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 fair to the other –”

his arm around my shoulders. “Come now, guys. This is

is

been blindsided by the cameras and questions, and

an absurd lie?

me a wide, cocksure grin that seemed to say, Play along.

that true? Are

wasn’t a good liar. “…

plum. Julian nuzzled against my cheek. It took everything I had not to

I

too close, too

faking it

it on thick. I was confused until I saw Nicholas near

a furious expression.

Julian’s hard lowered to my

them, sweetheart,” Julian

the cameras to believe we had runaway on a

cameras. “That’s enough. Stop filming.” He covered one of the camera lens with his hand. “You’ve shot

argue, but Nicholas glared him

said, voice cold as the

down at once. “Yes, Your Royal Highness. Of course,

his arms. “Now, leave.”

immediately listened, and began to return toward the stables. With the cameras gone,

I finally exhaled.

arrived just in time for the save. Not that I wasn’t enjoying myself…”