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.

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

anything

asked, because looking at Veronica, I

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 course, if the person who made the

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

said. Cóntent belong

was beginning to suspect that it

supposed I 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, that it indicated a

of the curses," Veronica said. "It will require the highest amount of magical

Veronica was the only one I knew who could do

remove her

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

around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from

no," I said quickly. "This

"If I were stronger-*

inched closer to her. I dipped my head into her line of vision so she could see my face

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

Veronica said. "She's the only one with

to arrive, to help Elva, 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

just started. Maybe there's more I can

heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated

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

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

Frank," 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

me. Together we stood side by side. We both turned to

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