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.

arms, and scooped her into a big

past her bedtime but

to stay up to see you,” the

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

do For a bit

and

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

could.

her made me feel

before long, another yawn burst out of Elva.

eyes with Nicholas and then

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

a

lowered her down onto the bed. I joined them there and helped tuck Elva in.

Okay.” He thought for

tell you a story about the bravest woman I

blankets, bringing

Queen. She gave up her crown to save her little girl, a princess

just like you

she fight a dragon?”

fire–breathing dragon,” Nicholas