Chapter 18 – Floating
It was like she was floating in a foreign reality, one that was unknown to her. She had not spoken a word since they returned to Dalaran. The world passed by and she sat still. She was filled with nothing but emptiness. It had been two weeks since she had seen her lover ride away from a war that cost Varian Wrynn his life. Like a true coward, Jaina thought as her mind uncontrollably steered her emotions. First Kalecgos and now Varian. The two men in this world who had truly loved her. Both gone. The Banshee Queen was nothing but a dark, evil, backstabbing liar. How could she just leave Varian like that? Jaina had trusted her with her life and convinced the Alliance that co-operating with the Horde was the best option. She had been let down, thus let down the Alliance. She felt naïve and stupid that she had believed every word Sylvanas Windrunner had told her. The Dark Lady's voice lingered in her as she could almost hear Sylvanas whisper in her ear: "Dalah' surfal"... My love in Thalassian. Used to address the most precious person in one's life. It had meant nothing. All Sylvanas had wanted was to use Jaina for her own gains. She had even achieved getting the king of Stormwind and the leader of the Alliance killed by involving herself with Jaina. It was probably the forsaken Lady's goal all along. Jaina should have listened to Varian while she still had the chance. He had loved her and all he wanted was Jaina's safety. But she had been blinded by her love for Sylvanas and now she paid the price for that. Jaina sat on a chair in her room and stared bluntly into the wall.
A voice appeared outside her door. "Jaina. There is a meeting, I think you would like to attend". Jaina did not reply Khadgar but silently followed him out. It was a rushed meeting as the Kirin Tor members was simply gathered in a circle outside. Archmage Khadgar looked at Jaina whose expression was unfocused and she stared into thin air. He cleared his throat as he unfolded a scroll that just arrived with a raven. "There has been some developments on the Horde's side of things. A letter has come from Orgrimmar. From the Warchief…" Several of the Kirin Tor started whispering how Vol'jin had the audacity to contact them after the Horde bailed on them at the Broken Shore. Khadgar raised his voice as he read the words in the scroll. "Silence! It is not from Vol'jin!" He looked at the Kirin Tor member's confused faces. "He… is dead… They lost Vol'jin as a result of his fatal wounds at the Broken Shore. The Horde has a new Warchief now". Khadgar looked at Jaina specifically who still did not meet his eyes. "The letter is signed, Sylvanas Windrunner. Warchief of the Horde".
For the first time in two weeks Jaina's eyes widened and her nosed flared. Now fully focused, she swallowed as she felt all air disappear from her lungs and she suddenly had difficulties breathing by the sound of Sylvanas' name. Vereesa slammed her hands before her mouth and gasped. "My sister is the new Warchief?!" Jaina felt her best friend's words pierce her heart as she clenched her fists and bit her teeth together. The pain inside her grew quickly and she thought she was going to hyperventilate. Jaina spun around and ran. She ran to a room used for mage training which was now empty. She slammed the door behind her and let out a scream so loud that some of the glass jars on the shelves trembled. Angry tears streamed down her face as she frenziedly summoned frostbolts, fireballs and arcane missiles that wildly danced in the room. Her eyes lit up in an icy blue colour as rage flushed through her. She pulled out the amulet Sylvanas had given her before the battle at the Broken Shore. Jaina shook her head and threw it at the wall with great force. "I FUCKING HATE YOU SYLVANAS WINDRUNNER, I HATE YOU!"
She continued her outburst until Vereesa knocked on the door. "Jaina, please stop. I am coming in!" Without knowing whether her best friend would actually stop casting spells, she entered the room and wrapped her arms around her. "I've got you. I've got you okay". Jaina lost her ability to stand and slowly fell hulking to the floor as Vereesa supported her. Vereesa held her as she wept. "I am sure there is an explanation, my sister would never use you to get into power!" Jaina was too overpowered by her emotions to respond. Vereesa noticed the amulet on the floor, instantly recognizing its sapphire stone. "Alleria…" Vereesa whispered and grabbed the amulet, hiding it away in her pocket. Jaina did not notice through her tears and pain.
That night Vereesa stayed with Jaina until she cried herself to sleep. Vereesa had never seen her friend like this. She was used to strong, fearless Jaina. The Jaina that would let nothing get to her. However, her sister had managed to get deeply under the young mage's skin. Jaina had fallen for Sylvanas Windrunner, hard and uncontrollably. Vereesa stroked her best friend's head as she studied the amulet in her hands. She had one with a ruby stone and Alleria had one with an emerald. It was the last keepsake their sister had left them. For Sylvanas to give Jaina this, she must love her. Vereesa whispered: "She loves you dearly Jaina, you must know that". She put the amulet on Jaina's bedside table and left her to catch some sleep.
As soon as she heard the door go, Jaina quickly opened her eyes. She got up and got dressed. There were no tears left and her empty expression was replaced by a stone cold one. She wiped her face with soft cotton pads and revealing her flawless skin. She made herself look pretty. Jaina Proudmoore stared firmly at her own reflection in the mirror as pulled out a dagger from her dressing table and studied its blade. Without piercing her skin she let the blade rest in her palm, holding the handle tight. What a fine piece of work. Perfect for ending a life.
