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.

my arms, and scooped her into a big hug.

was well past her bedtime but I

wanted to stay up to see you,” the nanny said.

said. She rested her

do For a bit longer, anyway,

into the room, then, and Eira

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to the ground. She ran into Nicholas’s waiting arms

heart in ways nothing else could. That Nicholas

of her made me feel all the

burst out of Elva. It really was late for

locked eyes with Nicholas and then

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

me a

down onto the bed. I joined them there and helped

Okay.” He thought for a moment. Then he

about the bravest woman I know.”

princess?” Elva snuggled under her blankets, bringing them right up

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

just like you

fight a dragon?” Elva

huge fierce, fire–breathing dragon,”