The Luna Choosing Game

“You would deny the direct command of your prince?” he asked, voice firm. It was an act, I knew him enough to be able to tell. But he was giving me the reason I needed comply with his wishes if I so chose.

And I desperately wanted to.

“Okay,” I said at last. He utilized his servants to draw attention away from us. When he was certain we were safe, he whisked me away, out onto the balcony where we were alone

Night had set in. The moon was bright above us, illuminating the spacious balcony more than the

candlelight could.

Nicholas maintained distance, not touching, though he stayed close enough to reach for me if I faltered. My twisted ankle felt much better now, though, so I walked steadily. It was only my hands that were

shaking.

We stopped at the railing, and together looked out over the darkness. I thought the gardens might be

below, but I couldn’t be certain.

He stood beside me, looking at me rather than the view.

“Piper,” he prompted.

“Your father knows about us,” I said.

He froze

knows everything.” I clasped my hands together. “He told me to stay away from you: He’s right, Nicholas. I

Nicholas said, coming closer. He pressed his palm into the small of my back. I

was the

escape my eye and tracked down my

desperation marred Nicholas’s voice, tightening it a bit from its usual faise

told me you keep my picture in your wallet. Tell

had told him about that?

much Hed she recognized him from the start?

true,” he said, before I could decide whether or not to deny it. “I can tell just by

one last picture of him. I’d purged everything else, but I could never get rid of my favorite. He’d been smiling so bright, just for me.

the way. I wanted to at least remember what it

understand,” Nicholas said, and he sounded almost as broken as I

picture?”

know.” I didn’t have a good enough answer.

about me, how could

words came out in my grief and my upset. I hadn’t meant to