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.

knowing them both my entire life, I had no idea

was a show they

a few deep breaths. He nodded at

Piper after I specifically told you not to,” he

of his voice, occasionally leading to a twitch in his eyebrow or a downward curl

belong

we are helping

me. “She deserves to be as much – if not more than anyone

–

—

his hands up.

be a fine

event with

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

could never be

in the Queen’s direction. “He’s your

the kingdom that I caution you, but for her sake, too. She cannot bear the weight required. Her goodness? Her kindness? Her spirit? All will be crushed, to say nothing of her

I knew she spoke true. Piper could be

world would press down on her. It would wear

enough to protect

Elva’s illness. She

what you want me to do,” I said, burying the ache in my