The Luna Choosing Game

Our game of tag lasted for another twenty minutes or so before Elva finally tired and wanted to pick flowers instead. Susie sat with her, teaching her how to make a flower crown with her gathered collection. Mark stood nearby, watchful.

Nicholas and I sat in the grass a few yards off. I’d been pleased when he chose to sit beside me. I felt like there was much regarding his conversation with Julian that he had been keeping from me.

He was relaxed, resting back on his elbows with his long legs stretched out in front of him. His typically perfectly styled hair was a bit windswept from running.

He looked perfect and comfortable, and in another life, I would have stretched out alongside him and buried my face into his neck.

Now, I maintained my careful distance.

I teased, “I hope you were too tough on Julian.”

At once, I regretted the words. The softness in Nicholas’s face hardened. He pushed himself into sitting

upright.

“He’s still in one piece, don’t worry,” he said gruffly.

I tried to quickly think of a different topic of conversation. The weather, perhaps? It was pleasant today.

“You must care for Julian deeply,” Nicholas said, causing my thoughts to stutter.

work on Nicholas as well?

sure. Julian had said we should keep the truth from Nicholas. Maybe this lie was an extension of that.

far. It didn’t

it’s all that deep,” I said, trying to reveal just

hated lying. I really wasn’t built for the deception Julian

But his grip on

cared so much about this. He’d

was acting for all the world like a man who

imagining it. But I still wanted to put him at ease.

Prince Julian,” I admitted. “We’ve had

grip he had on his knees, and nodded. He didn’t say he was relieved, but

I

in the way his features smoothed out.

time, we silently watched as Elva worked on a flower crown. It fell apart almost instantly, but

gentle encouragement, she began

time, I felt a sense of peace. I still felt loss from the gain

sense of comfort. I had thought it totally lost. Yet it was still

calling