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.”

“Children are separate from our situation, Piper. Elva

He wanted to maintain distance from me. But he was still willing to help Elva, and

him that

knew I was only here as a

he held onto his anger for me, and wrapped it around himself like an impenetrable

likely never warm to me. I had

knew I had

my room. When they were leaving, one of them said, “Perhaps leaving the palace

for herr

sald that

to harm

of Lena I had seen leaving the hallway just as

hated me. Would that be enough reason to endanger my

only my personal physician will tend to her,” Nicholas said. The gold in his eyes flashed dangerously. It might have been a trick of

Elva stirred. “Mommy?”

I inched

from me to Nicholas. “Who

on his chest. “I’m Prince Nicholas.”

“Nick–lass?”

me. “Oh, no, no, Elva. We address him as