The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0561

When she awoke from her brief nap, Elva stuck to me like glue. She kept looking up at me with her big, tearful eyes. For a day that began with such high hopes, we were both feeling the lows now. I took her hand and did not release, very aware that I had nearly lost the chance to be her mom.

If I had died, I wouldn't get to see her grow up into the strong, independent woman I knew she would become. I'd miss graduations and weddings and maybe grandchildren.

Even as we walked together toward the deck, I tugged her closer to me, afraid to let her go too far. If I was in danger, than so was she. Ronan was incensed. If he wanted revenge on me, he'd find it easier by attacking Elva.

Then, when I couldn't take the worry and the guilt at nearly dying anymore, I stopped, dropped to one knee, and pulled Elva into a tight hug again.

"I'm sorry I scared you, Elva," I whispered to her. Her tight fingers clawed hard at my shoulders. Was she afraid I would let go and leave her again? I wouldn't. I would never. Even in death, my spirit would stay with her, to watch and protect her.

"Mommy," Elva said, voice watery. Her tears sounded like they were coming back, though I suspected, except during her short nap, that they never really left.

"Your mom is tough, okay? I fought and fought, making certain that I would return back to you. And I promise you that I will do my best to stay with you for as long as I am able, okay?" Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

"Never leave, Mommy."

I pulled back enough to look into her eyes. How I wanted to make that promise. In a way, I could, I supposed. Though I wasn't certain she would understand it.

I gently rested my hand over her heart. "I'll always be here, Elva. Even if we're apart, I'm with you. Right here. Next to your heart."

Elva looked down. As I removed my hand, she placed her own where mine had been. "How do you fit in there?"

being silly now and I smiled at her. "Your heart is so

whole world?" Elva asked. She

She giggled and squirmed. When she pulled away, she wasn't

entire forearm. As we walked onto the deck, I made sure to grab her a napkin and wipe up

Julian called from nearby, the other side of the deck. "Want to learn a new magic trick?" He held

nearly rolled my eyes. I hoped he wasn't going to try to teach her to count

patted her back. "I'm going to ask a

Instead, Nicholas came out the

stern but not angry. I had no idea what that

me to convey to you his deepest

Ambassador Zale, but this wasn't what I wanted to hear right now. I waved away the concerns. "What did

the event. The merfolk queen insisted

such acts in the past, but at least he was facing some

for the merfolk, but apparently is rather well liked. Handsome and popular, Ambassador Zale said. That is typically enough, I guess for him

frowned. "His cause this

formed fists, as if on reflex. "I know. Fortunately, Ambassador Zale and the Queen have offered to send some of their own security

confined in the first place, but perhaps that was all the more reason to accept them. They could be embarrassed and want to prove themselves.

"Having more forces to watch our island from the water will only suit to help keep you safe. I, of course, will also

and I both looked over in time to

hold my smile. As I looked at Nicholas, it faded when I