The Luna Choosing Game

Nicholas

I stood before the King in his chambers. He was angrily pacing the length of the room. Back and forth,

back and forth. Occasionally he would stop to shout at me, but he’d always break himself off, unfinished,

and continue pacing.

“How could you think –?”

“You deliberately disobeyed –!”

“What do I even –?”

A few minutes in, his face was turning red, and my mother, the Luna was forced to intervene. She stood

in his path to keep him from pacing, then whispered into his ear.

I never totally understood their relationship. My mother was a private person. And though the two of

them often gave compliments to each other, any meaningful conversations only went on behind closed

doors.

both my entire life, I had no idea if they even liked each other at

their marriage was a show they put on for the

few deep breaths. He nodded at my mother,

after I specifically told you not to,” he said.

leading to a twitch in his eyebrow or a downward curl of his lip. “That girl

not belong

a sick child we are helping to take

as much – if not

–

—

his hands up.

“She can be a fine person without being a

event with flying

wanted to help them see without directly calling them out. To do so would be

King’s opinions could never be

huffed in the Queen’s direction. “He’s your son.”

kingdom that I caution you, but for her sake, too. She cannot bear the weight required. Her goodness? Her kindness?

admit it, in my heart, I knew she spoke true. Piper

the burden of a cruel world would press down on her. It would wear at her soul, and I

enough to protect her.

with her sister and her wolf, and poor little Elva’s illness. She didn’t need the added weight of a near war and a disgruntled people.

me what you want me to do,” I