The Luna Choosing Game



Nathan waved Elva and I forward, close to the edge of the front stair.

"Now introducing," Nathan said. "Piper and her daughter Elva."

The polite applause abruptly ceased. In its place, whispers and murmurs erupted in the room.

"Mommy?"

"It's okay, honey. Just remember, you are a princess."

Elva nodded. She stuck up her little chin, hiding the way her bottom lip wobbled.

Holding tightly to each other's hand, we began down the staircase.

There were many unfamiliar faces in the crowd. I looked at the royal family instead.

Julian gave me a thumbs up, which put me a bit at ease.

Then I locked eyes with Nicholas.

Suddenly the rest of the world faded away. There was only Elva and I on this stair, and Nicholas, down below, staring at me.

He watched me the entire time, gaze never wavering. My heart thundered in my chest. I felt like I was in a dream. Only when we reached the bottom stair and a servant directed us where to go, did I finally glance away from his handsome face.

I moved to stand beside Olivia as the rest of the girls received their introductions.

I kept glancing up at Nicholas. Every time I did, he was looking back at me.

After the final introduction, a string orchestra in the corner of the room began to play. The King and Luna owned the first dance.

Together they moved with the kind of grace I could only dream about, as if they danced on a cloud. They must have tired quickly, though. After only a minute or so, they returned to their seats.

Once they were seated, the nobles filled the floor. They were allowed to dance with each other, but not us. The candidates' dances were reserved for the princes alone, unless permission was explicitly given by the royal family.

The order of the princes' dances was chosen at random, but by the end, each prince would have danced with every candidate. Only the servants and the princes knew the order.

The servants weaved through the crowd of us girls searching for the first dancers.

Julian, however, ignored it all by approaching me.

"What do you say, Piper? Care to dance with me?" Julian asked.

I could only imagine the outrage if I said no. Still, I couldn't help but worry what Nicholas would think. He had made well known his opinion of Julian and me.

Julian held out his hand. He smirked like he knew I wasn't in a position to say no.

I looked to Elva, but our nanny was already approaching. It had been previously arranged that the nanny would be on hand to watch Elva during my dances.

Elva waved as she released my hand. "Do good, Mommy!"

I nodded at her. Turning to Julian, I placed my hand in his waiting one.

Julian pulled me out onto the dance floor, and then into his arms. He danced like a professional, with easyProperty belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

movement and a strong lead.

I spend most of my time watching my feet and counting my steps.

*My brother never took you dancing when you were together?" Julian laughed.

We'd gone out, sure. To modern clubs and dancehalls. I could do a two-step, maybe, but these royal dances were beyond complicated.

None of this I would admit to Julian.

"Don't interrupt my counting," I said.

*I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to order a prince around."

"Do you want me to embarrass us both?"

He sighed. "You are trying too hard. Look up."

I did, and nearly tripped over my feet.

*Trust me to lead."

"I wouldn't trust you to walk an old lady across the street," I said.

At once, he laughed, loud and hard.

His laughter gave me a chuckle as well. I was proud for having made such a sound from anyone, even a scoundrel like Julian.

But then, suddenly, Nicholas was beside us.

I realized we'd stopped dancing.

Nicholas scowled at Julian. "I'm cutting in."