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

everything.” I clasped my hands together. “He

pressed his palm into the small of my back. I should have shied from the touch, but

was the comfort

to die. A tear escape my eye

A hint of desperation marred Nicholas’s voice, tightening it a

recognizable. “Elva told me you keep my picture in your wallet. Tell

Elva had told him about that?

had seen it so much Hed she recognized him from the start? Was that wh

I could decide whether or not to deny it. “I can tell just by looking at you.”

everything else, but I could never get rid of my favorite. He’d been smiling so

him go, not all the way. I wanted to at least remember what it

sounded almost as broken as I

picture?”

didn’t have a good

me, how

in my grief and my upset. I hadn’t