The Luna Choosing Game

With the cameras arranged, I was immediately escorted by Nathan to the other side of the room where Julian was teaching Elva how to hide a card up her sleeve. Behind me, and Queen were escorted by guards out of the room.

I crossed my arms as I peered down at Julian. He smiled sheepishly up at me.

“Are you angrier with me for what’s about to happen with the cameras, or that I was teaching Elva how to cheat at cards?” he asked.

“Both,” I said.

“Fair.”

“Mommy, look!” Elva lifted her sleeves and ten cards came spilling out.

Julian laughed. “She’s an enthusiastic learner.”

I shook my head, even as I knelt down beside them. “Elva, you shouldn’t learn things from Julian.”

“But Jul-an is fun!” she said.

I slide a glance his way.

He smirks. “More fun than Nicholas?” His eyes are alight. He is clearly expecting an answer of a

positive sort.

“No!” Elva said. “Nick-lass is best.” 2

“Elva,” I chided softly.

“What?” she asked.

I worried Julian might be angry, but he just laughs. Still, behind it, somewhere in his see a dash of hurt. He doesn’t mention it so neither do I, not wanting to embarrass him.

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I

“Why don’t we pick up the mess we made, hm?” I asked Elva, who immediately agreed and started collecting the cards.

With her distracted, I turned toward Julian. He was already looking at me.

“You going to be okay with this?” I asked him.

He seemed surprised. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

I shrug a little. “It seems unfair to both of us.” I glanced at Elva as she reached for a card hidden under the couch. “All of us,” I amended.

“I regret any hurt or confusion this causes Elva,” Julian said. “But pretending to be fond of you is no great challenge, Piper.” I brought my attention back to Julian. He acted like this sometimes, said or did things that made me wonder if the fondness he felt for me carved deeper than friendship. He always seemed to pull away before I could get too close to the truth. Or maybe it was me who pulled away, afraid of what I would find if I looked too closely. Julian was as off-limits as Nicholas was. More so, being Nichola s’s brother. I was fond of him, cared for him deeply, but the depths of my feelings for Julian could never match what I felt for Nicholas.

For now, though, I would have to pretend.

“Will you be able to do this?” Julian asked me. Leaning closer, he let his voice drop low.

“Yes,” I said. “For the good of the kingdom.” For Ni chola s’s sake.

The producers finished setting up, and then waved for us to begin. We sat with Elva for a while, playing cards. Julian taught her a trick while I fondly watched. That part wasn’t hard. I wasn’t playing pretend.

But then, with Elva distracted with her cards, Julian and I stepped off to the side. We sat together on a nearby couch, legs touching from hip to knee. Julian slipped his arm around my waist.

Julian nuzzled at my cheek. In my ear, he whispered, “You are too tense. You look like you are about to slap me at any moment.”

I knew that, I did. But I had no idea how to calm down.

“Deep breaths,” Julian guided me. “Let your shoulders relax. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know that,” I whispered, because it felt important for him to know.

He traced his hand up the length of my arm to my shoulder, then jumped to cradle by cheek. He turned my face toward him. It took everything I had not to pull away.

His eyes were a little sad as he took me in.

“Piper,” he said. Softer, he added, “Pretend I’m him.”