The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0559

*Just for the record, I won the race," Bridget said, from the peripheral of the small crowd gathered around me.

Nicholas was still holding me, with Veronica, Jessica, and Elva close by. Everyone, it seemed, was worried about me - all except Bridget, who said again, "Did you record my finish? Did you see it?"

I ignored her, and focused instead on the closeness of Nicholas. His warmth. The strength of his arms around me, ever-protecting me. His scent, dimmed slightly by the salt water clinging to his skin and his hair.

Why was he wet? He wasn't in the race.

It took me a long moment to realize that my vision of him in the water wasn't a dream. He had truly been there. I didn't understand how, but I knew, deep in my heart, that he was the one who stopped Ronan from killing me. And Veronica, who had so valiantly come to my rescue as well.

I was eternally to them both.

I trembled, remembering the cold depths of the ocean.

I'd never been afraid of the dark or the cold or of water, but Ronan had instilled fear into me, the likes of which was unfortunately becoming so familiar. I felt the same fear when I face my sister with her ready to kill me, or when Elva had been so sick, we didn't know if she would recover.

whispered, for only him to

you," he whispered in

trying to gather strength from his presence and his words. Yes, I could believe him, because he was here. He was with me, and he

any longer. Nicholas

to the somewhat compromising way Nicholas and I were holding

whispered to Nicholas, hoping he would understand. We needed to put more space

see," Nicholas whispered

were calm, he would know that our closeness could be a stain on his reputation. He had reasons for the game we played, where we pretended not to mean as much

I said, more

hold on me and

suggesting he should. I was so cold without him. On reflex, I reached out and clutched his arm. We could have space between us, but I wanted him near

me with concern. Jessica was worrying her hands together. Julian came running up to the group, out of breath. He knelt in the sand on the other side of me and

met. His held a question. I nodded in