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.

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

was well past her bedtime but I wasn’t

to stay up to see you,”

get to stay, Mommy Elva said. She rested

her forehead, “We do For a bit longer,

and Eira it up

+15 BONUS

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

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

me feel all

another yawn burst out of Elva. It really was

with Nicholas and then motioned

get some sleep, little princess,” Nicholas said as he carried Elva over that

tell me a story?”

onto the bed. I joined them there and helped

Okay.” He thought for a moment.

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

bringing

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

just like you

fight a

huge fierce, fire–breathing