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?"

motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the

exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the curse, then maybe we didn't need to wait for the oracle to appear

looked anything

that good news?" I asked, because looking at Veronica, I

the incantation is to show the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove

the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around,

said. Cóntent belong to

good?" I was beginning to suspect that it

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

said. "It will require the highest amount

was the only one I knew who

you remove her

deepened. "No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I do is mere child's play compared

had built up for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from Veronica's expressions that the diagnosis was not very good.

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

"If I were stronger-*

so she could see my face and know that I'm earnest. "We wouldn't even know any of this if

clearly dissatisfied with herself. I couldn't talk. I knew exactly how it felt to not believe

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

but I still didn't know if I could fully trust her. The oracle was a stranger. This magic was foreign, even to Veronica. How could I be certain I

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

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

I walked off a little ways, wanting to give her some space. I

had just stepped out onto the deck from the house. She explained in her roundabout child way that Veronica had made it and given it to her, and that she loved it and its name

Nicholas said to

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

his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both turned to look out

needed to cool down,"