Suddenly, Starla and the other fairies seemed to start growing, but I soon realized it was me who was shrinking. Still silenced by the other fairy’s spell, I silently looked wide-eyed at my diminishing form.
“The queen’s chambers aren’t built to accommodate humans, so you’re being shrunk to fairy size.” Starla said.
Soon I was the same size as Starla and we had exited the vortex into a grand hallway lined with many statues, all of fairy women clad in royal garb. I could only assume they were the past queens.
We passed through a door and I was set before the throne of a beautiful woman with an exquisite gold and silver gown, a long golden staff with a star shaped crystal at the tip and dazzling multicolored wings that seemed to shift colors with the slightest movement.
“This is the human that Starla Windrider revealed herself to, your majesty.” The lead fairy said.
“Good. Take your men and leave us, Crocus.” The queen said.
Once Crocus and his men left, the queen spoke. “Starla Windrider, I understand revealing yourself to your human friend was accidental, is that correct?”
“Yes, Queen Amethyst.” Starla answered.
Queen Amethyst turned to me, next. “And you, Lillian Rosetta; now that you know your friend is a fairy, how will you treat her from here on out?”
I knew I could never hide my true feelings from her, so I decided to be as honest as I could. “When I was brought here, I was told how some humans had harmed or exploited your kind for their personal gain. Frankly, and with all due respect, your majesty, I find the idea that I would do that to my best friend distasteful and insulting to both her and me.” My face became flush that very moment for fear that the queen would react badly to such a blunt response.
Queen Amethyst smiled; I guessed she was pleased at my honesty. “I have decided to be merciful on the two of you by virtue of the bond of friendship you share. The fact that in the human world, our kind is seen as but a myth, and to speak of us as otherwise is considered cause for ridicule or accusations of insanity or childishness is not to be ignored, either. I believe some of our laws pertaining to human interaction are archaic; but much of the council still resents humans and would never allow me to let you go so easily. I shall meet in the council chamber to present your case and decide on a course of action. You will be held in guest quarters until my return.”
The queen left and the female guards took Starla and me to a furnished room. “The doors and windows are sealed tight with magic, so no use trying to escape.” One of the guards said before closing the chamber doors.
“I’m sorry for all of this.” Starla said.
“It’s not your fault. Nobody’s to blame. We can only hope that the queen can convince the council that I can be trusted.” I said.
Starla smiled and hugged me. As I hugged her back and she giggles as my hands ran down her wings. “Oh, ticklish there are we?” I said as I tickled her wings. I chased her around the room, laughing and playing around. Our fears withered somewhat as we continued enjoying out time together.
An hour must have passed before the door opened. Queen Amethyst stood there and said, “Come with me, both of you.” As she led us down a hallway she spoke; “It was not easy, but I convinced the council to allow you two to return to your lives in the human world and test you, Lillian to see if you are truly capable of keeping our secret. However, the only way I was able to convince them to allow this was if you were to share in our secret.”
“What do you mean by ‘share in our secret’?” I asked, even though I suspected the answer.
The queen said nothing as she opened a large door and led us into a large room. Light poured from a hole in the ceiling onto a giant flower blossom on the ground. “Lillian, you must step into this flower. When the petals close, the magic of our kin will infuse your body, and you will be transformed into a fairy.”
I looked at Starla who nodded at me. I smiled at her, turned back toward the flower and approached it.