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?"

toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book contains many sections on curses and how

be 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 again after

anything but

I asked, because looking at

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

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

said. Cóntent belong to

Is that good?" I was beginning to suspect that it

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

of the curses," Veronica said. "It will require the

of power? Veronica was the only one I

you remove her curse?" I

I do is mere child's play

around me. It was my own

No, no," I said quickly.

"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

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

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

had removed doubt from my heart. I wanted to arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could fully

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

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

her some space.

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

Frank," Nicholas said to

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

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

to cool down," Nicholas said.