The Luna Choosing Game

He watched me but he didn’t say anything.

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness, I

1 didn’t do it for you.” His gaze fell to Elva, who looked so small in her hospital bed. “No harm will come

to any child in this palace.”

“I

“Even so.” I was grateful for his help, no matter the reason he gave it. “Thank you.”

The doctor glanced between us. “If you will excuse me, I will personally take Elva’s prescription to the

pharmacist. It seems safer that way.”

“I

“Thank you,” I said, as Nicholas said, “That would be best.“.

When the doctor left the room, Nicholas kicked off the bookcase and came closer. He peered down at Elva from her bedside, a soft look on his face.

I remembered his interview. Nicholas loved children. He wanted a big family. That kindness must have extended to Elva.

“Truly.” I said, “I don’t know how to thank you for this.”

are separate from our situation, Piper.

didn’t want me to take this gesture personally. He wanted to maintain distance from me. But he was still

wished I could think of a way to convince him that I wasn’t

here as a publicity stunt, then surely

me, and wrapped it

likely never warm to me. I had to just accept

knew I had bigger things to worry

they were leaving, one of them said, “Perhaps leaving

for herr

sald that

to harm

of Lena I had seen leaving the hallway just

hated me. Would that be enough reason

my personal physician will tend to her,” Nicholas said. The gold in

Elva stirred. “Mommy?”

inched closer. “How are you

now,” Her curious eyes shifted from me to Nicholas. “Who

his

“Nick–lass?”

surged through me. “Oh, no, no, Elva. We address him