The Luna Choosing Game

When our lovemaking was done, Nicholas held me in his arms under the covers of the bed. Despite the bliss running through my veins, now that the deed was done, I also felt a wave of... guilt.

I didn’t know if Nicholas and Bridget were together. Maybe they were, maybe they weren't. But probably should have clarified that before I jumped into bed with him like some kind of thirsty harlot.

My moral compass seemed to fly out the window when it came to Nicholas.

’d pretty much do anything to keep him in my life.

“you're quiet,” Nicholas said. He combed his fingers lazily through my

hair as I laid, half-draped, over his chest.

“I was just thinking...” I began, but lost my nerve to say more.

“About what?” Nicholas prompted.

known he wouldn’t let this go

Then I added,

of you are together,” I said. I wasn’t able to stop the words, now that the dam had been broken. “She said it would be for the best if I stayed away from you.” Nicholas’s

I lifted my head, to look himin _ § the eye. “Was she telling the truth?” “I haven’t

was much more to the story than simply that. I

Bridget is the best choice for my Luna,” Nicholas said. “They are

about it, which is why she’s so confident.” He sighed again, and this time it came out harsher. I could sense his

bad enough when it was just my parents. But now to have Bridget in the mix? She is my friend. She always has been, but she is suddenly demanding more of me. She wants promises I'm not ready to make.” Not ready, he said. That didn’t mean he was outright refusing her or outright

that I wanted, but... I always knew that Nicholas would choose the crown before anyone or anything else, including me. That he would need to think carefully was no

either.

me over everything else, but that was an entirely selfish notion. And Nicholas was too good of

what I could of him, and tried to enjoy him for as long as