THE LUNA CHOOSING GAME - Season 6 Episode 13

“The merfolk royal swam over toward me I stood very still, continuing to grip on Nicholas’s arm.

{The merfolk cleared his throat. I braced i myself, unsure if he would speak in a language I would recognize. Despite any potential awkwardness here, I certainly didn’t want to be rude. I “My lady,” the merfolk royal said, eliminating my worry. The merfolk, it seemed, were trained in English better than we were trained in their language.

“My name is Prince Ronan. I am the eighth son of our Queen Sonal.” I placed my hands on either side of my neck, covering my imaginary gills ina shortened form of the traditional greeting, the same form he had just given me.

“An honor to meet you Prince Ronan. My

I nameis Piper.” “A beautiful name that fights a beautiful woman,” Ronan said. His eyes flashed in the dancing lights of the room. Unlike the hallway that had light fixtures, this room I seemed to be lit exclusively by magical I means. Orbs of light in various shades floated throughout the room.

Nicholas was still holding my arm, and therefore witness to the entire exchange.

“Prince Ronan,” Nicholas said, apparently in greeting, though he made no further effort beyond those curt words.

“Prince Nicholas,” Ronan replied, though his gaze remained fixed on me. “Your partner this evening is truly enchanting.

Such a delightful traditional merfolk dress, Piper. You are a generous soul to gift us with the sight of it this day.” Blood rushed to my cheeks. What was I supposed to say to that?

“Uh, thanks?” I managed.

Nicholas hardened his gaze. “If you will ‘ excuse us, Prince Ronan. We’ve onlyjust arrived. There are many introductions to make.” J Ronan nodded critically, though he continued speaking to me, “Piper, in honor of your arrival, the royalty and nobility have been hard at work turning some of our movements into what your people call dancing. It would honor me if you would grant me your first dance.” “I must insist on the first dance,” Nicholas said. “As is my right as the man accompanying her this evening.” I blinked. Was this why he had wanted to hold my arm for the entrance, despite knowing it would be captured on camera? By accompanying me into the banquet hall, was he allotted certain privileges he would have otherwise been denied? Was this more merfolk custom I was

unfamiliar with? God, I really needed a refresher course. { “Understood,” Ronan said. “Though I shall anticipate a later dance, then.” I Not knowing what else to do, I bowed my I head slightly, acquiescing. What was one dance with a handsome merman? I danced many times with other men I wasn’t particularly attracted to during the other balls and events. I could handle this.

“Mommy!” Elva called, waving from farther down in the hall. “Look!” She pointed at a passing merfolk, one who was carrying a tray of exotic-looking foods. Fish, I presumed, and seafood.

“If you will excuse me, Prince Ronan,” I said. “I must attend to my daughter now.” “Until later, then, Piper.” Ronan smiled at me,

p I tugged slightly at Nicholas’s arm, encouraging him to follow me. Together I we swam to where Elva was asking the { merfolk servant questions about the food.

“And what’s this one?” J “Sea bass,” the woman said.

“And this?” Elva pointed.

“Lobster.” Elva tried each of them, and soon, I joined her. Seafood like this wasn’t on our usual dining list, so I wanted to take advantage. Nicholas watched us both with an endearing look and a soft smile.

Before long, a group of merfolk children, some wearing narrow crowns of strung together pearls, approached Elva. They swam in small circles around her, until she laughed.

“Play with us!” one of the children said.

“We’re going to race!” said another.

Elva looked at me with doe eyes.

“It’s alright,” Nicholas said. “She is safe “while she is here. The merfolk treat-all children as if they were their own. Even those of foreign birth.”