The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 11

Aiden woke with the sun not wanting to move in hopes that things were not going to be awkward, but Liam opened his eyes soon after and pressed his lips to hers immediately easing those fears. They then dressed quickly stealing glances while they did so as the obvious need for one another could still be sensed.

Without anymore incidents, they made it to what was said to be the entrance to the palace just before the sun began to set, but all Aiden could see was a clearing. There was no portal. No doorway. No nothing.

Liam chuckled at the confusion on her face. "We have to go up. This is Sky Kingdom; remember?"

She looked in that direction still seeing nothing but the tops of trees and clouds as he swept her up into his arms. "What are you doing?"

"Showing you something that you will be able to do one day."

Liam used his air magic to lift them off the ground prompting Aiden to wrap both arms tightly around his neck. "No one ever told me air magic meant you could fly!"

"We are not technically flying since this can only be maintained for a short time and be done by very powerful air Fae. It is more akin to levitating. It can also be used to jump longer distances like at the pond," he explained.

"So that's how you did that. Will I really be able to do this one day?"

"I have a feeling you will able to do a lot of things that even I cannot do."

"There doesn't seem to be much you can't do," she teased.

"I sense that you will be more powerful than Danu realizes," he answered with a dashing smile as they broke through the cloud layer. "Look up."

Aiden turned her gaze from his handsome face and saw Sky Kingdom come into view. It was the most breathtaking place she had ever seen. Buildings were seemingly stacked on top of one another perched on actual clouds at the base while beings with wings were leisurely hovering and riding the air currents as ones without strolled along carefully laid out paths and bridges.

Between all the floating architecture on islands of clouds, she saw a magnificent white castle with tall towers, columned entrances, railing-less balconies, and golden accents that reflected the last of the sunlight. Liam landed on a white marble staircase at the base of the palace and set Aiden down with a kiss to her cheek. As they ascended, an incredibly attractive male came out to greet them with hair the color of molten gold and the body of a god draped in a sky blue toga style garment reminiscent of mythological beings in a book Aiden had read. The closer they got the more she was sure it had to be Nuada as he gave off enormous amounts of power.

The female that came to stand beside Nuada was even more stunning, which seemed impossible after seeing the King of the Sky. She was tall, toned, and just as alluring as any goddess could ever hope to be. Her deep brown hair hung to her waist in cascading waves. Her flawless skin was the color of the finest milk chocolate mixed with cream making her ice blue eyes stand out in stark contrast adding to her beauty. She was dressed like a warrior but in a kind of battle dress instead of pants and a tunic, but it was the wings that jetted from between her shoulder blades that demanded all the attention. Aiden tried not to gawk as her brain registered that she was looking at an actual Valkyrie.

"Liam! Welcome! It has been too long, old friend."

"That is has, Nuada. Thank you for allowing us to stop by on our journey. May I formally introduce Queen Aiden Aoibheann of Siog Riocht."

"My dear, it is good to finally meet you! Welcome to Sky Kingdom!"

"Your kingdom is gorgeous!"

"Liam, you, of course, know Aine. Queen Aiden, this is my right hand, top General, and leader of the famous Valkyries, Aine."