The Luna Choosing Game

I tried to pull my eyes away just to prove him wrong. Too quickly, I was looking again.

“She’s the King and Queen’s favorite,” Jullan said.

“Your brother’s, too.” I tried to keep the distain from my voice, but I was a poor actor. I was certain that it

shone on through,

“Maybe.” Julian studied me now, the others apparently forgotten. “I’m not so sure.”

“He wouldn’t let just anyone hand–feed him.” I crossed my arms.

Julian tilted his head. “Why, Piper. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”

His words startled me and my eyes went wide.

Jealous? No, that couldn’t be right. What Nicholas and I had was done and over with long ago.

Except it wasn’t. At least, not for me. My recent fantasies of Nicholas as my husband and father to Elva

proved it.

But to be jealous here, now, in the midst of this competition? I had not recognized the churn in my

stomach and tightness in my chest for what it truly was.

Yes, I was jealous.

anyone else, to

my throat, trying to collect myself.

would have to be terribly foolish to feel jealous

girl here if

“More or less, that’s

glance. He

challenge?” he

who actually loves him?”

don’t love him.” The words burned the entire length of my throat.

“Could have

reclaim wayward Julian and return

supposed to remain as

+15 BONUS

though Nathan didn’t move but a couple feet off, waiting for him. Obviously, Nathan didn’t fully trust

try Lilliana’s pastries for myself.” Voice low again, he added, “They’re

Jullan Nathan said.

back to his family. Nicholas, I

full length of his return trip.

on my own person. I

I

on fire with her gaze.

I faced forward once more,

through two more tables before finally reaching

Linda’s eggs were looking a bit dry.