The Luna Choosing Game

“He’s saving your bacon, Piper. Elva’s too. By publicly decrying this theory, he’s giving you a shield. The King can’t touch Elva now without public uproar,”

Oh. I looked back at Nicholas in awe. I had suggested the public statement before, but for him to continue that idea, to protect us… My chest filled with warmth all of the sudden.

“Do you have any idea who the true father is?” the producer asked.

“I know only that he is the worst kind of coward. A man who refused to stay to support his child or his mother. Why name him and give him the publicity? Let him live in the shadows with his weakness.”

Nicholas spoke with a passion he rarely showed, especially on camera.

Julian whistled. “He’s really nailing this interview. I never knew he had it in him.”

“When he returns, you should tell him so,” I said.

He laughed. “And let it go to his head? The guy has a big enough ego, Piper. Be serious.”

Someday, I wondered if the obvious rift between the two men would ever heal. I also wondered what had caused it to start with. They’d always seemed to hate each other, even when we had all been in school.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Julian said. “Sometimes people just don’t get along. There doesn’t have to be a rhyme or reason or some great backstory.”

I supposed that was true, though it still made me feel very sad for them.

and shook them

be celebrating. And we will, as soon as…” He glanced at the television, but the

“Julian?”

a minute.”

around. We were alone

Nicholas walked in. Julian tugged, pulling me forward by wrists into his waiting.

Arms.

you, Piper!” Julian said loudly, likely

the door. Then he stepped further in and threw his surtcoat down onto

devil are you doing in here?”

break free from Julian, but he squeezed me too tightly for me to

Let her go.” Nicholas’s voice was very

but released his hold. I stumbled, suddenly without his constraint. In a flash Nicholas was behind me, righting me

alright?” he asked

I

mind us,” Julian said. “We were just excited to see your

saw that?” He was looking at me but Julian

way through another public speech,” Julian said. Nicholas clenched