The Dragon King's Heart

She touched the pendant that hung around her neck. Laina tapped it twice and whispered his name. She continued walking as she waited for a response. 

There was only silence. 

As Laina let out a sigh, Kol tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up at him. He was pointing to something up ahead. When she looked up, Laina gasped in awe. 

"We've arrived," Kol said as he too turned to look at what laid ahead. 

Just a short distance ahead of them was a tall building carved entirely out of white marble. The landscaping surrounding the building was beautifully done too. There were neatly trimmed hedges and flowerbeds filled with vibrant colored flowers. 

The Moon Maidens were dressed in white togas. Most of them wore their hair in a similar fashion and had the same silver circlet with a moonstone encrusted in the center. 

Laina quickly noticed something unusual. As soon as she had stepped foot in the vicinity of the Temple of the Moon, she realized the Moon Maidens were all looking at her. 

They were whispering to one another, all while looking in Laina's direction. This made her feel extremely uncomfortable. Uncertain of what to make of it, Laina decided to focus on her task at hand. 

They made their way through the main entrance of the temple and entered its courtyard. Most of the travelers were gathered in the courtyard, watching the Moon Maiden in the center performing the Heart's Desire Ceremony for a couple. 

Laina was eager to see how it was performed, but she knew she had a much more important task at hand. 

-I can always see it another time.- she reminded herself. 

As she walked across the courtyard, towards the entrance of what seemed like the main hall, Laina's path was blocked by two Moon Maidens. When she tried to take a step forward, the two Moon Maidens retreated backward, as if they were afraid of her. 

Seeing that they were not going to initiate the conversation first, Laina decided that she would do so instead. 

"Greetings to you, Moon Maidens. My name is Laina, I was wondering if you two might be able to help me? I would like an audience with Moon Goddess Selene," she was straight to the point. 

The two Moon Maidens glanced over to one another, before lowering their gaze back down to the ground. After a short moment of silence, one of them spoke up. 

"I'm sorry, Miss Laina. But the Moon Goddess does not receive mortal guests."

Before Laina could try to persuade them otherwise, she noticed someone was walking towards her from within the main hall. The hall was dimly lit, so she could barely see who it was until they walked up close to the entrance of the hall. 

The two Moon Maidens who previously spoke to Laina moved to the side, giving the mysterious lady room to present herself. 

Under the light of the sun, Laina managed to see who it was. The lady was another Moon Maiden, but she was different from the rest. While she still wore the same white toga as the others did, her silver hair was tied up in a bun. 

The circlet that rested upon her forehead, was made out of gold instead of silver. The lady curtsied to Laina. 

"Welcome to the Temple of the Moon, Crown Princess Laina of Kinshearth. My name is Shylla, I am the High Priestess Moon Maiden," the lady introduced herself. 

She turned her body to the side and put out her hand, guiding Laina and Kol into the main hall as she said, "Please, follow me."

For a moment, Laina wondered if this might have all been a trap. How was it that Shylla knew who she was? 

"Before I follow you in, I can't help but ask. How did you know who I am?" 

Shylla smiled, "Your arrival has been foretold two days ago, which gave us ample time to prepare."

Though still a little skeptical, Laina decided to trust them for the time being. She entered the main hall with Kol following closely behind. Upon entering, Laina realized the internal space of the Temple had been modified by magic. 

The space within was much larger compared to how it looked on the outside. As they walked further in, Laina noticed that all the Moon Maidens were looking at her and Kol. 

Shylla noticed it too. 

She turned back and reassured Laina, "Do not worry, they mean no harm. They are merely curious. None of them had ever seen a child of the sun before."

The High Priestess led Laina and Kol deeper into the Temple. 

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

They were walking deeper and deeper into the Temple grounds. Looking all around, Laina had no idea where exactly they were. Shylla stopped in her path and looked all around. 

Once she was sure there was no one else around but them, she asked Laina, "You came all the way here to meet the Moon Goddess, right?"

Laina quickly nodded. 

"The Moon Goddess has been waiting for your arrival. It is not every day that she can show herself. Also, needless to say, it can only happen at night time. For now, you may rest. When the moon is out, I will come and bring you to meet her."

Shylla guided them to a room with two neatly made beds. Laina thanked her for her hospitality before she left. Once the High Priestess left, Laina let out a breath of air as she laid down on one of the beds. 

Things seemed to be going surprisingly well. She had not expected it was this simple to get an audience with the Moon Goddess. From the information she had gathered from the books she had read, it felt as if the Moon Goddess was impossible to find. 

The other thing that came floating into her mind, was Shylla's remark. When they passed the Moon Maidens who were all looking at Laina, the High Priestess mentioned Laina was a 'child of the sun'. 

Was it because Laina was human? Or could it be alluding to something else? 

"Laina, would you like me to get you something to eat?" Kol asked as he loomed over Laina. 

Looking up at her bodyguard, she shook her head, "I'm good, Kol. Thank you for the offer."

Kol nodded. He hesitated for a moment, uncertain if he should ask the question that was in his mind. Seeing him biting his lip, Laina sensed it. 

"Is there something you want to ask? Speak your mind, I am all ears," she added.

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