My Life for My Prince

Chapter Twenty-Five: It took only 24 hours

I have your woman, Kael'thas. How does that feel, brother? I am going to fuck with your plans regarding Quel'thalas and I am going to fuck your woman. What else will happen to me? You warned me, you told me the sky would fall if I dared ruin your plans… funny, I don't feel a thing, not fear, nor regret… Just the soft flesh of your woman.

It was sent through the Soul Link, but yet it wasn't. Illidan had complete control over the Soul Link. Kael'thas heard only what Illidan wanted him to. It was the worst kind of insult, for the truth to be so near to his friend's consciousness, but held back just barely, because it was Illidan's intent to hurt him, by hurting the one that he loved…

Illidan didn't want to let Saturna up for air, did not want to give her even a chance to think, to reconsider… but at the last moment, Saturna pushed away from Illidan on the red couch. Illidan made himself stay calm as he watched Saturna pace over to the table in the middle of the room. He took slow, angry breaths…

"What are we doing?" she had tears in her eyes and still wore nothing but the shirt. "How did commiserating together over Kael'thas' betrayal turn into… How could I have done that? I love him Illidan!"

Illidan wasn't listening to her exactly, though to Saturna, he must have looked truly concerned. He was thinking about what to do next, how to get to her if this didn't work.

"Yes. Love… you have his love, his deepest affection… and you are carrying his child." To Saturna's frightened look, Illidan smiled kindly and added, "Congratulations are in order."

"You… you aren't angry about this?"

"Angry? No… I am furious with Kael'thas for not telling me, for not trusting me, but that only goes so far, not when there is an innocent child involved. New life, that is the greatest blessing of Elune."

Saturna raised her eyebrows. "You… still worship the moon goddess?"

Illidan walked over to Saturna, but this time retained a respectable distance. "Women are the rarest treasures in this life. They bring light into this world, both by bearing children and raising them, and then by giving us men such a hard time." He joked. "I mean that they challenge us. No one can push a man further than a woman can, no one can hurt us more deeply, crush us so absolutely… with just a look, or a word. That, in itself is a form of powerful magic, the feeling a woman inspires in us: to become more than what we are, to never let her down, to never let our families down. The goddess Elune… these days that is what she reminds me of, that love itself is powerful magic."

"Illidan, that's… well, it's poetic."

"You forget that I once loved a Priestess of Elune." He paced away from her.

Saturna winced, "Sorry."

"I'm not. Taking Tyrande away from that cursed Malfurion, if only for a moment in our long lives, was the best thing that I ever did." He gave Saturna an intense look. "Would you like to hear how I did it?"

Saturna faltered for a bit, so Illidan used his suggestive power to guide her in saying, "Yes."

"First… I helped Tyrande to feel safe. I had no intention of hurting her, not like she feared, not the way Malfurion lied to her about me. I was simply a man attracted to a woman… to another Starshine long ago. There was nothing wrong with that. In fact, there is everything right with… showing your passion for a beautiful woman. Second, I proved to Tyrande that I was the better man. Malfurion was away in the Emerald Dream back then. He'd abandoned her, I showed Tyrande would never do anything like that to her. Though I was an outcast among the kal'dorei, I made time for her, made places for us to steal away. I became everything that she needed and more from a man. It was what Tyrande deserved, what she wanted. And I loved her."

Saturna seemed afraid to ask, "But you and she aren't together now, does that mean that… did Malfurion catch you?"

"Saturna, if you want someone to do something for you, it is better to convince them to do it rather than force them. Just as I was able to convince Tyrande, for a time, that I was the better man… afterward, she convinced me that keeping our affair a secret was to the benefit of everyone... well, especially herself. She said that she still loved Malfurion and as his wife, she wanted to continue honoring that promise. Because I loved her and I believed in her, she was able to convince me to do it. Loving someone and being fully convinced of their cause is a deadly combination isn't it? That sort of blind faith in another person borders on zealotry. If you think that you are always acting in the right, no matter what, will become impossible for you to hesitate before the one who controls your heart, not in the slightest." Illidan looked Saturna in the eye, then caught himself. "That is why, though I loathe the man who calls himself my brother and her husband, I will never tell him that Tyrande slept with another man, with me."

"So, Malfurion still doesn't know…"

"On the other hand, when you force someone to do something for you," Illidan spoke over her, "you risk their resenting you. People that you force will always have other, secret motivations. In time, they will betray you in order to get you back for taking their choice away. That sort of suggestion is much less preferable, though circumstances may make it necessary. Those people you must break utterly, and completely, and then have them act when the iron is still hot." Illidan made a fist.

It got very quiet between them. Saturna sat down at the long meeting table and asked after a time, "Is that why you gave Kael'thas another chance, because you really care about what happens to him?" she nervously added, "Not to accuse you… I just feel that as his… um, as… the mother of his child, I should thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sparing him."

"Yes, that is why Kael'thas has survived. I would not say that I spared him though. He maneuvered you and I so that he could be spared, this is his plan B going to work, I know him. It has very little to do with compassion, well, only inasmuch that compassion exists in this situation. But it is compassion that he engineered for us, Saturna, seized it from very air between he and I, and you and he like the manaforges that create energy in Netherstorm, from next to nothing… love, like a magic, can be manipulated. When one masters it so well, it might as well be tangible, an object. When it is that thick between people, like a bond, it can be relied upon. Kael'thas is relying on us now to stand back and let him have his way. He is gambling—and well might I add—that we will not make a stand and act against him. But Saturna, I put it to you that we should save Kael'thas from himself, before it is too late!"

Saturna folded her arms over the back of the chair, and knelt in the seat so she could rest her head on them. In the oversized chair and shirt, she looked a little like an innocent girl, asking a big person for advice.

"Illidan, may I share something else with you as well?"

Illidan smiled fondly at her. "Dear, you do not have to ask."

Saturna hid a bit behind her folded arms. "From the very moment that I set foot in the Black Temple," her eyes flickered to him cautiously, "I have been trying very hard to save Kael'thas. I got him off the arcane crystals, I ordered my men to watch over him, I even became his champion when he did not respect the office. And then, I fell in love with him. The others… were concerned that my feelings for him would get in the way of what needed to be done. However, I decided to love Kael'thas fearlessly, to embrace that as another way to reach out to him, to encourage him to do the right thing. Earlier you were talking about women, how we have some kind of magic about us… as beautiful as that was, Illidan, I can assure you that I've already done every thing that I could possibly think of to help Kael'thas." She sighed unhappily, "I'm even having his baby, and the life of our son is not enough. What more could we even do? I think he just wants to… to ruin himself."

"Don't talk like that."

"But it's true. Kael'thas is going to come back from Tempest Keep with those record books, show you what you want to see, and then he is going to promise me a thousand different things, until one of them…" she looked ready to cry, "…and I think I know what it is, hits a note with me and I cannot say no. Then the both of us will have been cheated. Hurt by him, but never vindicated. He's just too good at handling people. And the truth is… I still want to be with him. Just like you, Illidan, after everything that happened I really want to give Kael'thas another chance."

Illidan folded his arms across his massive chest. The green fel runes glowed. "So you're just going to roll over for him, just like that?"

"But I don't see what else we could possibly do. It's not as if we could force him to take responsibility for his actions, to care…"

"Oh yes we can. You especially. Tell me, do Demon-slayers like yourself give up when a monster refuses to change his ways?"

"But Illidan, Kael'thas is not a monster—"

"He is the same! He acts like it, he's just as heartless… does a Bloodknight back down when a Demon refuses to stop killing, lying to, and hurting people? No. Bloodknights and Paladins exorcise monsters!"

Saturna was startled to have Illidan, a Demon himself tell her this. He continued, "They use their powers over the Light to bend and then break villains if necessary. But that is also true of warlocks, of demon hunters, of mages… any soldier-class. Every good fighter worth their salt goes for the throat if the threat is that dangerous. They do whatever it takes. If they cannot destroy the monster, they put him in shackles, they force it to work, to obey. I'm telling you that when Kael'thas returns, we will be lying in wait for him, not standing aside for him! We will drag Kael'thas to redemption, kicking and screaming if that is what it takes. He is too important to me, to us Saturna, for it to be any other way! Do you disagree?"

"Well… I don't know. Like you said, you can't force someone—"

"Do you disagree! The ends will justify the means, as sometimes they must do, in order for there to be real progress. Would you rather be comfortably indecisive and so forfeit his life without taking a risk, even a great risk to save it?"

"I didn't know you had this perspective…"

"I am exhausted with people forgetting that I came here to save Outland! Kael'thas and I closed the portals on the Burning Legion. I am building an army of Fel Orcs to fight them… but yet the Shatar sit there in their fortress city and send wave after wave of footsoldiers after me, as if I were Kil'jaeden himself! Well I am not! And I will not see my friend fall so foolishly into his clutches, not after everything Kael'thas and I fought for together. And so, I ask you again, do you disagree?"

Saturna got out of the chair and stood. "No… I do not. I am willing to do whatever it takes, to save Kael'thas."

Illidan looked her in the eye. "Anything? Absolutely anything, are you sure?"

Saturna swallowed. "You seem to imply that… you already have something in mind, and it isn't savory."

Illidan stopped to think again, tapping his claws against a tense violet bicep. Earlier Saturna had resisted his seduction, and the Demonic. Seducing her distracted Illidan like nothing else, which he hadn't anticipated. Logic... engaging her mentally was beginning to look like his only option.

"Saturna, do you trust me?"

"No."

"Even when it comes to Kael'thas? Why not?"

"Well, there are a lot of reasons… for one, Kael'thas doesn't trust you."

"Kael'thas is not a model of moral acumen, as you well know by now. I want a better reason than that."

"I… well, honestly Illidan, you frighten me."

Illidan grinned at her, delighted.

"I don't understand Demons. Why did you enjoy hearing that just now?"

"If you fear me, it is because you respect my strength. Does Kael'thas fear you?"

Saturna frowned a little. "Well, he doesn't seem to respect me does he? The way he speaks to me sometimes… and he belittles what I think, even though he knows I am a capable fighter. I guess the answer to that is also no."

"We must make him fear you then. I will show you—"

"And there's another thing too… I… I'll admit that I am attracted to you, Illidan, but we should not have kissed. And we almost went further than even that… I'm not sure how that happened, but you didn't try to stop, not once, the way I did. Don't you care what Kael'thas thinks of that? It's another thing that I worry about, when it comes to you."

Illidan gave a polished bow. "Forgive me for stepping out of turn My Lady. I am furious with Kael'thas right now, and your charms got the better of me."

"My charms? I'm not like Lady Vashj. I can't… control it like that."

Illidan really laughed then. "Oh, no you aren't like her at all… but you're wrong about the second part. You can control it. If you can hold yourself back Saturna, then you can send yourself hurtling forward too. And a person must make use of every single asset that they have in a battle. Your beauty… it is an exquisite facet of your character, Saturna Whiteblade."

She thanked him uncomfortably. "Alright then. I suppose that… I can trust you in this, since we both care about Kael'thas. So Illidan, would this be you… convincing me to do things your way?" she raised an eyebrow.

As Illidan long suspected, Saturna valued honesty among other lofty moral values. She couldn't accuse him of misleading her now, even if she wanted to. That was precisely why he brought it up earlier.

Illidan just smiled at her. "No you are not Tyrande, Starshine… but I am hoping that you will see what she saw in me, that I can be entrusted to do the right thing… from time to time." He shrugged humbly.

Saturna became aware of Illidan staring at her bare legs. "If we are going do this, come up with a strategy to save Kael'thas… I'd really like to go change into my uniform. And it will also help us to avoid…" she glanced back over at the couch.

Illidan lashed out a wing and then folded that with the other one neatly over his chest. "Fine, as long as you come back. We have much to discuss, if we are going to save this beloved friend of ours."

Saturna made quickly for the broken doors.

"Oh, and Starshine?"

"Yes, Lord Illidan?"

"It would be cruel of me to just let you go, and not express how nice that stolen moment was… though forbidden. You feel, and smell, and taste… very good."

She had to smile. "The way you flirt… it's different for a Demon isn't it? All concerned with the primal senses. And then there was that strange thing you told me months ago, I never forgot it… sex and violence? You are a very curious man. I think I see why Kael'thas is intrigued by you." She shrugged, "Okay, so I'm also intrigued. In your own way, Illidan, you can be very charming."

Illidan really smiled then, and began to purr.

Saturna perked up at that. "What an entrancing sound… I didn't know you could do that?"

"Go before you make me forget myself." He laughed. Saturna left. Illidan listened with his sensitive Demon's ears until he could no longer hear her footfalls and then ordered the guards to 'get the doors back on their damned hinges, before tonight.'

Oh, your Starshine is smart, isn't she Kael'thas? She's knows better than to trust me. That is why I was only able to engage her so far with the intellectual mind games. But that she's willing to work with me at all... her heart is like yours, open and willing to love all sorts of twisted, unworthy creatures like you and like me. And as you know, love is different from lust... Or, perhaps that is your problem, Brother, that you don't know the difference. That is why you left her alone with me, isn't it. You're pathetic, Kael'thas, growing more and more like Malfurion every day.

Whether she was going to wear her armor or no, Illidan was sure that he was going to need privacy…

Saturna took her time coming back. He did not see her again until after dinner. This told Illidan that she was considering not returning to see him at all. However, Saturna did eventually come and that was what mattered. She wore her full plate armor and carried the Corrupted Ashbringer, but she was still his. Illidan felt very satisfied with himself.

"Illidan… there's one last thing I want to know, if we are going to do this." Saturna began saying as soon as the repaired doors closed behind her. "The way you healed yourself when the Shatar raiders attacked you, and then after that, you somehow appeared in the Golden Shrine and gave Kael'thas an arcane crystal—"

Illidan looked bored. "You know that I am already a full Demon, so why are you even asking?"

Saturna gasped. "So it is true. But you're just standing there like it's nothing--"

He interrupted her again. "Yes. But really Saturna, does this truth hurt at all?"

Saturna struggled to answer… then she calmed. That in itself was the matter. She was trying hard to be afraid of Illidan. He had been a full Demon Lord all this time and he wasn't trying to hurt her, or Kael'thas.

"But you were trying to get Kael'thas to enslave you—"

"I was insecure at the time, but no longer. I can't think of myself if I want to help Kael'thas, now can I? That would be selfish. I just want my friend to be free of the clutches of the Burning Legion." Saturna nodded uneasily and Illidan uncrossed his arms. "Good then. We finally, we have the trust portion out of the way. Now let's talk strategy."

Saturna listened while Illidan tiptoed around something big, something that was beginning to frighten her. He kept talking about honor and sacrifice, two things she really believed that Illidan did not understand.

"…We may even have to sacrifice Kael'thas. But if you put your faith in me as your friend, if you love me..."

"That sounds too dangerous, Illidan. And as a Bloodknight, putting Kael'thas in any sort of danger is against my oath. Do you mean to… fake his death? Perhaps hide him somewhere?"

Illidan narrowed his eyes at her. "You are a Bloodknight, a living tool of death. How can you be afraid of it?"

"I'm not afraid, I just think that… Look, I don't like what it sounds like you want me to do? Maybe you're immortal but he isn't, Illidan. We have to be careful!"

Illidan sat down in his throne and scratched his head, behind the massive curved horns. He was beginning to see why, when he eavesdropped through the Soul Link, Kael'thas tuned Saturna out sometimes. Illidan quietly decided that he found Saturna to be vastly annoying, though she was very pretty. At least Lady Vashj could keep up with him.

"Do you know why he calls you Starshine?" Illidan raised his voice over hers.

Saturna stopped in the middle of what had turned into a frantic fangirl tangent.

She rolled her eyes up to the ceiling, thinking. "You know, I have no idea? I never asked him. It is weird though. I always thought it was a bit too Night Elven but Kael'thas likes it so much. I think it just means something special to him--"

Illidan came back to the large stone meeting table. "I used to call Tyrande that."

Saturna flinched.

"Oh, don't put too much thought into it, Starshine. So many things come and go through our Soul Link. Kael'thas is bound to confuse his thoughts, some of his feelings, even his personality for my own. It's actually funny when you think about it. I mean, did you really fall in love with Kael'thas or with the parts of him that belong to me?" Illidan shrugged, "Oh well, I suppose we'll never know whom you're really in love with." And then Illidan laughed as if it were a simple coincidence like two people sharing the same name but with a different spelling, or having the same birthday.

Saturna spent the next few panicked moments trying to convince herself that it wasn't.

She ended up with, "My, it's getting late, isn't it! Kael'thas should be back soon. Or if not... I should contact him on the Scrying Orb and see what he's up to, at least. Um... Illidan, this was nice but I want to go back to the Golden Shrine and meet him."

Illidan banished his disappointed look and eased into a smile. Saturna waited uncomfortably while he came forward and gave her one last affectionate stroke under the chin. Then he leaned in, kissed her cheek softly and whispered into her ear, "Enjoy him then, Love. In fact, tell him that I said hello."

Saturna backed away, blushing. Illidan did not break the loving gaze they shared until the doors drifted closed behind her. Then to himself he laughed, "Really, this is too easy."

Illidan went to his Scrying Orb that he kept under a dark cloth in the corner. After unveiling it, he waved a hand to activate it...

"Yes Illidan?" Came Kael'thas' voice along with a view of him sitting close by at his desk in Tempest Keep. He was engrossed in some complex document, other papers and frantic people rushing everywhere. "And why aren't you using the Soul Link?"

"It's fluctuating very badly right now, and this is important, old friend."

"Alright. But first, you'll be happy to know we found what you needed… Just wrapping up the final pieces to meet your generous deadline." Kael'thas began to smile, relieved.

Illidan shook his head. "No you haven't. Mere ledgers aren't proof enough, Kael'thas. How do I know you didn't forge them?"

"What! Before you said the ledgers were all you needed--" His other advisors in the background began to complain loudly as well.

"Don't take that tone with me, when you are at my mercy. It's bad enough you've pushed me this far, to extremes. I'm sending one of my Demons over there, to oversee what you're doing. Every single signature had better be authentic. I'm still wondering where all those spare Fel Reaver parts ended up… your scientists were supposed to inspect them but they never left Tempest Keep. Am I to assume that you created your own? It takes counsel of Burning Legion engineers to put something like that back together—"

"I'll take care of it." Kael'thas angrily cut him off when his colleagues began to wonder about this.

"Good. You can't afford to disappoint me Kael'thas."

When their conversation was over and Kael'thas should have been eager to be free of him, the Blood Elf Prince put down his work instead. He gave his full attention to the scrying orb at the edge of his desk. "It's strange how your mercy fluctuates, isn't it Illidan? It's almost as if... you didn't want me to come back."

"Do you dare question my—"

"How is Saturna?"

Illidan, with all his power over the Soul Link, was caught off guard by this question. Though Kael'thas was secretive at times, Illidan could tell that his friend still respected and admired him like always. Even now that they were currently at odds. However, Illidan knew from experience that Kael'thas never liked to think about his Demon friend and Saturna together in a romantic way. The very idea instantly made Kael'thas so jealous that it was obvious he was really insecure deep down. Because it embarrassed Kael'thas so much, the uncomfortable notion was never supposed to come up.

And that hesitation, the time Illidan needed to think through his friend's sudden shift in behavior, was the small trap Kael'thas needed Illidan to fall into. There could be no reasonable answer from Illidan to that question, except callous indifference.

"I… haven't seen her."

Kael'thas leaned back in his chair, arrogant bemusement on his face. If it wasn't for their Soul Link, Illidan might have been completely fooled about his friend's reaction. "No of course you haven't. You know better than that, old friend. At least… I thought you did." He was bold. Kael'thas didn't care that his own Advisors were now reeling over the implications. They should have been upset about their Prince's possible connection to the Burning Legion, which Illidan had strategically implied, to keep the conversation in check. Now Kael'thas was in charge. And his smile intimated that he realized this and enjoyed it immensely.

Illidan snarled at Kael'thas, but could say nothing.

Kael'thas did not even say goodbye to Illidan. "You are very lucky that I have work to do... And that, in addition to the fact that I trust Saturna completely, I also happen to know that my woman is repulsed by you. Brother." Kael'thas snorted aristocratic laughter and waved his hand over the red crystal. It flickered out.

Illidan knew Kael'thas too well. This wasn't the end of it, not when Kael'thas was working so hard to make him think the matter was settled. Illidan cursed Kael'thas and resolved to act now, and either convince Saturna to do his will before it was too late. The Demon Lord closed his eyes and delved once more into the black dream world…

At just that moment in the Golden Shrine, Saturna reached for the scrying orb on Kael'thas' desk. It began to glow on its own, he was trying to contact her. She smiled and went to pick it up... then her mind went blank.

Saturna looked up and all she could see was Illidan Stormrage. She was pressed up against his muscular chest as he lay ontop of her. She struggled against the great man, moved her face against his chest to see, to breathe. She did not want this, but was trapped inside of a new self, a body that wanted Illidan, that cried out for him. Her mouth... it tasted like lipstick. She saw the red, a red like blood smeared against Illidan's pectoral muscles. There were so many smudged kisses there. This other Saturna wanted Illidan badly, called him Master, thanked him for showing her the way... It spread its legs open wide and when Illidan entered her, the hot stiff phallus made this new Saturna sigh relief, whimper with joy. But not as a broken woman, who was defeated. This woman was free. Free of Kael'thas' lies, free of duty, free of morality. It dared to look the Demon Lord of Outland in the eyes, to reach arms up around his wide sweaty back as he slowly and purposefully moved her. And Illidan felt good. The sheer size of the man, all of him, was enticing. He was incredibly masculine, so much sweaty man...

Saturna wondered in awe at Illidan's curious features as he laughed delighted for them both, confident, mocking… The fel runes on his chest glowed in pulses, his wings teased her. She wanted to see exactly what they were doing, but they kept playing with the torch light, making it flicker in and out. And then were his perfect curved horns. They weren't frightening anymore but feral, sexy. Perhaps she had always thought... that Illidan wore them well. That he scared the hell out of her, that was thing... just like Kael'thas. Or was Kael'thas a meager watered-down version of the real thing? And if they were the same... couldn't she embrace this new shameless self that simply wanted him? There was nothing wrong with desiring Illidan Stormrage. There was everything right about... showing your passion for a beautiful man. And that was what Illidan was, what he had been before he consumed the Skull of Gul'dan and even now: beautiful, perfect.

At last Saturna took over that body, raised its arms up high, higher, grabbed the massive black horns and pulled. Pulled! Illidan purred for her again, loud and evil this time. She laughed wildly and rubbed her hands over the smooth horns, rubbed herself over the rough cock and gratefully leaned up, kissed a throbbing crimson stain directly onto his lips.

"Do you want more? Do you crave release?" Illidan laughed at her. "This is only a dream Starshine. You must come to me. Come now! Get yourself to my lair and then... I shall finish you. Your Master commands it…"

Saturna felt herself getting up. She longed to be obedient... but something held her down. She raged in vain against it. Then white light seared the black of the dream, like a knife cutting through paper. The explosion of consciousness blinded her. Saturna felt herself waking…

"No... Oh, my Master…"

Blazing green eyes put everything out of focus at first, though she still felt Illidan with her. Then, she saw golden hair slip over his shoulder. Next, her cheek was hot. His palm tingled with magic where it was pressed against the side of her face.

At last came the sick lustful smile… She knew it well. "Master…" he smiled, "You've never called me that before."

Saturna saw Kael'thas over her and screamed.

"What are you doing?" she panicked, "I didn't ask you here…"

Kael'thas looked a bit confused, but was even more turned on. "Starshine, it's called make up sex, and very, very good might I add… you've never dressed up like this before, making your lips crimson. I love it! I love you... Oh no you don't." he grabbed her hips when she tried to end it. "Don't move away now, love. You know that I'll be a bear all night if you don't let me finish."

Saturna saw the stained red lipstick kiss on Kael'thas' face. There were more smeared all over his chest. She flexed her fingers and looked up to see that she'd grabbed hold of two golden legs of the bedside table. The low Thalassian bed made reaching back that far overhead easy.

Kael'thas moaned deep down in his throat after a final, forceful thrust. Gasping and smiling, he lay his head on her shoulder. When she didn't react at all, Kael'thas reached over and pried her fingers from around the slender gold pipe table legs. Saturna watched him kiss her bruised fingers, that's how hard she'd been pulling, then he nestled into her once more.

"Darling I love you. Thank you." he said.

Saturna was still trying to put it all together. She'd only dreamed that she was having sex with Illidan Stormrage? And somehow, Kael'thas turned out to be more terrifying to her than that. Saturna took in the red bed covers, the rose-colored veil. It was all the same color as the Thalassian couch in Illidan's lair... when she kissed Illidan this morning and almost...

Saturna felt a stab of guilt, and self-consciously went on the defensive. "Why are you thanking me? How did you even get in here?"

Kael'thas still hugged her. "I'm so sorry, love. It took me a long while to realize you were sleep-walking. I tried to get you out of it just now, but when you want something, my Starshine, you can be so perfectly distracting." Kael'thas kissed her neck, then something occurred to him and he became solemn. "I take that to mean... that you didn't hear any of my apology when I arrived?"

Saturna sat up. Kael'thas clearly didn't want to, but he let her.

"You… apologized to me? When?"

Kael'thas looked deeply hurt. " 'I'm sorry'…that's all I could say at first, but then you… well, you were lying in the bed and so happy to see me, I gained courage. I begged your forgiveness for the terrible things I said, for leaving you, for being such a… damned asshole to you. You weren't aware of any of that? I practically got down on my knees and begged you. Did you really only wake up just now? And… that wasn't a scream of pleasure?"

Saturna looked around the room. The golden mosaic reflected a faint moonbeam from the ruined dome above, but besides that and the lantern near the bed, everything was dark. It was very late at night.

Kael'thas scratched his head. Saturna was startled to notice it was so reminiscent of the way Illidan did it, high up on the crown behind where his horns were. "And I didn't sneak in here, as you almost accused me of. Besides this being my room, I'm a mage. I missed you so I told the others to take a break from searching reports to sleep for a few hours. Then, I just opened a portal and came to see you Saturna. I'm exhausted too, but really, I wanted to see you more. I was worried about you. The things I said… I just can't believe I got that angry. You're right, I lash out when I'm afraid, and Illidan said some horrible things to me in Demonic this morning. I guess that with the baby and everything else going on, I finally let him get to me. Ugh, it was almost like he was baiting me, trying to get some kind of reaction out of me. I was scared shitless right then when you got upset with me. So, do you at last understand? Do you forgive me? I know that by all rights I don't deserve it…"

Saturna rubbed her forehead, feeling strange. Kael'thas felt it with the back of his hand. "No, you're healthy." He reached down and felt her stomach. "And the baby seems fine. You just had a very intense dream, that's all." He kissed her neck, nicked her softly with his teeth. "A shame I had to bring you out of it. You were really enjoying me, in your dream. Starting to wish I was a Saturna fan… then maybe I'd have such excellent sex dreams about you, love."

Saturna decided that she was not going to tell Kael'thas that she had actually been fantasizing about Illidan, and had wanted to go to him. It was for the benefit of everyone, especially Kael'thas. She needed him to be on her side now more than ever, that she and Illidan were trying to save him.

"Kael'thas, are you truly sorry? I… I was terrified of you this morning when you just left me. After, Pyorin came and I didn't even have time to think before... Well, without you, I had to stand before Illidan alone."

Kael'thas became serious. "That jackal called for you, while I wasn't here?"

"Well, it wasn't Pyorin's idea. Illidan needed to see me."

"Why?"

Saturna worked to remember the reason. "I… don't remember why exactly. He never said. But he congratulated me, us, on the baby."

"Saturna, you were afraid that he would hurt you… While I was working... Something happened and I got a feeling that maybe you might be right and I started to worry. Tell me, did Illidan do anything against you, anything at all? How did he speak to you?"

Saturna could feel Kael'thas getting angry. "Kael'thas, please calm down. Illidan and I, we just talked." she looked away. "Illidan can be very pleasant, actually. He's likeable and charming. And, he's poetic." She smiled. "He even told me about him and Tyrande."

"You're a fan of him all of a sudden?"

"He's not a bad guy, I guess. Just worried about you. We both are."

"I can take care of myself." Kael'thas ran fingers through his long hair and lay back down. "Well, it looks like I was right from the start. Illidan is not a threat to us, since I've got him wrapped around my little finger. But more importantly Saturna, we are very close to finding everything he needs over at Tempest Keep, so we'll be able to quell his madness once and for all. I'll be coming back to take you home soon." He grinned slyly at her.

"Home? So soon?"

"What, do you like being cooped up in here with no one but a psychotic Demon Lord to talk to? I know I don't."

"No… I guess not. What is your obsession with my fingers?"

Kael'thas gave Saturna a meaningful look, while he played with the ring finger on her left hand. He didn't say it. He didn't have to. "I'm going to make everything up to you, Starshine. I've been wrong, so wrong… I had time to think over in Tempest Keep." He left it at that.

Saturna covered her mouth with her other hand. "Oh, Kael'thas,"

"Look how eager you are… but I haven't even asked the question yet, since your ring is being crafted as we speak. But tomorrow it will be ready… I'm going to make you wait until tomorrow." He leaned up and kissed her. "Will you still be angry with me then?"

And then, like always came that mind-numbing kiss. Kael'thas was doing it again, she realized. It wasn't supposed to be this easy for him. Kael'thas had said terrible things to her, cruel things… He said that he had apologized, but had he changed? At the core of all that bad behavior was a lack of respect, as Illidan clairvoyantly pointed out to her a few hours ago. Nor had Kael'thas said anything about taking she and their son back to the protection Silvermoon City. But Kael'thas knew her one true weakness and was only telling her what she wanted to hear.

Kael'thas intensified the kiss when she did not say anything. He caressed a hand up along the inside of Saturna's thigh. The devlish smile was back, his fingers handling her expertly. She knew that she shouldn't…

"Turn over." Kael'thas ordered her. He said it like the Prince of Quel'thalas.

Saturna wanted, very badly, to obey and Kael'thas knew it. She was a woman of many desperate loyalties. All of them were holding her together, the way most sin'dorei desperately needed to believe in something after their homeland had been destroyed. She would do anything for her Prince. Whether it was back home in Quel'thalas, or in Outland, in his bed—especially in his bed—wherever. Right now though, the obsession with Kael'thas was making her feel helpless. Was this what Kael'thas meant months ago, when he warned her that indulging in her fantasy would make her crazy?

Saturna gave in and did what he asked, unable to tear her gaze from this glorious man, her hero, her savior while she lay prostrate. It was not lost on Saturna that she was literally doing what Illidan warned her not to only a few hours earlier: rolling over for Kael'thas.

"Oh Starshine…" Kael'thas licked and kissed against her ear as he indulged in his favorite position, "You feel, and smell, and taste… so very good."

Saturna clawed her fingers into the mattress suddenly and pulled away from him, panicked. "Wait a second, where did you get that from? How did you know to say that?"

Her tone was so sharp it gave Kael'thas pause, even now. "What? I… just wanted to say it."

"You mean that Illidan didn't… But you call me Starshine too. Now where did you get that name from? Just admit it, Kael'thas."

"I don't know… It's from this song I came up with, back before the ball. On the day you married another man, if you must know. But later on, I won you back. 'My very own shining star…' I'm not going to let you embarrass me any further by singing it, when we're supposed to be... In fact, why in the hell are you talking about Illidan right now?"

Saturna looked up over her shoulder at him. "But he said… did you know that was also Illidan's nickname for Tyrande?"

Kael'thas gave up and sat down next to her. He sounded exasperated. "If you didn't want me to take you like that, why didn't you just say so? Talking about Illidan at a time like this is far worse than rejection."

"No, I'm serious. Illidan told me—"

"Lesson number one. Illidan Stormrage is a liar. You should know this if you insist on spending quality time chatting with my dear old friend. I'd call him a pathological liar but Illidan can help himself. He simply chooses not to, whenever it suits his purposes. And when he speaks in Demonic it's even worse. His madness further compounds the strength of the suggestive Demon language, it's brilliant really, the way Illidan uses his mental state to his advantage. You see, there is a vein of truth in everything that Illlidan says, but normally it's such a twisted version of reality, you'd get lost trying to sort it all out right on the spot. Therefore, a powerful half-demon like him can manipulate a person's perception of reality easily. However, no one--man or Demon--can change how you feel about something. Feelings are the thing. They drive us as sure as instinct, they are inviolate. A Demon will try to change your way of thinking in order to manipulate your feelings. If they can gain control over what you feel, then they can predict your corresponding actions. And if you know a man's will, intimately, then you own him as surely as a slave.

Kael'thas eased back down by her side and laughed to himself. "Now, what I always do when chatting with Illidan is trust my gut feelings… and admittedly, I tune him out from time to time. I've found that not listening to Illidan and pretending to pay attention is more than an effective way to deal with him." Kael'thas boasted in his scholarly arrogant way. "Well, you're new at interacting with Demons, Saturna, you'll get the hang of it. Once Illidan and I are back on the same page, this will actually be a relief, to see the woman I love and someone I admire get along well, for once. That was always sort of a sore spot for me, that you and Illidan never spoke." He smiled at her a little. "Well anyways, Illidan never said anything to me about Tyrande having a nickname. 'Tyrande', that's what he calls her. And just like that too, taking his time, being careful with every syllable…honestly I think he gets a little something out of saying her name. No, I seriously doubt he calls her Starshine. If he told you that he did, then he was either lying, or he's so fond of me—his supposed brother—that he's convinced himself that he always called her a name that I came up with. Satisfied?"

Saturna sat up and looked out into the dark room, truly baffled.

"But why would he tell me something like that?"

Kael'thas sighed. "Because he isn't perfect... though Illidan likes people to think that he is. Illidan makes mistakes… mad people, especially, make mistakes. Maybe it's even a comfort for him to think that I took his habits, his personality, his thoughts along with his Demon strength when we became Soul Linked, because that would mean we share even more together. But really—and maybe this is my fault when I could have warned you—Illidan copies what I say and do and think, a lot. A whole lot. So much that I hate thinking about it, or telling anyone else about it… but it's really just embarrassing and disturbing, not harmful in any way." Kael'thas shrugged.

Now Saturna was really confused. She wanted to believe what Kael'thas was telling her, but that still went so well with what Illidan said… If Kael'thas was so very insecure, a hopeless bookworm, then wouldn't he want to hide the fact that he was borrowing his friend's personality? Both Kael'thas and Illidan were saying the exact same thing really. And the more Saturna tried to logically think through the problem, the more lost she became… but didn't Kael'thas just warn her that would happen? Or, did that mean Kael'thas was speaking to her now, the way that Illidan did, to trick her…

"Starshine?"

"Yes, Lord Illidan?"

Kael'thas looked offended. Saturna yelped and covered her mouth.

"Alright, Saturna… I am only going to ask you this once. There is a good chance–okay, so more than a good chance knowing my temper–that I'm just imagining things, and I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have by making accusations. But my entire history with women, and my love for you compels me to at least get this off my chest… Is there something going on between you and Illidan?"

"No!"

Kael'thas exhaled slowly, relieved, and then hugged her. "I'm so sorry I had to go that far, but you were scaring me. The dream you didn't want me to interrupt, then spurning me, the business about the nickname, and now your confusing me for him, … my fears just got the better of me, that's all. Here, let's at least lay down for a bit, be peaceful together for a moment before I have to go back."

They lay back down together and Kael'thas kissed her neck. Saturna wasn't entirely sure why she just lied to him about kissing Illidan… but it must have been something close to the reason why Kael'thas was now leaving such careful bruises on her neck, flushed hickeys that Illidan and everyone else would be able to see. Evidently, Kael'thas feared to say or do anything more that might cause him to lose her. However, that did not mean he would do nothing at all.

They rested together for a while, but Kael'thas couldn't stay all night. About an hour later, he said that he had to get back and finish the document search 'to appease mighty Illidan.' Saturna laughed and walked him back to the golden mosaic, where he again conjured a portal to Tempest Keep. This time, Kael'thas gave her a long kiss goodbye and made sure that she knew he loved her.

Moments after Kael'thas departed, a Demon messenger arrived at the Golden Shrine and announced that the Lord of Outland wanted to see Saturna again. It was incredibly late into the night by then, but Saturna agreed and got dressed in her black plate and went anyway. She suddenly had an urge to have words with him as well.

When Saturna was again in his presence, Illidan eyed her neck, folded his arms across his chest and said, "You're pathetic."

"Excuse me?"

"He offers to marry you, and then takes you like that… and all your resolve, the careful defense I helped you to build today, is cast to the winds. Are you truly that easy?"

"I am not easy—"

"Oh, you aren't are you?" Illidan paced away a few steps. "Your engagement ring is beautiful you know… a deep royal purple eternium band, a lone pristine black diamond…"

Saturna hopped up on her toes.

"That is what I am talking about! YOU FOOL! Saturna Whiteblade, I am not surprised that my friend does not take you seriously, not when you act like a schoolgirl." Illidan huffed, "And as if he would ever really marry you…"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Illidan wouldn't say.

Saturna heated. "That's just your opinion. Kael'thas loves me."

"Kael'thas wouldn't know what to do with a woman if she fell into his lap, which is exactly what happened with you if you need proof. You bring him a family and real affection, and he isn't even mature enough to see what kind of a gift that is. I would never make that mistake, if I were so lucky…"

Saturna took a step closer to Illidan. "I know what you want, that you have been trying to seduce me all this time with your mind games. I only came here at this hour of the night to assure you that we won't be doing that."

Illidan smiled. "Ah, but we already have. You were thinking of me when he was with you. Weren't you, Saturna?"

"How… how could you possibly know that?"

"I know everything. Also, I know that you love me. You really love me and not Kael'thas. I don't care what he said to you. He stole the charm, the sexual prowess, everything from me. And he used it to get to you, once again."

"But I don't want to marry you!" though it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself. "I want to marry Kael'thas!"

Illidan smiled fiendishly. "But Starshine… I am Kael'thas."

"Stop it!" she cried. Saturna had to lean on the stone table to steady herself. "Your words are suffocating… my mind is in a fog. Kael'thas was right, you are speaking to me in Demonic, aren't you? You're trying to confuse me on purpose… I… just this morning you were being so logical, and now you're unraveling everything. Do you want my help to save Kael'thas or not? If so, then stop speaking to me in the Demon language!"

Illidan seethed and grabbed her shoulders. "Like I said earlier, I want to convince you, not force you. I must do it this way. If I convince you to do my will, then there is no chance that you may make a mistake and ruin our chance to redeem him. Listen to me! If you want to save him, there is only one way you can do it. Swear to me… I am trying to make this easier on you. Just give in. Give in to me, or to your love, your hate… it doesn't matter. But make the choice, now, to betray him!" Illidan kissed her.

"But you won't even tell me what it is I have to do…" Saturna fought him half-heartedly. The Demonic was too strong… overpowering her will.

"There is only one way for Kael'thas to be redeemed. You know what that is."

Saturna began shaking her head.

"Sacrifice him for the cause, Saturna." Illidan wrestled her into his arms. He kissed her harder and fought with her as if giving into him sexually was really the same thing as taking a moral stand to help Kael'thas. "Look at me, Saturna, when you know that I am speaking the truth. Your people need a future. Generations of Blood Elves to come cannot know that your Prince went to the Burning Legion, to the very people who murdered his father, their beloved King Anasterian. You are the only one who can do it, this mercy killing. In time you will be hailed as a hero. I will do everything in my power to help spread that message. The whole Black Temple will be behind you, you know that I am capable of it. But you must be the one to kill him. You are the only one Kael'thas will not suspect. Furthermore, you are the best one to do it, because you love him so deeply, you understand. You would do it with kindness, with dignity. Saturna, don't you also think that your child deserves better, than to have a hateful father in the Burning Legion…"

"Illidan, this is madness! I thought you said we could save him. I just can't… I love Kael'thas, I won't betray him!"

"If you love Kael'thas, then you truly love me. Therefore, you cannot possibly betray that love through aiding me, by killing a man who doesn't even exist!"

"Stop... my head... it hurts, I can't even think because of you!"

"That man is damned! Kael'thas won't stop indulging in his dark desires, not for me, not for you, not for his country, and not even for his son! You know this, you've said this to him!"

Saturna looked up at Illidan, helpless in his arms and horrified. "How much have you heard?"

He snarled at her. "Everything. I have always known everything. That is how strong I am. You cannot resist me, Saturna Whiteblade. Either give into me… or else, I will have to break you. Do you want me to force you? I would happily force you…" he kissed her again.

"Everything that you said this morning… is a lie. You're still angry at Kael'thas because of the dream, you want revenge and you want me to carry it out, is that it? And what you are doing to me is no different from the dream. You are playing games with my head, trying to get me to buy into your madness." She cried. "Already, I have lied to him for you… how could I do that to Kael'thas? I had a chance to tell him that you were a full Demon, and that you we kissed... But you made me feel guilty, you've been seducing me on purpose so that I wouldn't tell on myself. Oh, why didn't I see this before… you are just like him!"

"No, Saturna, this is not madness. I never lied to you. He and I are one, to love one is to love the other, the Demon and his master. But Kael'thas is tainted. I am making the greatest sacrifice, I am being strong for both of us, to have you do this. Saturna, both you and I have heartbeats, we feel pain, we bleed… we have fear of death. This Kael'thas does not have! He chooses to do the most horrible things, to abandon his friends, his own people, he would even destroy the people who love him. Kael'thas is a monster because he knows what is right, but he refuses to help along justice. Even I, even the one they call The Betrayer, evil Illidan… I hate the Legion, I will fight them until my very last breath." He shook her. "You will fight them until your last breath. Kael'thas is the enemy in our midst, he is one of them. It is too late for him and must be slain. Then we can tell all the people of the world whatever we want, rewrite the story… his legacy will be one of hope, salvation. You can tell your son that his father was a hero!"

"I won't do it… what is wrong with you? I first came in here fearing for my life, and then you… now I feel desire for you. I never felt that before. But that was only because you told me that you were Kael'thas… and that doesn't make any sense! I don't care how you rationalize murder Illidan. I won't do it!"

"He deserves to die, for what he did to me! Don't tell me that you don't want to stand over him for once, that you don't want to beat him for beating you, lie to him for lying to you, use him the way that he used you. Kael'thas has brought this upon himself. He should feel it! He should know real pain, at last, before he dies. And he will die, he will pay the price for his misdeeds."

"You sound just like the Shatar!" Saturna accused him.

Illidan became furious with her then. He dug the claws of one hand into her black plate, raised the other as if to strike her. Saturna wrested enough of her own hands free to cast a powerful exorcism spell on Illidan, directly in his face. He roared, let her loose to cover his burning eyes.

It was not enough to subdue him, Saturna knew. There was only one person who might be able to do battle with Illidan Stormrage and protect her. Saturna only hoped she could tell the one she loved in time…

Saturna ran for her life. She reached the Golden Shrine and ordered the guards not to allow anyone in.

On the desk, Kael'thas' red scrying orb sat in the mess of papers he left that morning. Normally, only mages and other magically-inclined people could effectively use scrying orbs but he showed her how to use it once before.

"Kael'thas!" she called into the red glow.

But it wasn't Kael'thas she saw at his desk in Tempest Keep. Advisor Sorn adjusted his monocle and peered at her. "Lady Saturna. I thought you'd be asleep at this hour? Well, either way, there was an emergency of some kind. Prince Kael'thas wouldn't explain but rushed to 'see to one of the Keep's lei lines.' Then he said not to worry. So impulsive of him. May I take your message?"

How did one boil down 'your best friend is a full Demon that's been trying to seduce me into killing you over the last twenty four hours' into a polite message?

"Really, My Lady, you should not be calling on him anyway. We're all very busy over here."

"Sorn! Tell him that—"

Sorn's visage faded from view as she spoke. The light from the red crystal ball grew thick, so thick that it obscured images and sound. It was heating up, fast. Saturna saw it coming only at the last moment because it should have been impossible, just barely managing to raise her arms and shield her face.

The red glass exploded.

What would make it do that? Saturna panicked. Everything was going to be alright, she was going to warn Kael'thas… this couldn't be happening…

The floor began to rumble. Saturna held onto the desk for support, and cut her hand on a red shard of glass. She was so frightened by what she thought could be happening, she almost forgot to heal herself. The desk, the bookshelves, the bed, the little golden table near that, everything shook and trembled. Books fell from the shelves. Only the moonlight from the ruined dome above was constant, and in that quiet white beam she saw the glittering yellow mosaic tiles clatter free. When they got loose from the old mortar they slowly floated up into the flow of Light magic that emanated from the convergence of lei lines. It was invisible to the naked eye, Kael'thas told her. But sometimes, he could sense it so well, it was like he was seeing it. It was exhilarating, beautiful.

Kael'thas had a theory that, if man at his core was the pure essence of Light magic, then couldn't he be made to return to that state and travel through lines of Light Magic? He said it wasn't so far off from conjuring a phoenix or any other spell. One could simply stand on a lei line and conjure one's self, ascend and travel wherever the magic flowed. Immediately after, Kael'thas promised her that he wouldn't try it unless there was an emergency. Clinging to the wall, Saturna let herself enjoy how beautiful it was. He was coming. Through the Soul Link he already knew…

More and more gold tiles were torn up from their resting place, floated through the air as high as the dome. The rate of flowing magic increased, the quaking of the earth nearly unbearable. At last, the Sunfury Guards outside rushed in.

The lei line erupted like a volcano and they were thrown back. Saturna and the four guards clung to each other. Concentrated yellow Light magic tore a hole in the floor, sent the regular white ancient tiles flying. She and the others crawled back toward the door, covered their faces but still dared to look… it was horrible but also beautiful, the self-destruction of the Golden Shrine. What Kael'thas was doing was amazing and dangerous. Saturna felt relieved. Just like him…

Then, it stopped. Tiny precious gold stone rained down all at once, and when that was over, silence.

Saturna and the others got uneasily to their feet. She turned to see there was a crowd of Demons, Fel Orcs and Naga at the open doors behind them. Their wings of the temple were closest. After a long moment of inactivity from the lei line, the Sunfury guards went to work ushering the onlookers back.

One of Sunfury guards came over and discreetly told Saturna, "My Lady, I think that was only a spike in magic. The Prince warned us it could happen one day. This is the last uncorrupted lei line in the Black Temple, being made of Light magic and all. This sort of disruption was inevitable. Would you like us to prepare someplace else for you to sleep tonight?"

Saturna opened her mouth, but something made her say, "No."

"Oh? Well... Good Night then, My Lady…"

Saturna heard the double wood doors slam shut before she realized they were leaving her. She blinked the strange feeling that came over her away. The ruined lei line nearby her hummed in low pulses. She knelt to peer into it, overcome with the sort of curiosity only a Blood Elf could achieve after such an event. Bright white magic flowed beneath a foot of solid rock floor. But there was something else too. Something vile… A vein of black magic raced along with the white, then it all washed black, a putrid green.

Where was Kael'thas?

"He's not coming, Starshine."

Saturna screamed when she saw Illidan Stormrage suddenly decloak behind her. She didn't even know he was able to do that, to stealth and hide. Illidan swiped the air with a claw, and black shadow raced along the walls. Saturna saw the doors open, but just as quickly, her only escape was lost. Black along the other wall hurtled towards black, finally the two dark shrouds of magic joined and even the moonlight was gone. Saturna looked up. The dome had been sealed, finally, because she was trapped.

"Now you can scream all you want."

Saturna crawled backward, away from the befouled lei line and away from him. "Whatever it is that you are doing…"

"I borrowed the idea from my friend. Perhaps you know him…"

"Leave me alone!"

"But you see, I can't. You wouldn't let me convince you. Now, I have no choice. I am going to break you Saturna Whiteblade."

"You're just confused…" she tried to find her Corrupted Ashbringer but it wasn't on the weapon rack where she left it. Illidan pointed for her. The metal stand lay pressed up against the wall with her sword. Just beyond the thin film of black magic that held everything back.

"No… What are you going to do to me Illidan? Would you hurt the mother of your friend's child?"

"Foolish woman. This is the way of nature. Do you know what the stallion does to mares in the wild, when he takes over a new herd? He makes them run." Saturna did get up and run, his Demonic was so powerful. Illidan laughed at her, kept coming slowly and raised his voice. "He mates with them and runs them until he makes them either miscarry or replaces the seed of the last stallion with his own, of the stronger horse. And sometimes… both. That is what I am going to do to you."

Saturna kept screaming for help, banged against the doors closed beyond the black magic film. It was exactly like the barrier Kael'thas broke when the Shatar raiders were discovered in Illidan's chambers.

"Stop it. You're speaking madness! You said you were happy for us."

"No, I'm not mad Saturna Whiteblade. This is what I want, what I've always wanted from you. What makes you think I want you anywhere near my friend? Maybe I want to erase you and all semblance of you from his life so that he can be free of your empty promises, your wanting to steal him off to Silvermoon, to Azeroth where he will be torn to pieces! All because you want to be a queen? To fulfill your delusional fantasies?"

"No… Kael'thas would never let you." Fully panicked now, Saturna raced back across the room, hid under the desk. It couldn't possibly help, she had to know that, but the fear screamed in her mind.

Saturna could see Illidan's cloven feet from where he stood on the other side of the desk.

"Kael'thas isn't here now is he?" Illidan calmly observed. Then Illidan suddenly peered underneath the desk, through the sliver of space between the wood and the tiled floor, and smiled at her, showing all his pointed teeth. Saturna cried and tried to crawl the other way. Illidan laughed and punched a hole through the wood, grabbed her leg. He then pulled her until her hips were caught against the small opening and she could be dragged out no further. Half exposed, Illidan began to tear through her plate armor, peel with a claw, as if it were nothing. When it was bare and he licking her skin with his long forked tongue. Saturna had been reaching for a book, something, anything to turn white with her spell. But Saturna's mind went blank with fear right then, at Illidan's vile touch. It was the worst sensation she'd ever experienced, like cockroaches crawling all over your calf and then high up, between her legs. Illidan's tongue incensed every pore in her skin, enflamed it with that chain reaction of horrid feeling though his slithering Demon tongue didn't reach that far.

"Do you know that every time he wanted you, every time he looked at you, smelled you, tasted you… I felt it? When he rose stiff for you, I rose. And then when he was inside of you, so soft… I felt all of it as if I were doing it myself, but it wasn't me. Do you know what kind of torture that was? I've fucked you a thousand times in my mind, but never in the flesh. Hard and long, I've ravished you, I've had you over Nagrand, on this desk, in that bed, everywhere, absolutely everywhere. And he expects me to just sit back and watch? That's selfish, Saturna. It's wrong to torture your friend like that, when he has no one of his own."

Saturna lashed out and kicked him wildly from beneath the desk. She dug her nails into the crumbling white between tiles on the floor.

Illidan got tired of playing with her–just playing! And overturned the desk with one free arm. It crashed. Saturna instinctively let go to cover her head. She thought she would be crushed. Illidan growled and dragged her between his legs, peeled more of her black armor off as if it were just paper. Tearing metal, it made a horrible tortured noise as what was never meant to be pulled apart was easily bent thousands of times and broken.

When Saturna was naked, and reduced to begging for mercy, Illidan at last paused.

"Please, don't do this to me. I don't want this… My baby... You must have some compassion, you are like Kael'thas." Saturna begged. She could barely see clearly, for all the tears.

Illidan regarded her silently for a moment, then. "No, I don't think I want you on the floor. I want you in the bed, the way he has you." He wrapped one arm around Saturna's waist, that was all it took, and carried her there. As he walked he added, "And about me and Kael'thas. Yes we are the same. We share so many things together, except for two important elements that after tonight, you will never forget."

Saturna clawed at him, she lashed about, cursed at him. He tore the red veil around the bed out of his way, ruining it and threw her down.

"One! He never let me have you, though he knew I wanted you, that I couldn't help myself. And two," he leaned in closer and sneered at her. "I understand all his love for you and spoiling of you, Saturna Whiteblade, but it makes no difference. I really don't like you very much."

Saturna slapped his face and tried to get up. Illidan grabbed both her shoulders and slammed her back down, hard. It knocked the wind out of her.

"You will find that I like it, the more that you struggle."

Illidan continued speaking to her, as he worked his pants off with the free hand that wasn't holding her down. "You will think of Kael'thas as I do this to you. You will try to think of him to find comfort, but in the end you won't. You will call his name and he won't come. You will hate me, but then you will hate him more. And then… then I can make you kill him."

Saturna cried and screamed. Illidan was able to hold both of her wrists together above her head in one large hand. He pressed them into the red pillows. His other hand, and his hips were free to abuse her however he pleased. Illidan spared nothing, completely indulging in the moment he'd waited so long for. He gored her with his sharp teeth, rubbed her until she bled, and then laughed at her because no matter how she struggled, her pain, her despair made him even more excited. The more aroused Illidan became the more terrible he was to her.

Saturna wanted to die, she begged Illidan many times to just kill her. If not from his cruelty, she would surely die from the shame, she mourned hoarse after some hours when she could no longer scream. He responded by sending flickers of the dream he gave her–now she knew he had done it–back into her mind's eye. Sex with him could not be a curious, amazing thing. That too, had been a horrific lie. He cruelly contrasted her pleasure then with her suffering now to make that as clear as possible. For some reason, it was just as important to Illidan that he have her in this physical way as it was to abuse her mind, break her spirit. It was so palpable what he told her, that he'd always wanted her, that he always wanted to do these things to her. He indulged in every way possible.

It did not feel good. It did not feel right. It was not sex. Something this horrific could never be. This was cold-blooded violence. And Saturna did cry for Kael'thas during those longest hours of her life, until the sun must have risen. But he did not come. Saturna at last gave up hope and began to curse the man who was supposed to be the sun in her sky. Kael'thas had every reason to be, but he was not. It broke her heart.

"Ahh, at last, we have music." Illidan breathed heavy over the broken woman, her blood dripped from that too familiar, sick lustful smile, "What beautiful sounds you are making." Even the betrayal, the one he had been working so hard all day to elicit from her did not quell Illidan's thirst for her. He stabbed her painfully, exactly with his claws everywhere except for that one fragile vein in her wrist that could take her life. Then, Illidan leaned over her and lapped up the hot blood from her wounds.

"How sweet this is … the fleeting love of my brother. The beginning of the end..."