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?

alone, Piper. She can’t lose

despite the determination hard

And he was right. I could feel the chill

If I stayed out here for much longer,

words came out at first. I tried again, and

“Please help… me.

helped me to my feet. I

together to the door.

at us as

of this,” Lena said behind

too tired to do much else

to my bedroom, where my maids waited with clean,

of panic struck

other side

quard.”

away the fear quickly.

the bed, I plopped down

to

leave you in the care of your maids,” Nicholas said, unwinding his

his wrist before he could fully pull away. “Don’t

why I said them. Maybe it was lingering fear. Maybe I

to hold myself back from what

way, I couldn’t

fire in his eyes softened to a warm

at the door, then back to me. “I will return when