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

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

him that I wasn’t here to chase a crown or rekindle what

here as a publicity stunt, then surely

me, and wrapped

me. I

at Elva, I knew I had bigger things

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

for herr

sald that

harm

flash of Lena I had seen leaving the hallway

Would that be

to her,” Nicholas said. The gold in his eyes flashed dangerously.

Elva stirred. “Mommy?”

I inched closer. “How

curious eyes shifted from me to

hand on his

“Nick–lass?”

“Oh, no, no, Elva. We