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…”

+15 BONUS

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.

my arms, and

was well past her bedtime but I wasn’t

wanted to stay up to see you,”

Mommy Elva said. She rested her head on my shoulder,

do For a

and Eira it up ance

+15 BONUS

arms and I had to lower her back down to the ground. She ran into Nicholas’s waiting arms instead. As he lifted her, he

in ways nothing else could. That Nicholas had been the one to

made me

before long, another yawn burst out of Elva. It really was late for her.

and then motioned toward the bed.

think you need to get some sleep, little princess,” Nicholas said as he

me a story?” Elva said.

bed. I joined them there and helped tuck Elva in.

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

“I’ll tell you a story about the bravest woman

bringing

gave up her crown to save her little

just like you

a dragon?”

fierce, fire–breathing dragon,” Nicholas