The Luna Choosing Game

The King’s whole face went pale for a beat, and in the next, he became very red, like he might explode.

Julian let the lie linger for far longer than was comfortable, until the King seemed like he might choke to

death on it.

Then Julian laughed, and said, “Just kidding! Nicholas isn’t the father, sorry!”

He pulled me away then, quickly, before the King could recover.

The servant, concerned for his King, rushed to his side, leaving our escape open.

Out in the hallway, Julian pulled out of one royal room and into another. This one wasn’t quite so elaborate, likely a prince’s personal chambers. Yet it seemed far too organized and clean to belong to

Julian.

A television was on overtop of a sofa. I thought I heard Nicholas’s voice, but Julian spoke louder and closer, straight in my ear.

“You cannot tell the King the truth about Elva’s birth or the story of your wolf.”

I blinked, surprised by his urgency. He’d switched from mischievous to deadly serious in an instant.

“I have reason to suspect that some of the royalty might be involved in the underground market. We can’t trust anyone. Not my brothers, not the Luna, and not the King.”

he would have anything to do

or Elva.

not Nicholas. But we can’t tell him the truth of our investigation. So we need to keep them all in the dark about everything ever.”

believe my ears. If the

that possibly mean for the

out who knows what and

Got it?”

I nodded.

He pushed a hand through his hair. “God, that was close. He was about to sick those guards on

you.

get to

his plone. He dialed something,

stiffer than I was used to. “How may I

Highness?

Is Elva

his voice softened for me. “She’s here and she’s

don’t let anyone

me, Piper. On my life. No one will harm this child.”

he knew what I was asking, and I

cried

himself comes through this door, I will still protect

you, Mark. Thank you