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

I perked up. She said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove

looked anything

because looking at Veronica, I was really

frowned. "The purpose of the incantation is to show the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it. It's easier, of

to accept that Jane would never come around, not to help herself or anyone

Veronica said. Cóntent

good?" I was beginning to suspect

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

"It will require

was the only one I knew who could do any

her

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

hope I had built up for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I

quickly. "This isn't on you at

"If I were stronger-*

I inched 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 weren't

couldn't talk. I

said. "She's the only one

help Elva, but I still didn't know if I

said. "I've only just started. Maybe

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

little ways, wanting to give her some space. I looked out over the water. The view was pretty good from the

me, Elva called, "Nick-lass! Look 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 it and given it to her, and that she loved it and its name was

said

she rushed over to a pile of napkins in an attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately, Veronica didn't notice to be

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

to cool down," Nicholas said.