Elva wanted to collect some seashells to add the growing pile she was keeping in our bedroom, so together, Elva, Nicholas, and I went to the shoreline and began walking along with water’s edge. While I helped Elva pick out seashells, Nicholas kept a dutiful eye on the ocean. Maybe he thought Ronan

“If you will please excuse us one moment, Ambassador Zale,” I said, and tugged at Nicholas’s sleeve. At the same time, I lowered Elva down and took her hand instead. Ambassador Zale dipped his head in acknowledgement, so Nicholas, Elva, and I stepped back a few feet to speak more privately. I sp

Knowing the King and Queen weren’t responsible for the latest attempt on my life should have come as a relief. But Nicholas and Julian were acting like this only made everything worse. I didn’t know what could be worse than having the most powerful couple in the kingdom, and likely the planet, wan

The next morning, I awoke slowly. The sun was bright outside my window. It must have been early yet. It seemed as if the sun’s rays were coming in strong and undeterred. Even the curtains could not dull their luminance. I felt stubborn though, and groggy from being up much of the night thinking ba

Elva was a little shaken after the argument with Bridget, so I sat her between me and Veronica, who, when she saw the state Elva was in, began to cheer her up with small magic tricks. When Veronica made some colorful sparkles dance between her fingers, Elva finally brightened once more. Jessica sa