Chapter 4
Relationship Status: It's Complicated. Now I understand what that means.
One thing could be said for being the head SI-7 Rogue assigned to watching over the King. Fox was in charge. There was no doubt where the high priority lay. The other group leaders fell under her control as well, and now she had everyone settled in their position.
Being unseen did not mean being stealthed. Fox smiled, from her seated position behind the throne, over at Cat. The other rogue using sign language to communicate. Both women having a wonderful time listening to Genn Greymane openly torment King Varian.
"Is that her?" Genn asked for what seemed like the hundredth time that day.
A short pause was followed by Varian replying "No." yet again.
The elder King dropped the tip of his sword down and scanned the room. People of all walks of life streaming in and out. Few were here to see the King, the majority were just here to file documents. Others seeking to retrieve information from the royal library. Genn lifted a hand to point across the room "What about her?"
"No." Varian narrowed his eyes. It was bad enough he had no clue where Fox was. She had been missing this morning when he had done the assessment briefing. Now Greymane was rubbing salt in the wound. Scanning the room, he remembered the first day he had met Fox. She had told him she was a Royal Guard on rotation. He stated that was strange since he had never seen her before. Now her words came back painfully clear. That was because he wasn't suppose too. The truth was she could be standing next to him, and he wouldn't have a clue.
Greymane could sense the tension radiating off the Stormwind King. Sure, he could show mercy and leave well enough alone, but where was the fun in that? Most days he was stuck in this stoney keep. He was an old man. Taking joy from what little he could since the loss of his kingdom. He didn't even see a woman this time but said anyway, "What about her? She looks nice?"
Varian was on the verge of shouting to the rafters for Fox to show herself. Instead he looked pointedly at Greymane and growled so low and deep even the Worgen could be impressed.
"Ah, yet again, another no. Seriously King Wyrnn, does this woman even exist." Greymane was laughing openly. Sure the sound was not there, but the delight in his eyes and voice were evident.
Varian suddenly smiled at that, to Greymane's vast surprise. "She certainly does in my dreams."
Greymane could not stop the good humor. Reaching out to clap Varian on the shoulder. "Well, then there is hope for you after all."
Fox rolled her eyes and shook her head. Cat signed quickly "Who are they talking about?"
Fox signed back, "I have no idea."
"Alright, I have had it standing around here." Varian started stalking off. "I am going to head over to the Royal stables and see how my gryphon is doing."
"The grand gryphon all the men are complaining about?" Greyman lifted his sword back up. The temptation to lean in it, and dull the blade had been getting to strong.
"Seb? No. I am going to visit Besty." That was a well calculated move. Varian could just see the look on Fox's face. If she was in ear shot, she would be revealing herself soon.
And it did get Fox to her feet. Did he say his gryphon, Besty? She leaned her back on the throne, and peeked around the side to see Varian was truly exiting the throne room. Fox had no choice, but to sign to Cat to remain in position. Then Fox came around the throne, in quick steps seeking to catch up to King Wyrnn.
"Varian, I think I found her!"Greymane called yet again. Then in a lower tone so only Fox could hear. "Knew you were there all the time. Nose like a wolf, girl."
"For Light's sake!" Varian turned on his heel. Seeing Fox standing mere feet from Greymane. "Yes, you did. That would be my Rogue."
"Your Majesty." Fox gave a weak smile. Not knowing which one to address first.
"That had better have been for him." Varian pointed at the other King. "Now come on, I have a feeling Besty will be delighted to see her old owner."
"What are you talking about!" Fox ran to his side. Shaking a fist at him."That is my bird, and you know it."
"Oh really? When was the last time you bought her feed or cleaned her stall?" Varian smiled down at Fox trying to keep up with his long strides.
Greymane watched the two go. "It's nice to see she isn't a figment of his imagination." Looking back at the throne he added to Cat, "I knew there were two of you back there from the start."
Varian basked in the fact he made Fox forget that she was working. She leaned over the gate to Besty's stall. Both arms wrapped around the Gryphon's neck. The sickening baby talk was back, and Besty was cooing in response. He tried to reach over, and pat Seb, but the ornery fellow pecked angrily at his hand. Then leaned back and forth trying to get Fox's attention. "Give it up, Seb. When women get to talking, we don't get a word in."
Seb flapped his wings hard, and let out a thundering cry. That caught Fox's attention. She turned around. "What is your problem, Seb, baby?" Fox moved to the gate. She kicked her legs over before Varian could stop her.
"Are you sure you are safe in there with him?"
Fox ruffled up Seb's feathers. "Safer then I am with you." She tossed a bright smile to Varian, before stroking her hands over Seb's body. "I don't feel anything wrong. Maybe I need to take him out? He seems like the confines of the stables are irritating him"
"Did you teach him anything?" Varian asked. "Besides hating the whole of creation besides you?"
"If that's the case it wasn't intentional." Fox reached down and fumbled with the latch.
"Wait, I'll get him a lead line." Varian turned to grab the rope.
"Don't bother yourself. Seb doesn't need tack anymore." Fox snapped her fingers, and Seb rushed out of the stable. "I'll show you."
Once outside Seb ran around in huge circles. Clearly excited and anxious to get in the air. Fox grabbed a handful of feathers as he went by. The speed of his pass launching her onto his back. In a slight motion unnoticeable to anyone other the Seb, she lifted her heels. Seb caught the cue and took the the air.
Varian felt the breath leave his chest. No saddle, no reins, and the fastest grand Gryphon in all Azeroth was launching straight into the sky. Just then Fox kicked her feet up, and fell off. It was something out of a nightmare. Until Seb looped, and in a burst of speed caught Fox. Varian felt sick watching them spin around in what was the most insane aerial display he had ever witnessed. Was he suppose to be impressed? Far from it, he's poor heart was going to explode.
When Seb finally landed, Fox came off his back in one large leap. She hit the ground safe and sound. A hand patting the side of the gryphon, "Good boy Seb! Good boy!" Looking over at Varian ,she beamed "See, I did teach him quite a bit. If I can get his saddle on I can show you the wing throws. I don't dare to try without something to grab hold of. My balance isn't as great as his skill."
Varian reached out and pulled Fox away from Seb. Fearing she would get back on before he could stop her. A sharp shake catching Fox unaware. "Don't do that! Do not ever do anything like that again, Fox. You could have been killed!"
Fox went to reply, but Seb burst forward. The wings flapping in hard gusts. The razor sharp beak striking, as powerful talons lashed out at Stormwind's King.
Varian pulled Shalamayne as he dove to avoid the wild attacks. Careful to block each strike without actually hitting the bird. But each new act of aggression making him more certain he was going to have to kill the gryphon to get it to stop.
Fox coming between them and latching her arms around Seb, "Whoa! Easy. What is wrong with you? Don't you know your master anymore?"
Varian stepped back allowing her to calm Seb. He wanted to kill the damn thing, but the fact was it was outlandishly expensive. The stud fee alone could make up the difference to Stormwind's finances. "I would care to venture a guess as to what the problem is." He waited for Fox to look back at him. "You spoiled him rotten, and now he is worthless to anyone else."
"But how?" Fox clung to Seb's neck. The Gryphon huffing furiously in her ear.
"How? You spent months alone with him. Off Light knows where, doing Light knows what?"
Fox was generally confused, "You sound jealous."
"You think?" Varian tossed back. "Of course, I am jealous. While the two of you were flying around free, I have lead a Siege of Ogrimmar. Taken part in a trial, that was meaningless, because some meddling dragons felt the greater good would be served by setting Garrosh free. After that I have been preparing to go on the offensive with the same Orcs that destroyed our city, and kingdom their first time around."
Fox motioned Seb back with her hand. The gryphon slowly stepping away. Fox was torn. What was she to tell her King? That he had his duty, as she had hers? What good would that do? He had no clue that she had not been in Lion's Landing for the greater part of their time apart. Telling him this was not an option, because it was an act of direct insubordination for not only herself, but Shaw as well. "I am sorry, my King." It was all she could say.
"I don't want your sympathy, Fox." That was a curt answer. He stood upright looking down at her.
"Then what do you want?"
Varian was struck by that simple question. He knew he wanted her in his life. The memory of her just the other day, so delighted he relented to her simple desire to carry a picnic basket to the harbor. He wanted more times like that. Where he was able to give her the world. Feelings, he locked up long ago threatened to return. Varian pressed them back down. Never again did he want to feel as he had when his father had died, and Stormwind was lost. The mere inkling that he could relive the loss of Tiffin caused him great pain. Fox could be that trigger, yet again. Did he dare set himself up for such heartache?
All one had to do was look at her to see that she and Tiffin were not the same. Tiffin had been a lady and a Queen. She had stayed close. Safe at his side, and look how that turned out. Fox, even now, stood before him in a full set of armor. The daggers on her hips coated with poison. He knew from first hand reports those blades had tasted blood before, and would again. If he could not protect Tiffin, how could he protect Fox? "I haven't decided what I want."
"That we can work with." Fox set her hand on his shoulder. Turning she whistled, and circled her wrist to Seb. The gryphon slinking off toward his stall. "Right now, we need to get the spoiled one back where he belongs."
"He doesn't look to happy about going back to his stall, does he?" Varian watched Seb lower his head.
Fox followed Seb over and locked the gate shut. A gentle hand tickling the gryphon just under his beak. "I was actually referring to you, Your Majesty." It only took Fox a moment to realize she needed to run.
Varian chasing her through the stable and down to the lake. The sound of her shrieks mixed with mutual laughter.
Count Remington Ridgewell stood with Lord Camron Winchester, looking down the the main keep. "So I think we found the lady in question." The gray eyes narrowed.
"This rules out the suspicion she was one of the other Noble's daughters. I have to say I prefer she's a no one. Having Bascomb, or any of the others, playing nice with King Wyrnn would not bode well for the rest of us." Winchester shrugged. "Are we going to leave it. She's no threat."
"Until she gets it in her little head to pop out a royal bastard or two. Then things will turn messy fast." Ridgewell turned up his nose.
"I see your point. I will contact the other Nobles currently in Stormwind and arrange a meeting with Mathias Shaw."
"See that you inform me as well. He might be a little difficult seeing this latest bit of trash is one of his own. I would not put it past the man to have a hand in this."
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Later that night, Varian retired to his room alone. Moving across to the window he admitted he didn't like Fox on Royal Guard duty. Yes, she was close at hand. But it was only when others were not around he could speak with her. He had realized this afternoon, how restrictive their relationship really was. The idea had come to him to ask her to play a game of chess with him, but she wasn't to be seen. That had left him tapping his finger on the board wondering. Did she even know how to play?
That thought elected a huge sigh. There was so much he didn't know about her. The few things he did was kept quiet. He had to consider how she would react. Like when he mentioned, the other men on the bridge. He didn't even know who they were.
Fox, was an SI-7 Agent. He found her personality intoxicating. Even if the woman refused to drink any form of alcohol. Had she been a drunkard at one point? Varian dismissed it as unlikely.
She was amazingly talented with the gryphons. That being acknowledge still didn't keep him from writing up a new order. Now all mounts in the royal stable could no longer be taken out with out proper equipment.
Fox was to reckless. He had not forgotten their time in Pandaria, and how he had been forced to punish her for over exerting. It also brought to mind her complete and utter fury at his command to remain within the encampment walls. His Fox didn't do well with restrictions.
There is was again. He looked tiredly at his ceiling. The unintentional desire to refer to her as his own. He used to play it off as being King. After all, his Kingdom, his Keep, his people, his Fox? The logic no longer held water for him, so to speak. There was a difference.
Dropping off his robe he made for his bed. Pulling the blanket around his bare hips, and scowled down at the pillow. The dreams of Fox had never gone away. Every night Fox was in his head, if not really in his arms. Tonight would be worse. He looked at the door. He knew she was standing on the other side of it with the rest of his guard.
The desire to walk over to open the door, and pull her inside was strong. But Varian was not going to do that. He had promised himself that he would wait until she came to him long ago. Leaning back to his pillow he admitted that promises were lousy bed partners.
O0O0O0O0O0O0O0
Why did it have to be her. Fox looked at the soldiers and SI-7 rogues standing in the hall just outside the King of Stormwind's door. She dropped her head and looked away from everyone. Their eyes clearly locked on her. She stared, with a twisting in her stomach, at the door. No alert had been sounded from the watches set outside. Surely the King was in his room alone. But the sounds they had heard could not be ignored. Varian Wrynn could have fallen ill and was in need of medical attention. "We could summon a priest to check on him." There was a waver in her voice as she settled a hand on the thick wooden door. Debating as to what course of action she should take.
"And find out it was nothing of consequence?" Cat whispered at Fox's side. "Someone needs to be checking on our King, and you are the SI-7 Agent in charge. None of his guards are going to make a move."
The Royal Guardsmen gave varied motions of approval at Cat's words. Openly supporting the idea of leaving this to the SI-7.
"Wouldn't it be more fitting to send one of the Gnomes? They are male, and his Majesty would feel less intruded upon by them."
Learen was sitting next to the wall sharpening his chainsaw dagger. They had all thought him oblivious to the situation around him, but the quick "I don't think so." settled that.
"Iggee?" Fox looked over at the twitching Gnome.
"Me? This is my first assignment. My orders were to observe and stay out of sight!" The little hands waved in emphatic motion before him
"Fine. Cat, you come in with me." Fox sighed as her hand dropped to the ornate handle.
"Me?" The word was more of a scoff. "I am not the one who spent hours alone with him in Karasang Wilds." Then leaning closer, "You already spent a night with him in Paw'don Village, Fox. It's not anything you haven't seen before."
Fox's spine straightened and she snapped her head around to look in Cat's dark blue eyes. "We got stranded because of a storm, and it was perfectly innocent."
"So you say, but word among us ranking agents is King Wyrnn has a soft spot for you now. You can get away with far more then the rest of us should he be in an ill mood." Cat's words were spoken so only Fox could hear.
"I am not the King's play toy." Fox growled low.
"No one is suggesting that, but he has been in a particular mood of late. It will go easier if we send in someone he knows and likes."
"Fine." Fox opened the door before her courage fled. It was mere moments before she was slowly pressing the latch until it gave a gentle click. Signaling to her that it was closed, and she found herself in the heart of the lion's den.
It was almost pitch black in the chamber. The windows had been drawn, and no moonlight aided her. This was not an issue. All the Agents were well acquainted with every corner of the keep. Fox had even helped the maids dust and make up the bed. Just in case they should ever find themselves protecting the King in a situation such as this.
Fox was pulled from her thoughts as a deep groan emitted from the bed. A sound that was no way that of pain. She felt her face flame in realization. She watched Varian twist on the bed before throwing his legs over the side. He stared into the darkness where she stood. She held her breath and swore silently as the blue eyes seemed to burn into her very being.
"I know you are there, Fox. No amount of darkness can hide your presence from me." his voice was deep in his throat. A husky growl primal and commanding.
She felt her chest constrict at the sound. How could he know? She was a master at her craft. It was an art form she had spent a lifetime honing. Fox paused wondering if her mind had deceived her into thinking he had said those words, uttered her name.
"You can show yourself. I'm not in the mood to play a game of cat and mouse with you at the moment." Varian braced his hands on either side of his legs. The long fingers digging into the mattress.
Cat? The man was a Lion. It was the very symbol of his power. From the blue and gold banners to the molded emblems on his armor. She could only wish she was a mouse. It would have the sense to scamper back out of sight. She lifted her chin and stepped forward. She was the Crimson Fox of the SI-7, and she served the Alliance faithfully for the last eight years.
"You are correct, King Wyrnn." Fox let the darkness that enshrouded her wisp away as she moved to stand before him. "I came to check on..."
He moved so fast Fox could offer up no resistance. A strong hand latching to her arm and dragging her forward. She lost her balance. Her leather covered knees coming to the floor between his knees. A firm but gentle grip on her chin forcing her to look up at him. "Why are you doing this to me, Fox? You invaded my dreams in Lion's Landing. Those dreams are consuming my thoughts since I returned to Stormwind. It only served to make the dreams more intense. Gods, you are so real I can feel the heat of your skin on mine."
Fox's hands landed on his thighs as she took in his words. "But, your Majesty?"
"Don't speak like her. Use my name, siren, as you always have. Drive me insane with your heated promises. Use the bold actions that Fox would never dare, or I just might lose my sanity to these delusional dreams." Varian tipped his fingers up. The movement raising her mouth to his.
Fox melted the minute their lips met. Varian Wrynn was not fully awake. So wrong. She should stop him in some way. He clearly thought her some figment of his imagination. The softness of his demanding mouth, the slight scratchiness of the stubble on his chin, the firm hold on her chin as the other arm locked under her arms and pulled her closer. It was consuming her rational mind. Professionalism was melting away leaving nothing but the most basic of needs.
Author Note: The next chapter is SMUT. It is my hope it is well written tasteful smut. Anyway, you can skip over it if you want to miss Varian finally getting what he wants most out of this relationship.