The Dragon King's Heart

Queen Victoria turned back to Laina with a smile as they locked arms and went on their way. Upon entering, Laina felt a familiar presence and so did Kol. Though it was faint, Laina realized who it was as soon as a wolf came running up to Queen Victoria.

"Victoria-" Laina was about to warn the werewolf queen.

But she soon realized she did not have to. Clearly, there had been some form of development in the time since they have last met. When Victoria realized Laina was just standing there, dumbfounded, by her interaction with the wolf.

The wolf, upon realizing there were guests in the room with Victoria, quickly realized who it was. Titan, who was with Laina barred his teeth at the wolf.

"Easy, Titan, easy," Laina said as she pets him on the head.

At Laina's command, Titan softened his resolve.

"I assume you already realized who this wolf might be," Victoria said with a smile.

"I have my suspicions," Laina replied in disbelief.

She had always wondered what happened to Kragen. Dante did inform her it was taken care of and she never questioned what he meant by it. Queen Victoria explained what happened, how Kragen became her wolf.

"So he can't speak like you and I?" Laina asked.

"Yes, but as you can see from his expression right now," Victoria said as she lifted Kragen's face up, "He's very sorry for what he has done in the past."

The wolf's ears drooped, tail down. He even averted Laina's gaze. Laina found it tough to believe that this was the feared werewolf king. Even Kol found it hard to believe. He was wary of Kragen, no matter what form he took now.

"Anyways, let's head over there to have a chat, shall we?" Victoria said as she led Laina out into the balcony where a table and chairs had been set up for them.

The Crown Princess and Werewolf Queen spent the entire afternoon chatting in length. They had much to catch up on. It seems like the gossip about Laina and Dantes' relationship spread beyond borders. Even Victoria was aware of it.

"I have to be honest, one of the reasons I invited you here is so that I can confirm if these rumors are true!" Victoria joked.

"You've only been Queen for a while and you're already getting into the gossip? Queenhood has changed you, Victoria," Laina teased back.

"Has it? I did not notice."

Both women shared a good laugh as they continued on with their conversation over tea and light snacks. But their happy conversation was short-lived, as a messenger came to inform Queen Victoria of her next engagement.

"The elders are waiting for you in the throne room, your Majesty," the messenger informed her.

"Already?" Victoria sighed as she turned back to Laina, "I apologize, Princess Laina, but duty calls. Let's converse again over dinner."

"Very well, I'll see you then," Laina replied.

With that, Laina and her bodyguards were escorted to her guest quarters to rest. Everything had been specially prepared for her arrival. Upon entering, Laina sensed something was amiss. She furrowed her eyebrows as she examined the room in great detail. 

"Is something wrong, your Highness? If the room is not to your liking, we can get it changed," Florin spoke up.

Laina shook her head, "No that's not it. It's a little too perfect."

"Too perfect?" Kol chimed in as he looked around the room.

Despite his keen observation skills, he could not see what Laina saw. Florin had not spent much time with Laina just yet, so he was not able to pick up on anything either. Titan, on the other hand, begged to differ. He carefully surveyed the room upon entering.

When he saw the soft comfy dog bed that was set up next to Laina's bed, he quickly went over to rest in it. The softness of the bed enveloped the Solar Mastiff as he laid in it.

Laina chuckled, "Would you look at that! Titan's already all settled in."

"I hope the décor is to your liking, your Highness."

"Yes, thank you-" Laina paused.

She knew that voice.

That voice did not travel from the door of the room, it came from the balcony. Kol and Florin realized it too. They had not sensed the presence that entered the room through the balcony until he stepped in.

"Dante?" Laina gasped in shock as she looked towards the balcony.

There he was.

It would be a lie if Laina said she did not miss him. She wanted to run up to him and hug him tight. But she made a promise to herself and she intended on keeping it.

Before she could say anything else, Dante was no longer on the balcony. He was standing in front of her, ready to embrace her. Kol and Florin knew Dante would not harm her, so they stood down.

"What are you doing here?" Laina asked as she averted her gaze and folded her arms.

She pretended to be cold and distant, hoping it would be enough to brush him off. But little did she know her defiance only made him want to hold her more.

"I missed you," he said sweetly, seductively.

Like a pouting kid, Laina continued to protest, "I thought I told you to-"

Dante placed his hands on Laina's shoulders. A tingling sensation reverberated throughout her body. She did not realize how much she missed his touch, his presence.

"I thought I told you to stay away," Laina mumbled.

Dante smiled as he drew her into his arms, "I know, and I respect that. But you also said that in Kinshearth. You did not say anything about Wolfenheim."

A loophole.

Dante found a loophole to get to her. 

"Are you twisting my words to get to me?" Laina asked as she looked into his eyes.

They only spent a short span of time apart but Dante looked as if he had aged a couple of years. His eyes were tired and dry, his movements slowed. She could smell the faint scent of alcohol on him.

Had he been drinking?

His shirt was a little untidy, buttons unbuttoned. She could see the black veins peeking through just a little, obscured by the shadow. Laina clenched her jaw. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but the veins seemed to have spread.

Could the stress of their separation aggravate his condition? Laina had not taken that into consideration when she pushed him away.

"I am merely doing what I can to see you again," he whispered in reply as he caressed her cheek.

"I missed you," she whispered beneath her breath as she buried her head in her chest.

She could feel the cool temperature of his skin. She could hear the soft beating of his heart. With renewed determination, Laina knew she had to harden her heart for now. For the sake of their future together.

It was as if Dante knew what she was about to say. He did not want her to say it, so he placed a finger upon her lips.

"I know. I won't stay long. I just wanted to see you, that's all."