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

should be exciting, a great sign! If the book

Veronica looked anything but

because looking at Veronica,

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 course, if the person who made the

own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around, not to help herself or

Veronica said. Cóntent

I was beginning

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

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

of power? Veronica was the only one I knew who could do any

you remove her curse?"

frown deepened. "No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I

for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from Veronica's expressions that

said quickly. "This isn't on you

"If I were stronger-*

enough, Veronica." 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.

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

need the merfolk oracle," Veronica said. "She's the only one with enough power

had removed doubt from my heart. 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

said. "I've only just started. Maybe

heart. I hoped she knew how much I appreciated

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

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

Frank," Nicholas said to the

fairly quickly after that and she rushed over to a pile of napkins in an attempt to replicate the

Together we stood side by side. We both turned

cool down,"