The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0264

“Didn’t Julian mention the pendant to you?” I asked.

“No,” Nicholas said curtly.

“He gave me this.” I lifted the pendant higher, for Nicholas to see. “He said that all I have to do is press down on the moon, and my location would be sent to him. I asked him to include you in on it…”

“Conveniently he failed to mention it to me.” Jealousy dripped like venom from his voice.

“He must have forgotten.”

“Doubtful.” Nicholas accepted the pendant and examined it closely. He fl*pped it over to look at the back of it. “I would have felt better if he had told me about this, but… I can’t deny it gives me some measure of comfort to know you have it.”

“It does?”

Nicholas nodded. “I want you protected, even if I’m not the one doing it. Julian is many things but he is not on Terry’s side. If he gave you this to protect you from him, that offer was genuine. As is the threat. If even Julian is worried about you…”

Nicholas and Julian seemed to have skewed ideas of the other. I had seen Julian’s concern before, in albeit fleeting moments. But Julian was not so rambunctious and carefree as Nicholas assumed him to be.

I doubted that defense of Julian would be welcome right at this moment, with Nicholas barely containing his envy, so I withheld it. Julian would probably prefer the misconception anyway, since he so often sought to cultivate it.

“I will be speaking to Julian about this, however,” Nicholas said, his voice lowering with dark promise.

I laughed a little, nervously, hoping I didn’t get Julian in too much trouble. Though, knowing him, he could handle himself just fine against his brother.

For a few more blissful moments, I closed my eyes and enjoyed his warmth and closeness. But then, too soon, he pulled

risk being so late

couldn’t afford to lose even one more rank, so

us to the street. Then he moved the

had been, a mile or two at most. We were the last car to pull into the driveway, though several servants were still outside as if expecting us. When Nicholas stopped, one of the servants opened my car door.

you very much,” I

servant kept his eyes down and did not engage

perhaps this particular gentleman took his position as a servant very seriously. I wouldn’t hold it against him. I simply stepped away and waited for Nicholas to come around the car.

arm out for me, and I laced mine around

Both ignored me, eyes low, as if they

at Nicholas

of those things are true. His cruelty knows no bounds, and I suspect, though I have no proof, that many of his staff aren’t here

have done something about it

before, but they will not hear me. His cruelty breeds loyalty, unfortunately. The servants

looked at them, their gazes were on the floor, their bodies still as statues. I doubted they would speak to me either. Perhaps the only way to help them

had to bring Terry

room at the base of a grand staircase. Gold adorned

on every wall, under lights and sometimes cases. I had little doubt that

candidates and a few other guests were scattered throughout the room, with Terry standing in the center of the room. Servants, their downcast gazes in place, walked around the room carrying trays of

us, waves Nicholas and me closer. Nicholas holds tightly to

my l*ps, and his eyes narrowed. “Why, Piper. It seems you have smeared your

l*pstick.”