Mature content warning for this chapter.
Varian
After watching Auriana sleep for several hours, Varian finally drifted off into a deep, satisfied slumber of his own. He, too, had experienced difficulty sleeping of late, particularly when Auriana was offworld, but it seemed as if the issue had resolved itself now that he had her back in his arms. It was a rare pleasure to have her stay the night in his bed without argument, and Varian was not going to waste the opportunity.
Even in his sleep, he kept one hand protectively wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly as if afraid that she might disappear again. Laying as close as they were, Varian could feel each and every breath she drew into her lungs, though he was only roused from sleep when she began to shift and stir more dramatically.
It was soon apparent that she was in the grips of a terrible nightmare, and Varian shook himself awake in the hope that he might be able to comfort her. He was well aware that she had been suffering nightmares ever since her ordeal in the Foundry, but he had underestimated how distressing it was to witness Auriana's pain in person. Her muscles tensed and roiled as she tossed frantically, crying out unintelligibly as her flailing limbs tangled in the skirts of her dress.
"Easy," Varian murmured, stroking her hair in an attempt at comfort, even as he tightened his grip on her waist.
His efforts appeared to be in vain, however, as she thrashed about even more wildly, and Varian was eventually forced to hold her down bodily after one of her small fists slammed into his jaw with surprising force.
"Auri!" he grunted, stretching his bruised jaw painfully. "Wake up!"
"Varian!"
Auriana's eyes flew open as she threw herself bolt upright, and only Varian's phenomenal reflexes saved him from a headbutt to the face. She was clearly disoriented by the low light, and she struggled against him violently for several minutes before finally succumbing to his vastly superior strength.
"I'm here," Varian said soothingly. "You're safe now, I'm here…"
"Varian…" she panted, grabbing blindly for his chest as she slowly came to her senses. "What…?"
"You had a nightmare," he explained gently. "A bad one, from the looks of it…"
"I… I'm… I'm sorry…" she said quietly, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"You're sorry?" Varian repeated in surprise, gently pulling her into his arms. "Why?"
"I woke you up…" she mumbled, her disquiet clearly evident as she bowed her head into the crook of his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
"I don't mind in the slightest," Varian assured her, rubbing gentle circles on her small back. "Really."
"I thought this would stop," she whispered painfully. "I don't understand… he's dead…"
She exhaled shakily, balling her hands into fists as she struggled to control her breathing.
"I escaped, I killed him…" she muttered, more to herself than Varian. "Is that not enough?"
"You went through a very great ordeal, Auriana," he told her softly. "It's going to take some time to heal."
"But it shouldn't!" she protested forcefully, pulling violently away from him. "Not for me. I'm not… I'm not weak."
She buried her face in her hands, her slender shoulders trembling with quiet sobs. Varian gave her the space to collect her thoughts, though he did leave a careful hand on her back to show her that she had his support. He longed to draw her back into his embrace, but at this point he wasn't sure how such a gesture would be received. Auriana was a fiercely independent woman, and Varian knew she wouldn't take kindly to being coddled, most especially when she already felt that her strength was already in question.
With a masterful display of self-discipline, Auriana managed to slow her frenetic breathing. She was well practiced in emotional control, but even Varian could see how hard she had to work to remain calm. Her experience in the Foundry had shaken her to the core, and he wondered how long it would take for her to fully recover from the ordeal.
Varian's dark thoughts were interrupted as Auriana suddenly sighed, and he felt her weight shift slightly as she lifted an arm. A second later, the nearest wall sconce ignited as she shot a quick burst of flame from her hand, the fire casting dancing shadows across her pale face and setting her eyes aglow.
"I'm still fully dressed," she mumbled, breaking the long silence. "I haven't fallen asleep in my clothes since I was a child."
"I thought it best to let you sleep," Varian explained, unsure if she was displeased. "You very much looked as if you needed the rest."
"I see," she said distantly. "Well, I suppose I should undress, while I'm awake. Do… do you mind helping me with the laces?"
"Of course not," Varian said, turn her shoulders gently so as to have better access to her back.
Auriana shivered slightly beneath his touch, but sat patiently still as Varian slipped the laces on her dress, and made no further comment. The laces came undone easily beneath his practiced fingers, and soon the dress was loosened sufficiently so that Varian could pull it up and over her head. She was wearing a pale, pearl coloured slip underneath, though declined to remove it as Varian discarded her dress off the side of the bed. Free of the entangling fabric, Auriana lay back down, sighing wistfully as she stared up at the ceiling. Varian mimicked her movements, folding his hands behind his head as he tried to get comfortable.
Auriana's breath still came too fast as they lay together, and Varian could smell the faint scent of sweat and fear lingering on her skin. An awkward silence hovered cloyingly between them, and Varian finally decided to ask her a question that had been weighing on his mind for far too long.
"Do… do you want to talk about it?" he asked tentatively, well aware that he was breaking his own carefully set rule about discussing the Foundry.
Varian only really remembered why he had such rules as the silence became suddenly deafening, but to his surprise Auriana rolled onto her side and looked at him without anger or alarm. Her expression was composed but sharp, and some kind of indescribable emotion shifted behind her eyes.
"That's the first time you've asked me about what happened in the Foundry," she said quietly.
"I'm sorry," Varian said quickly. "I don't know what I was thinking. Forget I said anything."
"No…" Auriana said. "I… why did it take you so long to ask?"
Varian studied her carefully in the near darkness, noting the inky shadows beneath her eyes and the way the light reflected off her gaunt cheekbones.
"Anduin said that you suffered greatly," he said slowly. "I had no desire to make you relive that pain in the retelling. You didn't seem to be forthcoming, and I… I wanted to protect you. You know how I am."
Unexpectedly, Auriana laughed softly, rubbing a tired hand across her eyes.
"What's so funny?" Varian wondered, thoroughly nonplussed.
"You were trying to protect me," she repeated. "I never said anything because I was trying to protect you."
"What do you mean?" Varian asked, confused. "Why do I need to be protected?"
"Varian, you can barely control yourself when I get a papercut," Auriana said drily. "Light knows what would happen if I told you the truth about what happened in the Foundry."
"Do you really think me some boorish hothead, unable to control myself?" Varian asked bitterly.
"No. I think you would do anything for the people you love…" she said gently, reaching out to take his hand. "And I think you've lost… just… so much more than any one person should ever have to lose. I have no desire to add to your burdens."
Varian's breath caught in his throat, deeply affected by the strength of her concern for him.
"Auriana," he said seriously, brushing a long strand of hair away from her face, "You are the woman I love. You are no burden. I know you've become accustomed to walking alone, to needing nothing and no-one… but you aren't alone anymore."
She closed her eyes briefly and bowed her head at his words, clearly trying not to cry.
"Unfortunately, you chose some broken old king with a bad temper and a stubborn streak a mile wide," Varian added, trying to lighten her sombre mood. "So you'll have to make do."
Surprisingly, she actually laughed at his weak humour, her nose crinkling fetchingly as her pink lips split in a wide grin.
"I could have done worse," she said slyly, brushing the unshed tears from her eyes. "Not by much, mind you, but still…"
"Oh, I see how it is," Varian growled, reaching out to grab her playfully.
As his hands found her hips, he rolled, pulling her with him so she ended up sprawled on his chest. She came willingly, as light as a feather, and the tips of her toes barely grazed his knees as they lay face to face. Varian's hands slid down her petite frame, revelling in the feel of her strong muscles beneath the soft silk of her slip.
"Varian… I've missed you," she said, her beautiful features softening and her face growing serious once more. "So much."
Auriana gently touched the side of his weathered face and kissed him slowly, the feel of her soft lips lingering tantalisingly even after she had pulled away. Varian groaned and tightened his grip on her waist, barely resisting the temptation to flip her onto her back and have his way with her. They had not been intimate since before she had been captured, and while Varian would never behave as anything less than a gentleman, it was getting harder and harder to deny the fact that he wanted her, and badly.
"Auri…" he muttered roughly. "I…"
"Do you really want to know what happened in the Foundry?" she said quickly, interrupting his libidinous thoughts before they truly got away from him. "I feel like if I don't say it now, I never will."
"It's your choice," Varian said, taking a deep breath. "You know I'm here for you, always, but please don't feel as though you must talk. I'd hate for you to feel pressured."
"No, I want to," she said gravely. "I need to."
She shifted her weight backwards so that she could rest her head against his chest, pressing herself as close to him as physically possible. Varian captured one of her small hands with his own and cradled her close, his heartbeat quickening involuntarily as she began to speak. The story began slowly, with Auriana describing her kidnapping and subsequent awakening in the Foundry. As she began to describe her torture, however, she spoke faster and faster, so much so that Varian found it hard to keep up.
Of course, his difficulty understanding her rapid speech was something of a blessing in disguise. Auriana left nothing out of the telling, describing each and every cut, burn, and bruise in excruciating detail, and Varian was soon practically vibrating with repressed anger. He had thought about Auriana's torture himself, many times, but the truth of it was beyond anything he had imagined. Black spots of rage suddenly danced across his vision, and if it weren't for the fact that Blackhand was already dead, he would have been rushing off to Draenor at this very moment to teach the orc warlord the true meaning of pain.
For Auriana's sake, and her sake alone, Varian managed to choke down his anger, forcing himself to remain still beneath her as she continued her tale. In fact, if it wasn't for the featherlight pressure of her body against his chest, Varian would have already put his fist through the wall, or perhaps shattered his bed frame in attempt to relieve his seething heart.
He was able to resist his dark hatred as long as he kept his attention firmly focused on the woman in his arms, though he reached his breaking point when she finally described how the orcish torturer Throk'gar had assaulted and attempted to rape her. For a second, Varian was unable to see anything but red, and he howled savagely as he fought to stay calm. He could scarcely recall being so angry in his life, and for a man with his quick and volatile temper, that was really saying something.
She's mine, he thought blindly, his heart racing as if he'd just fought a great battle. She's… she… how dare they…
Varian's anger spiralled nearly out of control, and it took him far too long to realise that Auriana had stopped speaking, and was now staring down at him with a calm but serious frown.
"Varian…" she said quietly, her voice sounding slightly strained. "I can't breathe. You're crushing me."
"What?" Varian said thickly, trying to process her words through over the dull roaring in his ears.
"Let go," she repeated patiently. "You're hurting me."
The thought of causing Auriana harm cut through his rage like a knife and he returned to the real world, releasing his iron grip on her body as he did so. She moved but didn't pull away, instead sitting upright, and tucking her legs under so that she straddled his hips. She winced and carefully rubbed her back, and Varian's anger vanished in an instant, only to be replaced by hot shame and guilt. He dug his fingers into the bed in a futile attempt to stop his hands from shaking, and he felt Auriana's powerful thigh muscles tense as if holding him in place.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled raggedly, hating himself for having caused her further pain. "Auri... I'm so sorry. I was angry… I didn't realise..."
"Are you alright?" she asked softly.
"You're asking me?" Varian asked in disbelief. "You're the one who was… who was nearly… and then I..."
He grit his teeth and closed his eyes, unable to even say the words. He now finally understood why Anduin had warned him away from this particular conversation, and his heart twisted with fresh horror as he realised that his still-innocent son knew the truth of everything Auriana had suffered.
"I've had some time to come to terms with… all this," she said evenly. "You're hearing it for the first time, that can't be easy. I'm sorry, you must wish that I hadn't said anything."
Varian shook his head, marvelling at her ability to show compassion for his pain when she was the one who had endured such terrible torture.
"No," he said firmly, clenching and unclenching his fists. "I'm grateful that you were able to share this with me, I just… Light, Auri, no wonder you've been having nightmares."
"I killed him before things… got worse," she said. "If I hadn't, I don't know what I'd be like right now."
She breathed out shakily, and Varian could see that she was once again fighting back tears.
"I feel like I've let you down. You're right about me, you know… I do stupid things. If I hadn't been so reckless, or suspicious of my own men…" she continued brokenly, closing her eyes. "I never would have gone looking for Gale alone, I would never have been captured, and I never would have been violated like that… I… you're the only man I've ever been with, and if Throk'gar had… it would have been all my fault…"
She trailed off, and Varian's heart lurched with dismay at the realisation that Auriana might blame herself for everything that had happened. He quickly pulled himself upright so that they were now face to face with her sitting in his lap, carefully but firmly grasping her hands so that she might understand the seriousness of what he had to say.
"You owe me nothing, Auriana," he said urgently, "And I can't think of a single way in which you've let me down. Whatever happened in the Foundry… it is not your fault."
"Varian…" she protested weakly, her eyes downcast.
"No, you listen to me," he argued forcefully. "I don't care what happened in the Foundry, you are the woman I love and you could never, ever disappoint me… and nor are you in any way to blame for the actions of Blackhand and his orcs. If anything, this whole sorry business has made me realise just how remarkable you truly are."
"I'm not remarkable," she said, shaking her head.
"You are to me," Varian said flatly, accepting no argument. "Especially now that I know the truth of what happened… I'm not at all sure how you managed to face Blackhand the way you did..."
"I thought of you," Auriana replied, smiling ever so slightly. "You give me courage. You always do."
Varian had no words to express how her pure, unshakeable faith in him made him feel, and so he settled instead for pressing a desperate kiss against her forehead and wrapping his long arms around her slender body. She leaned into him willingly with a long, drawn out sigh, her body relaxing as if a great weight had been finally lifted from her shoulders.
He held her close for a long time, mulling over her tale, when he suddenly realised that there was something else she had said that he hadn't really processed in his immediate anger.
"Hold on… did… did you just say I was the first man you'd ever been with?" Varian asked, gently prising her off his chest so that he could look her in the eye.
"Yes," Auriana said nonchalantly, clearly confused by his interest.
"Really?"
"I was a virgin when we first made love," she said, shrugging. "Does it matter?"
"I… well, no… but… Light, Auri, why didn't you say anything?" Varian asked, running a hand through his hair.
"There wasn't much time for talking, if you recall," she said shyly. "To be honest, I didn't really think on it all that much. Why do you look so worried?"
"If you recall, I wasn't exactly… gentle. From memory, I pretty much threw you into my bed like a wild animal claiming his mate," Varian said, torn between his treasured memories of the evening and his concern that he'd hurt her somehow.
He had guessed that she was inexperienced, but it had certainly never occurred to him that he might have been her first. She was exceedingly practical, however, and he supposed he shouldn't really be surprised that she had failed to mention the significance of the occasion. It simply wasn't the sort of thing she cared about, and she had remarkable skill for all but dismissing anything she didn't consider to be of immediate importance.
"I don't remember complaining," she said. "I… I wanted you… and from what I could tell... you wanted me…"
"You have no idea," Varian said seriously. "Auriana, I wanted you ever since that night under the mistletoe on Winter's Veil. You have no idea how many nights I lay awake thinking about having you in my arms, or how many… um… dreams I had about you. I was at breaking point by the time you came to me that night, but I would have waited had you asked."
"I didn't want to wait," Auriana said firmly. "I've never understood why people make such a big deal over this. There are a lot of other firsts in life, why is this one any different, or more special?"
"Because it… is….," Varian said lamely, at the same moment another thought occurred to him. "Light, no wonder you looked surprised."
"Oh, please, Varian, I've been a soldier all my life," she said, rolling her eyes. "You aren't the first man I've seen naked. Though you are somewhat more… impressive... than other men, I'll give you that."
Varian felt his ears suddenly go hot, and he found it very hard to look Auriana in the eye.
"Er… thank you…" he murmured.
"Men," she muttered, rolling her eyes, though there was a hint of playfulness in her tone.
They sat in silence once more as Varian considered the new information, at a genuine loss for words.
"You really never…?" he asked curiously. "Not… not even with Darion?"
Auriana's expression froze slightly at the mention of her former best friend's name. She wasn't one to talk about her past, and certainly she had never mentioned specifics of her prior affairs.
"Our relationship wasn't really ever physical... and, well… you know what happened to him," she said slowly, a flicker of sadness crossing her face as she recalled her friend's demise. "Beyond that, I never really had the time. You know me, I tend to be consumed by my work… and I never found someone I trusted enough or cared enough about… until you."
"I didn't hurt you, did I?" Varian asked worriedly.
"A little," Auriana admitted, "Though it wasn't anything I couldn't handle. I anticipated some pain, though it wasn't as much as I had expected. As I said… I wanted you…"
Varian recalled how much she had wanted him far too well, and he had to take several deep breaths before he spoke again.
"That's not really the point. If I had known… I would have done things differently, I would have been... careful."
"I'm not made of glass, Varian," Auriana said drily.
"Still…" Varian said, feeling somewhat guilty.
"I'm terribly sorry, I didn't realise you had a particular method for deflowering virgins," she said sarcastically. "I feel like I've deprived you a prime opportunity to test your skills."
Varian shook his head ruefully, and found that there wasn't really anything he could do but to bark a laugh at her pointed comment. Auriana looked at him strangely for a moment before joining in, and soon she was entirely consumed by giggles. She tried rather unsuccessfully to hide her mirth behind her hand, but it was clear to Varian that she desperately needed the release. She laughed until she could barely breathe, clutching his arm with one hand as she pressed a hand to her aching ribs with the other. Varian let her enjoy her moment of catharsis, while he likewise savoured the warm, rich sound of a laugh he never though he would hear again.
"It feels good to laugh," she said finally, once her somewhat hysterical shaking had subsided. "Thank you."
"You're most welcome," Varian said, kissing her cheek. "Do you think… do you think you'll be able to get back to sleep now? Are you normally able to sleep after a nightmare like that?"
He guessed that it was an hour or so after midnight, and he wanted her to get as much rest as possible while she was still healing.
"I'm fine," she said quietly, her brilliant blue eyes darkening. "I don't want to sleep."
"Then what?"
"Varian… what… what would you have done?" Auriana said slowly, tentatively running her fingers across the hard planes of his bare chest.
Varian shivered involuntarily at her touch, wondering what she was thinking.
"What do you mean?" he asked, confused.
"You said that if you had known it was my first time, you would have done things differently. What… what would you have done?"
"Well… I wouldn't have thrown you around the room quite so much, for a start," Varian said apologetically.
"I'm sorry, that's not what I mean," Auriana said, shaking her head. "Don't tell me. Show me."
Varian froze at the unexpected request, and found himself all of a sudden very aware of her, from the sweet smell of her soft hair and the earthier scent of her skin to the inviting press of her weight in his lap.
"Auri… are you sure?" he asked, exhaling very slowly. "You needn't push yourself, certainly not on my account… and after everything you've told me tonight..."
"I miss you," she said simply. "I want you. It's been far too long."
"I… I shouldn't," Varian said firmly, though given her current position, he suspected Auriana knew precisely how much he regretted saying the words. "I couldn't forgive myself if I asked for too much too soon…"
"You're not the one asking," she interrupted roughly, "I am. Don't make me beg."
Her blue eyes suddenly looked as if they were on fire, and she stared up at Varian with unflinching certainty and desire. His hands slid to her waist without conscious thought, closing over her smooth curves with a desperate eagerness that belied the hesitation in his words. She leaned hungrily into his touch, arching her back so that her hips rolled far too temptingly against his thighs.
"I wouldn't dare," Varian breathed seriously, powerless to resist. "But if you need to stop… if this is too much… you just say the word, alright? You promise me."
"I promise," she murmured, sliding her hands into his long hair.
Needing no further encouragement, Varian pulled Auriana close, snaking his hands up the back of her neck and kissing her passionately. He explored her mouth tenderly, slowly, burning the taste of her into his memory, as he carefully slid her silk slip up and over her head to reveal the pale skin beneath. Auriana shivered as the cool air touched her exposed flesh, nestling closer into Varian's body for warmth. He was more than willing to accommodate her desires, his hands playing over her body as if discovering it for the first time. She was a curious mix of hard and smooth, the impossible softness of her skin disguising the hard lines of her well-used muscles. She was leaner than the last time he had seen her undressed, her ribs sharper than he perhaps would have liked, but otherwise she was as exactly as perfect as he remembered.
His lips found her the curve of her shoulder, and he relished the sweet and slightly salty taste of her skin beneath his tongue. She sighed sensually and murmured his name, her fingers digging sharply into the bare skin of his back.
"Auriana..." he growled, lifting her off his lap and laying her gently on the bed beside him.
Varian propped himself up on his left elbow, leaving his right hand free to continue its exploration of her body. He could already smell raw, wet lust all over her, but as promised, he intended to take things slowly. He gently stroked the line of her collarbone, before slipping his free hand lower and quickly removing her remaining undergarments so that she lay naked before him. His large hand slid fervently over her breasts, drawing a soft gasp from her lips as he rolled a soft, pink nipple beneath his rough fingers.
"Varian… I…oh..." she stammered, her voice deepening with lust as she twisted in pleasure.
"Shh…" he murmured, pressing soft kisses against the elegant curve of her neck. "You asked a question, my love, and I intend to answer…"
Grinning roguishly, Varian played his hand eagerly across her body, teasing Auriana from the tips of her fingers to the sensitive, delicate skin of her inner thighs. As he had hoped, she responded to his clever touch with hungry enthusiasm, lifting her hips and writhing desirously each and every time his fingers brushed against her fevered skin.
Only when he was satisfied that she was sufficiently aroused, however, did Varian attempt to move his hand lower, pausing carefully over the juncture of her thighs as he silently asked for her permission. She had been through so much, and he refused to do anything without her express consent, fearful as he was of making things worse. Auriana nodded breathlessly in answer, her eyes bright with unshakeable trust, and she even went so far as to grasp his wrist as she guided his hand down between her thighs. She gasped softly as her slick flesh parted before the gentle press of his fingers, knotting her hands in the sheets as she arched beneath his hand.
Encouraged by her ardent response, Varian carefully and deliberately teased her into a state of uncontrolled delirium. She came for him quickly, helpless beneath his experienced hands, and her breathy sighs of pleasure sent a hot thirst shivering up Varian's spine. She snapped backwards like a taut bow, burying her face in his chest as she trembled uncontrollably. Smiling in satisfaction, Varian held her close, giving her a moment to recover before continuing his amorous ministrations. He wanted her desperately, but he had no intention of taking her just yet. Tonight was about her pleasure, not his, and he wondered how many times he could make her writhe in ecstasy and scream his name before she reached her breaking point.
"Do you intend to torment me forever?" she panted, knotting her hands in her own hair as Varian gently stroked her heaving breasts. "I need you…"
"Not yet," he said calmly, though he was secretly pleased that she wanted him so desperately.
"Please… Varian…"
"Patience, Auriana…" he murmured, kissing her shoulder as he made to remove his own underclothes.
Apparently, however, Auriana was unwilling to wait, and the very second Varian was naked she used a strategically placed knee to lever herself up and over so that she was straddling his hips once again.
"No. No patience," she growled, her eyes almost black with undisguised lust. "Now."
She pressed him back into the bed with a fierce determination, and before Varian could do anything at all, she had impaled herself on his manhood in a single, swift movement, throwing back her head as she took in the length of him.
"Light," Varian cried, surprised by her unexpected forcefulness. "Auri…"
Of course, he wasn't at all dissatisfied with this turn of events, and he was more than willing to surrender full command of the situation to Auriana. She felt incredible, all wild heat and tight, powerful muscle, and it was all Varian could do not to shatter beneath her. He reached desperately for her hips as she began to move, her eyes closed as she slowly tested the inherent power of her position. Varian could see that she needed that power, that tonight she needed to be the one who was in control, and he was more than willing to oblige her. Lying on his back afforded him a superb view of her eager, sinuous body, and his ravenous gaze drank her in as she impatiently took her fill. Every inch of her was breathtakingly beautiful, from the wild, dark hair tumbling across her shoulders, to the soft, silver curves of her breasts and the arc of her strong thighs. Her breath came out in quick, ragged gasps as she simply took what she wanted, grinding against him with an ever-increasing urgency.
"Varian…" she breathed, her cheeks flushing brilliant red as a thrill of pleasure rolled through her. "Oh, Light… Varian…"
As it always did, the sound of his name on her lips stirred Varian's lust like nothing else, and he dug his fingers into the willing flesh of her buttocks as he matched her now-frantic rhythm. There was something incredibly intoxicating about Auriana's uninhibited need for him that stoked the flames of his passion far beyond the physical sensations of their lovemaking, and he wanted nothing more than to tear the sound of his name from her lips over and over again. Fortunately, Auriana seemed more than willing accommodate his unspoken request, sighing his name sensually as she tightened herself around him and pressed her hands firmly against his abdomen. Varian groaned in answer, his muscles clenching uncontrollably as she rode him harder and faster. A primal, fiery pressure had been building deep within him for some time now, and between the feel of her body and the sound of his name, he knew it would not be long before she broke him completely.
As if she could read his hot, clouded thoughts, a great shudder suddenly rolled down her back and she screamed, obliterating what little remained of Varian's control. He held her fast, bucking his hips forcefully upwards as he desperately sought to bury his length as deep within her as humanly possible. Distantly, he heard his own rough voice call her name as one of his large hands found her neck and he pulled her mouth down to his for a bruising kiss. Auriana tasted almost as good as she felt, and in that moment Varian's entire world collapsed into the feeling of her warm and willing flesh all around him, his body shaking violently as he finally, desperately came undone.
