The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 20

Aiden and Liam, along with Fiadh and Cillian, were, intentionally, the first to the war room a few weeks later and joined by Beck only moments after they arrived. Aiden threw magic around the room for ensured privacy from even Original Powers before anyone spoke a word.

"We have a plan. I'm going to go to Olc. I need you all to protect my kingdom and my people while also making sure he does not come after me," she pointed at Liam.

"I told you I trust you. I know this is not the same as the irrational decision you made before," he countered.

"Why, Ai? Why can't we do this together?"

"I am the antithesis to his power, and he has made the mistake of letting emotion get in the way. He truly believes I can be won to his side, so I have to exploit that."

"That does not make me worry any less. Did you also forget that he wants to conceive a child with you even if by force? You do not know what he can do with that forbidden magic! It's unpredictable and dangerous!" Fiadh worried.

"He will not be able to have a child with me."

"How can you know that?" she challenged.

"It's handled, Fi."

"Are you really okay with this?" Fiadh spun and asked Liam.

"No, but I trust her."

Fiadh nodded but did not look happy, and neither did Beck and Cillian. Aiden lowered the shield she had placed around the room knowing that others would be joining them at any moment, and sure enough, they began arriving only seconds after.

Liam and Cillian went to continue discussion with Mairead, Nuada, and Aine about strengthening defenses and borders after the attack on the castle. Fiadh and Aoibhe discussed more espionage with Taranis and his General. Beck went with Manannan and a few of his troops along with some earth movers to work on a plan to have the river that runs through the kingdoms fill the crater that was made at the border of Siog Riocht adding to defenses with water Fae stationed there.

Aiden left them all to it and had Danu walk with her to the Queen's study. Once she calmly closed the door trying her best to hide the nerves of being alone with a being that wanted to harm her, she requested, "I need you to tell me all that you know about forbidden magic and what it can do."

Danu went to the window and stared out for several minutes while trying to recall from her millenniums of existence. Aiden knew that older beings sometimes took a moment to remember things as they sorted through an uncountable amount of memories and knowledge.

"It is a strange and unpredictable magic making it not easy to foresee outcomes. It cannot give true death but can create a death like state. It also cannot give true life but can create mockeries," Danu eventually answered.

"Tell me more about the death like state."

"Forbidden magic can render a human or Fae in a dreamlike sort of unconsciousness."

"Can you combat it?"

"Valkyries might can since it is not true death which could make it considered a type of illusion, but I cannot say that with all certainty. You fear him putting you in that state."

"I'm just making sure I know all the possibilities."

"I do not believe he will do that because he thrives on the interaction. He truly wants you to desire him, so rendering you unconscious would take that away, unless he wants a child conceived quickly."

"Why does he want a child with me so desperately?"

"The only reasoning I can come up with is that your power would provide the greatest source of all for his forbidden magic. He cannot take it from you for himself, but he can test the theory and control the result by having a child with you."