The Ruby Moon by Trisha Priebe

Author:Trisha Priebe [Priebe, Trisha White; Jenkins, Jerry B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-68322-028-2
Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2016-12-14T05:00:00+00:00

Finally the time arrived for the kids to file into their underground Great Room for midnight court. Four chairs had been arranged at the front—one for Tuck and three behind his for Kate, Kendrick, and Avery. A silk flag with the kids’ emblem hung on the wall between two sconces, ablaze with the room’s only light.

To Avery it seemed a bit much for such a small crowd.

Tuck stood. “We still don’t know what’s become of our friends,” he said, trembling, something he did only when speaking of the missing—which told Avery how heavily they weighed on him. “But I am grateful we have lost no one since moving down here, an idea we can credit to Avery.”

He asked her to stand, and she was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

“Let’s continue to be cautious, especially when we have to venture back upstairs. Look out for one another and report unusual behavior.”

“Okay, enough of that!” a boy hollered. “Can I be lady-in-waiting?” And even Tuck had to chuckle.

“I know that’s why we have perfect attendance tonight,” Tuck continued, “so about that … I had a lot of things to consider, and it wasn’t an easy decision.”

Kate reached over and squeezed Avery’s hand. It seemed the whole room leaned forward.

“I have chosen Ilsa,” Tuck said.

Avery sucked in a breath. How was that possible?

Kate whispered, “I don’t believe this,” but she joined the rest of the girls who clambered to hug and congratulate Ilsa, and Avery knew it would look bad if she didn’t. Tuck was talking over the cacophony and she heard him mention her name as well, but little else.

Avery stood on wobbly legs, pasted on a fake smile, and went through the motions of trying to reach Ilsa and pat her on the shoulder. In the frenzy she slipped out of the hall and into the labyrinth to go quietly to her chamber and be alone. Almost as bad as Tuck passing her over was his choosing Ilsa. How could he? Did he not know the real Ilsa?

“Avery,” he called from behind her.

She wanted to pretend not to have heard him and just run. But she spun to face him.

“I couldn’t choose you after what happened following the race,” he said. “What if Angelina were to recognize you in the Great Hall tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Avery said flatly, turning away. “How thoughtful of you.”

“I had to make the decision I believed was right,” he called after her. “One day you’ll understand how much you mean to me!”

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