Varian was too busy to take Braelyn on the honeymoon she deserved, but found time to spirit her away to Pandaria for a few days. He was pleased to see how happy she was when they stepped out of the portal and into the Shrine of Seven Stars. She had never been to Pandaria before, so she was excited to see so many new things.

They spent one night at the Shrine, and Varian's favourite moment was watching his wife tuck into a traditional Pandaren banquet. Tiffin had been such a dainty eater, the result of her aristocratic upbringing. Braelyn, however, got stuck into everything with a gusto that won the hearts of all the Pandaren who saw her. It pained him to think how much she was going to have curb that enthusiasm when dealing with the nobles.

Varian wished she were more at ease with him; he'd love to sit beside her and feed her with his own hands, to see her eyes glow with happiness over some little tidbit he'd fed her.

He wanted so damn much for her to be happy. Happy with him.

On the second day of their honeymoon, they went to the Jade Forest. Braelyn was overjoyed with Varian's choice of destination; the tranquil gardens of the Arboretum. The trees were in full bloom, the blossom's scent lingering on the air.

There were also the most amazing giant hornets that she wanted to tame, but when she tried, all that occurred was that she got stung multiple times and Varian laughed at her for an hour.

The Order of the Cloud Serpent welcomed them warmly, inviting them to make themselves at home.

"Oh, they're so cute!" Braelyn cried when she spotted some of the baby serpents. She walked over to their enclosure, holding out her hand. Three of them flew forward, winding their bodies around her arm, and licking her affectionately.

"Do you want one, Braelyn?" Varian asked, wrapping an arm around her while his free hand stroked the head of an inquisitive azure serpent. It nuzzled his palm, making the most adorable little chirping sound she had ever heard.

"I do," she replied, "but I don't think it would be a good idea. They don't stay this little forever, and we don't have anywhere to keep an animal of its adult size."

"I could have something built for you," Varian murmured in her ear.

"Really?" Braelyn asked, looking at her husband. He nodded, a little smile twisting his lips.

"Of course," he said, "I'm the king, and your husband. It's my responsibility to make you happy."

Braelyn was tempted; the cloud serpents were so beautiful, but considering that she hated flying, it would be cruel to remove the creature from its home. She also didn't think it wise for Varian to make such a grand purchase for her during such troubled times.

"I appreciate the gesture, Varian," she replied, "but I don't think I want to be known as the Queen who had the king buy her such a frippery."

"As you wish," he said, "but don't be afraid to ask me for things. You are my wife, I will not have you left wanting."

"I'll... keep that in mind," she said, blushing slightly under his intense gaze. When he said things like that, reminded her of what they now were, she got flustered and didn't know how to react.

"Your Majesties," a deep, serene voice addressed them. Braelyn turned to see a female Pandaren approaching, a member of the Order of the Cloud Serpents.

"Yes," Varian said, turning to face her.

"I am Jenova Longeye, one of the serpent masters with the Order," the Pandaren said, bowing respectfully. "We are about to start a race, if you would like to watch... or perhaps even join us?"

"Oh, no," Braelyn replied, shaking her head. "No, no, no. I do not fly when I can possibly avoid it."

"You don't like flying?" Varian asked, grinning down at her.

"Flying doesn't like me," Braelyn corrected, poking her cheeky husband in the chest.

"What about you then, my Lord," Jenova asked, "will you take part?"

"I would be delighted to," Varian said with a bow, and a smug look at Braelyn, who rolled her eyes at him. "But tell me, is there a prize for the victor?"

"Not usually," Jenova replied. She looked thoughtful. "Perhaps we can make an exception for today, though, given the nature of our special guest."

"How about a kiss from the fair Queen?" A male Pandaren called out. He was obviously one of the competitors, as he was standing next to an impressive red cloud serpent.

Braelyn laughed, realising that the man was joking. Varian, however, was not happy. His arm tightened painfully around Braelyn's waist, and he was glaring at the Pandaren with murderous intent.

"Do you think it's appropriate to speak that way about another man's wife?" he growled possessively. "Especially when that man is the King of Stormwind?"

Braelyn elbowed him in the ribs. She would not tolerate being spoken about in such a possessive manner, especially considering their 'relationship' wasn't real. Surely his pride could withstand a little joking.

"I think I can spare a kiss for the winner," Braelyn said, smiling at the male Pandaren.

"Braelyn," Varian warned, "I don't think... "

"Nonsense, dear husband," she interjected sweetly. "Just think of it as an added incentive for you to win."

"Which one is my mount?" Varian asked Jenova, shooting an angry glance at his wife.

"You may choose your own, your highness" the serpent master replied, pointing over at group of four cloud serpents.

Braelyn watched as Varian strode over and selected the azure serpent. She wasn't surprised. He seemed to have a thing for all things blue coloured. She was surprised by Varian's skill in handling the animal. She'd no idea that he knew how to fly them.

Varian flew his mount over to Braelyn's side. She smiled as he looked down at her, determination shining in his eyes. "Be ready to part with that kiss, dear wife," he said, then joined the other racers at the starting line.

The race consisted of three laps around a circuit that stretched quite far out over the ocean. Braelyn couldn't help feeling a little concerned. They would be out of sight for so long. What if something went wrong? Varian would not have his guard with him. He was completely vulnerable out there.

She bit back her concern. Varian was a strong, proud man. He wouldn't want her fussing over him in public over something so irrational. The Jade Forest was safe, and under the control of the Alliance. It's why Varian had chosen to come here.

Varian looked over at her, and she smiled at him, forgetting her annoyance at his burst of possessiveness. He didn't smile back, but gave her a ghost of a wink instead.

The race began with a flourish, the riders jockeying for any advantage they could get. Braelyn was not surprised to see Varian take the lead early. She had to admit he looked like he knew what he was doing, handling his mount with confidence. The wind whipped his long black pony tail away from his face, which was set in determination.

Her husband was a competitive man, she realised. He would win, of this she had no doubt.

So it was a real shock to see Varian languishing in the middle of the pack at the end of both the first and second laps.

Braelyn found herself waiting for the race to end with an excitement she didn't quite understand. She stood below the finish line, surrounded by the royal guard, all of them straining their eyes for a glimpse of the king.

"There they are!" one of the guards said, forgetting protocol in his eagerness.

This time, Varian was at the front of the pack, but he was not alone. A male Pandaren was at his side, their mounts neck and neck. It was the same man who had suggested that Braelyn offer a kiss to the winner.

The royal guards cheered loudly, urging their King on to victory. Braelyn joined in, whistling, and clapping her hands. "Go, Varian!" she shouted, hoping he could hear her from so far away.

She don't know if it was because he could hear her cheering, but Varian's mount gave a sudden surge forward, pulling out in front of the Pandaren, and crossing the finish line half a body length in front.

Braelyn watched as Varian landed to a cacophony of cheers. He waved his hand to acknowledge the crowd, then shook hands with the Pandaren who came second and third. Then he turned and looked at her with an expression that made her knees weak.

Varian strode over to her with a victorious grin on his face, looking as if he'd just won every major battle in Azerothian history single-handedly on the same day. "I believe you owe me a kiss, Your Highness," he said jauntily.

"I believe I do, Your Majesty," Braelyn replied with a small smile and a shake of her head. She placed her hands on his face, her fingertips tracing the edges of his scar. She stood on her tip toes and placed her lips on his, turning her head slightly.

She'd meant it to be a short kiss, a mere peck on the lips, but she felt Varian smiling against her mouth, and heard the cheering of the crowd behind her. She got caught up in the moment, more than she should have, and allowed her husband to pull her into his arms and deepen the kiss.

For a moment, she felt how every other woman must feel on their honeymoon. Cherished.

Braelyn sighed and leaned into his warmth as one of his hands began to brush along her spine. It felt so nice, her skin beginning to tingle where their bodies met. She moaned softly when his hand lingered over the buttons of her dress, as if they were itching to undo them.

Braelyn whimpered as a memory she'd tried to keep buried resurfaced in a rush;

She seemed to freeze up when he kissed her, but after he bit her bottom lip gently, she relaxed. Braelyn wound her arms around his neck, pulling herself even closer to him. Rommath ran his hands up her back, then back down again, undoing the buttons of her dress as he did so.

"Rommath!"

Varian recoiled as if he'd been spat on. Did Braelyn just... ? He looked down at his wife, who seemed to be trapped in a daze. She looked confused for a moment, then a look of horror crossed her face.

"I'm sorry!" she whispered, and he could see tears beginning to form in the corners of her eyes. She pulled away from him, but her drew her back.

"We need to talk about this," Varian said quietly, his voice as even as he could make it. It was hard; what man enjoyed being called the name of another when kissing his wife? But he made the effort. He and Braelyn were not alone, and he was smart enough to not discuss this in public.

In order to fool the crowd, Varian bent down and picked Braelyn up, holding her bridal style. "If you will excuse us," he said calmly, "my wife and I need to be going."

As the crowd let out a few cheers and good-natured cat-calls, Braelyn buried her face in his neck. He walked quickly, eager to get her into their cabin so that he could sort this mess out.

He kicked the door open, and the kicked it closed again once he'd gotten inside. He put Braelyn down, and she immediately tried to put distance between them.

Varian was having none of it.

He grabbed her arms, pulling her towards him, and holding him where he could see her face. "Do you still love him?" he demanded, allowing some of the anger and jealousy he felt bleed into his words.

Braelyn flinched, clearly unhappy. But he needed to know, so he shook her shoulders. "Do you still love him?!" he demanded again, this time with more force.

Braelyn wrenched herself free of him, glaring at him. He'd forgotten about the legendary Hawke stubbornness, but he could see it in her eyes now, along with a lot of pain.

"It's none of your business," she replied haughtily, and Varian wondered if she realised just how regal she sounded.

"None of my business?" he snarled, smirking when Braelyn winced and stepped further away from him. He stalked forward, trapping her against the door. He lifted her chin, staring into her eyes. "Do you forget who I am? Well, let me remind you; I am Varian Wrynn, your husband and high king of the Alliance! The leader of the faction that man fights against, even to this day. I will not have my wife pining away over the fool who let go of her, and I certainly won't have her running back to him when she gets tired of her responsibilities in Stormwind."

Oh, but she was mad now. He could see it in her eyes.

"I ask you again, Braelyn Wrynn, do you still love him?"

"Does it really matter?" she spat.

"It does to me," he growled, and her rubbed his thumb across her cheek. The action was gentle; he would never hurt her, even in his anger.

"No," she said, her fury suddenly abandoning her. "No, I don't think I do."

"Then why do you call for him while you were kissing me?" he asked. "Is the memory of him the only way you can bear me touching you?"

Braelyn shook her head. "It wasn't the kiss," she confessed. "I liked the kiss."

The admission made his chest swell with pride. Take that, Rommath, he thought smugly. "Tell me what happened," he encouraged her, unable to keep the hint of a triumphant purr out of his voice. "Tell me what startled you so."

Varian watched as a slow blush crept up her neck and over her cheeks when he spoke. She sighed, finally looking into his eyes of her own volition. Her ocean eyes were stormy, and how he longed to calm them.

"Your hand lingered on the buttons of my dress," she said, "and it brought back a memory of me and him. I am sorry, Varian. I didn't mean to hurt you."

He could tell she was sincere. Those eyes, that face were incapable of hiding the truth.

"I want to make you forget he even exists," he growled. Her eyes widened and her blush deepened, but her smile was sad.

"I wish I could forget," she said, her voice wobbling. "And I wish I could be the woman, the wife, that you deserve."

You are, Varian thought fiercely. How can I convince you of that, little star?

He pulled her into a hug, just letting her rest against him as she calmed down. He didn't try to kiss her again. No, he would wait for her to come to him.

Patience is a virtue.

Braelyn lay in bed, wrapped up tightly in Varian's arms as he slept. Today had been such a momentous day, even if there had been more drama than she was expecting. The flashback to her time with Rommath was a shock, as was her husband's reaction to it. She didn't think he would be so jealous, and she didn't know how to react to it. Maybe it was because he was the king; he needed to avoid scandal, and his wife mooning over one of his enemies would create a pretty big one.

But Braelyn did know how to repay the gentleness he'd shown her once she'd explained her reaction to him. When they returned to Stormwind, she was going to do whatever it took to be the best Queen the kingdom has ever had. She would ease some of the burden off Varian's shoulders as best she was able.

This is my solemn vow.

AN - this was one of those chapters that just didn't want to be written. Ugh. Anyway, we see a little of Braelyn's naivety and stubbornness coming through. And Varian's jealousy. And of course, Braelyn's decision to actually embrace her new position.

Next Chapter: the honeymooners return home, and Braelyn makes good on her promise, only to find that it is not as easy as it seems.