The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 14

They were thrown out of the portal head first onto a sandy beach. Liam grunted on impact as it rattled his still healing injuries while Aiden spit out sand as she helped him to his feet.

He looked around to get his bearings and turned to a sight that had him smiling wide pulling Aiden to him for a kiss. "You fucking did it!" he exclaimed with a wide grin.

"I did?"

He spun her in his arms to show her the majestic palace of Sea Kingdom right next to the beach on which they were standing. That also, however, gave them a look at a none too pleased Manannan Mac Lir headed straight for them with warriors in tow.

"What do we do?" Aiden whispered as they heard the waves begin to crash violently on the shore.

"Stay calm and remember to not let anyone know that we are aware things are being plotted."

"Who dares to enter my kingdom and break my wards!" Manannan Mac Lir boomed as he charged toward them looking very much the Warrior King of the Sea. He was largely built as all Fae warriors were with hair the color of the deepest part of the oceans flowing freely down his muscled back topped with a crown of shells and pearls. His chest was bare save for the intricate whorls of turquoise and gold ink across broad shoulders and bulging pectorals with thick bands of purest gold wrapped around his biceps. In his right hand, he held a trident that looked lethal yet still stunning in its beauty and detail.

"Peace, Manannan."

"Liam? How the fuck did you get here? I was prepared to drown you both where you stand."

"Our new full elemental has come into her power. She was able to portal us right to your lovely kingdom on her first try."

"So it is true! The Elemental Queen has come at last!"

"May I formally introduce Queen Aiden Aoibheann of Siog Riocht."

"Welcome to Sea Kingdom! I do regret the hostile greeting, but it has been an age since anyone has been able to portal past my wards."

"I fault no ruler for protecting his or her kingdom from any unknown."

"You are far from unknown. Come! I am sure you both are in need of sustenance after your journey." Manannan and his warriors lead them back to what appeared to be a disguised entrance made right into the palace wall because with a wave of his hand, a section turned into a metal door opening onto endless flights of stairs. "I hope you do not mind a climb instead of a portal. We were preparing for a training exercise when I felt you break through, and I do not need my warriors heart rates falling before we can commence," the Sea King explained.

Liam took hold of the hand Aiden offered while she covertly kept an eye on him as they ascended, and she saw the subtle signs of pain on his face every so often that he couldn't hide. After what she was sure were at least two hundred stairs, they finally came to a beautifully carved wooden door with a mother of pearl handle that opened into a castle hallway.

Liam kept hold of Aiden's hand as they began walking but halted at the sight of a female coming toward the group. She looked like a siren with dark unbound hair streaked with aqua blue falling in waves like the merpeople from fairytales, but this female was definitely no mere mermaid. Her magnificently curved figure was muscled and sleek highlighting the olive perfection of her skin which was mostly visible due to her midriff bearing top that had large amounts of cleavage on display along with expertly tailored flowing pants that hugged her hips and backside.

Eyes the color of seafoam sparkled as her full, pouty lips formed a seductive smile directed straight at Liam. "I see the threat has been taken care of."