Anduin rubbed his forehead as he watched Genn pace across the throne room. He would much rather be out in the city tonight; it had been decided if Orgrimmar was going to have a yearly party on the anniversary of the compact, then so would Stormwind.
And Anduin had been looking forward to sampling some of the street wares in disguise.
"Genn, I really will have someone dig you a pacing trench."
"We haven't heard word from our -"
"If our spies in Orgrimmar have anything to report, they will. I'm more concerned about Yukale's mission." Anduin got to his feet. "And since it's unlikely that she'll return tonight, we should try to enjoy ourselves." He tossed Genn a cloak. "You do remember how to enjoy yourself, don't you? When was the last time you took Mia dancing?"
Genn came up short, catching the cloak with one hand as he considered that. "... Far too long."
"It's settled then. Find your wife and take her dancing." Anduin flung his cloak over his shoulders, adjusting it to hide his face. "There are plenty of places to take her tonight. I'll see you later."
He was gone before Genn could protest his order, slipping into the gardens and then scaling down towards the lake, where some of the festivities had been taking place. There was a wooden dance floor, lanterns and magical lights floating around, and he spied little rowboats with couples snuggled together.
It was a lovely picture, but first he found one of the food stalls, paying double the asking price for his absolute favorite stall food: a sausage on a stick.
There was just something about the meat and the grease and the spices that brought him back to happier points in his life. Bolvar used to sneak him some when the Darkmoon Faire rolled into the forest, and he and his father used to share some together in disguise, much like tonight.
He didn't feel sad thinking about his father, for once. Oh, he missed him and mourned him, but he wasn't sad. Maybe, just a little bit, with the wars behind him and a brighter future, he finally felt like the king he knew he was supposed to be.
Even if he was a king in disguise, walking through a crowd eating a greasy sausage.
Anduin chuckled at himself, and took a shortcut through some bushes towards the Dwarven district. He nearly tripped over a pale, white haired Kaldorei wrapped in a passionate embrace with a dark haired Ren'dorei. Both women were both very attractive and mostly nude and if he had inclinations in that direction it would have been difficult to look away.
They were so wrapped up in each other that they didn't notice him; but the Core Hound napping nearby certainly did.
That, at least, told him who this was. There weren't many hunters who rode Core Hounds into battle, and Eilirria Starbreeze was apparently just as passionate off the battlefield as she was on it.
He held up his hands to appease the Core Hound and slowly backed away. The Hound huffed, one of its heads staring at him until he'd gone out of sight. He caught another couple starting in that direction and gently pointed them somewhere else to spare them the same embarrassment he'd just experienced.
Anduin made it to the Dwarven District without any further issues, and wondered if Jaina was feeling as lonely as he was tonight. It was true that it was lonely at the top, though he'd done his best to be friendly with the other rulers and the Alliance champions. But he could order any one of them to their deaths, and they would have to obey.
It put a clear line between Anduin King and Anduin Friend.
The complete lack of romantic prospects and the expectations of a High King's Consort only made the feeling worse.
He wished he had a way to check on Jaina. Even if their spies had nothing to report, he'd always worry, and he'd feel better hearing her voice or seeing her. She used to have a mirror, enchanted for two-way communication; Anduin knew that Sylvanas would never allow that. He wouldn't, in her place.
There was a mage seated at a table, her young daughter spinning through the air in a bubble of all things. Anduin watched as a Worgen rogue reached up and grabbed the toddler, pulling her close to his chest.
He studied the rest of the tables that had been set up; most dined with friends, there were people dancing with no particular rhythm as a boisterous Dwarf sang offkey and a gnome passed out beer goggles.
Anduin must have gotten too close to the dancers, because he was suddenly swept up into them, the strong arms of a shirtless Draenei Paladin spinning him around.
He decided then that he'd send a letter to Jaina on the morrow. Anduin grinned at the paladin. Tonight, for now, he wouldn't be Anduin King or even Anduin Friend, but simply Anduin, out to have a good time.
None of this was necessary. The expense of celebrations, the cheer. It was almost as bad as the ridiculous holidays everyone celebrated.
Nathanos crouched from his perch high in Orgrimmar, keen eyes studying the scene below.
Lanterns and torches had been set up to provide lighting, a line of stalls along the eastern side of the Valley of Strength offering food and drink and other wares. People milled about eating or dancing. Most of the space between the bank and the inn had been set aside for dancing and other such shenanigans. Nathanos knew most of the rest of the city was in a similar state. Even the Drag had people.
Fireworks exploded overhead and he muttered a low curse about the fool who'd created those damn things.
The Dark Ranger and Warrior who typically shadowed Proudmoore had arrived early, without their charge. They'd left Jaina alone, and there were numerous things she could get up to alone. But none of the alarms he'd ordered set to notify him when and where she teleported went off.
He narrowed his eyes, studying them.
Tyra Cole was animated, talking with her hands, seeming to light up whenever she looked at the Ranger. Kalira listened intently, a loose smile playing at her lips. They were enraptured of each other when they should be on duty.
Nathanos smiled grimly. The Dark Lady wasn't going to like that; he'd known both Kalira and her mother, and of Sylvanas's accursed infatuation with the latter. Sylvanas had been the closest thing to a mother Kalira had known after the unfortunate demise of Feydori Sundreamer.
A tragic event, though not without its advantages; Sylvanas had risen to her mother's position and Nathanos had benefited in turn, and Nathanos had dedicated both his life and death in service to Sylvanas.
Every action he took was for her protection, uplifting, or both. Everything he did was to that end, and not once had he regretted his actions, no matter how terrible.
But he'd let her deal with any who dared to touch a Sundreamer herself. Nathanos had his own concerns.
Namely: Jaina Fucking Proudmoore.
He'd disagreed with the plan from the outset. Sylvanas lowering herself to marry anyone had been hard enough to begin with, but Proudmoore had always been her first choice. There were no other realistic options, both from a perspective of her power and also politically; but Sylvanas had taken an odd personal interest.
We may not like it, Nathanos, but we've little choice. Besides, Jaina Proudmoore is my type.
If I am to suffer betrothing myself to another, should I not at least enjoy the suffering?
It was only a matter of time before this blew up in their faces. Nathanos expected Proudmoore to betray them at any moment. Her every action was towards that end, he was certain. The friends she made, the way she manipulated the people; he'd made sure a few had disappeared because they were too dangerous to keep loose and under the witch's sway.
Orgrimmar, the Horde, and most importantly Sylvanas were in constant danger as long as Jaina Proudmoore walked free. If Nathanos didn't have an arrow ready to penetrate her throat, one of his own spies was always watching.
They'd be ready, but what could he do if Proudmoore got through to Sylvanas? It had already started; Nathanos had only learned of the situation with Vereesa from his spies in the Alliance. It galled him.
Sylvanas hadn't told him. She'd kept it a secret. Direct proof of Proudmoore's treachery and he couldn't even act on it. The war could have been sparked instantly and he'd been left impotent.
Nathanos frowned, outwardly calm despite the turmoil of his thoughts. He'd find a solution to this, for the sake of his Dark Lady. Free her from the shackles she'd voluntarily embraced and then burn the Alliance to the ground as she so fervently wished to do.
After all, he knew Sylvanas better than she knew herself. It had always been that way, and it would always be that way. Things would return to the way they should be. Nathanos had patience and time on his side, things that Proudmoore lacked. Time, patience, and a plan.
"Ranger Lord."
Nathanos didn't look away from his Lady. "Yes?"
Rankin Bass was one of Nathanos's new Forsaken Rangers, and had proven to be every bit as good as Sylvanas's. Better, in his opinion. The man was a good shot, despite half his face having rotted off. He nodded to Nathanos. "Three days ago, King Wrynn sent several champions on a special mission."
Now that was interesting. Nathanos turned his head. "Do we know why or where?"
"Our spies took note of the Windwhistle setting sail. We had a druid trail the ship as far as he could before he had to turn back, but we're reasonably certain that they were headed for the general vicinity of the Maelstrom."
"That is not a coincidence," Nathanos said. "Keep this knowledge to yourself. I will inform the Warchief personally."
"Should we have the Wraith's Shadow intercept?"
Nathanos shook his head. "No, I am not ready to reveal our secret just yet. As wonderful as it would be to be rid of a few of Wrynn's favorite champions, we should find out what they have planned before destroying them. Have Captain Raze trail them."
Saluting, Bass melted back into the shadows, and Nathanos returned his attention to the festivities below, nearly choking on his own tongue when Proudmoore appeared, playing dirty with that dress.
The Dark Lady would see through that transparent attempt to manipulate her, Nathanos was certain, using their dance as cover for the scathing conversation Jaina deserved.
Any other conclusion to her little display was unthinkable; except his Lady guided Proudmoore back into the hold, and not even Nathanos was so far in denial as to misunderstand why.
As Sylvanas's demand echoed in the sitting room, Jaina's expression hardened. She stared back with an indignation bordering on mutinous, chest rising and falling heavily. If Sylvanas wasn't so intent on her eyes, she'd have admired that.
And then Jaina swallowed, slowly dropping to one knee, and then the other. She looked up at Sylvanas, nostrils flaring as desire apparently won out over anger.
Sylvanas reached out, stroking her fingers through Jaina's hair. She raised her eyebrow, and Jaina took a breath before running her hands up the outside of Sylvanas's legs. She stopped. "Your skin isn't as cold as usual."
"Silence. When I want to hear your lovely voice, I'll tell you."
Jaina snapped her mouth shut, and resumed her explorations. Her hands trailed fire across Sylvanas's skin and she visibly fought back a groan when Sylvanas's fingers dug into her scalp.
"Very good," Sylvanas murmured, eyelids falling slightly as Jaina's hands slid up to her stomach, stroking the contours of hard muscles. "You may just earn yourself a reward."
Jaina huffed in response, nuzzling against Sylvanas' flank as her hands stretched up and caressed her breasts. She almost touched the scar on Sylvanas's chest again; but to Sylvanas's relief, she passed over it.
The touch was good enough, but the sight of Jaina before her, obeying her every command, was what brought the moan to her lips. It wasn't submission, not quite, not when there'd been a challenge in her eyes just now; but it was temporary obedience and it was delicious nonetheless. Jaina seized the momentary advantage, tongue flicking out at a spot that would once have been an artery on her thigh before drawing her hands back down to Sylvanas's hips.
Sylvanas allowed it, holding Jaina's head in place as Jaina nibbled at her thigh. Nerves that she'd long thought atrophied started flaring to life.
Giving Jaina a little slack, Sylvanas guided her head to her other thigh, shivering as Jaina's breath tickled her pelvis in the process. "You like that."
Jaina's eyes flicked up to meet Sylvanas's, but she knew better than to speak. Instead, she stroked her hands up the inside of Sylvanas's legs. Her left stopped at her chin before she slid it around to grope Sylvanas's backside, and her right continued up. Her thumb brushed the connection between leg and pelvis, then she fanned her fingers across Sylvanas, following silky white hair.
A tremor struck Sylvanas when Jaina's fingers found her, but she refused to show it, holding her expression carefully impassive as she stared down at Jaina. The mage's heat was enough to consume her, but that didn't mean she had to let her see.
But Jaina couldn't disguise her body shuddering as she muffled a moan against Sylvanas's thigh.
"Say it," Sylvanas prompted.
"...You're wet." The 'how' was unvoiced.
"Does it please you, Lady Proudmoore? To know that your touch can bring this dead body of mine to life?"
Jaina swallowed and started to nod before she caught herself. "Yes."
She could see the wheels turning in Jaina's eyes as her mind tried to figure out that puzzle. Sylvanas tugged on her hair, snapping her out of it. "Did I tell you to stop?"
Narrowing her eyes, Jaina pushed a finger along Sylvanas's outer folds then very pointedly flicked her thumb against her clit.
Sylvanas hissed out a reluctant groan and barely restrained her hips. She hadn't felt that in so long that the emotions fluttering about inside her dead heart nearly made her end this.
The smirk on Jaina's face helped her make up her mind. She tangled her fingers in Jaina's hair tight enough to make the woman whimper in pain, then pushed her face between her legs. "You forget your place, Proudmoore. You are here to service me."
Jaina's tongue flicked out, the sensation sparking something within Sylvanas that she almost rejected. She pulled Jaina's head back, locking eyes with her as Jaina panted. Sylvanas loosened her grip, then let go. "You want it."
"Yes." Jaina's eyes flicked from Sylvanas's face, down to the growing wetness between her legs, and back again. Her voice was husky. "I want it."
Sylvanas allowed her smile to show. She could get used to hearing Jaina's voice like that. But she said nothing, waiting for Jaina's quick mind to guess her wish.
"Are you serious?" A cross expression appeared on Jaina's face before she relented. "I want to taste you."
Allowing her that much defiance, Sylvanas inclined her head. "If that's your desire, my pet."
Jaina gripped Sylvanas's hips, pulling her closer as she kissed her thigh, then flicked her tongue at her clit once before focusing on seemingly everywhere but there. She nibbled and sucked at Sylvanas, one finger sinking deeply into her so suddenly that Sylvanas grasped her head with both hands. The come-hither motion Jaina made with that finger sent ripples of pleasure through Sylvanas as heat spread through her. Sylvanas tilted her head back, her low, ragged moan echoing in her ears.
She should have done this ages ago. Looking back down, she frowned as Jaina dropped her left hand between her own legs. Using her foot, she nudged Jaina's hand away. "No."
Shivering, Jaina redoubled her efforts, pushing Sylvanas's legs wider so she could get more of her with her mouth. Sylvanas guided her with one hand, rocking her hips as long-forgotten pressure coiled in her belly, tensing and tensing. "My very… talented consort. Who could have ever guessed this was one of your better skills?"
Wrapping her lips around Sylvanas's clit, Jaina sucked hard in defiance. Her hand started to pleasure herself again, and Sylvanas kicked it away, harder this time.
"I said no." She tugged Jaina's hair again, wanting to lock eyes with her. "Don't you want to please me?"
Heat burned on Jaina's cheeks but her eyes were glazed with need. She just nodded, and started to close her eyes as she worked to wind that spring inside Sylvanas even tighter.
"Look at me." Sylvanas pulled Jaina's head back until her eyes were open. "Do not take your eyes from mine."
Jaina let out a shuddering breath as she leaned back in. She added a second finger, continuing to put her clever tongue to use as she dragged them in and out. The sustained eye contact proved to be too much for her; her rhythm faltered as red eyes burned into her, and she finally gave an unrestrained moan that vibrated through Sylvanas' core.
Sylvanas found herself panting, rolling her hips against Jaina's face. She didn't need to breathe, but it was what her body remembered, the only way it knew to respond.
Jaina dragged the nails of her left hand roughly across Sylvanas's skin, up her stomach to a breast and back down again, leaving marks in their wake.
Whether it was that, or the pressure inside her or the sudden rapid friction across her clit from Jaina's teeth, but Sylvanas felt the orgasm pulse through her, like the spring at her center had suddenly snapped.
She didn't cry out, but she gasped, holding Jaina tightly in place against her body as her vision shattered.
Sylvanas heard - or felt - a heartbeat. Once. Twice. A third time. Then it stopped and she returned to her senses. There was a rushing in her ears and her skin tingled.
Slowly, she let go of Jaina's hair, and Jaina pulled back, coughing and taking in deep breaths. Sylvanas idly wondered how long she'd held Jaina's head there.
She stepped away from Jaina, picking her cloak up with her foot and kicking it into the air to catch it. She needed to leave, now. Sylvanas felt unsure and a little emotional and she needed to escape.
Looking back, she saw Jaina still kneeling on the rug, staring at her with confusion, anger, and need. Sylvanas tilted her head.
"Sylvanas… please."
"Since you begged so prettily, you may touch yourself."
Jaina's hand flew between her legs as she fell forward, catching herself with her other hand.
Sylvanas could hear the slick sounds of Jaina's fingers working feverishly, Sylvanas's name on her tongue. The scent of Jaina's arousal could be tasted in the air and Sylvanas savored it. She watched Jaina a moment or two longer in genuine delight, before she turned to go.
"I hate you," Jaina groaned.
A fond smile passed over Sylvanas's lips as she descended the stairs. "I know."