The Luna Choosing Game

We waited a bit longer, until the horses were rested, then we began the slow ride back to the palace

“Just whose palace was that?” I tried asking, hoping he might surprise me with an actual response

“Someday we will have established great trust between us,” he said, evasive as ever.

I sighed.

He grinned at me. “You won’t believe me, but I’m only not telling you for your own protection. I need to

look into this further before I reveal too much.”

At times like these, I wished I had my phone, or any access to the internet, so I could just look it up. As it was, I was at the mercy of whatever information Julian wanted to share.

As we neared the palace, Julian suggested we once

and he began to text with Brian.

more try to be sneaky. His phone service returned

Yet, the moment we walked our horses toward the paddock, a camera crew rushed toward us as if they had been waiting for our return. Cameras pushed straight into our faces. The producers shouted out

questions.

“Prince Julian! Tell us about your secret rendezvous!”

“Piper! Was it worth the risk, breaking the rules to see the prince?”

think what you’ve done is

“Come now, guys. This

Piper is

cameras and questions,

an absurd lie?

wide, cocksure grin

Are you Julian’s favorite?”

good

be so shy, sugar plum. Julian nuzzled against my cheek. It

I

but this was too close, too much. Especially because I

faking it

he was laying it on thick. I was confused until I

with a furious

my

them, sweetheart,”

the words out. I supposed allowing the cameras to believe we had runaway on a romantic date was easier to explain than where we’d actually been.

enough. Stop filming.” He covered one of the camera lens with

producers attempted to argue, but Nicholas

no more filming.” Nicholas said, voice cold

down at once. “Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Nicholas crossed his arms.

camera crew immediately listened, and began to return toward the

I finally exhaled.

arrived just in time for the save. Not that I