Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter TextSylvanas leaned on the Balcony of Windrunner spire, surveying the ghost land it had become. Pushing the scourge bones that had fallen before her off the balcony with her armoured foot. She looked to the moon high in the sky, Vereesa was late as always. She strutted back into the spire, the furniture broken and now used for firewood by mindless scourge or treasure hunters. Walked down the grand staircase that opened the front entrance, muttering to her Banshee's to keep away and to do their job in guarding the spire discreetly.
Sylvanas surveyed the lands Infront of her, the pointed forest treetops stayed deathly silent, she turned her back and wondered back into the spire. Bounding the stairs 3 at a time to their old rooms. They, thankfully, remained untouched by the scourge. Sylvanas removed her gauntlet, the bracelet Jaina had given her in this very room, on that balcony glinted in the moon light. She let her fingertips lightly bounce and trace long the tapestries and paintings that hung on the walls, the training bow she had once used. Stopping and taking the bow from the wall she gripped it firmly in her hands, the pad of her thumbs smoothing over the rough and splintered wood.
"Nice to see you're as sentimental as ever." Vereesa murmured from the doorway. Her arms folded and her hip leaned against the frame.
Sylvanas had a pained expression on her face while she carefully placed the bow back into its holder and put her gauntlets back onto her arm, "We need have a little chat Vereesa. "Sylvanas stated formally, her voice as mono toned as she could keep it. She clasped her hands behind her back and straightened, striding towards the balcony. Glancing momentarily at Vereesa walking up cautiously to join her.
"How is Jaina?" Vereesa broke the ice.
Sylvanas's eyes narrowed, "That's what I need to talk to you about, Little Moon."
Vereesa rose an eyebrow, "She ok? Is she ill? Sylvanas, what did you do to her?" she asked, panic rising in her throat.
Sylvanas rolled her eyes at Vereesa's constant questioning, "She is of good health. Insufferable but of good health none the less. Vereesa-" Sylvanas started but was interrupted by Vereesa's rambling.
"That sounds like our Jaina!" Vereesa chuckled nervously.
'Our Jaina...' since when did 'Our' come into this Vereesa…
Sylvanas clenched her clasped hand behind her back, steeling herself to be unreadable. She felt her scarlet eyes ignite.
Vereesa continued excitedly, "Sylvanas I cannot wait to see Jaina again when you two come to Stormwind—"
"Vereesa—"
"I mean, it will be weird having you there at first but I'm sure Jaina will—"
"Vereesa Jaina and -"
"You'll get a lot of looks and I mean a lot but Jaina will -"
"VEREESA!" Sylvanas snapped, infuriated by her incessant rambling. She felt her eyes turn to a blazing fire when she saw Vereesa's confused expression. She paced furiously back and forth, Vereesa shuffled her weight nervously onto each foot.
"Sylvanas why are you pacing?" She asked quietly, tugging on Sylvanas's cloak. She approached Sylvanas and Sylvanas shrugged off her grip. Vereesa couldn't let herself be distracted but she swore she had seen that cloak elsewhere.
Whirling around she snarled and kept walking towards Vereesa. Vereesa kept stepping backwards, "Remember that time that Jaina broke your heart? I found you at the moon well all sad and broken hearted?" Sylvanas asked, snidely, something dark and foreshadowing crossed behind the flames of her eyes.
Vereesa nodded reluctantly, backing up against the side of the balcony, "What about it Sylvanas?" Her voice unsteady, wavered as her back hit the hard concreate of the balcony. Cold and solid.
Sylvanas leant forward, completely disregarding personal space, she brushed her lips against Vereesa's ears, she shivered at the coolness of Sylvanas's dead body and a jolt of fear ran through her, "It was because of me!" Sylvanas sneered.
Sylvanas pulled back to see her handy work, she watched Vereesa's eyes widened as it started to click, pieces of the puzzle slotting together, "Wh—what?"
"I broke you two up. Shame really, you seemed pretty in to Proudmoore." Sylvanas smirked, inspecting her gauntlets, bored. Sylvanas's burgundy cloak billowed in the wind, the golden swirls glaring at Vereesa in the moon light.
Vereesa blinked in utter disbelief, "Wait…. the cloak on the floor of Jaina's rooms…. it's the same one you're wearing. Those…those swirls! The elf I caught Jaina in bed with…it was you!?" She gripped the ridge of the balcony to support herself and stop her from swaying in the dazzling and frenzied haze.
Sylvanas snarled even more, her fangs winking in the moonlight, she looked satisfied with herself, the smugness on her face was of another level, "It was me. In the flesh.I took a potion. I slept with Proudmoore.I planted the political marriage seed in her head that morning. You two would never have lasted." Sylvanas turned to walk away.
Vereesa gasped, "Sylvanas! How could you!? You knew I loved her!"
Sylvanas froze and whirled around, "Quite easily little sister!" she sneered viciously, she reminded mine Vereesa of a frenzied animal backed into a corner, "Jaina Proudmoore was to begin with! I had her first!" Vereesa blinked and found Sylvanas's sharpened gauntlet wrapped tightly around her throat, threatening to push her off the edge of the balcony.
"Syl….van…as!" She rasped as her hands tried to pry Sylvanas's claw from her throat to no relief. Sylvanas's strength was godly and of another world. She squeezed tighter and Vereesa winced.
"I had Jaina first! You always wanted what you cannot have little Moon! You always wanted what was mine!" Sylvanas bristled, her fist clenching by her side, black and purple smoke curling around her gauntlet that held Vereesa squirming in place.
Vereesa felt her eyes watering wildly, "Sylv…Lady…moon…."
Sylvanas cocked her head to the side, her gaze pin pointing Vereesa to her spot in the balcony, "Don't even start with the pet names Vereesa! You crossed a line that I wouldn't even cross if roles were reversed!"
"Sylv…. I didn't…. I didn't know! I never knew you two…. Jaina…never…. Said…. anything! " Vereesa gasped, her nails raking scratch marks into the metal of Sylvanas's claw.
Sylvanas leaned forward, until Vereesa could feel her icy breath burn her face, "If I see you so much as make any contact with Proudmoore, even come into cross contact with her I will end you!" She shook Vereesa hard against the balcony with each threat. Vereesa felt her feet lift from the ground, in a wide-eyed-blurred-panic her eyes pleaded with Sylvanas.
"THAT IS QUITE ENOUGH LADY MOON!" a familiar voice screamed from the doorway.
Sylvanas released a gasping and panting Vereesa, Vereesa crumbled to the ground sobbing. Sylvanas rounded on Alleria who stood with her bow drawn and a nature arrow knocked at Sylvanas's throat. Sylvanas snarled and a mass of electrifying black and purple lightening bolted down from the sky, Alleria and Vereesa covered their face with their arms as the wind blustered in, swirling in a tornado, covering Sylvanas and in an instant puff of black and purple smoke, Sylvanas was gone.
Anduin sat at the table going through various reports, he sighed and rubbed his temples. He looked to the window seeing the moon and stars high blanketing over the blackened night sky, it was late. Very late. Naga had been popping up around the edges of Westfall, Anduin wondered for a moment with his head in his hands if Sylvanas was having similar issues. He tapped on the maps sprawled out Infront of him. The scouting party he had sent out hadn't arrived back, his left leg shook. He was growing anxious by the second.
Khadgar and Kalecgos had both been very quiet as of late, he had had regular updates from them. He wondered if it was because he had let Genn and Gilneas re-join the alliance. They weren't keen on the idea with the display Genn has shown at the meetings for Jaina and Sylvanas's marriage. In fact, he hadn't heard from Genn either. He wondered there and then if something was afoot.
Rubbing his chin with his fingertips he quickly scribbled on some parchment in invisible ink and sent for various messengers. Wondering if Jaina would even still be able to accept his messages and if Sylvanas hadn't cut her completely off from everyone she loved after what Valeera had told him about their wedding night.
Jaina leaned back against the edge of the bath, her pounding headache being soothed by the rising steam of the hot water. She had spent the entire day surveying the runes and wards that lead to the dungeons, making sketches roughly in her notebook and scouring the pages of the books in what they dubbed a library. The wards were very powerful, unsure of the magic that had cast them it gave Jaina a challenge. Something she could sink her attention into. She also loved to evade Nathanos at every point and even went so far as to play tricks on him with her magic. Making illusion spells of herself and sending them his way.
Her drifting off into a peaceful void was broken when she heard the door of their shared bedroom slam with a jolt that vibrated through the walls, making the water tremble and ripple. Jaina contemplated hopping out and grabbing her robe when the door swung open, there stood Sylvanas. Furious as ever. Jaina could see it plainly on her face. She raised an eyebrow as the banshee snarled at her and paused, Jaina could feel her drinking the naked sight of her in. She watched a motion of expressions cross Sylvanas's usual muted face. Her eyes burning with lust. Jaina held her gaze, matching it with her own flashing blue fire. It had been a while since Jaina was touched, and even longer for Sylvanas- She hadn't been touched since her night with Proudmoore disguised as someone else. Her hands flexed at the sight of Jaina's curves, hidden barely by the water. Little forks of arcane lightening danced around Jaina's fingers under the water, the anchor pendent floating around her delicate neck.
Sylvanas made the first step, a cautious step. Slowly, agonisingly, she made her way over to Jaina, kneeling she freed Jaina's damp hair of its pins. Letting them scatter all over the place. Letting her hands run through the strands of silk.
"Sylvanas…." Jaina whispered, her breath hitching in her throat. She turned around, Sylvanas had noticed the water hadn't frozen over like it usually did. The use of her name, no snide comments no irked remarks. Just Sylvanas. "Where have you been disappearing off to? Especially during the night? You never come to bed…?"
Sylvanas still kneeling, brushed strands of hair from jaina's flushed face. Her deep sapphire pools looking up in a wide-eyed gaze. Sylvanas frowned, "Don't ruin this moment, Proudmoore." Her hand left Jaina's face. Jaina shivered and watched in awe as Sylvanas unclasped her armour and pulled her clothes from her body. Jaina secretly marvelled in the way her skin flowed fluidly with her muscles, in perfect timing. How her body had been so beautifully preserved in death as it had been worshipped in life. She watched Sylvanas slide into the bathing pool.
"You were right about the Naga, Proudmoore." She said flatly as she grabbed the soap from the side.
Jaina shook her head, blind-sided by the sight of Sylvanas elegantly scrubbing away, "Was I?" Jaina breathed, a very raspy breath. The sudden realisation Sylvanas admitted that she was right hitting her like a bolt of ice. She savoured the tiny morsel of information.
If Sylvanas sensed the longing in Jaina's rasp she didn't let on, she crossed over to Jaina and manoeuvred them so Jaina sat between her very open legs as Sylvanas started to message soap into her shoulders, working the tightened muscles together with her flesh, under her fingers like dough. Jaina struggled to concentrate on forming a strong reply.
"The scouting party I sent came back, the naga they killed bore the crest of Azshara on their weapons. The mages were also a bitch to kill according to Ranger Lyana." Sylvanas murmured, transfixed on the rippling of Jaina's back under her fingers. Her hands travelled down to the small of her back where she pressed her knuckles in. Jaina let out a small moan, closing her eyes. More small whimpers escaped Jaina's lips. Sylvanas savoured them all.
"We need…..need to send word to Anduin. For all we know…..they could be giving him a hard time too." Jaina groaned in-between biting her lip at the cool feeling of Sylvanas kneading her hands into her lower back. She relaxed her body but her hands were still tense and gripped Sylvanas's thighs for support. Jaina felt a blush creep into her damp cheeks. She said a silent prayer for the mist of the hot water hiding her colour.
Sylvanas hummed a reply, "I'm sure the Little Lion can wait for just one more night."
"Sylvanas….." Jaina started, tensing up slightly, peering curiously over her shoulder. Sensing the topic was done for the night, another hum of concentration from Sylvanas, Jaina saw she was lost in her work, Jaina's fingernails dug deep into Sylvanas's thighs as she hit Jaina's ultra-tense spot in the middle of her spine. Jaina felt the tension in the air hover and grow thick, felt the fire in her belly burn slowly. She rolled her eyes, unable to bear Sylvanas's hands on her any longer without igniting something deep within her. Something she had tried to ignore for years. Something she thought had been buried along with the alive Sylvanas. She scoffed and spun in Sylvanas's arms, till Sylvanas was eye level with her breasts, Jaina knelt one knee on Sylvanas's thigh, lightly pinning her in place. Sylvanas's hands slid from Jaina's shoulders down to her hips, her fingertips tracing old and new scars.
Sylvanas could see the arcane glow in Jaina's eyes sizzle with a hunger that was all too familiar. She watched Jaina bite down on her lip playfully, Sylvanas groaned inwardly and gripped Jaina's chin gently, pulling her down to brush her own lips against her jaw line, "Jaina…" She breathed, the cool breath sent a chill down Jaina's spine, she shivered in absolute pleasure, goose bumps gracing her skin. Sylvanas grinned and nipped at Jaina's neck with her fangs, "This is a dangerous game Jaina…..Don't start something you can't finish. Not with me…." she whispered against her bare neck.
Jaina swallowed, almost gulping ad gasping for air as Sylvanas placed little tentative nips at her neck. Careful not to bruise her skin, "I…..I…don't…care…" She pulled back and cupped Sylvanas's face in her own hands gently. Holding Sylvanas's deep-seated, raging and starving gaze. Jaina bit her lip and Sylvanas's hand gripped her hip, hard. Pulling her forcefully up against her, closing the distance completely. Jaina was now straddling Sylvanas, the hand that dug into her hip travelling around to rest in her ass cheek, squeezing it every now and then. Jaina bit down on her lip unknowingly.
Sylvanas growled, watching the assault on that beautiful flushed pink bottom lip with a vigorous fire, "Bite that lip again Jaina…." Sylvanas threatened, pulling jaina's chin down. Jaina did what she was told and bit down on her lip while a grin twitched at the corners of her lips. Sylvanas couldn't contain herself anymore and her lips met Jaina's. Slow at first but as she let go and lost herself in Jaina, Sylvanas slipped her tongue along the lower lip she loved so much, begging for entrance. Jaina granted it, letting the conflagration soar between them and Sylvanas's hand that held her chin in place shot into Jaina's hair, deepening the kiss. Jaina groaned into Sylvanas's mouth and in that moment Sylvanas worshipped Jaina. Sylvanas was no stranger to coming undone and falling apart before her, but she had never felt so lonely and reckless as she had over the last few years. But Jaina looked better than she had ever did. She put Jaina up there like a relic. A ritual.
Sylvanas reluctantly pulled away after a long moment, giving Jaina a chance to catch her breath. Jaina looked down at her though half lidded eyes, her senses clouded with the smell of steal and flowers. Sylvanas darted for her neck, taking little nips, Jaina whimpered hotly. The sweet sound of her whimpers sent Sylvanas into a small frenzy, bruising Jaina's skin with her fangs. Both of their hands travelling to places on each other that were forbidden.
A horn sounded off in the distance, It took Sylvanas a few times to register the sound, distracted y the soft and pale flesh that pulsed beneath her fangs. Within a flash she was out of the water, leaving Jaina dumbfounded and bereft, clasping her armour back on impatiently, while growling angrily and cursing furiously in Thalassian.
"Sylvanas! Where are you going now?" Jaina cried, pulling herself out of the water and crossing over to her. "What does that sound mean?"
Sylvanas whirled and stormed passed a curious Jaina, "None of your concern Proudmoore!" So that was it, Jaina realised. Back to the second names. Jaina felt herself growing angry, finding it difficult to keep a lid on her temper. She grabbed her own robe, snatching it from the bench.
"I'm coming with you!" Jaina stood her ground, standing tall in front of Sylvanas, "I can help!"
A bark of laughter escaped Sylvanas, she eyed Jaina as she buckled her pauldrons back onto her shoulders, "More like hinder!"
Jaina tightened her robe and folded her arms in a huff, " I'm your wife, Sylvanas Windrunner!"
Sylvanas rounded on Jaina at that, already feeling the mages arcane crackle like lightening around her fingers as she pinned Jaina to the wall by the throat, Sylvanas hissed, "That you may be, but this does not concern you!" Jaina coughed as Sylvanas released her, but not before regarding her hungrily for a moment. "You need to be protected more than anything right now!" Sylvanas muttered under her breath, fastening her cloak.
Jaina rasped and rubbed at her neck while flat against the wall, "Protected from what!?" she cried out, frustrated with Sylvanas's constant secrecy.
"I've said too much! Damn you Proudmoore!" Sylvanas snarled, trying to gather her shit together, "Belore above! Put your robe on before I lose my shit all together!"
"Fuck you Sylvanas!" Jaina huffed, tears stinging her cheeks. She wiped at them furiously as she fumbled with her robe.
Sylvanas turned her back for one moment, Jaina snarled and threw a bolt of ice at Sylvanas, which Sylvanas managed to dodge and before Jaina knew it she could hear the echo of Sylvanas dictating to Kalira to make sure Jaina didn't leave her rooms at any cost. Jaina felt like she had just had a knife to the heart, killing her slowly. However, she was still standing and what didn't kill her made her want Sylvanas more with these teasing moments. She debated teleporting and directly disobeying Sylvanas and breaking the contracts that kept her in bound in place. She felt angels roll their eyes, devils rolling the dice on her there and then, she loved Sylvanas, and wasn't it the worst thing you ever heard? Knowing where it led, watching them go around and around each time. Something glinted at her from across the room where the ghost of Sylvanas's armour lay but a moment ago. Jaina crossed over and picked up the fragile bracelet she had given Sylvanas all those years ago. How she felt like she was sneaking out of the garden gate to seal her fate with the Ranger General. Pained was never easy to slip away from.
"She kept it…." Jaina whispered, holding the bracelet to her chest.
She screamed for what it was worth.
Notes: Thank you for the love 3