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 knees, opened my arms, and scooped her into a big hug.

past her bedtime but

to stay up to see you,”

we get to stay, Mommy Elva said. She rested her head on my shoulder,

“We do For

then, and Eira it up ance

+15 BONUS

I had to lower her back down to the ground. She ran into Nicholas’s waiting arms

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

out of her made me feel all

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

with Nicholas and then motioned toward the

princess,” Nicholas said

tell me a story?” Elva

I joined them

hair. “A story, huh? Okay.” He thought

tell you a story about the bravest woman I know.”

blankets, bringing them right up

little. “A Queen. She gave up her crown to save her little girl,

just like you

fight a dragon?” Elva asked.

fire–breathing dragon,” Nicholas