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, I was sure, with revelation after revelation. I wanted to make sure he

eyes pressing down onto me. One pair belonged to Linda, who downed an

The King v

from atop his throne. He wore no expression, but a chill struck through me under the intensity of his eyes. He

Linda’s ultimatum.

So I held out

hand in both of

a moment, a touch of surprise widening

grin sharpened. “Wouldn’t want the

jealous you are.”

instant, Nicholas schooled his features.

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

He had no right to be jealous, and I had no right to want him to.

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

was able to keep up fairly easily. With Julian twirling me around

watched Julian and me with an unreadable expression. His eyes never left us for

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

“I don’t know what you