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?"

about in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book contains many sections on curses and how to properly

said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked

anything but happy about

that good news?" I asked, because

to show the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it. It's easier, of course, if the person who made the curse removes

I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around, not to help

Veronica said. Cóntent

purple. Is that good?" I was beginning to suspect that

one for false hope. Although in this case, it pulled my heart out a little. I wanted her

of the curses," Veronica said. "It will

the only one I knew who

remove her

sighed. "What I do

myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from

said quickly. "This

"If I were stronger-*

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

her head, clearly dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I

the merfolk oracle," Veronica said. "She's the only one with enough power to have a

appear again to me when I had removed doubt from my heart. I wanted to arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully trust her. The oracle

just started.

heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her. I wasn't sure she would until Elva

her some space. I looked out over the water. The view was

folded bird to Nicholas, who had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her roundabout

said to the

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

stood side by side. We both turned to look out

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