"You need a shower," Jaina told Kalec.
Kalec growled. "You smell like horses. You do too."
"Leaving. Now," Anduin said and the shoving in Jaina's peripheral vision grew a bit more frantic.
Varian laughed and let himself be pushed. "An hour?" he called jovially over his shoulder.
"At least," Kalec called back before Jaina could speak up, his luminous eyes never leaving hers, the growling edge of his voice making her aware of how close they were and how relatively undressed he was. It was hot outside. Or maybe it was her coat.
"Going!" Anduin said, true panic entering his tone.
Kalec's grin was half feral leer as he straightened. He took her arm like a gentleman and escorted her away. If their pace was quick, well, they only had an hour.
When they reached their rooms, Kalec held the door open for her. Jaina could feel the weight of his gaze on her as she walked by. He closed the door behind her, locked it, then followed closely. He cupped her face in his hands when she turned back to him.
"Hi." He leaned in and kissed her, the kiss as fervent as his hands were gentle.
"Hi," she said after, somewhat breathless. She laughed as he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom of their suite.
Kalec set her down then walked her back against the wall, chasing after her with small kisses and nips. The muscles under her hands flexed. His light kisses grew longer and more hungry, hands parting the long coat so he could attack the clasp of her pants.
The ties proved too complicated and Kalec began growling in frustration. Jaina laughed, head falling back against the wall. He gave up on her pants and held her hips, silencing her laugh with a long searing kiss that left her dizzy. He banished her boots, pants and then the shirt and under garments. The clothing landed on the nearby chair in a rustle. He'd left her the coat. The soft suede exterior layers were lined with satin and they felt odd against her bare skin. Not bad, but just different.
"Kalec!" she leaned back, eyes wide.
His fingers skimmed up and down her sides as he nibbled at her jaw. "Does the coat hurt your back?"
"No-"
"Good," he said, the word lost in a rising growl. He cupped her breasts through the fabric of her coat, the soft lining rubbing pleasantly. The long fur lining of her coat brushed her ankles and slid over the bare curve of her rear. "I like this coat."
Jaina laughed, the sound now throaty, a match for his growl. "Don't I smell like horses?" She felt the tingle of magic as he cast a spell. It ran over her body from top to bottom, leaving her skin tingling as it passed.
He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close. The hard heat of his interest pressed against her belly. "Now you don't."
"You're still sweaty."
He bent his head and nuzzled the side of her face. "You're going to be, too," he warned. Another flash of magic and his pants and boots were gone, his hard length pressed against her.
Jaina made a pleased sound as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and shifted her hips against his. She laughed as he lifted her again and carried her with him. He climbed onto the bed and settled with her in his lap. "Oh?" She arched an eyebrow at him.
"Unless you're too saddle sore?" He kissed under her ear. "I promise a much nicer ride."
She rocked her hips, sliding against her sex against the base of his member. "I suppose you've left me somewhat appropriately dressed." Her coat had fanned out behind her, draping over his legs.
Their lips met in hungry kisses. Her fingers went into his hair and ran over the planes of his back. Kalec's hands were not idle, running over her body, smoothing the satin of the coat against her skin then dipping his fingers inside to run over her skin. His fingers slipped downwards between their bodies, between her legs. She gasp as he rubbed over the hooded bundle of nerves. Kalec chuckled, voice dark and smugly male as her felt her arousal and spread it around.
"You promised me a ride." She leaned in and nipped at his ear.
He responded with a deep, reverberating warning growl then lifted her and pulled her down onto him. He grunted in male pleasure as she slowly sank to the hilt, their hips meeting, his lovely eyes closing for a moment.
"You liked watching me fight," he accused as she began to ride him, a slow rock of hips, her hands on his shoulders.
"I liked watching you move half naked," she corrected, nipping his jaw. She grinned when he reacted to the nip, hands flexing on her, a small snort escaping. "The potential for you two to hurt one another I liked less." She nipped him again earning another little grunt. "But yes, I did like watching you."
"Mmmm, and any part in particular?" he asked, the fingers of one hand lazily making circles on her clit while the other roamed over her body.
She reached down and encouraged his hands to move a little faster. "The pants were very nice. You have a nice ass."
"Do I?" he asked, taking her direction. His other hand groped a breast through the suede and satin of the coat. True to his word, she was beginning to feel overheated.
"Yes." He got a little grunt out of her when he thrust up harder, lifting her with the force. "I like your back too. Reminds me of your wingspan."
"Mmm," he nibbled at her throat. "I do have an impressive wingspan."
Jaina laughed, the sound turning into a sigh as his fingers went faster on her. She closed her eyes, head falling back as she rode his lap. He kissed her throat. "No offense to Anduin but this is far more fun."
He pulled her hips down onto his and grinned. "Good." Then he rolled her onto her back in a surprising move. He caught her in another searing kiss, arms braced on either side of her as he rolled his hips in a smooth, powerful thrust.
Jaina gasped against his lips, hands going to clutch his shoulders. His hips crashed into hers at a steady cadence. Kalec lifted one of her legs over a shoulder and Jaina writhed against the bed, one hand moving to touch herself, the other hand gripping his wrist. He leaned forward changing how he was hitting her and went faster. Needy little whines escaped from her lips, each one stuttering as his hips impacted hers. She shattered suddenly, toes curling, hands fisting the covers, back arching. Encouraged further, Kalec continued his relentless assault, eyes watching her come apart and writhe under him, her shivering pleasure drawn out.
Breathless, Jaina panted under her lover, watching him watch her. She felt her cheeks heat, her racing heart doing a few little fluttering flips. The way he watched her when they were together like this was intense. She dropped her eyes briefly, blush deepening. Jaina worried her lower lip with her teeth as little aftershocks warred with the fluttery feelings in her chest. She watched him through lowered lashes and licked her lips.
Kalec swooped down and claimed her mouth with his own, his speed slowing as he lost momentum. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders. She tucked her face against his neck and bit his jaw. He growled, the low, sexy, interested sound. Jaina giggled; pressed against the bedding like this, she could feel the sound through her whole body.
She yelped when he suddenly banished the coat exposing her heated skin to the relative chill of the room. Jaina squealed when he bit down on the exposed flesh of her shoulder. He kissed the bite and turned his face to her neck, his hips moving faster, the sounds he made more desperately seeking release. She ran her hands over his sides and his back, enjoying the play and flex of his muscles as her lover slid from 'lovemaking' into something which could easily be called "fucking". She chuckled at her own inner thoughts and nipped at his ear and jaw.
Kalec's entire body tense as he came inside her, his bellow muted somewhat by her shoulder and the bedding. He jerked against her, fingers digging into her back and hip. She sighed under him and could feel the rapid beating of his heart in her chest and in the thick member still buried inside of her. Her own heart was still slowing but the sated, lazy afterglow was sinking in. Nuzzling and kissing they bits of him in easy reach she drew lazy, gentle fingers over his back as she unhooked her legs from his waist. Her wandering hands made it down to that wonderful rear and she sighed as she shamelessly ran her hands over it. Her lover had collapsed atop her, completely spent. Content, Jaina sighed deeply.
"Now we're both sweaty," she said when she found the ability to talk.
Kalec's lazy laughter made the base of her spine tingle and her heart flutter. He slipped out of her and rolled so he wasn't crushing her so terribly. "Mmmmmmm," was his only reply, still too far gone for words. She'd done that to him. Smiling, Jaina kissed his chest then his jaw.
"How'd you end up down there anyway?" she asked.
Kalec curled around her with a contented sigh and kissed her brow. "I heard Broll and him sparring," he answered. "I was curious and went to go watch. Varian invited me down to join them." His arms tightened around her briefly before he relaxed into the bed again. "Thought it would be rude to decline. We got around to swords eventually. It was fun."
"I haven't seen too many mages wield one sword as you did, and you used two. Usually they just enchant weapons to be a full mirror or do their own thing. You were guiding these." She nipped his jaw. "That was very impressive spellwork."
"Mmm. Now I know how to get you hot and bothered; use a new spell."
She nipped him harder. "Like that doesn't work on you."
"Fair," he allowed with a laugh. He breathed in and sighed out, rumbling a bit. "Think Varian would be annoyed if we were a bit late for lunch?" He squeezed his arms around her. "This is nice."
"Very," she agreed. "We're both a bit sticky now, though."
She could feel the shape of his grin against her forehead. Jaina snorted a laugh. "You're smiling," she accused.
"I made you sticky," he said without an ounce of remorse. He shifted down so his face was by her neck. Kalec inhaled and sighed out. "You smell of us. I like it."
Jaina rolled her eyes. "M'not going to lunch reeking of sweat and sex."
"You want first shower?" He asked. "I go with you I can assure you we'll be late for lunch." He rose up on one arm then leaned down to kiss her firmly. "You're that irresistible, beloved."
She looked away, cheeks blazing, but she couldn't stop the smile.
"I love making you smile," he murmured, caressing her cheek, gently getting her to look back at him.
Jaina reached up to touch his. He nuzzled against the palm of her hand before resting his cheek against it. "Love you," she said. "Glad we're here. Grateful I got help. Thankful you stayed."
"Hey," he leaned in and kissed her nose. "You're strong, but we all need help."
She sighed, content, and nodded. He was right. She pushed at his chest. "I'm going to shower before there's more of a wet spot on the bed." He flopped on to the bed beside her, arms and legs akimbo, utterly spent. She patted his hand. "I'll wake you when I'm done."
Kalec woke early. Dawn was creeping through the drapes. He enjoyed sleeping in, but his mate was an early riser. He supposed they had gone to bed early the night before, though they'd not slept. Their encounter earlier in the day had been fun, but quiet cuddling and discussion on the couch had led to another. Jaina was not yet awake. Kalec smiled to himself. He'd apparently worn her out enough she slept in.
There was something very nice about waking up and having no plans beyond spending time together. He yawned and stretched then curled around his mate. She murmured sleepily and woke.
"Morning."
He kissed her shoulder. "I didn't mean to wake you. It's still early."
She hummed sleepily. "I should get up." She yawned. "Shower." She sat up, inviting chilly air into their nice warm bed for a moment. She flipped the covers back over him and kissed his nose. "You can sleep in."
She turned and headed for the bathroom, shedding her nightgown as she went. The bold lines on her back stood out against her pale skin in the thin light. The movements were not enticing. There was little elegant about the way she walked towards the shower, still half-asleep. He loved her all the more for her sleepy charm.
By breakfast they'd both showered and were far more awake and making plans for the day. There was a knock at the door.
"Enter," Jaina said.
A member of Varian's staff came in holding a sealed scroll. "A letter has come for Lord Kalecgos," the young man said. He bowed and held the letter out to Kalec.
Frowning, Kalec took it. "Thank you."
The page bobbed a bow again then left. Kalec glanced at the missive. It was sealed by a very tiny paw. Kalec sighed and opened the scroll.
"What is it?" Jaina asked.
"Wrathion has requested my presence to neutralize a magical threat," Kalec said.
"Vague."
"Yes," Kalec said, frowning. "He's not with Taylor."
Jaina looked up. "He's not?"
"No. According to this he is not. He will have someone meet me near the Lunarfall Garrison." He considered the missive. The request was polite - not a summons as he would have expected from Wrathion.
"Will you go?" Jaina asked. She looked concerned and perhaps a little annoyed.
Truthfully Kalec was a little annoyed by a disruption to the quiet peace of the holiday. He considered the question for a long while. The whelp had reached out again; this time apparently of his own volition. And he had a feeling...
"I will, but I'll go with Zaliya and I promise to return in a day."
"What if the situation requires that you to stay longer?"
"If it is so serious it takes more than a day, then it's probably serious enough we'll have to mobilize Lunarfall. I'll return either way." She'd gone very still, her expression the diplomatic mask she wore for others. Kalec's heart broke; she should not need to use such tactics with him. He reached out across the table and took her hand in his. "Jaina I have a feeling about this. Something is telling me I should go." He lifted her fingers to his lips. "I promise I will come back."
The calm mask slipped away. Her shoulders sagged. "I am being selfish. I just- Kalec when I went to draenor I almost died. Wrathion's motives are always suspect."
He held her hands in both of his. "I promise you, I will come back." He meant every word of that vow. As much as he felt he had a responsibility to a youth of his own kind, he belonged with her. Wrathion's schemes were not worth losing his life or his love.
Jaina nodded. She tugged on his hand. He crouched by her seat. She leaned down and kissed him, then let her forehead rest against his. "Please be careful."
"I will be, love."
"Go and get it over with. Come back soon."
He kissed her once more then rose. "I'll be back soon."
Jaina worried. Kalecgos was a very powerful and capable person who'd lived for thousands of years before she'd come along. He was taking Archmage Zaliya who'd risen to become one of the best combat mages in the Kirin Tor. He was going in eyes wide open. And still she worried. She buried herself in several papers she'd been meaning to read and eventually she lost herself in the calming logic of academia.
"Where's Kalec," Varian asked as they sat down to lunch.
"Draenor on a quick trip. He promised he'd be back soon."
Varian nodded to himself. "The black whelp?"
Jaina nodded. "He's going with Commander Zaliya. It's silly for me to be worried."
"You love him. It's not silly at all. Is there anything that could threaten a full grown dragon?"
Jaina bit her lip. "Probably. It's a very wild place," she said, thinking of her own near-death experience.
"I'm sure he can handle himself."
Sighing, resigned, Jaina ate her lunch and tried to put her mind on other things. "Where is Anduin?" She wondered if he was doing who knows what and getting into trouble.
"The Cathedral," Varian said. "He has training and this time of year there is always more to do."
"He's become an impressive healer."
Varian smiled, but his reply was interrupted by the arrival of one of his staff who was accompanied by a young apprentice mage. Varian gestured them into the room.
"Archmage, I believe this might be for you," Varian said.
The apprentice bobbed a bow to the king then handed Jaina a sealed missive. "This came to the Citadel for you. Archmage Modera said you wished to have such letters sent to you here."
"Thank you," Jaina said, dismissing the mage. The young man bobbed another set of bows then left.
The letter was sealed with Genn Greymane's mark.
"Ah, and now the wolf howls." Varian snorted and sipped his beer.
Jaina gave him a sour look and read the letter. She could almost heard Greymane's execrations as she read. To say that he strongly denounced the Kirin Tor and their actions was an understatement. Jaina bit her lip as she read further.
"He is no longer going to support the Kirin Tor," Jaina said.
"His declarations have little in the way of teeth," Varian pointed out. "It's cold to say so but it is fact. I empathize with Genn, there was a time when I was homeless, but I recovered my home by sticking with my allies."
"Apparently," Jaina said, tossing the closed missive to the table, "Allowing the Horde back into Dalaran means i am no true ally of his." Jaina glared at her plate. She'd lost her appetite.
"Jaina," Varian ventured, but seemed at a loss for words. His brow furrowed and he fell silent.
"Did you get such a letter?"
"I did," Varian admitted. "The day after the ball. I was surprised he waited so long." Varian snorted. "He'll get over it."
Jaina scowled. "Varian-" she was interrupted again by a sudden bow-wave of arcane power and the shrill feeling of an arcane alarm. Head whipping around she looked for the source of the disturbance.
"Jaina?"
"Someone just teleported close by. Tripped some of the Keep's wards."
"I don't hear the alarms," Varian said, rising.
The guards opened the door and Kalec entered. He looked grim. Unharmed, but something had happened.
"Kalec! What's wrong?" Jaina asked.
Kalec held out a rolled up and sealed scroll to Varian. It bore Zaliya's mark. "Your grace, I regret to be the bearer of bad news." He stood with Jaina, an arm around her waist. She looked up to him for explanation but his eyes were on the king.
Varian took the scroll, broke the seal and read, expression becoming stony, eyes hooded. He bowed his head when he reached the end of the letter. "Tell me."
"Zaliya and I arrived at the appointed location to meet with Wrathion. His mage was suffering from a curse put on her by Ephial, the mage in Taylor's garrison. She held a barrier against him while the others escaped. Wrathion's people could not remove it and she'd been suffering as they relocated." He drew in a breath and let it out. "We convinced him to let us take her to Lunarfall where she now recovers. Zaliya and I then took a small team to investigate Taylor's garrison. As it says in the letter, they're gone."
Jaina stifled a small gasp. Gone?
"From what we were able to piece together, while Taylor was away, Ephial staged a coup. Wrathion and his companions left under fire with several injured and a few casualties. When Taylor returned a few days later, Ephial, who had learned necromancy raised the fallen as ghouls. Taylor and his people were lost in the fighting. Zaliya and I dispatched Ephial. Her people are laying the dead to rest."
"Damn." Varian set his hands on the table. "And Wrathion's part?"
"In this case he was as much a bystander as the others. Ephial was part of Taylor's roster well before Wrathion showed up."
"He's been on campaign with Taylor before," Varian said. He nodded once. "Thank you for bringing me this information so quickly. If you'll excuse me, the Commander has requested some additional support." He sighed. "And then I'll need to inform the families." Varian swept from the room, head high, shoulders straight as he attacked this newest problem.
Jaina turned to Kalec. "Are you okay?"
"I am. Between Zaliya, her forces and myself, Ephial and his risen ghouls stood no chance. I am glad I went. I was able to help her defeat him soundly and quickly."
"Why?"
Kalec held his hands to either side, expression anguished. "No idea! He ranted about a 'Dark One' who promised him power. Zaliya's suspicion is Ner'zhul or possibly Gul'dan.."
"Ner'zhul would make sense if he was using necromancy. He was slain but..." Jaina shivered. "That hasn't stopped him before."
Kalec set his hands on her shoulders. "Which is why Zaliya is taking precautions. She wanted me to let you know she's contacted both Khadgar and the Frostwall garrison commander. If he shows up in any form, they'll be ready."
New of the fate of Taylor's garrison added a somber air to the Keep. Taylor had been a soldier and such things could be expected in the line of duty, but betrayal from within stung. The matter had been resolved however and there was little to do but mourn the dead.
A ceremony was held in the cathedral. Anduin had requested to conduct the service as he had known the Admiral and liked the man. Jaina and Kalec has attended, sitting in silent support of Anduin and to honor the fallen. The Lunarfall garrison found itself with extra supplies and volunteers despite the holiday season.
The rest of the city continued with their holiday cheer, mostly unaware or unaffected by the events in Draenor. Jaina wondered if that was a sign that collaborative efforts in a time and place not their own would never bear fruit.
But then a message arrived, via Khadgar, who'd conveyed it to Zaliya, who made the trip to personally hand it to Varian and verify the contents.
"Mage
The Admiral was a fine warrior. Tonight we drink to his spirit. We've been scouting around Shattrath and believe an assault would liberate the city and crush the Iron Horde base present there. Send word with Khadgar if this sounds like fun.
-T"
Varian passed the letter to Jaina who then passed it to Anduin.
"T?" Varian questioned.
"The leader of the Horde garrison," Zaliya supplied. "I plan on seeing what she has to say. Victory in Shattrath would not only severely disrupt Blackhand's command, but would be a moral victory for our Draenei allies. With the loss of their prophet they could use one."
Varian nodded. "I agree. See what they have to say."
Zaliya nodded. Her sharp teeth showed in a fierce grin. It softened. "There is something else. Taylor."
"What of him?" Varian asked.
Zaliya's teeth flashed in another quick smile. "Turns out he's the sort that doesn't stop being a soldier in death. His spirit now resides in my garrison, determined to help."
Varian's eyebrows were not the only ones to leap upwards.
"It's odd. But I have some experience with spirits," she said, glancing at Kalec. "We're trying to make it work. He requests reassignment to my command so he can, in his words, 'help however he can before he finally retires.' "
Varian chuckled. "I'll draw the order myself."
Despite the sadness and tragedy of Taylor and his people, it seemed some good was being done in Draenor. Both Jaina and Varian, and the Council once Jaina had informed them, had seen the Horde offer as an opportunity. Anduin, though saddened by Taylor's death, was gladdened by news that his spirit was intact and that the Horde was being so civil.
But the assault on Shattrath would not happen before the holiday season ended, and so attention turned back to the season.
Jaina and Kalec went window shopping in Stormwind. It turned into buying some new furniture for their parlor and a housewarming gift for the Sparkshines. Jaina showed Kalec her favorite sweets shops. They were still debating which one was on par with Jaxi Sparkshine's baking when they reached the Keep. Varian helpfully suggested that more be acquired for a taste test and Anduin and Kalec agreed. Jaina sighed for show and volunteered to go to Dalaran.
"Jaina!" Jaxi greeted when Jaina arrived early in the morning. She hurried around the counter to give her a hug. "You didn't need to get us anything!"
"I wanted to," Jaina said, returning the hug. "The couch works I hope? Not too tall?"
"It's perfect and I love the blankets!"
"The wind can get a bit high in the winter," Jaina said. "I understand the first housing should be ready after the holiday."
"We were offered a room at the Inn, but we didn't want to move twice and our new tenants are wrapping up their business obligations in Orgrimmar so no need to rush!" Jaxi said cheerfully as she retreated behind the counter to finish putting together Jaina's order. She leaned over the box with a sharklike grin. "Kalec's note mentioned that I'm in competition?"
Jaina laughed. "Nothing large or fancy. I think Kalec and Anduin just wanted an excuse to eat sweets."
"Be that as it may, I have added a few extras to your order." She winked. "I'll not lose to some baker in Stormwind!"
And though Anduin and Kalec did bring back a massive sampling of sweets and pastries from all over Stormwind, Jaxi did not lose.
During the course of their sojourn, Anduin became aware that Kalec hadn't really participated in a snowball fight as he knew them. The prince hadn't participated in too many either, but he wasn't about to let that stop him. Jaina privately believed that deep down it was just an excuse. Anduin had been dealing with many adult thoughts and concerns. What harm was there in allowing him to have a bit of childish fun and what was to be gained by pointing it out to him?
The next day while Anduin instructed Kalec in the "proper way human younglings celebrated the season", all with very tongue in cheek formality, Jaina went to Ironforge.
She spent a couple hours going over her commissioned necklace in detail. She found everything in order after the first check, but this was the sort of thing one didn't leave to chance. After a second fine examination, Jaina thanked the artisan and returned to Stormwind.
On the eve of winterveil proper Jaina and Kalec donned warm cloaks and ventured into the city. The heavy wind and snow had let up earlier in the day leaving a thick coat of white over the city. Fat flakes continued to fall from the sky, catching the light from fires and candles before they landed.
Restaurants were open late and catered to holiday parties. Holiday cheer could be heard from the homes in the residential areas and small community block parties dominated some streets, their light and music spilling onto the cleared cobblestones. The largest gathering was in the Cathedral district.
The streets were largely blocked to mounted traffic in the cathedral district where most of those who were headed outside were to be found. Small stalls and carts selling hot mulled cider and wassail, cookies and other treats had been set up. The air smelled of snow melting on wool, cinnamon, pine and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. The ground had been cleared of most of the snow, the resulting piles now even higher than before. Children crawled over these mountains, carving castle keeps or improving on creations and fortifications created earlier in the holiday season.
As was tradition in Stormwind, the college of mages had contributed with the creation of ice sculptures. Many were large and depicted epic scenes of valor such as the massive sculpture showing Varian fighting Onyxia. The king was larger and the dragon was smaller than in real life, but an ingenious combination of spellwork allowed the ice sculpture to breath fire and refreeze itself. Relaxed, but alert, guards on double overtime were on hand to make sure that awed citizens didn't accidentally become burn victims.
Some sculptures were more whimsical such as the carved statue depicting a scene from a children's folk tale. A few were abstract creations of art with floating components and subtly shifting colors.
There was also a memorial. Ice depicting great heroes of the Alliance were caved in heroic poses. This year had a late addition; the base of Admiral Taylor's statue was covered in flowers, small sailor's knots in rope, and offerings of good drink.
Small groups of carolers wandered around taking donations for various city charities. Their music wove in and out of the sound of the small mingling crowd as they wandered around the square.
Jaina had pulled her hood up and tucked herself in close to Kalec. The artistry of the local mages in both design and the underlying spellwork was actually fascinating. Having something featured at this festival was considered a point of pride among the senior mages and Jaina enjoyed seeing their craft used like this.
More entertaining was watching Kalec's reactions. Needing to take everything in he looked all around, eyes wide with a soft smile. Jaina thought he looked very much like some of the children who were seeing this all for the first time. She hugged his arm.
"Hmm?" he asked, looking down at her.
"Nothing," she said, smiling up at him. "This was good. This has been good." She looked around before returning to him. "I think I needed to see something like this and I am grateful I can with you."
The night was alive and bustling. The children, most up well past their bedtimes, were excited and racing around. The food was good and the cheerful holiday spirit was... just... pleasant. She sighed and rested her head against his arm as they continued their circuit around the square.
The bells in the great cathedral tolled and hour until midnight. Some of the vendors and children alike were packed up and taken home. The festival party air began to break up as some people drifted towards home and bed before excited little ones woke up at the crack of dawn to see what greatfather Winter had left for them. Jaina and Kalec joined the stream of people heading towards the Cathedral.
They settled into some seats at the end of a pew at the front. Varian was already lounging in a seat in the front pew. Fingers laced across his chest, head tilted towards the high vaulted ceiling, thumb tapping in time with the music playing. Anduin had been among the priests in training, but the young men and women were released from their duties and filtered back into the crowd. Anduin took a seat beside his father. Varian cracked open one eye, smiled a bit more, then resumed his quiet lounge.
The last time Jaina had attended something resembling a formal service here, it had been a remembrance for those lost in fighting the Scourge. She'd hidden in the back, ashamed of her association with Arthas. This year she settled into the pew with Varian on the arm of someone she'd come to love very much. She leaned against Kalec and sighed.
There was a quiet service of thanksgiving and remembrance which Jaina felt more than she had in a long while. But she was far less interested in the sermon than she was in the music. Stomwind Cathedral's acoustics were wonderful and their choir unsurprisingly one of the best in the Kingdom.
Dragons were oddly musical, she'd noticed. When the tree had been grown in Theramore, the dragons had sung through the magic. When she'd been in Aszuna there had always been someone humming or trilling or singing something. Kalec comforted her with soft songs. He had a marvelous voice.
Kalec's curiosity and slight anxiousness had come and gone all evening as he forgot he was nervous. In this unusual and less familiar setting he'd taken to looking all over again, trying to take it all in and judge how he should act. Jaina settled him by straightening his coat and the fabric of his shirt. As she'd anticipated, once the music had begun he'd been captivated. Soon he was very softly humming along or adding in a fine tenor counterpoint. Jaina closed her eyes and listened.
As was typical, the congregation took part in the final few songs of the night. There were books with the lyrics and music written out, but he hardly needed the score to follow along. The traditional closure for the season was for candles to be passed out among those gathered and the lights of the cathedral extinguished. The priests, and this year it included Anduin, would light candles from the single remaining light and and go among the crowd lighting the candles of others. Then the light would spread, one candle igniting another until the nearly pitch black cathedral was illuminated by the tiny lights of each individual.
Jaina hated the ritual the previous year and had fled before the light had reached her. Each candle lit like a small star had reminded her of someone she'd lost - lights suddenly and unjustly extinguished before their time.
This year, as they had in times before, they gave her hope. Sparks could spread. One small thing could have lasting repercussions. The gathering left the cathedral, carrying their lights into the darkness where they would light more candles once they reached home.
The staff had set large candles by the windows. As they approached the keep she saw a few being lit. They bade goodnight to their hosts and retired to their rooms. Jaina lit the candles in their windows and sighed. Snow had begun to fall again on the way home promising a fresh layer come morning. The castle was quiet with a sleepy peace. Jaina shed her coat and hung it by the door. She went to Kalec, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head against his chest. The low fire crackled in the fireplace and outside the wind rose and fell.
"Feeling okay?" he asked. He stroked a hand over the back of her head and down her hair.
"Yes," she said, smiling. "I'm not unhappy, I'm just... thinking." She squeezed her arms around his waist. "Nothing bad," she said. "There's just a lot on my mind."
He began to sway with her. "Could I help?"
She went along with the slow, close movement. "You are. I had no idea I would be here a year ago. I didn't... Have you been on the sea when a storm is approaching? The clouds are opaque and dark and you can't see much beyond them."
"Mmmhm."
"The future felt like that a lot. There were brighter bits when it looked like those clouds might break up. Spending time with you. Making progress in Dalaran. And then the dark seemed endless." She rubbed her face against his chest as they swayed. "But I'm on the other side." She smiled up at him.
He leaned down to kiss her. "Thank you for giving me someplace to belong again."
"You'd have found something."
"Maybe. I like where I ended up though."
"It will be a week I got my back done, tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to ask Anduin to heal it. Think it would been too early to go out the day after?"
His expression lit up but he tempered it. "Do you think that you are ready? Anything else you want to set up or test beforehand?"
"Nothing I can think of," she said. "I already ran some charged through the necklace component."
"You did?" he asked, a smile creeping out again. "Can I see?"
"I did when you were in Draenor," she said. She took his hand and led him towards the dresser in the bedroom. "Thought I might wear it tomorrow." She opened the wardrobe and took out the box, setting it on the little vanity. The intricate gold necklace and cut leycrystal glittered in the soft candlelight. She lifted it and held it up to him. "Help me put it on?"
He grinned and took it from her. Jaina turned and lifted her hair. Kalec settled the necklace and secured the locking mechanism in the back. His hands brushed over her shoulders then down her arms. Jaina let her hair down. The metal warmed to her skin almost instantly. She could feel the latent buzz of power within the working. She had already begun to charge the leycrystal and it hummed pleasantly. Jaina examined the piece in the mirror of the vanity. She thought it looked perhaps a bit ornate than her usual tastes, but there was something fascinating about the layers of filigree lines and circles. The gold was warm against the pale chill of her hair, bringing out the remaining lock of gold.
He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I think it turned out well," he said. He kissed her other cheek and she laughed a little. "If anyone could figure something like this out it would be you."
She reached up to caress his cheek and pull him down to another kiss. "I had some help and good motivation. Think we can go flying day after tomorrow?"
He kissed her again. "If you can walk without tripping over your wings or tail, we can talk about take offs," he said, laughing. "But I would love to start."
Jaina grinned. She couldn't wait.