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?"

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

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

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

the nature of Elva's curse and the magical power level needed to remove it.

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

Veronica said. Cóntent

Is that good?" I was beginning to suspect

case, it pulled my heart out a little. I wanted her to say purple was the

most intricate of the curses," Veronica said. "It will

of power? Veronica was the only one I

her curse?"

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

me. It was my own fault. I should have

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

"If I were stronger-*

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

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

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

I wanted 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 certain I could trust

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

from the bottom of my heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated her. I wasn't sure she would until

little ways, wanting to give her some space.

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

Frank," Nicholas said to

attempt to replicate the bird. Unfortunately,

Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side

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