Chapter 17: Affairs of State
Summary: Sylvanas is a cruel and cold. Jaina is hung over.
Notes: Merry Christmas everyone 3 Sorry for the long wait, but its here now. Just a quick chapter.
Thank you for bearing with me 3 Im now currently writing the next chapter for Of Coffee and Leather Jackets.
I played WoW yesterday after an age and pre ordered shadow lands...im now hyped for my Mage :3
Long Live our Lord and Saviour, our Queen Sylvanas! hehe
yes I have had way too much wine already this holiday. . . . Comments at the ready..lol Irishfire
3
Jaina blinked awake. Staring up at the ceiling blankly, not believing the rich red colour of it. Wishing for the pristine marble of Stormwind. She felt the empty space next to her, confirming her suspicions. No wife. The sheets had remained untouched apart from her side of the bed since they had stepped through the portal. She sighed and pinched the bridge between her nose, pushing herself up onto her elbow and flopping back down recoiling from the sudden thumping of a headache and the roil of her stomach. Jaina let out a long groan. She could hear the thrum and the hustle of Orgrimmar from outside her window.
She looked out from above the covers, the fireplace she had savagely thrown Sylvanas into had been weaved back together, the mirror like brand new, Sylvanas's ceremonial gleaming armour lay scattered across the floor. She decided she would rather walk into a Zandalari fleet than clean up after Sylvanas. A lot may have been new to her now, but She wished she could sat the same for herself as she rolled onto her side, letting out a small whimper as her hand flew to the wound in her side.
She had had a lot to drink the previous night, anything to drown the memory of marrying Sylvanas out. It had made her feel worse when she had provoked Sylvanas. She knew in a small corner of herself that she was wrong to provoke Sylvanas like she did. That her self-righteousness would eventually catch up to her, but she filed it away in the small corner and locked the cupboard. That Zandalari fleet looking more promising than the admonishment from Sylvanas being right.
She sighed, and turned to her bedside table, the shards of bloodied glass, her blood now dried into a thick crust along the jagged edges lay in a small pile. A small reminder from Sylvanas. Jaina let out a huff of air, her eyes lingering on the red vial, labelled with instructions for Jaina directly. She skimmed over them. She hesitated, reaching out for it cautiously as if it would bite her. The night should have been surrounded by a blurred and thick thick fog for her, but unfortunately it was as clear as daylight playing out in her mind.
She pushed herself up and bit back the rise of bile in her throat. She tossed the vial of red liquid around in her hands as if it was hot and scorching. Debating on drinking it, if Sylvanas had laced it with poison. Jaina smirked, if it was laced with poison all the better. She wouldn't have to deal with her wife. She pulled the cork and drank. She almost spat it back out at the vile taste hitting the back of her throat. Her mouth twisting with displeasure at the bitter iron taste, her hand rubbed at her throat.
She felt the thunder in her head dull to a thick cloud, grumbling away. She slipped out of the bed realising she was completely naked apart from the admiral pendant that hung heavy with the sapphire. They both glowed a faint blue against her freckled skin. She paled, knowing who had more than likely undressed her last night. She padded gently over to the mirror, shaking her head and twisting slowly to avoid any pain to see the wound in her side. She thumbed lightly over the bandages that covered her entire side. She peeled ever so gently at one of the top corners and covered it back instantly her hands clapping over her mouth to choke down vomit. She had seen a lot of wounds and bloodied hanging off limbs in her time but that was deep. She winced.
She turned back to the mirror. She could either stay locked away like a princess in a tower; feeling sorry for herself or she could actually go find Sylvanas and try to make some sort of peace with her. Jaina waved her hand and her body magically clothed with her usual mage robes. She studied her hair and decided to quickly sweep it into a braid. Nothing as intricate as the wedding braid she had had. Jaina turned and a small yellow tulip with a dust of frost caught her eye in one of Sylvanas's pauldrons on the ground. Stark amongst the dark wine colours and black as night feathers. She picked it up and threaded it through the binding of her braid. She shrugged, Sylvanas wouldn't notice she would more than likely be wrapped up in state affairs to notice anything to do with her hair.
Jaina walked out of the room into a bathroom, crossing the room she eyed the large bathing pool where Sylvanas had pulled all the glass from her back piece by piece. The thought of Sylvanas's cool touch on her bare skin inflamed her face, hot with colour. She anxiously sucked in breath and pulled on another door, this time leading to a small sitting room. Jaina rolled her eyes, Grommash Hold was like a maze. She was used to them, what with her mother's fascination with them decorating the gardens but this was a disorganised maze.
Jaina looked around curiously, there were a couple small couches, a few bookshelves which she instantly traced the spines of the books. Whispering in broken Thalassian their titles. Or what she thought was their titles possibly as she wiped the dust from them. Various shades of amethyst and emerald fabrics draped around the room for decoration, stark in contrast to the muddy red of the clay walls. Pillar candles of black and scarlet red wax in every corner of the room. A small fireplace lay dormant in the middle, a small kitchenette Sylvanas had no doubt had fitted into the room.
Jaina thought of who had previously occupied these rooms, had them built before. She gulped and shook her head, crossing madly over to another door as she wrestled with the ghosts of the things she missed the most in her head. She stopped and slowly peered over her shoulder to see a small spiral staircase tucked far into a corner covered with thick purple velvet curtains. She bit her lip resisting the urge to climb the stairs. There was only guess whose rooms that led to, the small insignia stitched into the purple velvets gave that away.
She pulled on the door wiping at the corners of her eyes as she sniffed; she bumped straight into a small elf figure. Jaina blinked in shock as her eyes met glowing orange eyes, the life from them had collapsed she could see. She stepped back and the elf with the orange eyes bowed, her hood falling forward, shadowing her face even more. The pointed ears flickering straight up and becoming fully alert. She had seen the same reaction in Vereesa and Sylvanas.
"My lady Proudmoore. " The elf drawled as she drew herself up to her full height. "I am Dark Ranger Kalira. The Dark Lady has assigned me as your personal bodyguard.". Jaina could hear the uncertainty in the same ghastly echo of her drowning voice. It haunted Jaina's ears and sent a chill down her spine in the heat of Orgrimmar.
Jaina grimaced, "You mean a personal guard because the Banshee doesn't trust me." Jaina spat as she leaned against the door frame, folding her arms conspicuously. She looked Kalira up and down, the elf was small and thin, agile, quick and pale. Petite but deadly she affirmed. If she had been trusted to keep an eye on Jaina then she must be close to Sylvanas. Jaina thought this may be useful, if she was to spend 6 months minimum a year at Orgrimmar then why not get to know Sylvanas's most trusted rangers.
"I do as My Queen commands." Kalira said firmly. "My Queen has requested I bring you to her when you awaken. She is just finishing up some more—private meetings."
Jaina huffed, and cocked her head to the side, amusement glittering her features, "And if she throws a stick do you fetch as well?".
Jaina knew Kalira could sense the sarcasm in her voice, her face turned to ash. Any patience and kindness slapped from her face in a second, "The Queen, The Warchief commands your presence, Lady Proudmoore.".
Jaina gritted her teeth, tightening her jaw. No one commanded anything of her before. Jaina pushed from the frame, "Fine. Lead me to your Queen. I will show her what commanding is."
Jaina let herself be led by Kalira down the red halls, the fires blazed in their heaths, Jaina felt a damp sensation break out onto her skin at the base of her neck. She stared hard into Kalira's back, struggling to keep up with the elf's long strides. She didn't know why the fires had to be lit, it was already sweltering and only what she would have called fall. The roil of her stomach sounded again, setting off a familiar feeling, swelling bile rising in her chest with the anger of being demanded downstairs by Sylvanas.
As they walked out into the sunlight, Jaina held her palm up to her face, shielding her eyes from the blinding light. It hung high in the sky, she looked down slowly adjusting to the light and saw the hustle and bustle of the city. They walked through the merchants selling their craft and wears. Down endlessly long stairs and streets. Jaina took it all in, the acrid smell of small fires making her wrinkle her nose. The heady scent of the ale and mead being passed around the taverns she passed noticed was like a stab to the heart. Realising the rising home sickness bubbling in her chest. She couldn't shake off a feeling of dread that she took for the home sickness. Jaina made a mental note to come down and properly explore more in detail, maybe she could find a gift for Sylvanas; a peace offering of some sort.
They came to a large meeting hallway, before grand wooden doors. Jaina near fell into the ranger Kalira, her focus on the wards at the top ridges of the doors. She stumbled back just intime as Kalira turned to face her.
"You are to wait here while the Dark Lady finishes her private meetings."
Jaina sighed heavily, exasperated, "Fine." She didn't like this as it was. They were supposed to be married; she was supposed to see her wife when she liked.
Jaina leaned against the walls, looking out into the haze of the city. She felt like a prisoner about to bargain for release. She bit her lip and folded her arms. As people walked past the hold they stared in, her blue and white robes of being a mage and a Lord Admiral creating whispers and hisses amongst the crowds. Jaina rolled her eyes and shook her head. She hated being gawked at the best of times. Had they never seen someone in the colour blue before?!
She watched how the occasional blood elf in all their sassy red gowns almost see through and clinging to their hourglass figures, their hair done to frame their face up or down, their lips as red as blood offering their services. A dark red headed elf of that nature winked at Jaina rather interestingly, lingered for a moment her hand on her hip. Jaina raised an eyebrow and watched her walk off, her hips swaying to and fro, the slits in her gown ever more evident as she walked, bearing her thighs and the glimpse of-Jaina gulped and paled, the sudden realisation that she would never take a lover again. That Sylvanas was it, unless she wanted to risk the entire alliance to come crumbling down around her. Sylvanas Windrunner was where it started and ended. She let out a slow exhale as she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes.
A shuffling broke her thoughts and she snapped her eyes open and turned in the direction of the shuffling. Jaina watched Kalira melt back into the shadows. "Shit. She saw. "Jaina muttered. She rolled her shoulders, there wasn't much she could do now. She turned and looked to the wards, whispering the words to counteract them, bored out of her mind. They came down too easily, the door became slightly ajar. Jaina grinned. Childs play really for an experienced Mage like herself.
"You shouldn't have done that. That will anger The Dark lady." Kalira whispered, settling at her side.
Jaina jumped and shrugged, rolling her eyes, "The Banshee doesn't like anything I do, Ranger." She muttered darkly, recounting past screaming matches and near fist fights she had had with Sylvanas openly over tabled meetings.
Jaina's ear prickled when she caught the word "Naga." She peered in pushing Kalira from her.
"There was more than one Naga." Lorthremar said quietly. He was leaned over a war table with Sylvanas. It was strange, Jaina thought, to see Sylvanas from her throne. Sylvanas pointed to a location Jaina couldn't quite see. She watched Lorthremar nod, "We managed to push them back just off the edge of Quel' Thalas shores My lady. Even capture one as you know. I currently have Nathanos torturing it in your dungeon they're keeping your other prisoner company." He grinned.
Sylvanas's face remained shadowed under her hood, "Get as much information as you can. I don't want to send a scouting party into a death trap Lorthremar. I trust you more than any of The Horde." Sylvanas muttered reverently, her voice commanding authority without her even realising Jaina saw. She clasped her hands behind her back formally and straightened. "I will attend after talking to Jai-My Wife."
Jaina pulled back from the door slightly angered that they had been married a day and she had not been filled in on their state affairs. It wasn't Sylvanas's only problem anymore, her burdens were shared with Jaina now and vice versa.
Kalira eyed her warily, suspicion clouding those orange sunset eyes, "Lady Proudmoore, I wouldn't….I-" Kalira started.
In a quick flare of anger Jaina pulled down the final ward and flung the doors open with her arcane magic. The intricate lines igniting with a blue glow of frost. Sylvanas turned outrage spread across her face now flung into the light. Surprisingly Lorthremar grinned at Jaina Proudmoore. Jaina nodded politely to Lorthremar who returned her gesture. "Lady Proudmoore. "He bowed. Sylvanas's eyes flickered to the Dark Ranger Kalira, down on one knee her gaze adverted but apologetic.
Sylvanas's heels clicked on the floor, Jaina held her breath the sudden realisation of what Sylvanas was capable of. As she walked over to Kalira and raised her with a upturned hand, "What is the meaning of this? I thought I told you to keep Proudmoore entertained until I had finished?" She muttered, wisps of black smoking curling at her feet. Sylvanas's face displayed pained anger and Jaina winced at the malice in her tone.
Jaina glowered from the door, "It isn't her fault. She tried to stop me from coming in and advised me not to. You harm a hair on her head Sylvanas, and I will deal with you personally." Her eyes glowed a faint blue with arcane energy passing by in them.
Sylvanas gritted her teeth, flicking her gaze from Kalira to Jaina, lingering on the mage for a moment. Something was different about Jaina today. Something Sylvanas couldn't put her finger on, she hadn't done her hair any different she didn't wear anything different, she wore no make-up as always, she snapped her attention back to Kalira, bored and dismissed her with a wave of the hand, "Kalira. If you disobey me again there will be consequences." She muttered flatly.
Kalira nodded, "Yes my Queen. It will never happen again. I will not fail you a second time." She scattered out of the room. Jaina knew that wouldn't be the last of it, that Sylvanas would deal with Kalira privately. Jaina mouthed a quick sorry as Kalira glared at her when exiting.
Jaina glided into the centre of the room revelling in Sylvanas's growling, "Naga? Dearest Wife, did you not think to wake me for our meeting on our state affairs?" Jaina snarled, walking to her side to get a glimpse of the war table.
Sylvanas sneered, "I thought you could do with the rest after our…." She caught Lorthremar's raised eyebrows up to his hairline, "…Nightly activities." Her smug sneer curled ever more on to her lips.
Jaina glared disgusted at Sylvanas for a moment.
Jaina thoughtfully hummed a reply, and her lips pursed into a thin line despite hiding her blush. "Cute. I'm sure Lord Lorthremar is not a stranger to wedded bliss. Now, the Naga? Care to explain Wife? Considering affairs of state are now our problem."
Lorthremar opened his mouth to give his account of events but Sylvanas waved him silent, "I hardly think that is necessary. Lorthremar you're dismissed. I have to speak to my …wife. Privately."
Lorthremar quickly bowed left the room, shutting the door.
Sylvanas watched the door like a hawk as it shut. She strolled over to the throne and lounged in her usual fashion, her right leg swung over the arm rest the left spread out Infront of her, she sat upright against the other armrest, her hand gripping the edges of it till splinters started to show in her gloved hand. After a moment Sylvanas motioned Jaina to walk over. The crimson eyes ablaze, Jaina swallowed hard, feeling the roil of her stomach again. She glanced around before walking over, trying to make a quick plan of emptying her stomach into something.
Jaina came to stand before Sylvanas, standing deathly still, her shoulders squared and straight. Mustering as much authority as she could to challenge Sylvanas, "Is this where you tell me I've been such a bad little girl and I get a punishment? " Jaina smirked, trying to keep her voice still from shaking, remembering the familiar bitterness she had formed for Sylvanas. She mockingly fluttered her eyelashes at Sylvanas.
Sylvanas sighed and turned to face Jaina, pulling her hood down. Her silvery blonde hair looked like a halo around her head and Jaina took a sharp intake of breath at how her eyes blazed with anger, "Not quite." She hissed, "Number One, never bring down any wards that have been set up to purposely to keep you out Proudmoore. In fact, as your punishment you can sign new wards, stronger wards. Number Two, never question me in front of my subjects like that again. While you are right that it is now our state affairs, your place is at my side. "Sylvanas pointed to her left and turned back to Jaina a ghost of amusement on her face for a split second, Her claws tapped the arm rest of the throne painfully. "If you have to question my authority take me to the side and do it privately, I may even encourage that from time to time." The painful tapping that surrounded Jaina's ears now turned to a thoughtful stroking.
Jaina tried to hide a slight smug smile.
Sylvanas rested her chin on her fist, Jaina could feel her eyes all over her. She sucked in breath ready for the next blow. She knew Kalira was quick and would have let Sylvanas know by now. Jaina watched the crimson eyes blaze to scarlet and the fire roar in them. When Sylvanas spoke, her voice was like melting ice, dripping in pure silence.
"Number three, if you plan on salivating over other women then this marriage will not work nor will this alliance. Remember that Proudmoore. You may not take any lovers under any circumstances." Jaina watched her clawed fingers dig into the wood of the throne, creating claw marks. "Appearances are everything."
Jaina couldn't leave the past behind, "You always were the jealous type." she muttered under her breath. All demons wanted their pound of flesh, Sylvanas was no exception to this.
Jaina sighed and fidgeted with the hands behind her back, "Anything else your majesty?" She asked mockingly, keeping her jaw tight. She felt like a child being reprimanded.
Sylvanas waved her away with a flicker of her hand. Jaina grimaced and turned to walk away but peered back over her shoulder, her braid masking her anger, "If that Naga is of Azshara then Tides help us all." She muttered.
Sylvanas scoffed, "Azshara has not been seen or heard of for a long time now Proudmoore!" Sylvanas considered Jaina's back for a moment. She may have had a point there. The name of sent splinters digging into Sylvanas's hands. She hadn't thought of Azshara for an age.
Sylvanas with a bored expression glimpsed over at Jaina and caught a glimmer of something yellow in Jaina's braid flicker in the fire light as it fell over her shoulder. It wasn't the streak of blonde; her head was now full silver. Catching her full attention, she swung her leg from the arm rest and stood, "Proudmoore." Jaina froze and turned as Sylvanas walked down slowly from the throne and came to a stand in front of her. She reached round and held Jaina's braid. She heard Jaina's sharp intake of breath, holding it with a bottom lip that was now being shredded by her teeth.
"What. Is. That. In. Your. Hair?!" Sylvanas whispered furiously, almost clenching Jaina's braid tightly in her hand. If she didn't have her clawed gloves on Jaina knew Sylvanas's finger nails would be digging into her palms right about now.
Jaina pried her braid from Sylvanas's claws quickly, "A flower. That Is all it is."
Sylvanas snatched the flower from Jaina's braid and squished it hard in a clenched fist until it wilted and crumbled like dust through Sylvanas's hand. Sylvanas through clenched teeth snarled at Jaina as Jaina wide eyed shook her head in disbelief, "The wife of a Warchief does not wear yellow tulips in her hair!"
Jaina bit her lip, knowing if she argued back it would result in Orgrimmar being levelled by one of them. She would rather be reprimanded for walking away at this point. She turned to walk away, making her way towards the grand doors until Sylvanas stepped in front of her, Jaina came to a halt, "What the fuck Syl-"she began to glower at Sylvanas.
Sylvanas calmly held out her upturned palm, "Hearthstone."
Jaina blinked at her, "Wait, what?" she muttered, blindly confused and dazed.
Sylvanas's face was a mask that Jaina couldn't decipher, "I said, Hearthstone." Sylvanas made a motioning face at her. "If you have a Hearthstone, which I know you do, hand it over."
Jaina felt a sob rise in her throat, "Sylvanas…You know where mine is set to." She murmured, adverting her eyes to the ground, her hands ringing in front of her. Sylvanas detected the use of her name from Jaina's lips. No Banshee Queen, no curses. Just Sylvanas. Which Jaina only used when begging or pleading to her now
Sylvanas grew agitated, "Do I need to spell it out for you ,Proudmoore?"
Jaina's bottom lip trembled under her teeth, "You're only doing this because of that damned flower!"
"You're mistaken, Proudmoore. I'm doing it because it's in the contract under subsection 5." She sneered, "However as I know where it is set to and how much it would upset you, unset it. Reset it to Orgrimmar and then hand it over." She withdrew her palm and folded her arms, leaning her hip against the door frame, a sickly amused look glowing in her eyes.
Jaina stared at her in disbelief, tears creeping from the corner of her eyes, "No….no…NO! I can't do that…. Sylvanas…. You know-", Jaina stammered, "I won't…" she shook her head and turned away from Sylvanas and started pacing the length of the hold.
Sylvanas watched her intently, narrowing her gaze, her arms folded and her leg crossed over the other with her foot tilted against the door, She sneered, knowing she had caught Jaina off guard and was thriving off of her emotions, "If you don't, Proudmoore, You're breaking the contract." Sylvanas suddenly felt a faint pang in her chest, Jaina's emotions grinding away. She knew the binding spell would count emotional pain caused by the other as pain none the less. Sylvanas shrugged it off and continued to watch Jaina. She knew the stone was set to Theramore. To the levelled city that Jaina once ruled and loved. A painful reminder. Sylvanas told herself that if this alliance were to work that there could be no remembrance, no lamenting about the past. The Irony.
She watched Jaina bite her lip, that damned lip that she had to briefly look away from, "Sylvanas I'm a mage, I can teleport in and out of anywhere if I really wanted to." Jaina huffed defiantly trying to break Sylvanas's torture and try to see reason, resetting her Hearthstone was pointless. Sylvanas knew what Jaina was doing, trying to divert the conversation and reason. But Sylvanas wasn't alive anymore, all she could feel this moment was a burning coldness in her own chest, a cloud of evil lurked behind her eyes.
"Again, only with my permission while you reside here. And if you teleport outside of your confinements, you will be breaking the contract and this whole entire 'one Alliance', this 'peace' goes to absolute shit." Sylvanas drawled bluntly, she had a bored expression on her face inspecting her claws, "Your choice, Little Mage."
Jaina withdrew her hearthstone, thumbing over the light blue swirl on the front. Feeling the arcane thrum gently whisper through her skin, she clutched it tightly to her chest "Sylvanas…." She looked up with pleading eyes, watering and shining in the candlelight, "Please don't make me do this…. See reason. Please! Keep me confined all you like! Just please don't make me reset my Hearthstone…." She cried, panic full in her voice.
Sylvanas paused inspecting her claws, she heard Jaina's silent argument, her silent plea and laughed cruelly, "Reset it Proudmoore and then Hand it over!"
Jaina sniffed, wiping madly at her face, "You're so cruel. "Jaina murmured.
Sylvanas growled and Jaina sobbed at the same time. Jaina held the stone, and closed her eyes briefly consumed in her emotional grief. She felt like she was mourning Theramore all over again. She opened her eyes, her hands trembling at her chest and whispered, "I wish to reset my Hearthstone to….. Grommash …..Hold of ….Orgrimmar." The stone glowed a bright red in the swirl that was once blue. Jaina stared down at the stone in the palms of her hands. The last piece of Theramore that remained now erased by a single woman. Over come with a burst of anger Jaina threw it at Sylvanas, a wild scream escaped Jaina. The stone smashed against the hard wood by Sylvanas's head but didn't shatter, it fell to the ground and Sylvanas kicked it under her foot like a ball and up into her hand.
"And Proudmoore, remind me to get you a tailor. However much I like you in blue, it's too much. You need a bit more red in your wardrobe." She laughed as she walked back over to the throne, and sat upright, her leg crossed over the other like a regal Queen save for the smug smile that spread across her lips as she toyed with Jaina's hearthstone in her hand, grinding it against the claws of the throne.
Jaina looked away solemnly, letting the tear tracks roll down her cheeks, clutching at her cloak suddenly feeling the chill of Sylvanas's crimson eyes in front of the roaring fire that should have made her feel like she was in a warm hug. The eyes of the wife she should feel safe with. Instead she got the cold hard look of a captor reigning in their prisoner.
Jaina threw Sylvanas one last look of disbelief, "You're a cruel woman Sylvanas. What goes around comes back around. Wait until you have to reside in Stormwind!" She stormed out of the room, leaving the grand doors to slam shut, a gust of frost blowing out the fire.
Jaina collapsed against the doors as they slammed shut. Her head swam as she emptied the contents of her stomach into a blazing hearth. After a moment she straightened. Feeling her hands were tied and her soul battered and bruised. Sylvanas had left her with the feeling of nothing to gain and nothing to lose with Sylvanas or without her. The future looked bleak. This Alliance was an absolute shambles. she slid down the hard wood of the doors, crumpling into her knees, wrapping her arms around herself, burying her face into her arms as she sobbed for the entire world to see.
Sylvanas sat hunched over her desk in her secluded sanctuary, at the top of the spiral staircase above where Jaina currently slept. Scrawling furiously through documents, sauntering through a stack of letters. Deciphering blank letters, careful not to be seen by any other eyes than hers. As Sylvanas dipped her quill into the ink and let it rest there she sighed and started the next letter, snatching it from the stack and wasting no time in ripping it open, not even bothering to check the penmanship at the front or who it was even addressed to. She scanned the letter, blank parchment. She waved her hand and black smoke encased the letter; violet glowing ink started to write hastily Infront of her. Her frown darkened as she saw the first syllables. Black smoke curling around her crossed legs as she sat back in her chair.
"To My Dearest Jaina,
I hope this letter finds you well and happy. Anduin and I are going stir crazy in Stormwind without you. The twins miss you furiously. Alleria has even commented that she misses playing Hearthstone with you in the last days of your stay in Stormwind. You were the only one who let her win! I hope my sister, Sylvanas, isn't too overbearing or rude to you. If she is; tell me and I will have words with her. I always was her favourite sister when she was alive.
I miss you terribly Jaina. Stormwind isn't the same without you, we all walk around as if we are in a fog. I miss the days where we could drink a couple bottles of wine together and go on our own little 'adventures'. I miss the days back in Silvermoon where I had only just met you and Sylvanas was loathed to share you even for just five minutes while we had tea on the balcony of the spire. I realise now why she always kept you to herself. She always had been the selfish sister. I suppose Jaina, I miss you the most out of all of us!
Anduin is lost without your council, Jaina. None of us are as level-headed as you at times. I do however know he has been on contact with Genn. Sylvanas won't be happy but Genn wants to join the new alliance. Since Tyrande came back into it at the last minute. Maybe you should pre warn her since you are now married to her. I do hope she is treating you well Jaina. It worries me, you being alone with her, I know how vicious she can get.
I know myself and Sylvanas haven't been on the best of terms lately, but I do hope she will let me come and visit you or you visit me when you are in Stormwind. Even Dalaran has been quiet without the thrum of your arcane energy in the air.
With Love and Laughter,
Forever missing you,
Vereesa
Xoxo"
Sylvanas sucked in a sharp intake of breath and held it for a long time. Her lips pursed difficultly into a thin line. Her hands curling into shaking fists. Her chair screeched along the stone flooring, if Jaina heard it below she didn't let on, her quick movements from her ranger general days paying off as she tore furiously at the letter and threw it into the fire without a single regret and watched it, panting, as it floated into the whispering flames. Their tongues grasping it like fuel to a flame.
She stormed over to her desk and poured a large glass of whiskey and stormed back over to the roaring fireplace. Watching the flames flatly, her eyes a dark despair as she leaned against the mantel of the fireplace, her glass in hand resting a top of the mantel. Her eyes narrowed as the flames danced Infront of her, feeling the faint heat blaze onto her face. She withdrew Jaina's hearthstone from a draw in her desk and walked infront of the fire. Thumbing the red swirl that was now engraved into it.
She took a moment to gather herself again, she wa nted to let things with Vereesa slide. She was in truth, her favourite sister. The sister she swore to her mother to protect in her absence. The little moon that would cling to her leg as a child when she had to leave for her Ranger General duties. But Vereesa kept pushing, kept needling at her. She would have to deal with Vereesa sooner rather than later, she needed to keep appearances up none the less.
Sylvanas knocked her drink back and poured herself another, musing in the bitter fact that she had Jaina first back in Silvermoon. Vereesa always wanted what was mine! She stared blindly into the flames, looking for answers. Jaina was another major problem. She needed to settle into Orgrimmar for their alliance to work. She needed her and the rest of the alliance for her greater plan. She couldn't afford for Jaina not to fall in love with her, yet she kept stabbing Jaina where it hurt directly. She could even feel jaina's emotional turmoil now in the pit of her chest, could feel the restlessness, the revenge that currently stirred in Jaina. Sylvanas argued with herself on why it gave her such pleasure to irritate and rile Jaina up when once she had loved Jaina and wouldn't dream of hurting her to these dangerous extents.
"Do you honestly feel better Sylvanas Windrunner that you push Jaina around!?" She asked herself aloud as she turned back to the fireplace, leaning an arm on the mantle.
She rubbed at the pain in the back of her neck. She needed to rest, she hadn't 'rested' in months properly. The flames crackled and gained her attention, her eyes asking the rising flames "Will this work out?" The flames continued to dance and crackle, reminding her of Jaina's magic, she took that as her answer.
Staring hard into them she could see Jaina, illuminated in her splendour back in Quel'Thalas with Sylvanas as they had been; just spent from a night of pure pleasure. Jaina's hair sprawled out over the pillows, her naked body underneath Sylvanas's, relishing in the warmth of her own skin to skin contact as she loomed over her propped up on her elbows. She watched herself bend down and kiss Jaina along her shoulder, down her neck, sliding back up to meet her lips. Those lips that she itched to stroke gently with her thumb, she watched her hands thrust into Jaina's golden hair glittering over the silk of the pillows, she watched Jaina respond with her own magical touches. She watched herself cup Jaina's cheek as she kissed her gently, slowly, passionately. Sylvanas shook her head and threw a ball of violent purple and black crackling energy at the fireplace, dispelling the image from Infront of her.
She could feel her eyes burn with small tears as the fire instantly dispersed, small streaks of acrid smoke floated around the room. She wiped at her eyes, fruitlessly due to the tear stained tracks already scarred onto her face from Frostmourne's touch. Sighing she couldn't banish the burning memory of Jaina underneath her, couldn't claw the scorching heat from her mind. It was everywhere she looked.
She stripped off her armour, pulled her boots off throwing them around her sanctuary and lightly padded down the spiral staircase, peering around the fabrics for any sign of Jaina. She treaded lightly into the room Jaina slept in. She stood in the doorway her hip leaned against the frame. The soft moonlight fluttering through the open windows, illuminating Jaina as she slept, a book flat against her chest.
Sylvanas crept around to the other side of the bed and lifted the covers, she chastised herself majorly; she knew this was risky if Jaina woke up to see her there. The Mage already hated her, she debated in her head what did she have to lose? Everything. Jaina. But she had everything to gain in return. Jaina to gain in return.
She slipped into the bed, just feeling Jaina's heat from miles across the bed was comforting. Healing the burning ache in her mind and in her limbs. Her eyes widened when she felt Jaina shuffle across and nuzzle into her back. Jaina's unknowing touch feeling like holy light, comforting. The small groan that escaped her lips was enough for Sylvanas. Even though Jaina was unaware, she relished in Jaina's touch. Feeling it quell her worries, her concerns, everything seemed to slow around her, like it didn't matter anymore to Sylvanas.
Sylvanas shifted against Jaina, turning to face her. She finally felt her restless corpse sigh with relief, melting into the bed, she tucked Jaina in lightly and threaded her fingers slowly through the silver hair that was wild and sprawled out over the pillows. Sylvanas felt a knife through her chest when she gently brushed Jaina's hair out of her face. She had been crying, the muddy tear tracks against her snow like skin in the moonlight. Sylvanas cursed herself silently. She wanted to stop needling Jaina. She had to somehow, but the mage was untamed and wild at times. Always up for a challenge. Sylvanas sighed, and stared off into the distance of the room, slowly tracing small circles in Jaina's collar bone. After what seemed like an age Sylvanas drifted off into rest at the gentle rise and fall sound of Jaina's breathing.
Jaina awoke in the morning, groggily rubbing her eyes and yawning, stretching her arms out. She had cried herself to sleep last night but felt as if she had never slept better since before Theramore. Strange she thought, maybe the heat didn't agree with her sleeping pattern? Or lack of? She glanced hopefully to the other, unused, side of the bed, a mixed range of emotions flooding her at once. It was still as neat as she had first seen it. She sighed in confusion. Her brows knitting into a small space of her forehead. She could have sworn she felt the bed dip on that side last night…..
She pushed the thought to the bookcase in the back of her head and prepared herself for another day.