Year Three

"It's a good idea," Anduin mused, staring up at the mammoth stone structure under construction. "But do you think it's a little large?"

"My dear King Wrynn," Sylvanas said, favoring him with an amused smile. "A raised road, serving as a dedicated route from Stormwind to Silvermoon by way of Ironforge and Stromgarde, is a brilliant idea. Much easier to facilitate trade all along the Eastern Kingdoms and to supplement trading vessels. And it can certainly allow for more traffic than your quaint little tram."

"Ships and airships can carry more," Anduin pointed out, unnerved by Sylvanas's good mood. "But this would allow greater trade in general, especially for people who can't afford that sort of luxury."

He was mostly being contrary in Sylvanas's presence; it had been a good idea. Anduin supposed it helped that it wasn't Sylvanas's idea either. It had come from Stromgarde.

He glanced at the map, the proposed route winding and curving through the continent with spokes sticking out to meet other roads to other towns. The largest led straight to Stromgarde, which was fitting. Anduin looked up to meet the eyes of the tall, muscular warrior who had first suggested a continent-spanning highway.

Cenengel grinned at him, though she kept a noticeably looming presence between Anduin and Sylvanas. Old habits died hard. "That's what we thought too, your majesty."

She jutted her chin at her Horde counterpart in Stromgarde, a wiry troll with an unusual third tusk on the left side of his face. "Kaevi and me realized early on if the Stromgarde experiment was going to work that there would eventually need to be more and easier ways to travel between kingdoms."

"Yeah mon. Be a lot easier ta deal wit bandits with a well secure route." Kaevi nodded. "Though it do seem a little big."

Anduin watched another smirk form on Sylvanas's face, and spoke before she could make any kind of wry comments. "It has to support a lot of travel, and its twin being built on Kalimdor is nearly as large."

"True dat," the troll agreed.

It still boggled Anduin's mind to see Trolls and Humans working together in Stromgarde of all places. They made up the bulk of the population, followed by Forsaken, Orcs, and a small contingent of Worgen that had moved in recently.

But the animosity in that kingdom in particular against Trolls had once seemed insurmountable. Until it stopped being so. Just like the hatred between the Horde and Alliance as a whole. They still had a long way to go, but as Anduin considered it, he realized for the first time he was hopeful.

He turned to Sylvanas. "Let's schedule an inspection on Kalimdor in two weeks, then we can check on the status here in six. We should be up to Ironforge by then."

"Agreed." Sylvanas inclined her head, smiling yet again as she departed with a flourish of her cloak.

Anduin watched her walk toward Jaina. The mage's presence had been a pleasant surprise, but she hadn't joined the discussion; after greeting Anduin with a smile and a friendly armclasp she'd wandered off to inspect the stonework. She was engaged enough by the engineering that she jumped when Sylvanas sidled up next to her. She gestured to the highway, face animated as she talked, explaining what she was looking at as Sylvanas watched her like the proverbial cat and canary. Whatever the Warchief's response was, Jaina shrank into the high collar of her robe like a turtle, brushing her hair back behind her ear as color tinged her cheeks.

Jaina looked flustered, but Anduin remembered many times where Jaina had disguised her self-consciousness that way. Typically after catching herself twenty minutes into an explanation of multi-dimensional portal theory when Anduin's eyes had started to glaze over. He missed when she got excited like that; seeing her waxing eloquent over an infrastructure project lightened his shoulders.

He almost missed Cenengel speaking to him. "Is it just me or is the Warchief in an exceptionally good mood?"

"It ain't jus' you, mon," Kaevi replied, looking a little pale. "And it be a little terrifyin'."

On that, Anduin agreed. He looked to the unusual friends. "Would either of you object to my paying a visit to Stromgarde next spring?"

Kaevi shook his head. "Dat be fine by me. I tink you like what you see."

"It's starting to feel like home again," Cenengel admitted.

Anduin nodded and gestured for Cenengel to follow him. She fell into step next to him as he spoke. "I know you were very young when Stromgarde fell. I don't think I was even born yet."

She nodded. "My memories are vague. My father talked about it a lot when I was growing up." Her expression darkened momentarily, and then she shook off whatever shadows had come over her. "So it was always home in my mind. And now it's home in reality."

"Is it at all what you expected?" There was a story there, but Anduin didn't press. Fathers, after all, could be complicated.

"Yes and no." Cenengel scratched at her chin. "I expected less Horde. But without their help, Stromgarde would still be in ruins right now."

He regarded her out of the corner of his eye. "Any tensions?"

"Sometimes we have to break up a fight." She nodded her head at him. "Started up a sort of brawler's club, like certain places we're not supposed to talk about in Orgrimmar and Stormwind."

Anduin flashed her a grin. "I don't at all know what you're talking about."

She grinned back, and flexed one of her arms. "But it helps redirect aggression. Only had one person beat me so far."

He eyed her, suspecting she could bench press his throne. Her swords probably weighed more than he did. Each. "I believe it."

"That would be me." A voice interrupted them, and Anduin smiled when he recognized Vereesa joining them.

"I let you win," Cenengel said, good naturedly, looking at Vereesa with a surprisingly shy smile.

Anduin noted that, but let her keep her dignity. "What have you been doing in Stromgarde, Vereesa?"

"Jaina … thinks that I should try to mend fences with my sister…" Vereesa twirled her hand. "I thought assisting in Stromgarde would be a good place to start that would serve everyone's interests. And I've made some new friends as a nice bonus."

She playfully squeezed Cenengel's bicep, then did so a second time while darting her eyes. Clearing her throat, she let go of the human and rested her hands behind her back in a way that reminded Anduin of Sylvanas.

He wisely decided not to point that out. "Do you think it'll work?"

"I'm not banned from Orgrimmar like I expected to be, so maybe."

"I'll let you two get back to it," Anduin said. "Keep up the reports and the good work. And good luck with your sister, Vereesa."

As the women walked towards where Kaevi waited, Anduin turned his eyes back to that first section of the highway. He had a good feeling about this project.

But still, it did seem a little large.

"I'm tellin' yeh, she got-"

"Shut up."

"It's just kinda unnervin' the way she's-"

"Quiet."

Jaina glanced behind her at Tyra and Kalira, eyes flashing with genuine arcane energy. It shut them up, though as she turned her head away she caught Kalira swatting Tyra on the shoulder.

She didn't want to know what they were talking about. If they were talking about what she thought they were talking about, then she'd have to admit to herself that it was what they were talking about. And Jaina wasn't at all ready to go there.

As it was, she flipped the collar of her robe up a little higher to hide the bruising from Sylvanas's teeth. She was going to have to think of a better solution, but one she could implement without arousing suspicion. Too many eyes on her to just pick up a healing potion. And she couldn't send Kalira or Tyra; they'd ask too many questions.

Jaina felt Sylvanas's eyes on her when she entered the Hold, her lips turned upward as her eyes briefly dropped to her neck. Jaina felt a shiver run down her spine.

"See," Tyra whispered, only to be silenced by another smack.

"Hungry, dear?" Sylvanas said suddenly, the amusement in her eyes making Jaina want to sink into the floor. "I was thinking of taking a break. Join me."

She stood and smoothly walked past Jaina. Jaina stood still, staring at the now empty throne and refusing to give Sylvanas the satisfaction of seeing her reaction...though it was probably too late for that.

Sylvanas paused behind her. "I've given some thought as to how you should be dealt with."

"...yes, Lady?" Tyra asked cautiously.

"I approve."

Jaina turned around in time to see Sylvanas stride out of the hold. Kalira somehow looked paler than normal, and Tyra's mouth hung open.

Kalira's head slowly swiveled until she was staring at Jaina. Jaina held up her hands. "What are you looking at me for?"

"What did yeh do to her?" Tyra asked, awe in her voice. "She's been in a good mood for a week!"

"It's alarming," Kalira observed. She looked at Tyra. "She…approved."

"It just means she sees that you two are good for each other," Jaina said, a note of 'it's about time' in her voice. "Like I do. And even if she is your Warchief, she doesn't have to approve if you really want to be together."

Kalira's cheeks darkened slightly and Tyra said, "S'little more complicated than that."

"She's my-lady," Kalira said, catching herself.

Jaina narrowed her eyes. "Well. Regardless, she approves. So I suggest you take advantage of that before she changes her mind."

The pair shared a wide-eyed 'she's onto us' glance as Jaina started past them. She called out behind her, "Since I'll be supervised, why don't you take the day off and … enjoy yourselves."

She didn't hear their response, though from the resounding sound of a hand on armor she suspected that whatever Tyra had said had earned her a swat.

Sylvanas, of course, was nowhere to be found. Jaina pulled aside a grunt. "Did you see which way the Warchief went?"

He nodded and pointed behind him. Jaina thanked him and jogged in that direction until she caught sight of Sylvanas's cloak on the stairs leading up to the residency.

Jaina made sure she was already inside when Sylvanas opened the door, rewarded with the briefest expression of surprise on Sylvanas's face. Amusement quickly replaced it.

"Eager, are we?"

"Curious," Jaina countered.

"Such things are often linked," Sylvanas pointed out, stepping past Jaina and seeming to make a point of brushing against her.

"Would you stop that?" Jaina snapped, turning so fast she lost her balance and had to catch herself on the wall.

Sylvanas raised an eyebrow, watching her make a fool of herself. "I'm doing nothing."

"You keep…" Jaina gestured vaguely towards Sylvanas.

Sylvanas tilted her head, then mimicked Jaina's gesture.

"Don't mock me."

Closing the distance between them with two steps, Sylvanas rested her hand lightly on Jaina's hip. Somehow, despite the fact she could barely feel it through her robe, it set fire to Jaina's skin. Sylvanas purred. "Go on."

"This. You keep doing this." Jaina gave her an accusing look as her face heated up. "Teasing me. Taunting me. Acting like you've somehow earned the right to."

"Are we still not friends?" Sylvanas tutted, leaning in close enough that Jaina felt the distressing urge to kiss her. "If there's something you want, Jaina," Sylvanas whispered, "perhaps you should ask for it."

Sylvanas moved her head, lips brushing Jaina's throat before she suddenly pulled away and walked into the kitchen like nothing had happened.

The only reason Jaina didn't fall to the floor was the wall still propping her up.

The little dalliance between her champion and her daughter had clearly gone on for some time now; certainly longer than she'd realized. Sylvanas couldn't articulate exactly why she'd allowed it, but it hadn't interfered with their duties and she enjoyed making Tyra nervous every chance she could.

Tyra slipped out of an alley, straightening her hair and armor. Sylvanas approached, taking a relaxed stance behind her. It took several moments before Tyra realized she wasn't alone, and Sylvanas smiled charmingly when Tyra turned around and somehow turned even more pallid.

"Dark Lady! Uh. What can I do yeh for?"

"Walk with me, Champion." Sylvanas clasped her hands behind her back and started to walk before Tyra could respond.

Tyra hurried to join her as she fixed a buckle on her armor. "Of course, Lady."

"It is quite the honor I've bestowed upon you," Sylvanas said, studying Tyra out of the corner of her eye. "Guardian to the most powerful mage in the land, and my very Consort."

She'd made sure Tyra could hear the capital C in the word consort, and the warrior stiffened appropriately.

"It's been an honor, aye. I'm proud t'serve yeh." Tyra bowed her head, fingers twitching at her sides.

"I could assign you anywhere I wish. Would it still be an honor then?" Sylvanas turned her head, eyes drilling holes into Tyra.

"Aye, always. I exist an' serve at yer command."

"No hesitation. Good." Sylvanas nodded once, then fell silent as they walked along one of the streets in Orgrimmar that led towards the Tauren area. Tyra grew more and more fidgety the longer they walked, and Sylvanas suppressed her smile.

"Lady?" Tyra asked, after several more minutes of fidgeting. Sylvanas stopped, turning towards Tyra.

"Speak freely."

Tyra lifted her chin, a glint in her eyes. That was better, Sylvanas decided. The imposing, clever warrior she knew Tyra to be. Sycophants were fine, but she also liked her people to be willing to challenge her on occasion. When it was appropriate.

"I know yeh said yeh approve. Of Kalira an' me. But if this means bein' assigned to the ass end of nowhere then I'll be okay with that. 'Cause I ain't givin' her up." Tyra folded her arms, giving a short nod to punctuate her words. "But I'd like it...if yeh really did. Y'know. Approve."

"Let me be sure I understand you," Sylvanas said, keeping her voice dangerous and low. "You intend to pursue Kalira? Even if it means an assignment to menial latrine duty at the farthest reaches of my empire?"

"Aye," Tyra said. "I'd rather do without that last bit but...but is that okay. Can I?"

Sylvanas started laughing. Tyra backed up a step, and a Tauren leatherworker took a wide berth around them. As her laughter faded, she couldn't help but smile at Tyra's discomfort. Tyra's eyes darted over her left shoulder as a familiar presence ghosted behind Sylvanas.

She chose her words very carefully. "Are you actually asking me if you can woo my daughter?"

"I ah." Tyra's eyes darted to the presence behind Sylvanas again, and her dusty lungs rasped as she sighed heavily and seemed to prepare herself. "I'm askin' for your blessin'. Not your permission."

Sylvanas's smile widened ever so slightly as she heard the sharp breath behind her. "Just remember that I made you. I can un make you. And the agony you suffer would be like nothing you've ever experienced before."

Tyra just nodded.

Waving her hand carelessly, Sylvanas added, "Dismissed. Go. Woo."

Glancing behind her once more, Tyra turned and bolted away.

A hand gripped Sylvanas's left shoulder, turning her around. She was greeted by a shocked and exasperated Jaina. Sylvanas inclined her head. "Good morning, my wife."

"Excuse me," Jaina hissed quietly. "Daughter?"

"Adopted." Sylvanas said, enjoying the way the vein on Jaina's forehead throbbed. She could sense her heartbeat and heat as emotions warred in her eyes. Giving Jaina a little bit of bait, Sylvanas's eyes dropped to Jaina's ring.

Jaina followed her eyes, then swallowed noticeably. "I see. You could have told me. We've been married for a little over two years, I'd have liked to know I had a stepdaughter. She'd be the only… "

"I didn't feel it was relevant."

"You're my wife."

Sylvanas lifted her fingers and stroked them down Jaina's neck. "Such a high collar for this time of year. Are you so cold already?"

Jaina's face flushed and she stepped away. "That's none of your business."

Smile growing, Sylvanas droned, "You'd think it would be my business."

"Where do you get off-" Jaina winced and cursed. "You're really enjoying this."

"It's been the highlight of my death." Sylvanas looped an arm around Jaina's waist as she forced her to walk along with her through Orgrimmar. The perfect picture of the perfect couple, and sure to set tongues wagging. Especially the Alliance visitors and spies. She even nodded to one as she passed. Sylvanas wasn't sure if that person was a spy or just a merchant, but it didn't matter.

Greymane would still find out. Sylvanas was almost tempted to kiss Jaina to prove the point, and for absolutely no other reason, but she refrained.

"So what game are we playing now?" Jaina asked.

"From your tone, I suspect you've already guessed." She looked at her. "It's been two years. I've grown tolerant of you. The rest of the world needs to think we've come to like each other."

"Everything you do is so calculated," Jaina observed. "Just once, I'd like to see you be spontaneous. Free."

Sylvanas stiffened, but did not stop walking. Her fingers dug into Jaina's side as her wife gave her a smug smile. "I am free."

"Are you?" Jaina stepped in front of Sylvanas, looping her arms around her neck. "Are you really that free, Windrunner? Or are you trapped and held captive by expectation and regret?"

"Perhaps we both are." Sylvanas leaned in until she could taste Jaina's breath. It warmed her skin like the sun, and her lips were inviting. Sylvanas stopped, waiting expectantly. "Is that a worse fate than being wedded to me, I wonder."

Jaina let go of her, stepping back, throat bobbing and face flushed. Sylvanas simply held her arm out and waited as Jaina composed herself. She waited as Jaina stared at her, too, and finally took her arm.

"Sometimes, I really hate you," Jaina said.

"Only sometimes?" Sylvanas smiled. "My dear, I call that progress."