The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story



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 the top of the bar. "The book contains many sections on curses and how to properly evaluate and remove

great sign! If the book talked about how to remove the

Veronica looked anything but happy

I asked, because

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

on her own daughter no less. I'd come to accept that

"Yes," Veronica said.

good?" I was beginning to suspect

it pulled my heart out a little. I wanted her to say

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

the only

remove her curse?" I

"No. Not by far." She sighed. "What I do is mere child's play

crashed and burned all around me. It

I said quickly. "This

"If I were stronger-*

vision so she could see my face and know that I'm earnest. "We wouldn't

I knew exactly how it felt to not believe you were

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

wanted to arrive, to help Elva, but I still didn't know if I could

said. "I've only just started. Maybe there's more I can

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

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

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

Nicholas said to

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

distracted, Nicholas made his way over to me. Together we stood side by side. We both turned to look out over

cool down," Nicholas said. "I'm

I didn't think he had anything to be sorry about. "I'm not