The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0550

Elva glanced up at Veronica and her laughter stifled. "What's wrong?" she asked.

Veronica startled a little, then tried to smile again. It wasn't as big as before. It barely twitched her lip, and certainly did not meet her eyes.

"Nothing's wrong," Veronica said. "I'm glad you liked the trick."

*How long does it last?" I asked, though as soon as the words left my mouth Elva's purple glow began to fade.

"Aww," Elva said, looking at her hands. "Do it again!"

"Elva, honey," I scolded lightly. "We don't demand things from people."

"I'm tired now," Veronica said. "Maybe another time."

Elva tucked her chin down, disappointed. But she said, "Okay."

*Thank Veronica for the magic trick," I reminded Elva.

Elva kicked her feet on the ground. "Thank you..." she mumbled.

"You're welcome," Veronica said.

Elva lifted her folded bird again. She glanced at me, as if for permission.

"Go on," I said. "Have fun."

Nearby I saw the nanny coming up onto the deck. Elva saw her too, and ran toward her, holding up the folded bird. With Elva thoroughly distracted, I turned to Veronica, looking for an explanation. "What just happened?"

book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book contains many sections on curses

the book talked

looked anything

good news?" I asked, because looking at Veronica, I was really

to show the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it. It's

was the one to make the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would

Veronica said. Cóntent belong

purple. Is that good?" I was beginning

appreciated her bluntness. She was never one for false hope. Although in this case, it pulled my heart out a little. I wanted her

said. "It will require

amount of power? Veronica was the only

her

by far." She sighed. "What I do is

had built up for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was

no. No, no," I said quickly. "This isn't

"If I were stronger-*

closer to her. I dipped my head into her line of vision so she could see my face and know that I'm earnest. "We wouldn't even know any of this if it

clearly dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I

merfolk oracle," Veronica said. "She's the only one with enough

from my heart. I wanted to arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully trust her. The

reading." Veronica said. "I've only just started. Maybe there's more I can

bottom of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her. I wasn't sure

her some

at my birdie!" She showed her folded bird to Nicholas, who had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her roundabout child way that Veronica had made

Frank," Nicholas said to the

quickly after that and she rushed over to a pile of napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be able to help. The nanny did the best she

Elva distracted, Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both turned to look out

needed to cool down," Nicholas said. "I'm