The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0518 "Nicholas’s growl returned tenfold. I didn’t know how much longer I could hold him back.

I Yetbefore I could become even more I seriously worried, a different merfolk swam up from the space down below us into the quickly narrowing space between Nicholas and Ronan. At once, both men kicked backwards to give her more room.

She was absolutely stunning, her tail the color of coral, all pinks and oranges and yellows. Her scales sparkled in the light of the nearby dancing orbs. Her bodysuit was elaborate, decorated in many dozens of small shells and gemstones. The decoration continued up through her long hair, merging into the tall crown she wore, Her crown was the tallest of any other in the room. Yet even if she hadn’t have been wearing it, from her regality and her

NY a poise, I would have known this merfolk woman was the Queen.

"Nicholas immediately bows his headin respect, and I do the same. Julian, likewise.

I Ronan does as well, though he seems to do so begrudgingly. His face is twisted with annoyance the remaining shreds of restrained anger.

“Your Majesty,” Nicholas said.

“You need not be so formal with me, Prince Nicholas,” the Queen said. “We are all friends here.” Her eyes were kind looking at Nicholas. They somehow softened further, as she shifted her attentions to me. “Piper, was it?” “Yes, your Majesty.” “My eighth son offended you,” she said.

It wasn’t a question but I felt compelled to answer it as such.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Enough for your princes to come to your rescue?” the Queen asked.

" “I'tried to remove his hands on my-own, ma’am,” I explained. “But he was persistent.” I I'worried she might not believe me, but "from the disappointment clearly turning down her lips, I quickly gathered that wasn’t the case.

She swung her attention around then, to Ronan, her son.

“My eighth son,” Queen Sonal said. “Do you dispute this charge laid before you? Keep in mind that the loudness of your voice carried your crass messages far beyond this small dance area. I believe, even our visiting cameras picked up some of your words.” She waved her hand to where a cameraman was swimming upward, his camera pointed at the scene.

“Enough for your princes to come to your rescue?”

hands on my-own, ma’am,” I explained. “But he was persistent.” I worried she might not believe me, but from the disappointment clearly

swung her attention around then, to Ronan,

said. “Do you dispute this charge laid before you? Keep in mind that the loudness of your voice carried your crass messages far beyond this small dance area. I believe, even our visiting cameras picked up some of your words.” She waved her hand to where a cameraman was

of the Queen's annoyance with the prince was because of his embarrassing them in front of the [ werewolf people, or if she truly was also upset on my behalf. From the soft look she’d given me, I'd imagined both things bothered

more important that the other for the sake

his eyes darting between his mother

throat. “I took liberties with Miss Piper that I should

“And... I should not have done it.” I Queen Sonal sighed. “Ronan. An apology is

He shifted slightly. “Prince Julian.” He moved back towards me. “1 deeply apologize for my unfortunate behavior. I am quite shamed.” Since merfolk valued loyalty, I thought that I should believe him, but there was something about this apology — how quickly it came, or how easily

with all of my heart that you will grant

look

his body mostly still

with me peeking out from behind his

at the restaurant who had assaulted me, I would have called the police and asked them to throw away the

foreign land, an ally to the kingdom I held dear. My kingdom which seemed like it was on the edge of a war with the north, as well as

sure I had any choice but to forgive

the other hand. The merfolk

would know if I only pretended? As I struggled

his hand back and squeezed my arm. I knew then, that I

or lie. Forgiveness

adored

betray him, or let