The Luna Choosing Game

Linda was not that person.

Yet.. the King’s threats kept me from saying as much.

“That’s not the way the world works, Piper. At least not within the palace walls.” He faced the balcony railing, and looked out into the darkness. “If playing this game with Linda keeps you and Elva here and

safe, then that is as good a reason as any for me to follow through.”

I absolutely hated that I had no other choice but to let him.

“I’ll respect your wishes in this,” he said, “Whatever you want is what I’ll do.”

He had to do it, or the King might have me killed. All I had to do was tell him so, even though I truly

didn’t want to.

If I was alone in this world, I would tell him to turn her down flat. As it was, I had Elva. Elva needed her

mother. I couldn’t afford to be reckless with her care in jeopardy.

Yet the words he waited for did not come easily. I tried several times but could not force myself to say

them.

a few agonizing minutes, I said, “We should think about it. Linda gave us some time. Let’s

use it.”

in his

made

for one evening.

answer the night before the challenge,” he said. He was giving me time

realized that I hadn’t held

one before then,” I said, and hoped

practiced my smile, we returned

now, and the King had finished with his private audiences. The King and Queen were

their thrones.

the girls had begun dancing on the floor with

attend tonight. Most were personal friends of

were also present

up the ratings,”

dancing with one of the girls who had chosen to earn his favor during the elimination ceremony. When he spotted Nicholas and me, he ditched her right in the middle of their dance and

move.

of another single dancer. For him to have acted so quickly, Brian must have anticipated Julian’s every n

find out he