The Luna Choosing Game

“Thank you,” I said. “Please thank them for me, as well. I wouldn’t want to get them in trouble by approaching them directly.”

Till pass on your gratitude,” Charlotte said.

We continued to work throughout the day. When we finally finished, it was time for me to attend a

banquet.

Elva, who had been patient all day, complained loudly that she wouldn’t get to attend.

“You’d hate it,” I told her, hoisting her up into my arms. “A bunch of stuffy people insulting each other

while pretending to be nice.”

“Why would they do that?” she asked.

“1 don’t know, honey.” But I did know. With only 9 candidates left, everyone was on the edge. We were coming down to the wire soon, and all the girls, except Susie and 1, wanted the crown. “People

sometimes have to cut each other down to make themselves feel more important.”

“That doesn’t sound very nice”

“It’s not,” I agreed.

As I prepared for the banquet, I was startled by an unfamiliar maid sticking her head through the door.

Charlotte immediately intercepted her and then sent her away

What did she want?”

unsettled, her brow pulled together. “I’m not sure. She didn’t even ask anything.

she had the wrong room but that seems

you recognize her?”

me lace up my silver dress in the

room? What had she hoped to see? None of it made

and Mark outside the door, I headed down to the dining room

a low–cut bodice and a

dress fit for a Luna. I maybe should have felt like an imitator wearing it. Instead, I felt something. like a princess of moonlight.

Julian stood at the bottom

escort you to the

a brow. “Why?”

want to be the one on

narrowed my

if we walked in together. You are

I

still didn’t feel like the right reason, or maybe, not the only one. For now,

well.” I accepted

Julian

“It is.”

on

I side–eyed him.

me. “It looks better on you than

Her? Who?