The Dragon King's Heart

It was Florin. The vampire bodyguard came down to check on Ramona, to see if she was resting. But instead, he found her preparing to leave. The oracle jolted in her spot, surprised to see the vampire looking straight at her.

"I…I…" she hesitated for a moment. 

But there was no point in lying about what she was planning to do. It would have just created more trouble and potentially create a misunderstanding. 

"I am grateful for the Crown Princess's help, but I think it would be best for me to leave," Ramona phrased her reasoning as best as she could. 

"Why do you think that?" Florin asked as he folded his arms. 

His ruby red irises glistened under the light of the room. If the oracle was a threat, he would not hesitate to cut her down where she stood. 

"I sense danger," Ramona explained carefully, "Dexerion and his followers might be closing in on my location as we speak. 

That means everyone in the mansion is in danger. That includes her Highness and King Dante. I don't want to put any of you in unnecessary danger."

Upon hearing her reasoning, Florin eased up his stance.

"You have nothing to worry about," he said as he leaned against the wall, "Princess Laina already prepared for that."

"Prepared for that? What do you-" 

"All preparations have been made for a potential attack. In fact…" Florin paused for a moment as he took out a pocket watch to check the time. 

Seconds later, there was a knock on the door. It was Kol. 

"Is everything alright here?" he asked as he peered through the gap in the door. 

His face was splattered with blood. It was at this moment, Ramona took a closer look at Florin. She had failed to notice his blood-stained clothes and the weapon in his hand. They've been fighting. 

"All is well, they didn't get here," Florin replied to Kol. 

"What is going on?" Ramona asked in confusion. 

Florin sat her down. He explained the situation to her. After Ramona had informed Laina about the potential attack from Dexerion, she had all her knights and bodyguards on high alert. Special protection spells have also been placed around the mansion. 

Should any intruders attempt to sneak in, the knights and bodyguards would be alerted immediately. All threats would be nullified before they can achieve their goals. 

"So, thanks to your word of caution, we were able to prepare and defend ourselves," Florin said as he pats Ramona on the back, "Thank you, Oracle Ramona."

"I…I…" she could not find the right words to say. 

All she could do was stare at Florin, dumbfounded by what she had just learned. 

"But we do need your help, Oracle Ramona."

"You need my assistance?"

"Yes. We need your help to see if the person you were referring to, Dexerion, are amongst the ones whom we've caught."

Ramona gulped, "Did you not… kill them all?" 

She had made that assumption based on the blood splattered across his clothes. Florin realized what she had meant when she looked straight at him. 

"Oh no, we did not. As per her Higness's instructions, we kept most of them alive."

Most. 

Laina had been awake for most of the hours that night. She watched as Dante slept soundly by her side. When Kol came to inform her that the intruders have been caught, she carefully sneaked out of bed and followed him downstairs.

All who were captured were tied up with their mouth sealed shut. Ramona and Florin arrived just as Laina came down the stairs. 

"Is that all of them?" the crown princess asked. 

"Yes, your Highness," one of the knights replied. 

Laina nodded as she went over to the Oracle. 

"Do you see Dexerion amongst them?" she asked. 

Ramona shook her head, "He's not among them."

"Could he be in disguise?" Laina asked. 

The oracle shook her head, "No, I would have been able to sense it."

Although they tried to interrogate those who were captured for more information, none of them were willing to spill the beans. This frustrated Laina and Ramona but there was nothing they could do. They needed an alternative solution. 

"Is there any other way we could safely reinstate your position at the Altar of the Sun?" Laina asked. 

Ramona bit her lip. She had a bold idea. However, it was a huge favor to ask of Laina. When she finally mustered the courage and told the crown princess her plan, Laina agreed to it without the slightest hesitation. 

"Are you sure?" the oracle asked nervously, "You don't have to do any of this. You've already helped me so much."

Laina placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly, "My mind is made up. Besides, I have my own reasons for helping you too, so my intentions are not entirely noble."

But if Laina wanted to go with them to the Altar of the Sun without raising any suspicion, she would have to be sneaky.  If she had to leave before anyone woke up, that was what she would have to do. 

"But Laina, they will question your whereabouts. What then?" Kol asked worriedly. 

"I will leave a note. But we will have to return swiftly. No time to dawdle," she declared. 

Seeing the Crown Princess's willingness to help, Ramona was grateful. However, she knew they had to be ready for Dexerion's underhand fighting techniques. They were going to need all the help they could get.

Ramona used a spell to assess the crystals and geodes in the mansion. She picked out three small gemstones and handed them to Laina. 

"Carry these three with you, Your Highness," the oracle instructed. 

"What for?" Laina asked out of curiosity. 

"They can give you additional energy, should you need to summon fire to protect yourself," Ramona explained. 

Once they had everything ready, they prepared to leave. Laina quickly ran back to the bedroom to leave the note she had written on Dante's bedside. After she placed it down, she turned to find him looking straight at her. 

He grabbed her by the arm and mumbled sleepily, "Where are you going, Sundrop?"

Laina was caught off guard. She rationalized that perhaps he was half asleep. She leaned in close and kissed him on the cheek. 

"I just need to go run an errand. I'll be back before you notice."

With that, Laina went on her way. Ramona and the rest were already waiting for her on the beach. 

"Let's go," Laina said as she walked up to them.