I dashed into Moonhaven, assuming I had already missed the Blooming. Missed my chance to get home. But as I ran, I thought, did I really want to go home? Back to the cluttered house in the middle of nowhere, looking for a college to go to, to stress out over grades and then find a boring job at a desk somewhere? Or did I want to stay here, with Nod. Be a Leafman, and go a different adventures every day.

I walked into the room slowly. Everyone's head was turned to the center of the room, watching the beautiful green and pink pod rise from the water. Leafmen rushed in the room, none of them even casting me a look as they tried to catch a glance at the pod.

Nod was standing next to Ronin, who was watching the pod as if he was watching his life flash before his eyes. The pod opened as the moon rose higher and higher until finally it burst open in a cloud of gold dust, floating over the crowd. Everyone followed it's every movement and when I noticed it was moving closer to me I took a step back.

A wall hit my back and I realized I had been walking away from the dust cloud. Nod was suddenly there, right beside me, watching the gold form into a translucent Queen Tara.

She smiled and me, leaning into me and saying loud enough so everyone could hear, "Take care of them for me, will you?" She looked up at Ronin, who smiled. "There's that smile." She disappeared and the gold cloud formed into a tight ball, forcing its way into my chest. I could feel it spread through my body, my arms, my neck. It was uncomfortable, and when it reached my head I fell into someone's strong, waiting arms.

When I woke I was lying on cool grass. It felt soft and moist against my skin and I felt someone holding my hand. I groaned and tried to sit up, but pain shot through my body and split off in my head. I laid back down immediately.

"Easy, easy."

Nod's voice, soft and comforting danced in my skull and soothed the pain. I opened my eyes and looked into his dark brown ones. He blinked and smiled. "Hey, sleepy head."

"What happened?" I asked, rubbing my head.

"You'll remember soon enough." Ronin walked over and made a hand motion, too fast for me to process, to Nod, who reached down and picked me up. I felt something swish and looked down, gasping. I wore a dress, with a purple top from just above my breasts to right below my rib cage. The rest of my dress from my waist down was nothing but white and green flower petals. From what I could tell in the dark night, at least. This was something the queen wore . . .

"I'm the Queen?" I whispered. Nod nodded, no pun intended. I closed my eyes to fight the nausea that overcame me. When I opened them again we were inside what appeared to be a spiraling building decorated to look like the inside of a tree. The stairs came to a door, which Ronin opened.

Nod walked through the door and Ronin muttered something to Nod. He responded and I heard the door close and Nod hesitate before he start walking again. The next thing I know he is laying me on a bed made of soft grass and flowers and the pillows made of moss.

"Nod," I mumbled tiredly as he turned to go.

"Hmm?"

"Stay with me." I heard his pause, his hesitation. Then, slowly, he moved towards the bed, climbing in next to me. I found the strength to roll over and lay my head on his chest. His chest rumbled, like he was laughing, and he whispered, "It's an honor, My Queen."

But my only respond was, "I'm tired." Before I feel asleep again.