Chapter 9

"Oh, there you are." Jiayi came down the hallway. She carried a multiple tier table carefully balanced before her.

Jainjun brightened as his wife approached. "Dearest, let me carry that for you."

The dark eyes of Jiayi filled with relief as her husband took the burden from her hands. "You are such a sweet man, my Jainjun." Looking over to Varian, she smiled sweetly, "Is he taking good care of you?"

"There can be no complaints when your hosts care as much as the two of you do." Varian complimented.

"Oh good!" Then to her husband she added, "Hurry that along before it gets cold. I added some of the fine sweet buns I made just this afternoon. It is sure to tempt the little human into eating something." Turning she made her way down the hall. A soft muttering about the new races of the Alliance and how they needed to watch over their health better.

Jainjun pulled his gaze from his wife and nodded to Varian, "Do not mind her. She is a mother bear to all that come by. Dare I say, even after you leave she will be fretting over the both of you."

Varian was now seeing why his people, including his son, had taken to the Pandarian so much. It was a shame he had not been able to entice the entire race into the Alliance. They were a warm and loving people. A tribute unto themselves.

Jainjun moved past Varian, carefully balancing his trays. He moved on down the hall to the rented room. "Let's get this to the room, and settle you for the night."

Varian liked these Pandarain, but one thing was sure. He was not going to be seduced by the rogue they had left in the room. Sure, she was lovely, and yes he found her company enjoyable. But he was in no way prepared to get involved, even causally, with anyone at this point of his life. So sorry, Jainjun, but there was no way it would happen. Nothing and Varian meant nothing, was going to change his mind.

Varian opened the door wide for the innkeeper. The Pandarian stepped through the door. He moved to settle the trays in the center of the room. Unstacking them in a tidy ring. "That should do. If there is anything else you need, feel free to come to the reception room. My wife and I like to stay up late and socialize." He paused for a moment, sharp eyes moving around the room."Where is your little companion?"

"Sorry, I am here. Just getting off my wet armor so I can treat it before it stiffens." Fox's voice echoed off the walls.

Both men turned with lightening swiftness to stare the screen stretched across the corner of the room. Fox had taken a candle with her. Clearly, she did not realize that it cast a perfect image of her on the barriers surface. The thick leather chest armor was already tossed over the top. Fox's hands moving around her chest as she removed the bindings.

The peek-a-boo silhouette revealing far more endowments then either man had suspected. "Well then, so much for starving. There is no way she would have such nice..." Jainjun looked to Varian and coughed. "Sorry. Excuse me. I over stepped myself there."

Varian glared over at the man, "You can leave." Then in a low growl added. "Now."

Jainjun moved to the door. Before retreating he asked in a teasing tone, "Do you still want your own room?" He did not wait for an answer. Did not have too. The human's narrow blue eyes fairly glowed.

The door closed and Varian turned back too see the long wrap hanging off the side of the screen. Fox's hands working at the confines of her belt as she called out, "Is he gone?"

Varian did not answer her. He crossed his arms over his chest. There came a time in a man's life when he had to give in and allow a woman to win. He tilted his head to the side as he watched Fox slide her leather pants down her legs. Yes, obviously this was that time.

"Is anyone out there?" Fox lifted her pants to her chest and waited. She was certain she had heard the two men in the room earlier.

"I am back." Varian remained where he stood. Allowing his eyes to trace the image her feminine form painted on the screen.

Fox sighed and tossed the pants over the screen. "Did you bring the towels and the robe?"

Varian looked to where he had set them. Then a wicked grin formed. "I did. Do you want them?"

Fox let out a sharp laugh. "Funny, your Highness. Could you toss them over the screen?" A moment later a towel bounced off her head. Shortly followed by the more delicate silk robe that drifted over her face. She sighed. At least the King had a sense of humor about all of this. She pulled the robe out before her. Scowling at the thin fabric, "Really? Is this all they had?"

"Jainjun said they keep them on hand for honeymooners."

Fox rolled her eyes, and pulled on the dark navy robe. She tied it firmly under her chest. Stretching out her arms. Pleased the the material came down well below her knees. She was more then decently covered. There were plate armor sets that showed far more that many used in everyday life. This robe was embroidered with silver moons and stars. She pulled a towel over her head, and came around the side of the screen. As she worked out the dampness she added causally, "Well, at least it looks good on me."

Varian could not agree more. The candle light shimmered off the fabric. The silver sparkling with reflective light. He allowed himself to fully appreciate how the silk slipped across her form. Look good on her? As Fox pulled the towel away from her raven hair, he acknowledged what an understatement that was. The strand of damp hair just kissing her shoulders. It gave the allure of a siren.

"So, shall we get you out of that heavy armor?" Fox tossed the towel to the floor. "Or do you want to stand there and rust."

Now that was more like it! Varian crowed in his mind. This is what he expected from the first time he saw her at Lion's Landing. He was not going to allow her to go about her way without some sort of struggle. After all, he was the King. Shouldn't women work for his favor? "Are you suggesting that I strip for you?"

Fox froze at his wording. There was a chance he was still upset that she had forced him into a single room? "I know you wanted to handle the accommodations, your Majesty." She put her hand palm side up before herself, "But I assure you this is for the best. Plus I really can not see you removing all the buckles and clasps on your own. If you would like to try, I certainly am in no position to stop you."

Varian unfolded his arms. Once again he underestimated sharp wit. Fox was right. There was no way he could undress himself. "Since my valet is still in Lion's Landing awaiting my return, I will stray to your tender care for the evening."

"Then, let me have at you." Fox padded her bare feet across the wooden floor until she stood before him. It was when she was standing close to him that Fox realized how imposing the King of Stormwind was. Deciding the best thing was to ignore the man entirely and went right for the plate. Looking over his armor carefully she nodded, "Shall we start with your shoulder armor?"

"I typically remove the cloak before the shoulders." Varian lifted his chin and waited. He tried to restrain his grin.

"Humm." Fox nodded. She did not bothering looking at at him. The intricacy of the task at hand was more daunted then she had surmised. "That makes sense. Thank you."

She set to work with nimble fingers removing the lion head clasps that held his cloak. Varian had to admit she was more skillful at manipulating the fastenings then any of his current valets. There was not a single tug or pull as she moved. Varian had to applaud Shaw. When it came to rogue skills there was no doubt Fox could lift just about any item she desired without detection.. The shoulder armor was soon lifted away as well. She looked over the plate chest piece noting the clasps.

"Lift your arms, please." She stepped around him. Testing the tension before popping each fastening loose. Her small hands moving down his sides.

Despite himself, Varian swallowed hard. How long had it been since a woman had undone his armor? Tiffin never had the opportunity. During his marriage he never left Stormwind for the heat of battle. Ceremonial armor was handled by his men. Katrana Prestor? Now that was a memory he never wanted. So he pushed it from his mind as he always did. Dark magic and evil spells were the reasons he gave himself. Never daring to dwell a single moment longer.

"Your Majesty?" Fox's voice broke through his musings.

"Yes?" Varian looked at her. It was almost embarrassing being caught lost in thought while a woman was undressing you.

"Could you sit down so I can remove your boots?" She motioned to the chair.

Varian complied. The boots were easy enough to remove. That is what happens when straps and buckles were properly employed. Varian waiting with smug delight to see how she would deal with his belt and leg armor.

Instead Fox straightened to her full height looking down. With a sharp nod she turned and scanned the room for her pack. Moving over she retrieved a smaller bag. Pulling loose the straps she produced a brush. "Alright. Now let's take down your hair."

The blue eyes flared wide. His hair? What did that matter? Wouldn't she tear it loose during that first impassioned kiss? Ripping the binding away as she ran her fingers through it? What was hair, as long as his, good for; unless she was intending to pull on it in blinded lust? His objection did not last long.

The moment his hair dropped down his back Fox began to softy tend to the tangles. The soothing motion almost immediately settled him into a relaxed state. Lo'gosh, the Ghost Wolf, Champion of the Dire Maul arena swiftly transformed into a mere lap dog. Luckily, not one with a frilly bow crowning his head.