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.

alone, Piper. She can’t lose you

was thick in his voice, despite the determination hard in

Elva. That made sense. And he was right.

If I stayed out here for much longer, I might not make

words came out at first. I tried again, and it came out a

“Please help… me.

waist, he helped me to my feet. I leaned

together to the door.

both glared at us as

will hear of

and I was too tired to do much

bedroom, where my maids waited with clean,

of

in Susie’s room, which faces the other side

quard.”

fear quickly. Too

plopped down onto the

to remain

your maids,” Nicholas said, unwinding his arm from around

snatched his wrist before he could fully pull

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

hold myself back

couldn’t

looked at me, the fire in his eyes softened to a warm glow. “You need to change out of those

door, then back to me.