New chapter is up. Sorry for the delay. Enjoy.

It had been two weeks since her return to Stormwind and Kia was finally starting to feel a sense of calm. She knew things were far from calm, with the legion potentially at their doorsteps, King Varian still being mourned and the threat of the Horde lingering, but she'd take what she could get, even if it was just a few moments.

Quinn and Lantash had returned to Stormwind seven days after her arrival. They had brought with them a message from Vera back in Moonglade indicating that the Horde's warchief, Vol'Jin, had been mortally wounded in the same battle that had taken Varian Wrynn's life. The troll had since died of his injuries and had named the Banshee Queen as the new warchief. Kia had shared the information with Anduin, but had left her personal opinions out. She was not one of the king's advisers, she was his friend.

Kia sighed, looking away from the book she was reading and up thru the open ceiling of the garden in Stormwind keep, up at the sky. Friend. She guessed the word was still accurate. Anduin was still her friend, but he was also so very much more now. Quinn and Lantash were both thrilled with the revelation. Apparently, they had been waiting for it to happen while Anduin and Kia were on Pandaria. The attraction had been obvious to them.

Kia felt Quinn stand, moving away from where she had been lounging next to her. She opened her eyes to see the cat greeting Anduin with a gentle nudge to the side. Anduin ran his hand over her head, scratching behind her ear.

"Wow, you've managed to extract yourself from the war room." Kia said jokingly.

Anduin nodded. He looked extremely tired and just a little frustrated. "Barely. I'm glad Genn Greymane has returned. He has a good mind for war and he seems to have put this grudge against the Horde aside, at least for the time being. His help will be invaluable planning our efforts against the legion. My father trusted him and so do I."

Anduin joined Kia in the garden, taking a seat next to her. Kia could tell something else was bothering him. Not wanting to push, she simply took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"That's good. I'm glad Genn's here. You've always looked up to him."

Anduin nodded again, but didn't speak. They sat quietly for a few minutes, holding hands and looking up at the sky. It was a rich blue, with not a single cloud to interrupt the color. Kia only wished Anduin could feel the peace in just sitting and watching the sky. The role he had been born to fill was not an easy one.

"I wish Jaina were here." He said quietly, not looking away from the sky.

Kia knew he missed his adoptive aunt. Unfortunately, the mage had too many horrors in her past to be able to move on from Varian's death quickly or easily. She blamed the Horde for his death, rightfully or not, and it seemed unlikely she would accept Anduin's decision to stop fighting the Horde, while the legion was the bigger threat. She was leading with her heart, while Anduin was forced to lead with this head.

"I'm so mad at her for leaving the way she did, as if I wasn't mourning father's death too, but…" He paused.

"She's family." Kia completed his sentence.

"She should be here. How could her revenge mean more to her than me?"

Kia turned around and faced him, taking both of his hands. "It doesn't. She's just angry and blinded by grief. Eventually, she'll realize what's she's done and return. She cares very much about you. I know it's not much of a comfort, but..."

"It's comfort enough.' He leaned over and hugged her. "I'm just glad you're here."

The hug lasted for several minutes. It was about as far as they would go in public. They had yet to tell anyone about the new aspects of their relationship. Honestly, they didn't need to be all too careful, since they had always been fairly comfortable with each other, with hugs and platonic kisses to the cheek not uncommon.

A clearing of a throat pulled them out of the moment. They both turned to see King Genn Greymane standing before them. The gilnean looked almost as tired as Anduin.

"Sorry to interrupt, your Majesty, but you're ready for you."

Anduin stood. "Of course." He looked down at Kia, placing a kiss on her hand. He knew she hated the gesture, which was why he did it. Kia just rolled her eyes. "I'll see you at dinner."

Genn waited until Anduin was gone, then took several steps closer to Kia. "It's good to see you, My Lady."

Kia stood. "Likewise, your Majesty. I'm glad you've returned. The last few weeks have not been easy on Anduin. Having you here will help, I think. Maybe give him a chance to breathe."

Genn bowed his head. "I regret leaving the way I did. It had nothing to do with Anduin's decision to focus our attention on the Legion and everything to do with me feeling responsible for his father's death. I just couldn't face him."

"He doesn't blame you. He never has. Anduin isn't the type to think in such a way." Kia reassured him.

Genn seemed to consider her words. "Perhaps. I plan to make it up to our new king all the same. Speaking of Anduin, I seemed to be interrupting a very intimate moment between you."

Kia shrugged. "He's my best friend, regardless of his title. After his father died, Anduin lost all his family, all the people who weren't advisers or guards or servants. At the moment, I'm his only true friend who has no other agenda other than do what I must for his well being outside of being a king. What you saw was his only source of non-political reassurance."

Her comments sounded defensive, but Genn didn't press. "I don't believe you, but I'll let it go. Anduin's life is very stressful right now. He needs something outside of being king and if that something is you, whatever the capacity, then so be it." He lowered his voice. "And on a personal note, I think you're good for him and I'm happy for both of you."

Genn bowed to Kia, then headed back the way he came.

Kia sat back down and Quinn returned to her side, leaning up against her.

"See, your secret isn't much of a secret. At least to those who know you or Anduin."

"With any luck, those that do figure it out will keep it to themselves." Kia said softly, resting her hand on Quinn's neck.

To Be Continued...