Chatoyant

Chapter 5

The majority of my wings are dark blue, the majority of my bottom wings are a brighter blue, and the spots on my upper wings are an orangish color. This wasn't supposed to happen. My wings show that I identify with both time and water. Something has to be wrong with me. The ceremony continues. Queen Phoenix of Apricity speaks. She, along with the other queens also has their wings. "Enjoy your wings while you have them. You only get them for the rest of the hour while the moons are in close enough proximity." she says.

"Within the next hour or so, you will each choose your kingdom. You will be called alphabetically. You will individually go to the lower level of the gardens. There will be a rose of each color to represent the different kingdoms. Place your bracelet at the rose, and let it do the rest. Then, you are to proceed to the terminal of the kingdom you chose." said a Grand Councilwoman. The queens along with another councilwoman go down the stairs to the lower gardens. "You will meet your ruler or one of your representatives at the terminal." said the councilwoman from before.

About a fourth of the group is called when the councilwoman says "Ara Kiros of The Council," I push my way through the crowd, avoiding all the stares people give me. I walk down the nearest staircase until I reach the garden I passed before. I go down another flight of stairs and reach the second garden. This one is more focused on Psyche's three daughters; Alette, Amara, and Creda. The moons were named after them. There's a statue with the three of them in the center of the room. There was a planter that went around the base of the statue which held six roses. A white rose for Aurora, a yellow rose for Anodyne, a pink rose for Ethereal, a black rose for Apricity, a red rose for Eudaimonia, and a blue rose for The Council.

My heart races. I don't know what to choose, and I have to choose now. I have two elements, so choosing the queen that matches me narrows it down to Aurora and Anodyne. I'm running out of time. I take my bracelet off. I go with my first instinct and put it at the base of the white rose.

The gemstone emits a bright light before turning into a form of pure energy. It floats to my upper chest, where it dims to a blue swirl-shaped gemstone. A chain appears around my neck, securing the gemstone in place. I'm shocked. I've done it. I'm now a part of Aurora.

I need to go. Aurora's ruling moon is Alette. I go in the direction of that terminal. There is a train on either side of the platform. Both queens Astoria and Serenity stand at the end of the hallway. They study my wings and give each other a look. Queen Astoria walks up to me. "Welcome to Aurora," she says with a smile. I am really not sure how to respond. She's royalty. I don't want to be rude.

"Thank you," I say. Just as I say that, rings of light appeared at our feet. They traveled up the height of our bodies. Queen Astoria's was orange, Queen Serenity's was blue, and mine started out as blue, but changed to orange about halfway up. We no longer have wings now.

"Well, I suppose the hour is over." says Queen Serenity.

"Yep," replies Queen Astoria. She turns back to me. "Go ahead and get on the train. We'll leave once everyone has chosen. I get on the train and sit in an empty seat.