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

to take this gesture personally. He wanted to maintain distance from me. But he was still willing to help Elva,

of a way to convince him that

I was only here as a publicity stunt, then surely Nicholas must

and wrapped it around himself like an impenetrable

me. I had

I knew I had bigger things to worry about

leaving, one of them

for herr

sald that

to harm Elvar

of the flash of Lena I had seen

Would that be enough reason to

The gold in his eyes flashed dangerously. It might have been a trick of

Elva stirred. “Mommy?”

I inched closer.

curious eyes shifted from me to

on his chest. “I’m

“Nick–lass?”

through me. “Oh, no, no,