The Luna Choosing Game

His gaze sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. Blushing slightly, I glanced away from him and toward the cameras instead. Their presence reminded me of where I was and what Julian had just asked me.

I cleared my throat. To Julian, I said, “You’ll have to wait and see.”

He laughed.

Ten minutes later, Julian held out his hand, “Will you dance with me, Piper?”

I knew he was up to something, but with the cameras watching, I couldn’t refuse.

I placed my hand in his. He closed his fingers around mine, and tugged me closer to the pianoforte.

Then he pulled me into his arms.

At the same time, Nicholas led Lilliana to dance as well. They held each other stiffly and at a

respectable distance. The moved with formal, stilted steps.

Julian placed my hand on his chest, and Nicholas nearly tripped over his own feet. Yet he immediately

righted himself and continued dancing.

it had earlier been.

had made it clear from the start that he didn’t like the

supposed Nicholas’s reactions were still tethered to those feelings.

at me did not seem like the glare of a

thought of something,” Julian said

Before I could truly react, Julian abruptly disappeared, so

glanced, and Julian had masterfully switched partners. Now

looking Lilliana.

I, up at him. I thought he

original partners.

went around my

had led Lilliana – and the cameras

so I told him, “If you wanted to know what costume I’d be wearing at the Second Ball, I would tell

edge in his gaze softened a little. “You wouldn’t need to tell me. I’d

costume or

pounded in my chest.

could he

I

might say, or if he might

it, Piper,” he said, just as