The Luna Choosing Game

I worried about Elva all day, about her abilities and the dangers that those might bring. I was so

distracted with my thoughts that I didn’t notice Elva was beginning to not feel well until she took my hand and I felt how clammy her palms were.

“Are you not feeling well, Elva?” I pressed the back of my hand to her forehead. She was burning up. * Why didn’t you say anything?”

“You get sad,” Elva said.

She was such a considerate child, trying to protect me. But my whole heart broke, knowing she didn’t

feel like she could depend on me.

“I love you, honey, but you have to tell me right away when you don’t feel good, okay?” I scooped her into

my arms.

The day’s events had ended. We were on our way back to our room anyway. Now, carrying Elva, I rushed

there as fast as I could.

Mark caught sight of me right away. “What’s wrong?”

“Send for the doctor, please. Elva has a fever.” I tried to keep the fear from cracking my voice but it s

made it wobble uncertainly.

Mark glanced at Elva and his face went rigid. “Right away.” He waved for one of the two guards at my

door.

down onto the bed. With the quiet maid’s help, we

what I always did: stay by her side, wait for the doctor, and

two more

missed it, I would lose what little ranking I had. I had almost no hope I would be able to

competition anyway, but now,

care. The kind we’d never have back in our small apartment with

had to put in more effort. I had to try to survive the elimination.

she needed

pouldn’t lose. I couldn’t

especially long enough to

me?

It was desperate and reckless, but for Elva’s

anything.

she began to inspect Elva, I pulled Mark

I can find the royal

he still lifted one at my question. “What do you intend to

“Beg,” I said.

me that on non–banquet days, the royal family took their meals

to be alone before the girls were to