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?”

shock tonight, I was sure, with revelation

One pair belonged to Linda, who downed an entire champagne flute while glaring at me. The other pair

The King v

his throne. He wore no expression, but a chill struck through me under the intensity of his eyes. He was judgmental and observant.

Linda’s ultimatum.

So I held out my hand and accepted Julian’s dance.

he clasped my hand in

stared a moment, a touch of surprise

sharpened. “Wouldn’t want the whole room

jealous you are.”

instant, Nicholas schooled his features.

at the words, even though it had no real reason to. Nicholas and I did not belong

right to be jealous, and I had no right to want

out onto the dance floor. As he held my hand with one of his, he wrapped his other arm around my back.

music was a 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

and me with an unreadable expression. His eyes never left us for long, even as

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

swallowed thickly. “I don’t know what you mean.”