The Dragon King's Heart

Though Selene wanted to stay longer to chat with Laina further, it was time for her to depart. The Moon Goddess was only able to materialize in their world for a short period of time every so often. 

"How do you communicate with the Moon Goddess outside of the time she isn't physically here?" Laina asked the High Priestess out of curiosity. 

Shylla chuckled, "We do get some written signs from time to time. But unless it is of absolute importance, Goddess Selene does not make a physical appearance. I have not met with her in over a year."

Laina widened her eyes in shock, "A year? I must be really lucky then."

"Indeed you are, Princess Laina. The Moon Goddess does not just meet anyone. She's rejected audiences with Kragen on multiple occasions," Shylla added. 

As they continued their discussion, Laina came to a realization. While Kragen was the current King of Wolfenheim, the Moon Goddess did not favor his rule. He was a man of great ambition, but he also had ill intentions. 

King Kragen even tried to steer his subjects away from the Moon Goddess. He had no respect for their ancient traditions. He believed progress was the only way for Wolfenheim to expand its reach. 

Putting the pieces of information she had gathered from the High Priestess and her conversation with the Moon Goddess, Laina came up with her own hypothesis. 

"Was Victoria chosen as Kragen's mate in an effort to change him for the better? Having a human as a mate is unusual and somewhat taboo as well, right? Based on what I've read, most saw it as a curse," Laina wondered. 

The High Priestess smiled. It was normal for people to make such an assumption and it has been done in the past. However, this was not the case. 

Shylla shared her insight with Laina, "The Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways. Even I came to that conclusion myself. However, Victoria is not as simple as you might think. The way Kragen mistreated her is despicable. 

No one saw that coming. But, you could say it was all part of her journey to help her build character." 

As Laina pondered over the High Priestess's words, she wondered what does the Moon Goddess had in store for Victoria? As per their agreement, she now had a role to play in it too. 

-Hopefully, I am not too late to save her.- Laina thought to herself. 

A Moon Maiden came up to Shylla and Laina as they were walking down the corridor. Kol had awoken.

"The half-blood is asking to see his master, High Priestess. He seems to believe we're keeping the Crown Princess from seeing him," the Moon Maiden said in haste. 

From her anxious expression and fidgeting hands, Laina knew something was amiss. She immediately instructed the Moon Maiden to guide them to him and went on their way. 

When they got to the healing room, the Moon Maidens were wielding their weapons defensively. Kol's eyes were blood red and his expression was filled with rage. 

"Where is Laina?! Answer me!" He roared in anger. 

"Kol! I'm right here!" Laina rushed over to him and calmed him down. 

Upon seeing Laina, Kol quietened down. He plopped down on the rose quartz bed behind him and heaved a sigh of relief. When he woke up in the healing room, he was confused as to what had happened. 

Thinking that the princess might have abandoned him, he interrogated the Moon Maiden who had come to check on him.

"Master, I… I…," Kol winced in pain as he placed a hand over his bandaged abdomen. 

Consuming Laina's blood had helped speed up the healing of his injuries, but these were not normal wounds. He needed more time to rest and recuperate. 

"Kol, you need rest. And what were you thinking?! You might have fast healing but you're still injured so stay put!" 

Laina turned back to Shylla and apologized on Kol's behalf for the commotion that occurred. 

"He does not mean any harm, he's just…"

"Devoted? It's alright, your Highness, there's no need to apologize," Shylla assured her.

"You know, your Highness, that shield you cast to protect the Moon Goddess and yourself is quite unique," The High Priestess commented. 

Laina turned to her, "Is it? It's just a regular shield spell I cast."

Shylla furrowed her eyebrows. She wondered if Laina was intentionally keeping something from her. But, it was not her place to pry. 

"I have not witnessed the powers of a child of the sun before. But from what I am aware, those aren't just normal fire arrows you blocked. The wounds on the half-blood is proof of that," Shylla explained as she pointed to Kol's bandages. 

"What do you mean?"

"Those were sun fire arrows, normal shields would not have been able to repel them."

"Sun fire arrows?" 

The assassins were attempting to kill the Moon Goddess. If those arrows had injured the Moon Goddess, she would have been wounded. Normal arrows would have no effect on Selene, the same with regular flame-covered arrows. 

Shylla nodded, "While those arrows can wound the Goddess, it would not have brought her any grave danger, fear not. But it is because of those sun fire arrows, that your bodyguard is so badly hurt."

Laina turned to Kol. She could see the bandages they had wrapped all over his body. Kol was a half-vampire, so he was still considered a creature of the night. A child of the moon. 

Normal amounts of sunlight would not harm him. But sun fire arrows can be deadly, especially if they were enchanted. This revelation reminded Laina of a question she had wanted to ask. 

"Shylla, if you don't mind me asking. Why did you and the Moon Goddess refer to me as a child of the sun? Is it because I am human?"

Laina's question surprised Shylla. The High Priestess was at a loss for words. She even wondered if the Crown Princess was merely joking with her. But seeing the serious look on Laina's face, she realized Laina was serious. 

"It's mainly because of your affinity with the Sun, your Highness. Everyone tends to have an affinity towards certain elements, and yours is with the Sun," Shylla explained.