doubted, however, that the King’s concern for his son had little to do with genuine care and everything

to do with full control.

Nicholas had been tied up in this from the start. The King and Queen had likely already chosen partners for each of their children, and this competition was nothing more than a farce for the people’s

entertainment.

“I have told no one of your shared past, and those that do know are sworn to secrecy on the threat of death. You understand, don’t you, Piper?”

I understood the threat well enough. It sounded a lot like if word got out about Nicholas and me, the King would have me killed.

for making me untouchable, I doubted there was anything Julian or Nicholas could do to stop a

myself when the words came

hands. A kind smile spread across his lips, so different from the dark threat he’d just given. “Enjoy your time here, Piper. Let things play out as they will. But

The word did

He waved me toward the door.

you leave.”

allow me toward the door. Once

one of his servants,

the King’s

to speak

head. It was a major faux pas to deny the prince

sorry, Nicholas. I just can’t.”

toward the drink table, eager to drown my worries in champagne. I haven’t drank since before Elva, when I’d had a stolen sip or two underage at the academy. I’d

eager to lose it now.

followed. “What’s wrong? What

my head.

before