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 is innocent in all of

personally. He wanted to maintain

I could think of a way to convince him that I

was only here as a publicity stunt, then surely

his anger for me, and

warm to me. I had to just

I had bigger things to worry

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

for herr

sald that

harm Elvar Hell

flash of Lena I had

hated me. Would that be enough

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

Elva stirred. “Mommy?”

here, honey.” I inched closer. “How

shifted from me to

his chest.

“Nick–lass?”

no, no,