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.”

that he would have anything to do with what happened to

or Elva.

the truth of our

couldn’t believe my ears. If

that possibly mean

who knows what and who is innocent, we cannot let anything slip

Got it?”

I nodded.

his hair. “God, that was close.

you.

get to her, right away.

his plone. He dialed something, then brought the phone to my

I was used to. “How may I

Highness?

Piper. Is Elva

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

King, I… Please don’t let anyone take

Piper. On my life.

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

cried for

through this door,

Thank you so much.”