Chapter 60

But the palace... the palace was something else entirely. It shimmered in the early morning light, its walls gleaming like crystal, almost as if it were carved from ice itself. The structure looked delicate, but there was a strength to it, an ancient presence that seemed to hum with power. Every tower, every balcony, every edge of the palace caught the light in a way that made it sparkle, as though it was a jewel set against the mountainside. It was breathtaking.

" Wow..." I breathed, barely able to form the words. My heart raced as I took it all in, my mind struggling to comprehend the beauty of this place. I had never seen anything like it. " It’s... incredible."

Kaden, who had been riding beside me on Luka, turned to look at me, a soft smile on his face. " This is the Water Kingdom," he said quietly, his voice holding a touch of pride. " The palace has stood here for centuries, long before I was even born."

I nodded, still speechless as I stared at the flowing water cascading down the mountain. It was hard to believe that something so beautiful, so pure, could exist.
" It looks like it’s made of ice," I said, my voice filled with awe.

Kaden's smile widened, but there was something else in his eyes—something deeper. " Once upon a time, hundreds of years ago, Water Elementals had ice powers as well. The palace was built by the first Water Elementals, who could control both water and ice. It was designed to reflect their power and connection to both elements."

I tore my gaze from the palace and looked at him, intrigued. " Water and ice?"

Kaden nodded, his expression growing more serious.

" Yes. But over the centuries, the ice magic began to fade. For reasons we still don’t fully understand, the Water Elementals lost their ability to wield ice. They could only control water after that, and the connection to ice was thought to be lost forever."

I frowned, the weight of his words sinking in. " Until me," I said quietly.

He met my gaze, his eyes steady and filled with something I couldn’t quite name. " Yes. Now it seems you are the only one who can summon ice. No one has been able to wield that power in centuries."

I stared at him, trying to wrap my mind around it. The idea that I was the only one left with the ability to control both fire and ice—it was both exhilarating and terrifying. I hadn’t asked for this power, and yet it was now a part of me, tied to something much larger than I had ever realized.

Kaden seemed to sense the uncertainty swirling inside me, and he reached over, placing his hand gently on mine. " You’re not alone in this, Meara. You don’t have to carry this burden by yourself."

His words were reassuring, but they didn’t fully ease the growing tension in my chest. I wasn’t sure I was ready for the responsibility that came with this kind of power, especially now that I knew how rare it was.

The carriage behind us came to a stop, and I glanced back to see the rest of our group dismounting their horses and preparing to head up toward the palace. Zaden, Mike, and Seth were all talking quietly, their
eyes darting toward the palace with a mix of awe and anticipation. Even they seemed impressed by the sight.

Kaden gently squeezed my hand, pulling my attention back to him. " Come. There’s much to see inside, and you’ll want to rest before the ball tonight."

I blinked, momentarily forgetting about the ball. Right. That was part of the reason we were here. A grand ball was to be held in honor of our arrival, and I had been both nervous and excited about it for days. But now, seeing the palace, the Water Kingdom... the ball felt like a distant thought compared to everything else.

We dismounted our spirit animals, and I followed Kaden up the stone path that led to the palace entrance. As we walked, I couldn’t help but steal glances at the water city below, my mind buzzing with curiosity. How did they live like that? What was it like to live in a bubble beneath the water, surrounded by the sea?

" It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" Kaden said, noticing my fascination.

I nodded, unable to tear my eyes away from the city below. " It’s like something out of a dream. How do they...?"

" Live beneath the water?" Kaden finished for me. " It’s a unique magic that only the Water Elementals possess. They use their control over water to create air bubbles beneath the surface, allowing entire homes and communities to exist underwater. It’s a way of life here."

" It’s amazing," I whispered, completely captivated.

We reached the entrance of the palace, and as we stepped inside, I was greeted by an even more breathtaking sight. The interior of the palace was just as magnificent as the outside, with walls that shimmered like polished ice and crystal chandeliers that hung from the high ceilings. Water flowed through the palace in elegant streams, creating fountains and waterfalls that seemed to dance as we walked past them.

I had never seen anything so beautiful. It was like the palace was alive, constantly shifting and moving, filled with the energy of the water that surrounded it. The air was cool, refreshing, and I could feel the magic that pulsed through the walls.

" This place is incredible," I said again, my voice barely above a whisper.

Kaden smiled; his eyes gleaming with pride. " It is. The Water Kingdom is known for its beauty and tranquility, but it’s also a place of great strength. The people here are resilient, just like the water they control."

I nodded, taking in every detail of the palace as we continued to walk through its grand halls. But even as I marveled at the beauty around me, a part of me couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just a visit. Something told me that my connection to this place—this kingdom—ran deeper than I realized. The palace, the water, the ancient magic of ice... it all felt strangely familiar, as if I was meant to be here.

As we walked through the palace, Kaden began pointing out different rooms, explaining the history behind them and sharing stories of past Water Elemental rulers. But even as he spoke, I could feel his eyes on me, watching for my reaction. He was gauging me, testing to see how I would fit into this world that was now part of my life.

And despite my uncertainty, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging here.

We reached the top of the grand staircase, the soft glow of the crystal walls casting a gentle light around us. Kaden turned to me; his gaze steady but unreadable. " I will show you to your chambers," he said, his voice low and soothing.

I nodded, offering a slight smile, though I could feel a storm of emotions brewing inside me. His presence was comforting, but there was a growing ache inside me that I couldn’t ignore. I followed him as we descended the shimmering crystal steps, each one reflecting the light from the ceiling in dazzling sparks that almost distracted me from the turmoil inside.

After passing a few doors, Kaden stopped at one at the far end of the corridor. He paused for a moment before he opened it, revealing a room unlike anything I had seen before.
" This is your chamber," he said, stepping aside to let me enter.

I walked in slowly, my eyes immediately drawn to the white fur rugs spread across the polished floor. The soft blue scatter pillows on the bed added a pop of color against the cool, white tones of the room. The sheer white curtains billowed in the breeze from the open balcony doors, allowing the fresh scent of water and air to drift inside. Everything was beautiful, serene, almost like a dream.

" It's beautiful," I said softly, taking a few steps further into the room. But even as I admired the beauty around me, I couldn’t shake the feeling building inside me—the feeling that there was something more between us, something I had been avoiding for too long.

" I'm glad you like it, little one," Kaden’s voice was softer now, almost affectionate. " Now, get some rest before tonight." He turned to leave, and as he moved toward the door, something inside me twisted.

" Kaden!" I called out, my voice catching in my throat. He stopped immediately, turning around with concern in his eyes. " Last night..." I started, but the words felt heavy on my tongue. I struggled to find the right way to say what was swirling in my mind. " Seeing you in pain like that, it—it was unbearable."