The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0516 "As we had swallowed down each other's pleasure, there wasn’t much need for clean up, other than returning into our swimsuits and checking ourselves in the mirror. As our hair was already wild in the water, no one would notice if Nicks and mine had been tugged and pulled.

I did have a few new love bites on my thighs, but hopefully no one would think to look there. Besides, it wasn’t terribly obvious what they were. I could have just been breaking out from too long under water or something. That was believable right? It would have to be because, since makeup didn’t work down here, and I didn’t happen to have any anyway, I had accept that I couldn’t do anything about it.

When we were dressed and as presentable as we ever were going to be, Nicholas

I gripped my shoulders, brought me close, and kissed me sweetly on the mouth.

I smiled against his lips, my heart-and body warmed from his physical and emotional affections.

“I'll leave first,” he said. “What five minutes, then follow me.” Those words cracked my facade somewhat. I understood the need of them. If we left together, we could be caught on camera and then who knew what would happen.

But it hurt my soul to know that we had to continue to play this game. I wished I could be with Nicholas for real, though I knew all the legitimate reasons I couldn’t.

To want more was being selfish.

I wanted Nicholas however I could have him, and this was the only way I could have him.

I So I kissed him again, a touch more desperate this time. He wrapped his arms I around me, holding me close.

Then he released me. He turned and he left me alone in the room. I closed the door and locked it behind him.

i I waited for five minutes, counting each second to keep my mind from wandering and wallowing in my sudden aloneness.

Then, when my three hundred seconds were done, I opened the door and slipped out of the small room myself.

absence, I was not immediately aware. The

was speaking with Nathan in front of the cameras. Julian was showing off his swimming

congregation of crowned

conversation of extreme ) importance. I

I felt

If he wasn’t a King, he was at least a first son or an advisor of the utmost importance. “But you must understand our limitations if things continue to progress with your conflict in the north.” That made sense, I supposed, as the border with the

but put them on land, and their abilities were I severally compromised. gp “Any intelligence would be beneficial " enough,” Nicholas said. “We trust you to keep your ear to the ground.”

seemed troubled, his brow furrowing, creasing the rose-gold scales there. “Though they are concerning, none the less.” “Any particulars

the merfolk. “Keep a protective eye on

to remain inconspicuous. But he looked at meas if he had known I was there for

looked too. Yet when he saw me, he didn’t look angry that I had been eavesdropping, as I'd

to swim his way over to me. Before he could reach me however, another pair of warms went around me, sweeping me up and

deep, mischievous laughter helped me realize it was only Julian. gp I playfully swatted his shoulder. “You gave me a

Julian said. He released I me and rubbed at the spot I'd hit him, \ though it couldn’t possibly

me. Even now, my heart felt like it was pounding so hard, it could power a

I said, though I was mostly teasing now. It was easy to relax around Julian, in a way

dance,” Julian said. He nodded toward the dancefloor, where the merfolk were jubilantly flitting

attempting to

good

the music was still eerie and "haunting, this one at

me, and I accepted it. Together, we