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

clasped my hands together. “He told me

palm into the small of my back. I

his closeness was

I didn’t want to die. A tear escape my

voice, tightening it a bit from its

“Elva told me you keep my picture in

had told him about

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

or not to deny it.

my head, as shame crept in. I allowed myself one last picture of him. I’d purged everything else, but I could never get rid of my favorite. He’d been smiling

all the way. I wanted to at least remember what it had felt like

sounded almost as broken as I felt. “Why

picture?”

didn’t have a good enough

so much about me, how could you leave me

out in my grief and my upset.