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 scooped her into a big hug.

past her bedtime but

to stay up to

Elva said. She rested her head

“We do For a bit longer,

the room, then, and Eira it up

+15 BONUS

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

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

out of her made me

another yawn burst out of Elva.

eyes with Nicholas and then motioned

some sleep, little princess,” Nicholas said as he

tell me a story?” Elva

bed. I joined them there and helped tuck

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

about

her blankets, bringing them right up under her

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

just like you

a dragon?”

fierce, fire–breathing dragon,” Nicholas