Winterveil morning dawned cold and overcast, the wind and snow having picked up in the night. It was the perfect weather to huddle close together by the fire and sip hot cocoa. Jaina began to pull back the covers but thought better of it, and burrowed back down into the blankets. A warm arm slipped around her side and Kalec's hand slid up her side to cup her breast.

"Morning," she murmured

A cold nose pressed against her shoulder and she yelped. Kalec laughed and continued to put his face into the hollow of her neck and shoulder.

"Kalec!" She squirmed but his arms held her close. "Your nose is cold!"

"I know. I'm warming it up."

She squirmed and twisted, finally facing him. Kalec grinned, eyes sparkling. He buried his face in her bosom. Jaina absolutely did not squeal little a child. "Kalec!"

He laughed, rolling Jaina onto her back and pinning her arms. He continued to assault the valley between her breasts, nosing away the light shift she'd worn to bed.

"Kalec!"

"Hmm?" He rose up on his elbows.

"Don't 'Hmmm' me, love." She freed one hand and lightly 'booped' the end of his nose.

"Morning." He leaned in to kiss her.

"Morning," she said, settling into the bedding. She reached up to wind a lock of his hair around a finger. "It's a cold morning."

"Fire's low." He looked over his shoulder and gestured, levitating a few more logs into the fireplace and igniting them with another spell. He settled beside her. "So what do we do today?"

Jaina snuggled up against him, resting her head on his shoulder. "Brunch with Anduin and Varian." She yawned. "Gifts after that. And then?" She shrugged. "Whatever we wish to do. It's a relaxing time with family. I imagine Anduin will want to play a few games on on his new hearthstone board."

"Is this typical? What was it like when you were young?"

She breathed in then out with a long sigh. "When I was small my brother and I would rush out of bed and run to our parents. My father would make a show of getting up slowly and then insist we all go down together to see what Greatfather Winter had brought. But before that, he needed a shower. And Mother needed a shower. Derek and I would have to wait. Father would tell us we were lucky because he always had to wait until after breakfast when he was growing up." His fingers went into her hair. Jaina's eyes drifted closed. "When we were older, if the snow wasn't too bad the cousins would come visit. They came more often after my mother died. I think my aunt and uncle did it more for my father than for the children."

"The cousin who now rules? What's he like?"

"He's a good person," Jaina said. "He never expected to become Lord Admiral, but he's been doing well enough." He was far more male and less traitorous than she was.

"Hey," Kalec jostled her. "Would you be happier there?"

"No," Jaina admitted. "But part of me will always wish to go home and be welcomed."

Kalec sighed. "I can understand that. Selfishly I am happy you aren't there. I like having you here with me and in Dalaran where I might be useful. And where we might fly together."

She smiled.

"When do I give you my gift?"

Jaina looked up. "You got me something?"

"I made something."

Jaina rose up on her elbows, smiling. "You made something for me?"

He looked at her very seriously. "Yes. I was informed that the traditional gift is to take dried noodles, paste them onto paper in a shape depicting something from the holiday or a person, and then cover it with glitter and paint."

Jaina blinked. Horror warred with humor. It was at once an exceptionally innocent gift and also a bit... disappointing. She'd not expected him to get her anything and somehow arts and crafts noodle work was... worse. But he was so honest and earnest... should she hang it on her office wall? Would he be upset when he learned it was something children did? Would he be offended? Who'd told him? Modera? Anduin? What if it was pretty? What if it was hideous? He was taking this holiday very seriously and what if he was embarrassed?

Kalec snickered, his serious expression fading into impish giggles. "Gotcha."

She picked up one of the extra pillows and hit him in the face. "And here I thought I was going to have to comfort you when you were embarrassed or diffuse a political situation or- ohhh!" she hit him again.

He laughed, arms in front of his face. On the third swing he grabbed the pillow away and wrestled her back under him. Catching her hands he pinned her to the bedding then swooped in for a kiss. He rubbed his nose against hers. "Don't be mad. Anduin thought it would be funny."

Jaina rolled her eyes. "It was a little funny. Means I owe him a prank."

Kalec chuckled. He kissed her again then climbed out of bed and thoughtfully flipped the covers back so she was warm. The room was heating up though. Jaina watched his bare ass with great interest as he went to his travel case and retrieved a box. He hurried back to her and slid under the covers.

"Here."

The box was wooden, the top carved and inlaid with another contrasting wood in the shape of Theramore's sigil. "You made this?" she asked, fingers lightly brushing over the top.

"Not the box itself, though I did have it made. I hope you like it."

"I do. It's lovely." She sat up in bed and opened the box. Inside was a bracelet. The links of the chain were silver and small gems dangled from it. No, not gems. Finely cut leycrystals and small dragon scales. "Yours?" she asked touching one.

"A few of the very small ones," he admitted. "I hope you do not mind."

She smiled and shook her head. They were a very pretty color, the shades shifting subtly as the light hit them.

"There is an enchantment on it," he said, helping her to put the bracelet on. She could feel the power imbued in the gift as the clasp closed. "It's a protective ward. After we made Varian's gift I thought about how much trouble you've been getting into. I wanted to make something for you. I know you're quite good and with Modera's coaching you've only become better, but I wanted to help. Perhaps it's stupidly male of me but I don't like seeing you hurt."

Jaina touched the little scales. It looked like a charm bracelet. The protective magic was distinctly his signature. As with Varian's ward it was something extra to keep a loved one a little bit safer. She leaned up and kissed him. "I love it. I don't think it's stupid at all. Thank you."

Jaina's necklace joined her new bracelet as accessories for brunch. Normally she wouldn't wear any jewelry to a casual meal like this, however Kalec's gift was lovely and wearing the necklace would help it attune. She wore a very simple purple gown which was exceptionally comfy. Kalec wore a casual tunic and breeches, much like what he'd seen worn around the Keep. Varian met them at the door in something similar, Anduin not far behind.

They had leftover pastries from the competition as well as a selection of hot dishes prepared by the kitchens. Today the staff who resided in the castle would only bring up brunch and dinner and spend the rest of the time with their families.

Brunch was very pleasant if quiet. Jaina was feeling thoughtful and apparently Varian was as well. Anduin and Kalec provided most of the conversation, the pair happily chatting as Jaina sipped her tea and Varian finished a second helping of scrambled eggs with sausage.

Eventually though Varian pushed back his plate and refilled his coffee mug. Anduin's half of the conversation became distracted. The finishing of brunch and acquisition of more coffee was a sign to Anduin. Though he was much older, practically an adult, Jaina could almost see the excited little boy he'd once been.

"Shall we open some gifts?" Varian suggested.

Anduin grinned and rose to clear plates. Varian patted his shoulder and led the way from the cozy breakfast nook to the greatroom which had served as a focal point and living room by the Wrynns for generations. The high ceiling allowed a lot of cold winter light into the room and a massive fireplace warmed the space.

An exceptional tree had been set up in one corner. Though it was in the Royal Quarters and enchanted ornaments of very fine quality provided a soft twinkling glow, the branches were festooned with bright baubles and ornaments of often humbler origins. Small needlework designs showed their age in dulled thread and dates displaying Winter Veils from many years past - before Varian's birth. Others showed signs of careful repair - cracks mended and paint refurbished. Some showed the signs of fire damage - survivors of when Stormwind had been attacked and Varian driven from his home. A delicate ornament in a cut sheet of gold depicted a lion cub at play with the year of Anduin's birth. Little birds, some encrusted with jewels and some painted with a child's hand, perched in the branches. It was a family tree and if one looked closely, one could see it had been built with love and care by many generations. Like the Wrynns the keepsakes had survived and endured.

Jaina paused by the threshold as Anduin hurried forward to pull chairs into a cluster by the fire - and closer to the presents. Varian ambled down to the much-loved chair he preferred, hooked a foot under a nearby side table and pulled it over so he could set his coffee mug down.

Kalec paused with her, his inquisitive smile fading. He interposed himself between the Wrynns and her, shielding her. Jaina's grip on his hand got tighter. Her eyes stung.

"Love?" Kalec kept his voice low. His other hand touched her hip, brow furrowed.

Jaina shook her head. "A moment." She breathed in then let it stutter out. Her cheeks blazed.

Kalec wrapped his arms around her. Jaina rested her forehead against his shoulder.

"We had boats and sea birds in our tree," she said, pitching her wavering voice for Kalec alone. Derek and she had each added a ship to the tree with the year painted on the hull, every year until her second in Dalaran. Her last boat had a small enchantment which made the sail billow. It had been her second favorite and she'd managed to retrieve it and hung it on the branches in Theramore. She'd added a whole fleet while she'd been there. They were ash now.

Her favorite had been the ornament her mother had painted the year Jaina had been born. It was a beautiful, intricately carved tallship with canvas sails and a working steering wheel and rudder. The accents had been gilded in honor of her new daughter's hair. Jaina had left it in Boralus. It was likely long gone.

"Jaina?"

"I'll be fine," she said. She slipped her arms around Kalec's waist and squeezed him in a hug. "Will tell you later."

"Okay."

Jaina wiped her eyes. The bracelet jingled, the scales, gems and silver links clacking together. She smiled at the gift then up at Kalec. She took his hand and tugged him along behind her. "Since you're hosting, Varian, I think we should start with our gifts to you."

Kalec summoned their gifts, one large box and one small. Jaina took the smaller one and handed it to Varian. Kalec was left to hand the far larger and heavier box to Anduin. The pair settled onto the couch. Jaina toed off her slippers and tucked her feet under her, leaning against Kalec.

"Go ahead, Father," Anduin said.

"Alright then," Varian said, setting his coffee down. Instead of sliding the ribbon bound around the present, get meticulously began to untie it.

Anduin's fingers tapped.

Then Varian coiled it up and neatly set it aside. Using a careful finger he felt around the edge of the paper until he found the sealing strips.

Anduin sighed.

Varian gave his son a very innocent look and pulled out a small folding pocket knife. He slid the knife though every piece of the sealing tape. He slid the paper away from the box and then, looking at Anduin, neatly folded the decorative paper.

Anduin's head dropped. He groaned. Jaina giggled.

Chuckling, Varian opened the box. Inside was thickly braided leather band. In the center was a sparkling blue gemstone in a sturdy setting. He looked up at the two mages. "I imagine this is more than just a fashion statement?"

"We made a ward for you," Jaina said. "When activated it will absorb magical energy directed at you. Kinetic too, to some extent."

"I like that idea," Anduin said.

Jaina smiled at him. "And when triggered, all that absorbed energy can be directed outwards."

"Shalamayne is a fine conduit," Kalec said, smiling. "It won't hurt the blade but it will be another story for your enemies."

"And I like that idea," Varian said.

"It can only do it a few times before you'll need to get a mage to reset things. The spell structure collapses on repeated use but it should be easy enough for any mage to set it right again."

"The spellwork is on the gemstone itself," Kalec added. "The band is just to hold it for now. If your artisan is careful you could have it set it in armor."

Varian grinned. "Thank you. Both of you. This is a very fine gift."

"One last thing, Varian," Jaina spoke up, her voice sobering a little. "It can stop a multitude of smaller bows, but there is a limit to how much. When its protection is expended all at once, it will deploy a solid shield with the energy absorbed rather than allow you to strike back. It should give you some time to escape immediate danger." She smiled a little, "Gives me some peace of mind when I'm not there to watch your back."

The king's grin had faded into an equally sober expression as she spoke. He held held up the ward. "I mean no disrespect, but I would see you as well protected "

"Already covered," Kalec said, lifting the arm wearing his gift by her wrist and giving it a little shake. The enchanted scales jingled, the bright sound breaking the solemn air that had developed around them.

Varian eyed the bracelet, a small smile slowly appearing on his face, "Good man."

Anduin nodded empathetically in agreement.

Jaina's cheeks heat. "Why don't you open yours next, Anduin?" she said to change the focus away from her.

Anduin grinned and set to work tearing off the ribbon and ripping the paper apart. The viciousness with which he dispatched the wrappings in this way was startling. Confronted with the board's box made him pause, his grin widening further as he recognized the symbol and the subtle shimmer of magic.

"A new hearthstone board?"

"I know you have one, but this one's a bit special. "Set it on the table and touch the symbol in the center."

Anduin hurriedly shuffled off the shredded remains of ribbons and paper from his lap before leaning over and placing the box on the coffee table before him. He scooted his chair closer for easier reach, then gently touched the hearthstone symbol. The wooden piece began to turn clockwise before slowly raising into the air and disappearing in a glitter of arcane sparkles. The remaining lid sprung open, revealing a large playing field resembling the common board he already owned.

Then the terrain came to life. Miniature trees sprouted around the corners of the board, followed by a trollish looking ruin covered in vines on the upper right. The bottom right corner raised a tent and lit a small camp fire that popped merrily against the already roaring fire in the hearth nearby.

An outcrop of rocks appeared at the bottom left corner, followed by a gurgling sound that heralded a small spring bubbling up at the top. It overflowed and ran down to pool at the base of the stones, but miraculously didn't venture any farther than an inch or so from the stones themselves.

The final corner grew a stone monkey head with a shiny red gem in one of its eyes. A fallen log, and some leafy bushes that cast ominous looking shadows over the log. A pair of glowing eyes blinked up at him.

"It's interactive," Kalec added, "but the illusions are all non-lethal. So the fire will spark but won't hurt or set your cards on fire."

Anduin tapped at the bushes with the pair of eyes to see what was lurking there and was rewarded with an ominous growl.

"There are four different playing fields enchanted to the playing board for now," Kalec explained. "They'll appear at random, but if you'd like the option to choose them we can make that adjustment."

"For now?" Anduin asked. "You have more planned?"

"Maybe, if you behave yourself," Jaina answered. Her nephew gave her a sheepish grin, recalling their conversation the other day. Her point made, she continued to explain the features of this very custom board. "There are two drawers beneath the playing field. You can use one to store your built decks and the other can hold your loose collection."

Anduin grinned as he folded the playing field closed, pausing as he watched the centerpiece reappear and sink back down into place, then he opened one of the drawers. His enthusiasm came to a dead stop as he stared into the drawer, "Wait what?" He hopped off of his chair and knelt on the floor so his eyes were level with the drawer. Anduin used his fingers to measure the physical width of the outside of the drawer, not much more than an inch or so, then he stuck his hand inside the drawer.

It sank down almost all the way to his elbow, "How the-?"

"Fixed dimensional pocket," Kalec and Jaina said at the same time, cutting off whatever oath may have come from Anduin's mouth. They grinned at one another before Kalec took over, "We wanted to keep the box portable, so we enchanted the drawers with extra space to be bigger on the inside."

"This is incredible!" He smiled at the pair on the couch. "Thank you very much." His expression of genuine gratitude turned sly. "So when do we play?"

Jaina laughed, happy the gift seemed to please him so. He needed fun distractions from time to time.

"How about we give our gifts first," Varian suggested, lightly punching his son's shoulder. "Then you can beat all of us at cards."

"A fair point, though how can I possibly compete with a gift this fine?" Anduin said.

"It's not a competition," Jaina protested, laughing.

Varian snorted a laugh at her statement and Anduin feigned shock. "Of course it is," both father and son said at the same time.

"Don't listen to them," she said to Kalec.

"I don't know, it sounds like it could be fun if it's in good spirit," he said, batting innocent eyes at her.

Jaina made a disgusted sound and rolled her eyes. Anduin chuckled and went to the tree and picked up two brightly wrapped gifts. The heavier one went to Jaina and the larger box went to Kalec.

Jaina accepted Anduins gift and, feeling the weight and shape under the wrapping, a grin split her face. Anduin winked and sat back down. This gift was book shaped, and not just one, but many. Jaina got rid of the wrapping and grinned. Books. Gloriously lovely, wonderful books. She opened the first and found the pages blank! A journal! The second book was a novel - one of her favorites! And the next was one of the reference books she'd not yet replaced. They smelled wonderful.

Anduin, smiling impishly, reached behind his chair and hauled out an entire crate of books. The crate was unwrapped, displaying the contents for her to see, but a jolly red bow encircled the top. He pushed the crate over with a foot, still grinning.

"I seem to recall you liked books, Auntie." His smile got softer. "And I know you haven't been able to replace all of the ones you lost." He nodded at Kalec. "I had some insider information on which ones you might still be missing and I understand you haven't quite yet filled that nice new library you have."

"Thank you," Jaina said, looking up from reading the spines of her new books. She smiled and looked back at her gift, picking up one of the harder to get titles - a work by her own master. "This is- Thank you!" She opened the book.

Varian cleared his throat. "If Anduin has to wait so do you," He said eyes sparkling merrily with amusement.

Caught, Jaina giggled and closed the book and set it aside. She folded her hands in her lap and sat primly and watched while watching Kalec opened the box from Anduin. His eyes lit up as he pulled out perhaps a dozen bags of sweets with many more still in the box. At the bottom, however, was an exceptionally nice picture frame. Jaina could feel the was primed and ready to take some preservation spells, but there was no picture in it.

"And that rolls in to my gift to the two of you," Varian said. "At first I wasn't certain what to get either of you, but after some thought I settled on something I hope you'll like. I've arranged for the time and funding for you to sit together with my court portrait artist. You can pick the size of painting you'd like, I wasn't certain what would fit best in your new home."

"And there's time for him to do a portrait of just Jaina to go in that frame," Anduin chimed in, gesturing to his gift to Kalec.

A picture? Of the two of them? Another of just her? Jaina was surprised as it seemed oddly sentimental for Varian. She did not relish the idea of sitting for a portrait though. All that time, attention and effort just on her always made her uncomfortable. She'd hated sitting for pictures as a child.

"Thank you," Kalec said, the way he said it drawing Jaina's attention sharply. Her lover's face was always an open book and what she read was astonishment and gratitude. There was a slight tremor in his voice. "Thank you, Varian."

Varian nodded solemnly, his eyes hooded. Something passed between the two and Jaina wondered what she'd missed. What was so special about a portrait? She supposed it would be nice to have something of the two of them in the home they were building together. Pictures were mildly embarrassing though. Her mother had always pulled out the older ones...

And then Jaina thought of the gaudy locket her father had commissioned to memorialize her mother. So she would remember her. Her mother had pulled out the small portraits of her children to remember them as children.

Oh.

Oh.

Varian's seat was near a portrait on the wall. Small and well cared for, it showed him and his wife together not too many months before Anduin was to join the world - and not long before Tiffin left it.

Jaina's heart lept to her throat, beating like the wings of a frightened bird. Oh.

One day, Jaina would be gone. It was very likely Kalec would outlive her by scores of millennia. He would have his memories and whatever pictures had been made when she lived. He would find love again. He was too sweet, too talented and kind not to attract the notice of someone else and Jaina wished him happiness - she would be too dead to care. But Alexstrasza still loved, and mourned, her lost mates as did Ysera. Jaina sought Kalec's hand. He squeezed it tightly, as if he might be able to hang on to her longer. Jaina's eyes burned with unshed tears for the second time that morning.

"Thank you, Varian," Jaina managed to say.

Varian grunted, shaking off the solemn mood like a dog shedding water. He pointed at Kalec. "Eat your sweets." The finger moved to Jaina. "Read your book." And finally he pointed at Anduin, grinning. "Prepare to be utterly defeated at your card game."

Anduin made a rude, dubious sounding noise. Jaina murmured a dutiful, "Yes, your grace," and Kalec chuckled. The dragon pawed through his haul of sweets and found a bag of caramels which he offered around. Anduin opened the board again, this time it displayed a fanciful Stormwind decked out in holiday decorations. A festive griffon with a red hat on it's head squawked when he poked at it.

"Anduin?" Jaina said.

"Hmm?"

"Try not to wound Varian's great ego too badly when you utterly destroy him."

Anduin's laugh was very nearly a cackle. Varian sputtered into his coffee.

"I get next game," Kalec said. "Shouldn't be too long." He popped a caramel into his mouth.

"Bah! Traitors the lot of you," Varian said with an amused scowl.

Jaina laughed. "I think I'd like more tea," she said, rising. She returned to the little breakfast nook and attached kitchenette and began to re-heat the water with a spell. Kalec stepped into the room behind her, sniffing around for coffee.

"Hey," he slid his arm around her waist and kissed her temple.

"That was a very thoughtful gift," she murmured.

"It was," Kalec agreed. He kissed her again. "Are you okay?"

Jaina sighed. "I will be. All the little things I no longer possess hit me at odd times. Did you notice the decorations on the tree?" She poured her water into the teapot, over the basket of leaves.

"I did."

"A common human tradition is to make new ones to commemorate happy events. Births, marriages, milestones. Some go with the children as they disperse to their own new households. Mother brought some with her when she married my father."

"You took some when you went to Theramore," Kalec realized aloud.

Jaina nodded. She wiped her eyes. "I didn't- Last year is this grey fog of pain. Since we were coming here, I didn't see a need to set something up at home in Dalaran." She nodded back towards the Wrynn's tree. "Some of those decorations survived when the city was sacked. But mine-" she swallowed and set her tea down. One day these things wouldn't catch her off guard, wouldn't be so hard. "Mine are gone."

Kalec crooned and pulled her close. He kissed her brow then rested his forehead against hers. They stood for a long moment in the warmth, the smell of coffee, tea and eggs and sausage lingering in the air. The Wrynns were playfully threatening one another as the card game got underway in the other room. Jaina sighed and let herself simply be held and comforted.

"Hmm," Kalec mused aloud.

"What?"

"I was just thinking."

"Oh?"

"Maybe I should have made you some dried noodle art."

Jaina giggled.

"Animated macaroni golems, prowling through the branches. Majestic noodle wind serpents, lazily flying around," he suggested.

Jaina laughed harder. "Actually, we should do that next year, just to see the looks on people's faces."

Kalec grinned, stole a kiss then retrieved his coffee. He moseyed over to investigate the remains of their breakfast. Still chuckling, Jaina fixed her tea. She playfully swatted Kalec's backside as she went past, giving him a too innocent look when he yelped and whirled.

Returning to the great room she saw that Anduin was very handily beating his father. Varian looked up when she came in.

"Well that's a massacre in the making," Jaina said, slouching into the couch.

"Is not," Varian grumbled, studying his cards.

"Kalec, your turn's coming up soon," Jaina called over her shoulder.

"I am going to win and then he will face me," Varian insisted.

"There's another word for what is going on here," Jaina said, pausing to sip her tea. "Regicide." The rope appeared on the board and began to burn down. "Better hurry Varian."

Glaring at her, the expression lacking any heat, Varian finally played a mirror image card, causing two defending tank to appear on the board. The little figures were arcane mages in the regalia of the Kirin Tor Defenders, standing on little shield Icons. They popped arcane barriers in sync.

None of that mattered. Within two turns Anduin had decimated his father's defenses and remaining health.

Varian looked across the board at his son. He held out a hand and the two shook. "I will get you one of these days." He rose and cracked his neck and back. "I'm going to get more coffee and when you're done dragonslaying I'd like another go. Unless Jaina wants a turn."

Jaina laughed. "I am having a fine time watching him beat everyone right now." She and Anduin both laughed at Varian's back. Turning to Anduin, Jaina said, "If you have some time later today, would you be so kind as to help along the healing on my back?"

Anduin looked up from his cards in surprise. "Of course. I thought I couldn't."

"Only for the first week," she said. "It has to be able to retain and manipulate magic so I couldn't apply any magical forces until today." She rolled her shoulders. "It's become very itchy and I wouldn't mind getting the healing part over with."

Anduin nodded. "Of course. I won't even make you play Hearthstone for my assistance," he said, winking.

Jaina rolled her eyes. "Cheeky."

"I learned from the best," he said, giving her a flourishing bow from his seat.

The rest of the day was spent playing games. Kalec and Jaina each managed to beat Anduin once before dinner. Varian had won against Jaina and Kalec as much as he'd lost. However he had been soundly beaten by his son at every turn. Jaina did not think Varian minded.

"This has been a lovely visit. Thank you, Varian," Jaina said as she pushed back the now empty plate. They'd finished dinner with pieces of truly decadent chocolate cake.

"You are quite welcome."

"What are you plans for the rest of your holiday, Aunt Jaina?"

"There is a spell I have been working on. My plan was to go out tomorrow to test it. We might actually be gone overnight."

"Well you are welcome back here. Just don't blow yourselves up please," Varian said.

Anduin chuckled until he realized his father wasn't joking. He cleared his throat. "Yes. Please don't get hurt."

"I appreciate the concern and will do my best not to blow myself up," Jaina said.

"And I'll be around to help," Kalec said.

Anduin shook his head, bemused.

They sat around the table, sipping their drinks of choice. Anduin had another helping of cake and Kalec had one as well so the young prince wasn't eating alone. Jaina's attention drifted from the conversation at hand to the spell she wished to do. The one she would do tomorrow. She was staring at another large change and suddenly the rich cake wasn't sitting well. She was nervous and excited, she decided. She found Kalec's hand and scooted her chair over to rest her head on his shoulder.

Eventually the hour chimed. Jaina and Kalec said their thanks and goodnight to Varian. Anduin left with them to provide some healing before he too would retire for the night.

"I'll admit I've been curious," Anduin said as he walked into the room following Aunt Jaina. The couple had been given one of the larger guest suites in the royal quarters. The windows faced south, showing the gentle snow falling on the inner courtyard, lit by the lights of the castle keep..

"Well you won't be able to miss it," Jaina chuckled. "Give me a moment," she said, retreating to the bedroom.

"Thank you again for the gifts," Kalec said. He shook hands with Anduin. His grip was firm but measured. His father and Bolvar had grips like that - firm but aware of their own strength.

"I am glad you were happy with it," Anduin said, idly wondering just how strong the dragon was in this form.

"It means a great deal to me. And the sweets were a nice addition to the portrait." Kalec smiled, ridiculously handsome as always.

What was it with dragons picking forms that were so damned nice looking? Every single one! Well, at least the ones he'd met.

"Thank you for doing this," Jaina said, drawing Anduin's attention again as she returned from the bedroom. She'd changed into a loose shirt more befitting summer than winter. She'd coiled her hair into a loose bun and pinned it up so it was out of the way.

"It's not a problem," Anduin said. He'd been very curious about just what Jaina had done to her back but she'd not volunteered additional information. She'd gone white as a sheet when his father had touched it, but it would have been rude to pry. He'd found further information about the general practice. His well intentioned healing could have disrupted something possibly expensive and only added to her recovery time.

Jaina perched on one side of the long sofa and pulled her shirt over her head to reveal her back. She held the piece of clothing in front for modesty's sake, though Anduin was here as a healer; Healer-related nudity did not count. Anduin breathed out, setting his mind at ease and reaching for the comforting warmth of the Light- which faltered as he saw just how extensive the ink work was.

It was huge. Far larger than he had expected it to be, the lines covered most of her back, thick with details, circles, runes and voids which made patterns of their own.

"Anduin?" Jaina asked, looking over her shoulder.

"I- sorry, that was rude. It's very pretty?" He'd not meant for it to come out as a question and he winced, cheeks blazing. "It is. It's pretty. I don't think I was expecting something so intricate or, uh, extensive."

Jaina chuckled. "It's not meant to be pretty, but thank you all the same."

Getting back on track, Anduin called to the Light again and let it fill him, but paused again. "Ah- can I touch it?" His hands hovered over her skin. Her back was healing and large parts of the design had scabbed over. Other bits had odd-flakes half attached as if she were shedding. The color of the ink was inconsistent as some bits had healed differently than others. The delicate filigreed designs that almost looked like wings on her shoulder looked terribly itchy and the skin there was especially cracked and peeling.

"Don't rub anything off. I was told it could take the ink out."

"Okay." Once he was done, the wound would be healed and if it was anything like a sunburn, the flakes would gently rub off on clothing or fall away in the next shower. He rested his hands on her back and willed the healing energies into the wound.

It was strange. He'd expected it to react like a slice or an abrasion. An abrasion was fuzzy-feeling, the energy distributing more or less evenly over a damaged area. A slice was direct and focused, much like the force used to create the injury. Weirdly, this felt like neither and both at once. He could almost trace the glyphs and runes along her back, the healing fuzzy but directed. The Light took to healing her body readily, racing across the patterns almost on its own. He felt an odd draw as his work neared completion, as if the power was being drawn from him to fill the lines. Which, he realized, was exactly the point of these things. Resisting the sensation, Anduin redirected the healing energy away from soaking into the framework and instead soaking into her skin.

He let out a puff of air when he was done and examined her back with a critical eye. The color had faded as the skin healed over the ink. The lines were no longer as shiny and bold as they'd been before., which was good according to his reading The skin looked, as he'd expected, like a severe sunburn had been healed.

"That should do it."

Jaina smiled at him over her shoulder. "Thank you. You've saved me a lot of itching."

"This is part of that spell you'll be trying out tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, nodding and pulling her shirt back over her head. "You've also allowed me to try it out while I'm on holiday and can enjoy doing the application after months of research."

He smiled. "Well, I am happy to help."

"Thank you again. And thank you for the books," Aunt Jaina said, rising.

Anduin rose as well and returned her hug. "Thank you very much for the gift. Today was fun."

"You enjoyed beating the pants off your father," she said, walking with him towards the door. Anduin wanted to know what she was doing tomorrow, curiosity burned, but clearly he was being ushered out.

"Well, yes," he admitted, lingering by the door. "But it was a nice relaxing day with family." Curiosity as well as concern compelled him to speak. "You will be okay tomorrow with whatever it is you're doing?"

She smiled, small and genuine, touched by his concern, but also not forthcoming on her plans. She put a warm hand on his shoulder. "I will be. Kalec will be with me and we will be close to Dalaran. Don't worry about me. Enjoy your work at the Cathedral tomorrow."

He smiled, nodded and took his leave. The door closed softly behind him.

Anduin would spend part of the day at the cathedral helping the other priests in training do whatever their teachers required. But the other part of the day he fully intended to investigate some of the documents coming in and out of Westfall and Darkshire. Aunt Jaina didn't need to worry about that. He was relatively certain it wouldn't involve any wall scaling.