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

hands together.

palm into the small of my back. I should have shied from

closeness was the comfort

want to die. A tear escape

tightening it a bit

picture in

breath caught in my throat. Elva had told

Hed she recognized

whether or not to deny it. “I can tell

shame crept in. I allowed myself one last picture of him. I’d purged everything else, but I could never get rid of

all the way.

almost as broken as I

picture?”

have

much about me, how could

in my grief and my upset. I hadn’t meant to say