The Luna Choosing Game

“No,” Nicholas said.

Julian, still bowing, shot him a glare. “I wasn’t asking you, brother. In case that wasn’t obvious.”

1

“She will not dance with you, because she is about to dance with me.” Nicholas said.

Julian straightened upright. “Is that what was happening here? Because, to me, it appeared as if you two were awkwardly standing near each other and only barely talking.”

That description didn’t sound so different from some of the royal dances I knew, but I decided not to

point that out.

“Even if we were only talking, you must admit how exceedingly rude it is to interrupt,” Nicholas said.

“Rude, maybe,” Julian said. “But necessary, if I’m to save Piper from an evening of boredom.”

“Perhaps we should ask the lady to choose for herself,” Nicholas said. He looked at me.

Julian did too. “Well, Piper? Which of us will it be?”

leaned for Nicholas and the comfort of his presence. I’d given him quite the shock tonight,

felt two pairs of eyes pressing down onto me. One pair belonged

The King v

but a chill struck through me under the intensity of his eyes. He was judgmental and observant. I had no way of knowing if he knew

Linda’s ultimatum.

the chance either way. So I

hand

moment, a touch

a sore loser, brother.” Julian’s grin sharpened. “Wouldn’t want the whole room to

jealous you are.”

his features. “I’m

a bit at the words, even though it had no real reason to. Nicholas

jealous, and I had no right

on my hand, pulling me out onto the dance floor. As he held my hand with one of his, he wrapped his

faster song, though the steps were simple. I was able to keep up fairly easily. With Julian twirling me around the dance floor, I noticed Linda and the

eyes never left us for long,

myself for whatever observation he was about to make. “You and Nicholas disappear for a time. Then when you return, he is even more protective

thickly. “I don’t know what you