The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 10

At dawn, they portaled to what was supposedly the edge of the border of Sky Kingdom, but it just looked like any other forest to Aiden. She had not uttered a word since the night before but at least had slept a little making her feel somewhat refreshed, especially since she remembered no dreams and set nothing on fire.

Liam kept giving Aiden facts about Sky Kingdom as they walked through the dense woods, but she could tell he was getting suspicious of her silence as they stopped midday at a stream for water. "Are you going to tell me what I have done to earn your blessed quiet today?"

"I'm listening and learning."

"Sure you are."

"How long until we get to Sky Kingdom?"

"It will take us about three days to hike to the entrance of the palace if we keep this pace and do not run into any trouble in the forest. Do not let its calm appearance fool you. We can run into any manner of Fae the closer we get. The main hope is that we do not encounter any snow from the winter Fae. It is out of season, but sometimes they like to fuck with travelers."

They continued on through the remainder of the daylight hours until they came to a clearing that was covered in soft grass. Liam began to build a fire as a slight chill was setting in now that the sun had dipped below the horizon, and Aiden took out some dried meat and hard cheese to divide between the two of them.

"I can take the first watch if you want sleep," she offered.

"You need the rest more than I do, Aiden. Fae do not have to sleep as often as humans. Besides, I slept for a few hours last night."

"I figured you went to see Brigid after that smile she gave you as she left."

"Would it matter if I had?"

"It's none of my business," she replied looking down at her food.

"I did not spend time with Brigid while we were there. Do I sense some jealousy at the thought of me fucking the Fire Queen?" Liam teased after a few moments of awkward silence as he tried to ease the tension.

"Like I said, It is none of my concern what bedchamber you visit," Aiden responded quietly not having the energy for witty banter.

She finished her food and then took out her bedroll and spread it out on the opposite side of the fire from Liam lying down to face the other direction hoping the distance and not having to look at him would bring no dreams that might burn down the trees around them. She fell asleep quickly, but then, her mind began to spin a tale.

The dream began with Aiden back at her palace sitting on her throne with Darren in one beside her and her friends standing in front of them. They were all dressed for battle, but she noticed that she was in a formal gown. Darren rose from his throne, kissed her, and lead the group from the room, but when she went to try and follow them, the doors shut and locked.

Aiden yelled for guards to open them, but no one came. She pulled on the massive doorhandles until her nails broke and fingers started to bleed. She tried smashing the windows, but they didn't so much as crack. She stood in the middle of the throne room realizing she was trapped in a beautiful box as the protected Queen causing her to hyperventilate. She fell to the floor gasping for breath as the walls seemed to close in on her.

No! she screamed in her mind. I will not be trapped in my own palace. I will not be caged. Aiden stood up, took a deep, mighty breath, and released it sending every single piece of furniture and artwork in the throne room straight at the windows and doors shattering all the glass and turning the doors to splinters.

"Aiden! Wake up!"

She sat up quickly thinking she had set the forest aflame and was ready to pull it back in, but there was nothing. Not even so much as a burning ember left in the fire Liam had made earlier. "What is it? What happened?"