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?”

the shock tonight, I was sure, with revelation

as I glanced out over the room, I felt two pairs of eyes pressing down onto me. One pair belonged to Linda, who downed an entire champagne flute while glaring at

The King v

me under the intensity of his eyes. He was judgmental and observant. I had no

Linda’s ultimatum.

couldn’t take the chance either way. So I held out my hand and accepted Julian’s

clasped my hand in both of

a touch

loser, brother.” Julian’s grin sharpened.

jealous you are.”

instant, Nicholas schooled his features.

words, even though it had no real reason

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

onto the dance floor. As he held my hand with

up fairly easily. With Julian twirling me around the dance floor, I noticed Linda and the King had stopped

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

for 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