The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 19

The next couple of weeks passed by full of battle strategy, visits with her people in the stronghold, and gathering resources while trying to stay hopeful, but Aiden did not see or hear anything that sounded like a better alternative than her going to Olc alone. Every other plan that was discussed would potentially result in lives lost.

She had not been down to the dungeon to see Darren but was informed by Cillian that he was sitting in his cell refusing to eat or speak to anyone. Apparently, even Fiona could not get him to talk. Aiden was not ready to see him yet anyway and knew she needed to be in control and clear headed when she did.

Another espionage mission that Fiadh was allowed to go on brought back more knowledge of the mountain base Olc was using to ready for war and what parts exactly Niamh and Laoise were supposed to play. Niamh had been promised Liam while Laoise was promised to rule the human realm in its entirety as Queen beside Olc after Aiden gives him one or more children. However, Olc was not pleased with either of them for their failure at winning Darren over to their side before he was imprisoned.

Fiadh also told them a horrifying tale of Olc's experimentation with pregnancy progression. He kidnapped a female around the same age as Aiden who was expecting her first child and sped up her pregnancy from the four month stage she was in to full term within a week, but she died while delivering. The child was then left outside to die alone until Fiadh shifted into a stork and delivered the babe back to his father reverting back to human form so she could tell the poor male what had become of his wife.

Fiadh wept in her chambers for hours after, mourning the young female, and Aiden swore to herself that Olc would pay dearly for what he had done to that mother while Liam held her as she too wept for the traumatic act done to that family leaving her again full of rage and hate.

Liam tried to help Aiden stay calm, but her frustration only continued to grow with the lack of any real progress being made to defeat Olc. She finally realized that she needed to center herself in a way that even he could not help with.

"I need to return to my power source," she told Liam as they entered their chambers to try and get some rest late one evening.

"What for?"

"A voice spoke to me while I was there, and I think it can help me. I do not fully understand the need to go, but I feel this pull deep down."

"Are you sure this is not Olc and his forbidden magic?"

"I don't think so. This feels pure like it did when it was leading me to the source."

"Will you let me go with you? I will not go into the cavern if you do not want me to."

"Alright. Let me tell Fiadh and Cillian we're leaving and will return by daybreak so that they won't worry."

Aiden portaled to Fiadh's door and knocked quickly. When she answered with only a sheet draped over her dancer's body, Aiden playfully asked, "Are you ever going to introduce us to your lover or just keep pretending you don't have one?"

"Mind your own damn business, Your Majesty," Fiadh smirked.

"Liam and I have to go back to the realm but will return before dawn."

"Do you need me to do anything?"

"If for some reason we're not back, send Nuada."

She nodded before hugging Aiden close while still trying to keep herself covered then raced back inside to the embrace of her mystery male.

Aiden created another portal to Cillian. He answered his door completely nude with sword in hand, and Aiden just giggled shaking her head as she informed him, "Liam and I are going back to the realm, but we will return by morning. Fiadh knows as well. If we're not back by sunrise, send Nuada."