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?"

the merfolk book on

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

anything but happy about

I asked, because looking at

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

that won't happen," I said. Jane was the one to make the curse, on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that Jane would never come around, not to help herself or anyone else. If left to Jane, the curse on Elva

said. Cóntent

purple. Is that good?" I was beginning to suspect that

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

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

only one I knew

her curse?"

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

for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I

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

"If I were stronger-*

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

with herself. I couldn't talk. I

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

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

Veronica said. "I've only just

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

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

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 loved it and its name was now

said

quickly after 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

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

down," Nicholas