The Luna Choosing Game

Footsteps sounded behind me. I turned to look, but my movements were sluggish. Nicholas was beside

me before I ever saw him arrive.

Something warm draped over my shoulders. I looked down and found a thick, waterproof coat wrapped

around me.

Come on. I’ll help you inside.” He took me by the elbows and began to lift me.

I weakly pushed him away. “No. I won’t give up.”

“Piper.”

I shook my head as fiercely as I could, until I was dizzy. “They want me to quit. I can’t give up.”

“To hell with them. Piper, look at me.” He touched my cheek with his palm and physically turned my face.

toward his.

I’m glad he did. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it on my own. I was so very tired.

His golden eyes were fierce, fiery with anger. Even the flecks of green burned like a forest fire.

Was he mad at me? Why? I had trouble thinking clearly. But I couldn’t give up. For Elva, I had to…

“Piper, who will take care of Elva if you get pneumonia and die?”

a shock to my system. Pneumonia?

Piper. She can’t lose you like

in his voice, despite the

he was right. I could feel the chill in the

out here for much

to speak, but no words came out at first. I tried again, and it came out

“Please help… me.

arms around my waist, he helped me to my feet. I leaned heavily into him as

together to the door.

Joseph both glared at us

Queen will hear of

too tired to do

the way to my bedroom, where my maids waited with clean,

Elva?” A shot of panic

room, which faces the other side of the building.” Nicholas said.

quard.”

away the fear quickly. Too

bed, I plopped down

even to

maids,” Nicholas said, unwinding

before he could

didn’t know why I said them. Maybe it was lingering

myself back from what I really

way, I couldn’t

fire in his eyes softened to a warm glow. “You need to change out of

then back to me. “I will return when you are