The Luna Choosing Game

Chapter 0567

"I'll go with you," Nicholas said. True to his word, he stuck to us like he'd been glued to our side.

Eventually, the sun crept across the sky and began to disappear at the western horizon. Sitting on one of the sofas on the deck, Elva began to doze at my side, occasionally swaying. When she finally fell into my arm, I roused her and asked, "Bedtime, Elva?"

She nodded.

I looked to the other candidates and two princes sitting around us.

*Elva and I are turning in for the night," I said as we stood.

"Goodnight," each of them said in turn, except Bridget, who was laughing with one of the cameramen.

Nicholas stood as we did. "I'll go with you."

I couldn't reprimand him in front of the others, who were each side-eying each other. Our new sleeping arrangement hadn't been decided in a public space, so the candidates didn't know a thing about it. Even Julian seemed a little surprised. It was rare to catch him off-guard.

In silence, I led Elva into the house, with Nicholas behind.

Upstairs, at the bedroom door, the guard greeted us with a formal salute. "An air mattress has been arranged for you, Prince Nicholas."

"Thank you," Nicholas replied. Content belong to NôvelDráma. Org.

Inside, I saw exactly what the guard had been talking about. An air mattress had been assembled right next to the bed, and covered in sheets and a blanket. A set of silky pajamas was also set there, for Nicholas.

"You take the bed," I told him at once. I couldn't imagine a prince sleeping on the floor. "I'll take the air mattress." "Absolutely not," Nicholas said in his sternest voice, the one that left little room for argument.

Sighing, I grabbed pajamas for Elva and myself and shuffled her into the bathroom. When we were changed and washed with our teeth brushed, we reemerged. Nicholas had changed in our absence. He was across the room, testing the strength of the lock on the window.

Elva went to him for a hug goodnight before she returned to bed for me to tuck her in.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

Satisfied with the window, and content after his hug. Nicholas returned to the air mattress. He stood beside me. We'd be right next to each other, me in the bed, him on the floor. If I needed him I could simply reach out and grab him.

It was a very comforting thought. I hadn't thought I'd be able to sleep, but with him so near, maybe there was a chance.

*You don't have to do this," I said to him once more. It still seemed ridiculous, making a prince sleep on my floor. I hadn't been comfortable with a stranger in my room, but it might have been more proper than this.

Nicholas's stem features were unyielding. He had not changed his mind, and therefore would not, knowing him. He was one of the most stubborn men I had ever known in my life.

He glanced at Elva on the bed. She had turned away from us, and was already lightly snoring. Poor thing was absolutely exhausted after today.

I was tired too, but wired enough to hold off sleep for a while.

When I turned back to Nicholas, he lifted his hand, cupped my jawline, and then leaned in for a kiss. It was a soft, gentle butterfly kiss with no real heat. Though he lingered. The longer he stayed, with his lips to mine, the more intimate it all felt.

When he finally pulled away, I was as breathless as if he had kissed the life out of me.

"I will always protect you, Piper," he said.

He couldn't possibly mean always as in forever, but he did not correct himself, even as we broke apart. Even as we laid down in our respected beds. Even as I stared at the ceiling instead of sleeping.

He'd said always.

Maybe forever was what he meant.