The Source (Chronicles of the Elements #1)

Chapter 24

Aiden sat in the smothering obsidian of the furthest reaches of her mind feeling empty and alone. She could not cry. She could not scream. She could not sleep. She could not feel pain. She could not feel joy. She could not feel magic. She felt nothing. She was nothing.

Their son was gone, and it was all her fault. She knew she should not have trusted anything about Olc but was stupid enough to drink from his cup. He had not even used forbidden magic except to weigh her power down. Olc murdered her innocent child. She did not understand the point of being the all powerful Elemental if she could not even protect her own son.

"Child of the Elements, come forth from the darkness," she heard somewhere in the inky surroundings. Aiden ignored it thinking it just a trick of her mind, but it called to her again. "You are not meant for this place. Come back to the light, Elemental Queen."

"There is nothing to come back to," she whispered.

"Oh but there is. Come see," the voice directed as a sliver of golden brightness broke the dark causing Aiden to shield her eyes.

She squinted and stared at the growing glow until she felt herself rise and begin walking toward it as if it was pulling her against her will. She did not have the energy to fight it, so she let the mysterious force propel her along until she emerged into a sunlit forest. She took in the sparkling stream and the emerald grass. The place seemed safe and serene in its sparkling beauty.

"Why am I here? Where is here?"

"You should know. We are still in your mind, Elemental Queen. Someone wants to meet you and help lead you back to the light where you belong."

Aiden heard tiny footsteps behind her. She turned and then dropped to her knees as a small child no more than five years old stood before her with golden skin, silver eyes, and Liam's hair and smile.

Aiden began to cry as he came to her and placed his little hand on her cheek. "Don't cry, Mother. I'm okay."

Aiden could not help but weep harder as she wrapped the boy in her arms hugging him close to her chest. His arms wrapped around her in return, and she felt him place soft pats on her back.

"I do not understand," she finally said through her tears.

"Your son wanted to meet you. He lives within you and your mate. He is never truly gone," the ancient voice answered.

"Don't be sad, Mother. I'm safe and happy. All is as it should be. I was sent to you to save you from the bad male, but you are going to save everyone! I'm proud to be your son and will always be with you and Father."

Aiden pulled the boy closer soaking in the most precious gift she had ever been given. She kissed the top of his head taking in his scent of fresh rain and mountain wind. "I'm sorry that I let him hurt you."

"Don't apologize, Mother. This was my destiny just as you must fulfill yours. May I ask one thing of you though?"

"You may ask anything of me."

"Will you give me a name?"

"Your father and I talked about it only briefly because you were so small still, but we did have one that stood out."

"What was it?"

"Niall. It means cloud. Sky Kingdom is where your father and I fell in love. You are the precious, wonderful product of that love."

"I like that story and would like to be called Niall."

"Then it shall be, Prince Niall of Siog Riocht."

Niall giggled and hugged Aiden again as she continued to cry wishing she could have held him from the day he took his first breath and forever after.

"You must go save everyone, Mother."