The Luna Choosing Game

Bridget was my friend. She had my trust. Though I didn’t think love would form from it, couldn’t deny it would be a good match. Bridget would be a good Luna.

I

However, I did not think she would be a good wife. And that kept me from agreeing to the match.

That, and my desire for Piper. I knew we needed to end things, but how could I? If I could keep her by my side longer, simply by turning all others away, I would.

“There’s no secret that Bridget’s presence has helped quell some of the unrest in the kingdom,” the King said. “Her continued presence in the palace could only help us moving forward.”

He was right. I fucking hated it but he was right.

“Speak to her,” the Luna said. Her cold, queenly exterior had returned. “Perhaps she can

convince

where we could not.”

“I will speak to her in the morning,” I said. I really needed to rest tonight and clear my head. I didn’t want to jump into something while my head felt so muddled.

“Speak to her now,” the Luna commanded. “She is waiting in your rooms.”

It was against the rules for the candidates to be in the princes‘ rooms without their express permission. It seemed my mother had trumped that rule without my consent.

Another choice ripped from my hands. Another disrespect.

I dipped my head low, because I didn’t trust my voice anymore. A growl was brewing in the back of my throat. For anyone, even a prince, to growl at the Luna would not go unpunished.

I left their room without another word. I didn’t want to speak with Bridget, but I reasoned I could talk to her and tell her to come back in the morning.

I opened the door to my rooms and walked in. Bridget was waiting in a chair and immediately jumped up at my arrival. I closed the door behind me.

“I know this can’t be what you had planned,” she began. She must have been prepped for this conversation, likely by my mother. Not letting me get a word in, even to say hello, was likely part of their strategy. “It’s not what I had in mind either.”

“Bridget…” (1

She walked to me, closing the distance faster than I would have liked. I held my ground though, and stood taller. I would be defiant in whatever small ways I could be.

“Your friendship is important to me, Nicholas. So I want to stay by your side. And who knows?” She lifted a hand and traced it down the length of my forearm. “Maybe someday it could be love.”

No. It wouldn’t.

Not while Piper was a person that existed in the world. Even if she and I could never be together, she was the only one I wanted in my heart. Even if that made me lonely. Even if Piper eventually moved on.

Piper was my heart.

I opened my mouth, ready to turn Bridget down as gently as I could – or at least, set the record straight.

But then there was a knock on the door. I went to it, drew it open, and there stood Piper. 1

For her to find me in here, this late, with Bridget, made my heart sink, coated in black ink. Piper would be hurt, and she would have right to be.

Especially with the careless things I had said to her before.

Here she was, ready to give me another chance, and I had to turn her down flat.

“Go back to your room, Piper,” I said, and closed the door. Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.