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.

play! I want a

okay,” Nicholas said.

squirmy, he set her down. She snatched his hand and pulled him

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

and carefree. But it was less harrowing than the looks of cold indifference I had

for the tea party,

well wanted to say yes but I had other plans. Plans that might show up at any

into the room like it belonged to him. When he spotted Nicholas, he didn’t even slow. Instead

morning, brother.”

from Nicholas’s face. “What are you doing here,

at his nails, as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “Oh.

though under Nicholas’s scrutiny

could deny it.

I said.

to Julian, “There was no official date announcement.”

last time, can you

had followed the

Piper and I have plenty of

tea party, Nick–lass! It’s starting!”