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. “He told me to stay away from you: He’s right, Nicholas.

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

his closeness was the comfort

tear escape my eye and tracked down

tightening it

told me you keep my picture in

had told him

Hed she recognized him from the

whether or not to deny

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

knew we couldn’t be together but I didn’t want to let him go, not all the way. I wanted to at least remember

sounded almost as broken as I felt. “Why

picture?”

don’t know.” I didn’t have a

you care so much about me, how could you

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