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?"

incantation I read about in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of the bar. "The book contains many

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

anything but happy about

good news?" I asked, because

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

on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that

Cóntent

Is that good?" I was beginning to suspect that

pulled my heart out

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

of power? Veronica was the only one I

remove her curse?"

I do is mere

It

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

"If I were stronger-*

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

I knew exactly how it

said. "She's the only one with enough power to have

help Elva, but I still didn't know

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

heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her.

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

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

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 help. The nanny did the best she

Elva distracted, Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both

to cool down,"