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?”

words were a shock to my system. Pneumonia?

Piper. She can’t lose

his voice, despite the determination hard

made sense. And he was right. I could feel the chill

If I stayed out here for much longer, I might

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

“Please help… me.

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

together to the door.

Joseph both glared at us as we

hear of this,” Lena said

her, and I was too tired to do much

the way to my bedroom, where my maids waited with

A shot of

side of the building.” Nicholas

quard.”

away the fear quickly. Too quickly,

bed, I plopped down onto

to

your maids,” Nicholas said, unwinding his

before he could fully

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

back from what I

I couldn’t take it

in his eyes softened to a

then back to me. “I will