The Dragon King's Heart

A blue aura. 

It was Laina's weakness. As someone who had an affinity with the Sun, the moon was the opposite. The elements associated with it were in conflict with it too. 

"What does this mean?" Kol asked, confused as to what was happening. 

"What it means," Margaret's voice was still shaking as she pieced her words together, "It means Laina's heart at present, might not be able to withstand the harm already caused by the curse…"

"If we don't find a solution fast, she won't survive," Dante said as he closed his eyes. 

He was still holding on to Laina's hand tightly. There was no healing spell in Gaeia that could salvage a heart. If he could bring her back to the Celestial Realm with him, perhaps there would be a cure for her. 

But Laina's present condition would not allow him to do so. She would never survive the trip there. Dante placed his free hand across his chest. His own heart was racing. He knew there had to be a solution. 

The moonfrost curse circulated through the body of the victim like poison in the bloodstream. The antidote only stopped the spread of the curse, whatever damage remained was still present. 

But the curse had spread to her heart, even a blood transfusion would not be able to fix it. Her heart had to be cleansed of the curse in order for it to function well. But in order to do so, her heart would have to be removed. 

Laina can't survive without a heart. 

"But I can…" Dante mumbled to himself. 

He pieced his plan together in his mind. 

"I know how we can save Laina," Dante declared to everyone as he looked up at them. 

Margaret looked up at Dante with anticipation. She was desperate. Regardless of what it will be, she was willing to take the chance. Laina's well-being was her number one priority and that had not changed. 

Dante explained his plan to all of them. They listened in silence and shock. 

"Dante, are you mad? This… how…" Marius could barely comprehend what Dante had just explained. 

The plan was outrageous. But it was also their only hope. Margaret bit her lip. She knew how risky all of this was. But this was the only way. Kol and Florin were taken aback by Dante's suggestion too. 

The plan was to replace Laina's heart. This would allow her body to recover from the moonfrost curse. They would also be able to cleanse Laina's heart of the effects of the curse. Once both processes are complete, they can put her heart back where it belongs. 

"Use my heart," Kol volunteered without a second thought.

Laina saved his life. This was the perfect opportunity for him to repay the kindness she had shown him. It was the least he could do after everything she had done for him. 

"No, use my heart instead," Margaret volunteered too. 

She would do anything to save Laina's life, even if it meant her own demise. Dante sighed as he shook his head. 

"It won't work," Dante replied. 

Kol's heart would not work, Margaret's affinity with the Sun would not be able to combat the moonfrost curse effectively. 

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Margaret asked as she turned to look at Dante. 

She saw the glimmer in his eye. He was planning to use his heart. 

"Dante, are you sure about this?" she asked. 

"I am the best candidate for this," Dante explained. 

Just as he got up on his feet, Dante felt his feet grow weak. His vision began to blur as he took a step back. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as he struggled to keep his balance. Marius noticed this immediately and rushed to his aid. 

"My King!" he caught Dante just as he stumbled backward. 

"Dante, are you alright?" Margaret asked.

Together with Marius, they sat Dante down on the sofa. 

"Should I call for the royal healers?" Kol asked. 

Margaret was about to reply when Dante stopped him, "There's no need. I just need some rest. We are already short on time."

The moment Margaret touched Dante's hand, she flinched. Dragons were cold-blooded creatures, so naturally, their hands would not be warm. Laina had often remarked how cold Dante's hands were. 

Marius had cold hands too. But this was not normal. Her eyebrows furrowed as she continued to examine Dante to ensure he was alright. He tried to brush it off, attempted to play it cool but Margaret did not back down. 

"If you want to save Laina, we need to make sure at the very least you're well enough to do so," she chided at him. 

Dante continued to resist, which made the entire situation even more suspicious. Margaret could tell from the look on Marius's face, this was not the first time something like this had happened. 

Margaret knew something was amiss. Though it was not obvious to most, she did notice the slight change in Dante's skin color. His colder-than-normal body temperature was changing the color of his skin. 

Something was amiss. 

Margaret placed her hand on Dante's forehead. It felt cold to the touch too. When she reached out to touch his chest, Dante swiped her hand away immediately. 

"Dante, I just need to check to ensure you're alright," Margaret explained what she was trying to do. 

Dante shook his head, "No."

She could see the cold sweat trickling down his forehead. Margaret ran the possible scenarios through her mind. When the answer dawned on her, she stumbled back. Her eyes were widened in shock. 

She grabbed hold of his left hand when she noticed something was amiss. Peeking through his long sleeves was faint black veins. The black-colored veins ran down his arm, as far as she could see. 

"It can't be…" she muttered beneath her breath. 

Marius, surprised by Margaret's reaction, grew more worried about Dante's condition. He held onto Margaret's arm tightly. 

"What can't be? What's wrong?"

Margaret did not respond to Marius's question. She looked straight at Dante. She did not know how to ask him. When he looked up at her, she could see it in his eyes. Her theory was right. He did not avert her gaze, he merely gave her a nod.