The Luna Choosing Game

The next morning, a knock came early on the bedroom door. Fortunately, Elva and I had risen with the dawn and were already dressed.

Expecting the nanny, I headed for the door, yet when I drew it open, the person on the other side

surprised me.

“Nicholas. What are you doing here?”

Behind him, Mark cleared his throat. Immediately, I realized my error.

“Prince Nicholas,” I corrected. After last night, I had become entirely too familiar with him. I had to be more careful, for both our reputations, not to address him so informally. Especially in front of others.

“I came to see Elva,” Nicholas said.

“Nick–lass!”

The rules of propriety, however, did not extend to my three year old.

Elva rushed toward the door. Nicholas bent down and scooped her up into his arms. Elva giggled as he

lifted her.

I’d already told Elva that we would be staying around for a while longer, but she didn’t seem to quite

believe me. Now that she could actually see Nicholas, it was like those remaining worries had been

washed away.

and play! I

okay,” Nicholas

too squirmy, he set her down. She snatched

looked at me as he passed. Unlike so many times before, when he gazed at me now, his eyes. held a certain measure of warmth. Ever since last night, when he learned I hadn’t betrayed him – at least not

when his affection was obvious and carefree. But it was less harrowing

you joining us for the tea party, Piper?” he asked.

I had other plans. Plans that might show up at any

as Julian sauntered into the room like it belonged to him. When he spotted Nicholas, he didn’t even slow. Instead a smile quirked

good morning, brother.”

vanished from Nicholas’s face. “What are you

as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Oh. I’m taking Piper on a

at me. Julian wasn’t wrong, though under Nicholas’s scrutiny now, I kind

could deny it.

I

hardened as he sliced it back to

last time, can you blame

followed the

and I have

tea party, Nick–lass! It’s starting!” Elva tugged on