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.”

refused to believe that he would have anything to do with what happened to me

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 in the

couldn’t believe my ears. If the

mean for the kingdom?

Until I find out who knows what and

Got it?”

I nodded.

a hand through his hair. “God, that was close.

you.

I needed to get

plone. He dialed something,

Mark sald, his voice stiffer than I was used to. “How may I assist you, Your

Highness?

its Piper. Is Elva

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

King, I… Please don’t let

with me, Piper. On my life.

what I was asking, and I could hear his reply loud and

could have cried for it.

door, I will still

you, Mark. Thank you so