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?"

I read about in this book." She motioned toward the merfolk book on the top of

She said 'remove them'! That should be exciting, a great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the curse, then maybe we didn't need to wait

anything but happy

that good news?" I asked, because looking

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

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

said. Cóntent belong

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

appreciated her bluntness. She was never one for false hope. Although in this case, it pulled

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

Veronica was the only

her

She sighed. "What I do

for myself crashed and burned all around me. It was my own fault. I should have known from

no. No, no," I said quickly.

"If I were stronger-*

vision so she could see

couldn't talk. I knew exactly how it felt to not

the only one

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

Veronica said. "I've only just started.

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

off a little ways, wanting to give her some space. I

me, 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 it and given it to her, and that she loved it and its name was

Nicholas said to the

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

to me. Together we stood side by side. We both

cool down," Nicholas said. "I'm