The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0522

I didn't know what else to say to Julian, and he likely felt the same. So we both continued to watch the dancers. On the other side of the banquet room, Nicholas and the Queen were swimming upwards as they talked.

I wasn't the only one who noticed. Bridget's attentions seemed fixed on Nicholas now, as she began to dance more provocatively with her merfolk partner. Suddenly her arms were around the merfolk's shoulders. She gave her hips a wider sway.

All the while, she watched Nicholas. All the while, he was entirely oblivious, speaking with the Queen.

The longer it went on, the more Bridget's bottom lip pouted.

*Her dance partner is going to get the wrong idea," Julian said. "Too much physical contact could be interpreted in a sexual way, especially if she touches... his gills..."

Just as he suggested it, Bridget's hands brushed against her partner's gills. The merfolk man's eyes sparkled as he seemed to look at her with renewed interest. She was ignoring him though, her gaze still on Nicholas.

"This is going to end badly," Julian said.

"Should we do something?" I asked, though I wasn't sure what. Swimming over there to break them up didn't seem like the smartest move. Bridget would likely take offense to our interference.

As it was, it seemed like watching a train wreck in slow motion, one I could only hope that Bridget wasn't purposefully encouraging. I had a sinking feeling however that she was.

Someone as worldly as she was would know merfolk customs. She would know that touching the gills is a sign of intimacy. I was fairly certain that there was a scene in one of her recent movies of that exact scenario!

Then it happened. The merfolk leaned closer and whispered something in Bridget's ear.

Bridget suddenly yanked herself backwards, away from the merfolk man, and then slapped him across the face. The slap didn't hit very hard, as we were underwater, but the intent was clear enough.

The merfolk man, looking stricken, immediately put some space between the two of them.

*How dare you proposition me like some kind of whore?" Bridget loudly snapped, drawing the attention of most people in the room. Even the musicians were surprised, and the music stopped.

Julian grumbled and started swimming toward the scene. I quickly kicked to

halfway to Nicholas. He met her there in

at the same time the offending merfolk

he said. "I misunderstood. I

gripped ontol Nicholas's arms. He looked down at where she was holding him,

sorry," the merfolk man continued, again and

voice lowered. "You are making this out to

offended once again. "You would allow

way? The man

go to a private room, as if I was obligated to give him sexual favors!" Bridget

know now. I only hoped someone was keeping the children distracted so they didn't have to deal with any of

"I

words. She tugged on Nicholas's arm.

lowered himself into a fuller bow. "I

brow furrowed as she

if this had been a cultural misunderstanding, or that the merfolk seemed exceedingly apologetic. What she seemed to care about was that Nicholas wasn't coming

me from Ronan. But Ronan's advances onto me had been unwelcome.

was even apologizing profusely and

challenge a man who was already prostrating so committedly. The merfolk man would likely forfeit the challenge

and grace befitting her

for causing such a scene. I should have known better than

have," Queen Sonal said. "You may see yourself out of the banquet hall and

ma'am." The merfolk man bowed deeply once more, then turned and fled the group. He swam all the way to the top of the banquet

barely in check. As she looked at the queen, she bowed politely. "Your Majesty, surely a harsher punishment should have been necessary in