The Luna Choosing Game

I wasn't sure what to expect when our car delivered us from the train station to the palace, but even in my wildest dreams, I wouldn't have guessed what actually awaited us.

Cheering crowds lined the outer walls of the palace. Balloons and streamers of various colors were abundant. A stage had been set up with a band.

Some people had signs. Long Live The Bear Princess, they said, with a picture of my face.

When they separated to make way for our car, they nearly rioted with their joy.

"Praise you!" shouted one woman.

"Our hero!" called a man.

In the backseat of the sedan, I clutched at Nicholas's hand, unsure what to make of all this. Not all that long ago, these same people had been half-ready to start a rebellion. Now, the only thing they seemed to want to fight for was some of my time and affection.

Nicholas clapped his free hand on mine, the one holding so hard onto his other hand.

Piper. You've earned this," he

him. How could that matter to so many

head. On his face, he wore a look of fond sympathy. "Piper, you have done so much more

did. But to me, I was ever that down on her luck woman working as a waitress trying to make ends meet. I didn't

eyes, I could almost

someone more... shouldn't I trust in him? As I trusted in

tell you every day for the rest of your life how special you are," Nicholas said. Shifting closer to me, he dropped a kiss to my

need you to hold to that promise," I said,

a man of my word," he said. And I knew that

gates, the world seemed a bit calmer, though, to my shock and surprise, everyone was waiting

only took one step before Jessica, having run

he hadn't allowed himself to love. Or perhaps he had, and he'd buried it down until now. Either way,

like Nicholas and

it was about time. I only had joy in my heart for