The Luna Choosing Game

“She’s smart,” Julian said. “She knows how to fade into the background. I’ve seen her do it.”

“Even so…”

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וויר

“I’ll keep an eye on her. One of us should head back to the party anyway,” Julian said with a wink. “The ladies are probably missing me, the most handsome of us anyway.”

Nicholas gave him a flat look.

Julian smirked and disappeared.

Then Nicholas took my arm and led me through the hallways. By now, my nerves were getting to me. I just wanted to see Elva, to hold her and know she’s okay.

Nicholas was texting Mark with one hand.

“No issues today,” Nicholas said, which gave me a measure of comfort. I still would feel better if I could see it all with my own eyes.

When we reached the hallway of rooms, I was walking very quickly. Nicholas, blessedly, was keeping pace. His guards were keeping watch outside my door. Nicholas stopped to speak with them.

“Go on inside, Piper,” he said.

I nodded and walked in.

Elva and the nanny were sitting on the ground, playing with their dolls. Mark stood nearby, watching. They all turned to look at me when I came closer.

“Mommy Elva jumped to her feet and rushed toward me.

knees, opened my arms, and scooped her into a

well past her bedtime

to see you,” the

said. She

do For a bit

and Eira it up

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ran into Nicholas’s waiting arms instead. As

sound healed my heart in ways nothing else could. That Nicholas had been the one to

of her made me feel all the

of

with Nicholas and then

sleep, little princess,” Nicholas said as he

me a story?” Elva said.

the bed. I joined them there and helped tuck

ruffled her hair. “A story, huh? Okay.” He thought for a moment. Then

a story about the bravest woman

snuggled under her blankets, bringing them right

She gave up her crown to

just like you

a

fierce, fire–breathing dragon,” Nicholas replied.