QUEEN OF DRAGONS ( killian jones )

chapter nine.

CHAPTER NINE  —
( All magic comes with a price. )

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"Is it really possible that Baelfire is still out there?" Luna inquired, her eyes scanning the shelves of Mr. Gold's pawnshop, her mind flashing with memories of her old life. "Wouldn't that make him a couple of hundred years old?

"I believe he is," Gold responded.

Luna delicately ran her fingers over some of the items in his store, and her mind filled with memories of seeing some of these very objects in his castle back in the Enchanted Forest. "You're having more frequent memories, aren't you?" he inquired.

Luna nodded slowly. "Yeah. It's like every time I pass someone on the street or catch a glimpse of them, I remember something else," she said with a dry chuckle. "I feel like I'm losing my mind."

"Your memories are slowly resurfacing now, but when Emma breaks the curse, everyone will regain their memories all at once. They'll be able to discuss it with each other while you only have me," Gold explained. "Unless you want to confide in a couple of ten-year-olds."

Luna laughed softly. "Henry and Daisy would have a field day if I shared with them," she said. "I'm trying to sort everything out in my mind, but there are some gaps that I can't seem to figure out. For example, there's a blank space between you teaching me magic, which led to Ladon's birth, and then suddenly, I wasn't with you, and Dratini had hatched. Do you remember what happened during that time?"

"Yes," Mr. Gold replied, walking around the counter. "I completed your training. I felt that you were prepared to leave my castle, and you expressed a desire to travel the kingdom. I didn't hold you back. I believed you would return to me if you needed assistance, and I believed you were wise enough to protect yourself and your dragons."

"What good that did Ladon," Luna muttered under her breath.

"He sacrificed himself to protect you and his sisters, didn't he?" He inquired.

Luna furrowed her brow. "I'm not entirely certain. I believe so. It happened just before the curse descended upon us, and Regina was making her way to Snow and David's castle."

"I know," Gold said. "You were outside with Ladon and Dratini, the two dragons helping protect the castle. Kayda was inside safeguarding Snow White and Charming. When Ladon got shot out of the sky, you ordered Dratini to leave to protect herself and hurried back to Kayda to protect your youngest." Luna looked down at the ring around her middle finger, the engraved family crest catching the light as she turned it. "I'm sorry for your loss," Gold said softly.

"I know you are," Luna mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Luna, child. I want you to have this." Luna gazed upwards and observed Gold approaching her, grasping a crown that immediately sparked a sense of familiarity within Luna. Made from pure gold, the crown shimmered with an irresistible charm as it contrasted with Luna's platinum blonde hair in the otherworldly Enchanted Kingdom. As the crown was placed on her head, detailed engravings of dragons and mysterious symbols decorated its surface, enhancing its majestic appearance. "You never told me who gave that to you."