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

was well past her bedtime but I

up to see you,” the nanny said.

Mommy Elva said. She rested her head

forehead, “We do For

into the room, then, and

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ran into Nicholas’s waiting arms instead. As he lifted her,

in ways nothing else could.

out of her made me feel all

out of Elva. It really was late for her.

locked eyes with Nicholas and then motioned

need to get some sleep, little princess,” Nicholas said

a story?” Elva said.

the bed. I joined them

huh? Okay.” He thought for a

a story about

her blankets, bringing them right up under her chin.

Nicholas said, smiling a little. “A Queen. She gave up her

just like you

she fight a dragon?” Elva asked.

fire–breathing dragon,” Nicholas