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.”

would have anything to

or Elva.

truth of our investigation. So we need to keep them

ears. If the King was

could that possibly mean for the

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

you.

Elva.” I needed to get

Julian retrieved his plone. He dialed something,

stiffer than I was used

Highness?

Piper. Is

for me. “She’s here and she’s fine.

King, I… Please don’t

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

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

could have cried for

through this door, I will still protect

Thank you so much.”