The Dragon King's Heart

Looking at the mark that was branded onto Kol's skin, Laina could not help but feel sorry for him. He must have tried different ways to have it removed but it would not have been easy. 

At first glance, Laina thought it was a regular branding. Heated metal applied to the skin. It would have been excruciatingly painful, no doubt about that. But upon closer inspection, Laina realized it was not that simple. 

"You've tried to find a way to get rid of it before, right?" Laina asked.

Kol nodded with a sad look on his face, "I've been to a healer and he said he can't remove it."

"That's because it has been enhanced with magic spells. Margaret and I will figure something out. Between her and I, I'm sure we'll find a way."

"You'll do it, for me?" Kol could not believe the kindness he received. After a lifetime of pain and suffering in the hand of his previous masters, Laina was a true blessing. 

The heavens had finally heard his prayers. Despite how everything seemed so calm and peaceful when he was first brought to Laina, Kol constantly worried things would change. 

Every day he lived in fear, wondering when would the facade of kindness he had seen fade away. He had only known darkness, torture, and pain. To be in the presence of light, kindness, and care; Kol did not know it existed. 

"Of course, Kol! Why wouldn't I?" Laina was taken aback by his question. 

Kol got down on his knees and bowed to her. 

"I don't deserve such kindness, master!" Kol exclaimed with his forehead touching the cool floor. 

Surprised by his sudden action, Laina quickly got up and helped him up. 

'Kol, it's alright! You don't have to kneel and bow to me for that! It's no trouble at all."

But Kol refused to budge, "You have my most heartfelt gratitude, master, I won't get up until you have accepted it."

His persistence caught Laina off guard. She did not know what else to do but accept. Only then, did Kol get up on his own. 

"You don't have to be so polite and formal with me, Kol. I want you to see me as your equal, not as someone above you."

"As my equal?"

Laina nodded. 

All of this was new to Kol, he had never experienced such kindness before. For someone like Laina to say that she wanted them to converse like equals, it was unheard of. Laina could see the confusion in his eyes. 

"I know it's all new to you. But it should not be that way. Kol. You're a living person, just like me. There should not be a distance between us. You're no lesser than me and I am no better than you." 

"But… you're a princess. You're the Crown Princess of Kinshearth," Kol protested. 

Laina chuckled. She stood up from her seat on the bed and let out a sigh. 

"Indeed I am. But if we both ended up in an unknown land, titles like that would not matter. We would just be us."

A rare smile appeared upon Kol's face. Hearing Laina's explanation helped him to understand what she was saying. It opened a door for him to see the world he lived in through a different set of eyes. 

The branding on his back had brought him nothing but the memories of the past. He wanted to be rid of it as soon as possible. His past might have shaped him up till this point, but from here on out he decided what he would become. 

"Thank you, Laina. I am eternally in your debt," Kol expressed his heartfelt gratitude. 

"You're welcome," Laina replied with a smile. 

Once the sun had set on the horizon, Blu Lunara was covered in darkness. The Moon Maidens quickly went about their rounds, lighting lamps and casting glow spells to light up the temple. With their work complete, the entire Temple of the Moon looked as if it had been lit up with stars. 

The soft glow paired well with the still surroundings. While some travelers had already made their way down the mountain, a select few chose to stay at the temple for the night. Arguably, most of the Moon Maiden's duties, as evident from their title, took place at night. 

A knock on the door startled Laina and Kol. 

The High Priestess greeted them warmly with trays of food. Once they finished eating, she and two other Moon Maidens guided them out of the room. 

"Where are you taking us?" Laina could not help but ask. 

"Tonight, the moon is round and bright. The Goddess will grant you an audience," Shylla explained as they walked. 

The Moon Maidens lead Laina and Kol to a circular room. In the center were eight marble pillars surrounding a pool of water. The water was so clear and still, it was able to reflect. Through the reflection of the water, Laina could see the full moon in the sky. 

She had never seen the moon so round and large before. Shylla and the other two Moon Maidens were about to take their leave and wanted to take Kol along with them. Kol, uncertain as to what they were doing, quickly drew his weapon and resumed a defensive stance. 

Laina quickly came over to resolve the situation. 

"I'm sorry, your Highness, but only you are allowed to meet with the Moon Goddess. Your bodyguard cannot be present," the High Priestess quickly explained. 

"But I need to protect Laina," Kol protested. 

Not wanting to offend the Moon Maidens and the Goddess, Laina knew she had to make the difficult decision. It was a risk she had foreseen so she knew she had to take it. 

"I understand. Would it be alright if he stood guard right outside?" Laina asked Shylla for a compromise. 

Kol was about to protest but Laina stopped him, shaking her head. He immediately kept quiet. The High Priestess did not want to offend Laina either.

She nodded in agreement, "Yes, that is fine."

With that resolved, Kol followed the Moon Maidens out of the room. He took one last look at Laina before they closed the door. Laina turned back, facing the moonlit pool. Though it was subtle, she could feel her energy being drained little by little. 

Though it was not enough to cause her to be weakened, she could still feel it. It might be just a coincidence, but whenever Laina is under the blazing sun, she feels as if she is absorbing the sun's rays. 

She could not explain it but always felt as if she was drawing energy from the Sun.