The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

‘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. | took her hand and did not release, very aware that | had nearly lost the chance to be her mom.

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

Even as we walked together toward the deck, | tugged her closer to me, afraid to let her go too far. If | 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 | couldn't take the worry and the guilt at nearly dying anymore, | stopped, dropped to one knee, and pulled Elva into a tight hug again.

"I'm sorry | scared you, Elva," | whispered to her. Her tight fingers clawed hard at my shoulders. Was she afraid | would let go and leave her again? | wouldn't. | 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 | suspected, except during her short nap, that they never really left.

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

"Never leave, Mommy." I pulled back enough to look into her eyes. How | wanted to make that promise. In a way, | could, | supposed.

Though | wasn't certain she would understand it.

1 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 | removed my hand, she placed her own where mine had been. "How do you fit in there?" She was being silly now and | smiled at her. "Your heart is

s0 big, Elva. It can fit as many people inside of it as you want." "The whole world?" Elva asked. She giggled a little.

*The whole world," | told her, and pulled her in for another hug. She giggled and squirmed. When she pulled away, she wasn't nearly as clinging anymore. Not that | had minded.

Elva rubbed her nose with her entire forearm. As we walked onto the deck, | made sure to grab her a napkin and wipe up the mess.

"Elva!" Julian called from nearby, the other side of the deck. "Want to learn a new magic trick?" He held up a deck of cards. Elva looked up at me.

| very nearly rolled my eyes. | hoped he wasn't going to try to teach her to count cards again.

"Go on," | said and patted her back. "I'm going to ask a servant for a couple of waters, and I'll be over." Elva nodded and hurried forward. | stayed at the bar area, waiting for a servant. Instead, Nicholas came out the door.

His gaze panned across the deck before landing on me.

He walked over to me with large strides.

His face was stern but not angry. | had no idea what that meant for the conversation he'd just had with the merfolk ambassador.

"I spoke with Ambassador Zale. He was incredibly apologetic for all that transpired. He wished me to convey to you his deepest regrets as well as good wishes to your health," Nicholas said.

That was all well and good, | liked Ambassador Zale, but this wasn't what | wanted to hear right now. | waved away the concerns. "What did he say about Prince Ronan?" Nicholas sighed. "Prince Ronan was kept locked in his quarters after the... incident at the event. The merfolk queen insisted he be held accountable for this action, and all those previous that he had not been held to count for." I wasn't thrilled to hear that he had gotten away with such acts in the past, but at least he was facing some kind of ramifications. "What happened?" "He escaped his confinement. He's a wanted criminal for the merfolk, but apparently is rather well liked. Handsome

and popular, Ambassador Zale said. That is typically enough, | guess for him to ruse people to his cause." I frowned. "His cause this time is to hurt me." Nicholas's hands formed fists, as if on reflex. "I know.

Fortunately, Ambassador Zale and the Queen have offered to send some of their own security to our island to help protect the inhabitants from Ronan."

I wasn't super thrilled that these same security officers couldn't keep Ronan 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. If Nicholas trusted them, | could too.

"I've agreed to the offer," Nicholas said. "Having more forces to watch our island from the water will only suit to help keep you safe. |, of course, will also be adding to our protection here on land as well." Elva laughed loudly, as bright and light as a bell chime.

Nicholas and | both looked over in time to see all the cards Julian had been holding flying through the air. Chaos.

Delightful for a child.

| couldn't hold my smile. As | looked at Nicholas, it faded when | realized he was frowning so hard.

*Nick," | said and placed my hand over his clenched fist. It did not loosen. "We're okay now. We're safe. And with those added soldiers, we'll be safer still." Nicholas shook his head slightly. "I will have to keep a

more diligent eye on our surroundings. I've failed you, Piper. It's because of me that you were placed in danger..." "Nick, no." None of this was his fault. He had to know that.

He looked at me and the intensity of his gaze gave me pause.

"I will do whatever | have to, to keep my family safe," he said the words with utter conviction. There was no room for doubt. He meant every single word.

It took me a moment to realize he was not referring to Julian. This dedication... was meant for me and Elva. But he called us his ‘family. Did he know what he said? Did he understand the ramifications of that? Did he know my heart would take that word and run with it? Our eyes locked for a long moment. | kept waiting for him to take back the words or to correct himself. He did neither.

"You and Elva are very important to me," he said, and my heart flipped in my chest.

He said it with such confidence, as if it was a known fact. | was entirely speechless, lost to this moment and the look in his eyes as he gaze down at me.

Hope ignited in my chest again, burning brightly like a nearby star.

Nicholas, Elva, and me.

Family,