The Luna Choosing Game

1 felt the warmth of her hand long after she had removed it.

I followed my father away from the dining room and to his rooms. He did not look back at me once, nor spoke to me until we were behind closed doors.

Once the door had shut behind us, however, he swiveled to glower at me.

“You’ve ignored my summons these past days.”

I had. “There have been many things that required my attention.”

“Matters more important than respecting your King?”

“More important than humoring the tired whims of my father, yes.”

The King’s face went bright red. “How dare you! Who do you think you are?”

I stood my ground. “Tell me you have some reason to want to see me other than Piper.”

He thrust his finger into my chest. “She is a danger, Nicholas. You are not taking this seriously.”

He huffed out a frustrated breath, then turned on his heel again. He placed some distance between us.

“You could have better handled the revelation of your past relationship. You nearly made us the laughing

of the

with the people,” I said. “No one was laughing. If anything.

respect.”

that it was true. I had no intention of using my relationship with Piper in such a way. I had only wanted to protect her. But if it would help appease my father and therefore

to her

need

the distance between my father and I. He stood near

at the flames.

asked Lilliana on another date. Piper is not a threat to

she is. Can’t you see?” He looked back at me. The flickering flames cast shadows across his face. The way you talk about her, Nicholas, is

Don’t be ridiculous.

* +15 BONUS

never be with her, don’t you? You are my oldest son. Regardless what we told the

and the promoters, you are most likely to take my throne when I pass. As King,

some commoner –”

on this, father. I know better

here.”

do you insist on

my head. “The people adore her

any of our choices. Lilliana, for example. Think of ways to bring her

need Piper to rally

mind, I tried to replace my shared moments in Piper’s presence, with Lilliana instead.