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.”

not Nicholas…” I refused to believe that he would have anything to do with what happened

or Elva.

his eyes. “Of course not Nicholas. But we can’t tell him the truth of our investigation. So we need to keep them all

believe my ears. If

possibly mean for the kingdom?

find out who knows what and who is innocent,

Got it?”

I nodded.

through his hair. “God, that was close. He was about to sick

you.

get to

on.” Julian retrieved his plone. He dialed something, then brought the phone to my

stiffer than I was used to. “How

Highness?

its Piper. Is

for me. “She’s here and she’s fine. Why? is

I… Please don’t let anyone take her

me, Piper. On my life. No one

way he emphasized, I could tell he knew what I was asking, and I could hear his reply loud

have cried for

the King himself comes through this door,

Mark. Thank you so