The Luna Choosing Game

As Linda dived at me, knife first, both Julian and Nicholas moved at once.

Nicholas ran at me. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me toward him, shielding me behind his body.

Julian, meanwhile, went straight for Linda. He grabbed Linda’s wrist and twisted. The knife clattered

down onto the floor.

“Someone get Joseph the hell back in here!” Julian shouted at one of the guards. They ran out of the room, doing as commanded. The others closed in around Linda.

Disarmed, she shrank in on herself, seemingly realizing what she had done. Her eyes were wide and vacant. Tears streamed down her face.

Nicholas eased me back, though he kept his hands on my shoulders.

“Are you okay?” he asked me.

“Yes.” That knife never had a chance to reach me with both brothers moving as if in tandem.

Still, Nicholas checked me over, dropping his gaze down the length of my body.

to kill her?”

too far,”

the danger had passed, and Nicholas released me,

“Piper!”

okay,” I promised her. I waved out my arms so she

at Nicholas. “Why would

set his jaw. “Some nobles don’t

authoritative. It was unusual

furious, glaring down at where Linda whimpered. “For attempting to

disqualified

spoke weakly. Even she must have known that she had no defense. Everyone in

her in the

the room, his eyes sunken in rage, Julian directed him to escort Linda

Julian said,

now this final act of terror. But, even so, if I wished to press charges, it would extend into a court hearing. Even though I would likely win, I really just wanted this entire situation to go away.

shook my head a

Julian said to

You can dress yourself up in silks and satins, but you will always be common underneath,” Linda said, finally finding

forcing them to stop, and