Twilight deepened into an unusually rich golden hue as servants led Ali and the other tributes to a preparation chamber she'd never seen before. The circular room sparkled with captured sunlight, its walls lined with mirrors that seemed to hold actual clouds drifting across their surfaces.

  "The Transformation Chamber," one of the senior servants announced. Her silver-threaded hair was elaborately braided with white feathers that moved as if caught in a gentle breeze. "Where mortal tributes become summer doves for the solstice dance."

  The dove costumes hung on stands of twisted golden wood, each one seemingly crafted from pure light given form. Ali's breath caught as she approached hers—the white fabric appeared to be made of actual feathers, so delicate they might dissolve at a touch.

  "Don't be afraid," the silver-haired servant said, noting Ali's hesitation. "The feathers are woven from summer clouds and morning light. They'll hold their form once bound to you."

  Sage stepped forward first, allowing the servants to help her into her costume. Ali watched in amazement as the cloud-spun fabric seemed to come alive, molding itself to Sage's form like a second skin. The feathers rustled with tiny musical notes when she moved.

  "Your turn," the servant said to Ali, gesturing her forward. "The costume chooses how it wants to settle."

  As the cloud-light fabric settled over her shoulders, Ali felt a curious sensation—as if summer breezes were wrapping around her, seeking the shape that suited her best. The light pendant at her throat pulsed warmly, and the costume responded, its feathers taking on a subtle iridescence that reminded her of dawn light on dew.

  "Interesting," the silver-haired servant murmured. "The costumes usually maintain pure white. Yours seems to want to catch the light differently."

  Around the chamber, other tributes were being transformed as well. Each costume adapted slightly to its wearer—some becoming more ethereal, others taking on a more substantial form. All maintained the basic essence of doves, summer's messengers of peace and harmony.

  "The masks next," another servant announced, bringing forward delicate constructions that would cover the upper half of their faces. Ali's mask seemed to be crafted from the same cloud-spun material as her costume, with tiny crystals set around the eyes that caught and held light like captured stars.

  As the servant secured her mask, Ali caught a glimpse of herself in one of the clouded mirrors. The reflection startled her—she hardly looked human anymore. The costume and mask transformed her into something ethereal, a creature of light and air that belonged in the fae realm.

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  "Now for the final touch," the silver-haired servant said, approaching with a crystal vial. "Essence of twilight, to help you move as summer doves should."

  She anointed each tribute's temples with the shimmering liquid. The moment it touched Ali's skin, she felt a curious lightness spread through her limbs. When she moved, her steps became more graceful, almost floating.

  "Remember," the servant instructed as she worked, "doves are symbols of summer's peace and harmony. Tonight you represent the connection between mortal and fae realms. Your dance must reflect that perfect balance."

  Ali noticed how the light pendant seemed to harmonize with the twilight essence, its steady warmth helping to ground her even as the magic made her feel lighter than air. She wondered briefly if she should remove it, as it wasn't part of the traditional costume, but something told her she might need its protective warmth before the night was through.

  "The Queen's peacock costume is magnificent," one of the younger servants whispered to another as they made final adjustments. "And wait until you see what the Winter Court representatives are wearing..."

  "Hush," the silver-haired servant reprimanded sharply. "The tributes need not concern themselves with other courts' choices." But Ali had already filed away this information, wondering what role the Winter Court would play in tonight's celebrations.

  As the final preparations were completed, servants brought forward hand mirrors of polished silver. "Look," they instructed. "See how you've been transformed."

  Ali raised her mirror, studying her reflection more carefully now. The dove costume seemed to shift between substantiality and light with every movement. The mask's crystal-set eyes caught and reflected the room's golden twilight, making her gaze appear almost fae-like in its intensity. With her pale hair woven with cloud-spun ribbons and white flowers, she looked like something from a dream of summer.

  "Beautiful," Sage breathed beside her. "We all look like we actually belong in their world."

  "That's the point," the silver-haired servant said, making final adjustments to Ali's costume. "Tonight, you dance between realms. Neither fully human nor fully fae, but something in between—like the twilight itself."

  Ali thought of Melody-in-Moonlight, wondering what she would think of her transformation. The light pendant pulsed once, strongly, as if in response to her thoughts, and several nearby feathers in her costume shimmered with unexpected iridescence.

  "Control," the servant murmured, noticing the display. "Remember, even summer doves must maintain perfect harmony with the court's magic."

  As they made final preparations to leave the chamber, Ali caught another glimpse of herself in the clouded mirrors. For a moment, she thought she saw something else reflected there—a figure formed of twilight and starlight, wearing her face but with eyes that held ancient magic. Then she blinked, and saw only herself in the dove costume once more.

  "It's time," the silver-haired servant announced. "The solstice celebration begins soon, and summer's doves must be ready to dance."

  As they filed out of the Transformation Chamber, Ali felt the weight of tradition and magic settling around her like another layer of feathers. Tonight she would dance between worlds, representing the bridge between mortal and fae realms. But as the light pendant pulsed steadily against her throat, she wondered if she might end up bridging more than just that ancient divide.