“That does create a dilemma, doesn’t it?” Julian picked up where I left off. The disappointed look had vanished now, replaced with an almost… pride? Impossible. He most likely just wanted more mischief. “If we let Piper go now, wouldn’t the public have questions?” “What do we care for their qu

“We’d like to thank everyone for joining us tonight for the First Elimination Ceremony. Tonight, as you have all been previously informed, we will be sending home 9 Luna candidates, leaving our remaining count at 15.” Nathan, microphone in hand, spoke mainly for the cameras, and not the three line

The Luna audibly gasped. Some of the girls around me started screaming. Guards quickly moved in to usher them from the room. I was urged forward. “End the program,” the King shouted. “Now.” The cameras immediately shut off. Before I could reach the staircase and earn my favor from the prince o

“I hope you can understand and respect Nicholas’s need to move on from the train wreck you once shared together,” the King continued. I swallowed thickly, fear mixing with anger. What Nicholas and I had was special, not anything like a terrible accident. We’d cared deeply for each other. I’d had t

“You would deny the direct command of your prince?” he asked, voice firm. It was an act, I knew him enough to be able to tell. But he was giving me the reason I needed comply with his wishes if I so chose. And I desperately wanted to. “Okay,” I said at last. He utilized his servants to draw atte

Nicholas had never met my twin, but I had definitely talked about her when he and I had been dating. I was constantly worried about her, and she would sneak out into my conversations without even meaning to. Ever since we were kids, she was getting in trouble. Maybe she was too free-spirited. Mayb

No visits. No phone calls. No birthday or Christmas cards for Elva. It wasn’t the first time she had gone dark on me, but this time the circumstances were much different. I was caring for her child, the one she had been so desperate to rescue when she’d called me. Whether the underground organiz

The breath punched from my lungs. Linda maybe hadn’t eavesdropped on everything, but she had definitely heard that Nicholas and I had once dated. “I imagine that information would be quite problematic if it was to be publicly known.” With a sway of her hips, Linda sauntered closer. Problematic w

Linda was not that person. Yet… the King’s threats kept me from saying as much. “That’s not the way the world works, Piper. At least not within the palace walls.” He faced the balcony railing, and looked out into the darkness. “If playing this game with Linda keeps you and Elva here and safe, th

“No,” Nicholas said. Julian, still bowing, shot him a glare. “I wasn’t asking you, brother. In case that wasn’t obvious.” “She will not dance with you, because she is about to dance with me,” Nicholas said. Julian straightened upright. “Is that what was happening here? Because, to me, it appea