Moiraine and Lan are silly, and Moiraine has a request.
When the water turned cold, Lan urged Moiraine to leave the bathtub. Without Saidar, she couldn't heat the water again, and he didn't want her to catch a cold.
While Lan put on his underwear, his eyes moved over Moiraine's bare back. She was a beautiful woman – he had always known that – but now her sight scared him. She was barely anything more than skin and bones. Blood and ashes! He could count her ribs even from his position! Moiraine had always been thin but never like that. Lan had always made sure to feed her during their travels. It worried him what a few weeks without him by her side could do to her.
Moiraine pulled her nightgown over her head, covering her body from Lan's eyes. Then she pulled out the hairpins, letting her hair fall freely over her back. The Warder moved closer, and when she reached for a book on her nightstand, he covered her hand with his, pulling it to her belly while stepping behind her.
Chuckling, the Aes Sedai leaned in on him, enjoying the feeling of his strong body pressed against her. His free hand pushed her hair aside to reveal her neck, and he left light kisses on her skin, which made the woman in his arms sigh.
"You need sleep," he murmured against her skin.
"A good book always helps me to sleep."
"You mean it helps you to sleep after you have read a couple hours which means you ultimately have less sleep than intended."
Moiraine's laughter made a wave of joy and love roll through Lan's body. Light, he had missed hearing her voice. "And you think I get more sleep with what you're starting right now?"
The uncrowned king of Malkier froze, realizing she was right. His right hand still pressed her hand against her belly with their fingers intertwined, but his left hand caressed her free arm, and his lips couldn't get enough of her soft skin.
Heavy-heartedly, Lan lifted his head. Although there was nothing wrong with them bedding each other, they shouldn't do it – not tonight. "This would be a bad idea."
"You think?"
"Your sister made it very clear what she would do to me, should I… I think her exact words were, 'Use you to satisfy my needs'."
Smiling, Moiraine turned her head around. "Do you think Anvaere will visit in a few hours again to check if you're sleeping on the floor?"
Lan copied her smile, then turned her in his arms until she faced him. There was a dangerous glint in her eyes – almost like a challenge. But this must be a mistake. It was impossible that she…
Slowly, Lan leaned in on her, letting their breaths mingle. "Do you want me to sleep on the floor?" He was surprised at how seductive his voice sounded, reacting to her challenge.
The woman of the Blue Ajah reacted to his presence much stronger than he had expected. Her breathing turned shallow, she licked her dry lips, and her cheeks blushed.
"No." Her voice sounded pressed.
Lan leaned in a little bit closer. Light, what was he doing?! "Do you want me to kiss you?"
"Didn't you say Anvaere would-?"
Lan's mouth swallowed the rest of her words. His arms moved around her, pulling her close, groaning when Moiraine melted against him. He had wanted to give her a light kiss, but… Moiraine returned his kiss, and there was nothing hesitating about it.
Carefully, he pushed her backward to her bed. The contact lifted the cloud, which swirled around the Aes Sedai's head. What were they doing?! Growling at herself, she leaned her forehead against Lan's while bringing her mouth out of reach at the same time. "Anvaere," she said breathlessly. Light, this man knew how to kiss a woman. It was a good thing his arms were wrapped around her, or else her legs would've given in.
"Forget her."
His lips were back on hers, then he slowly lowered her onto the mattress until he leaned over her. "She said she would-"
"Only if I use you to satisfy my needs," Lan interrupted, smiling, pulling himself back to look at her with love.
Breathless, Moiraine raised a doubtful eyebrow, then let her eyes wander between their bodies before they went back to his face with a knowing look. "Do you want to tell me you don't have needs right now?" His erection was clearly visible.
"Oh, I do have needs." There was no way to deny it. Slowly, the uncrowned king of Malkier lowered himself deeper until their noses almost touched. "I want to kiss you." Moiraine chuckled when their lips connected, but in the next heartbeat, he pulled back. "I want to smell you." Sniffing, his nose moved over her cheek until he could bury it in her dark brown locks. "I want to feel you."
Lan lowered his body a little bit more so they were touching. Yet, his arms carried all his weight. He didn't want Moiraine to get crushed underneath him. "I want to hear you breathe, I want to hear your voice, I want to hear your heart beating."
Moiraine giggled when Lan pressed his ear over her heart. "You're silly."
Smiling, her Warder lifted his head again, then brushed a loose lock behind her ear. "I want to lay beside you, watching you, listening to your cute snoring."
"I don't snore!" Playfully, the Aes Sedai gave him a soft punch against his shoulder.
For a moment, Lan smiled just as wildly as she did, then turned serious. "I want to hold you in my arms, knowing you're safe. Something I have longed to do for weeks."
"Oh, Lan."
The Cairhien woman pushed herself on one elbow, cupped his face with her free hand, and pressed a light kiss on his lips. "I never meant to hurt you."
Lan leaned his forehead against hers, enjoying the feeling of her slender fingers caressing his cheek. "I just want to be by your side." Their eyes connected, and there was a clear begging in Lan's. "Don't push me away, Moiraine."
His words tightened the Aes Sedai's throat, so she couldn't speak anymore and was fighting against the upcoming tears. Agreeing, she nodded and was rewarded with a soft kiss from Lan.
They broke apart when they needed air again. "So… won't you give in to your needs because you're not that needy or because you are scared of Anvaere?" Moiraine asked with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
"Oh, it's definitely your sister. She almost killed me twice today. No need to push my luck."
Moiraine laughed, and again a wave of joy and love rolled through Lan's body. It was like music to his ears. The most beautiful music he had ever heard in his life. A kind of music that eased his heart.
Once Moiraine stopped laughing, Lan helped her lie down properly and pulled the blanket over her before he crawled under the sheets as well. The bed wasn't big, but big enough for those two since they needed the close contact after their longtime separation.
The Aes Sedai was snuggled up against her Warder with her head and one hand lying on his chest while he played with one of her beautiful locks. They had been silent for a while now, both lost in their thoughts.
It was the woman of the Blue Ajah who broke the silence. "Could you do me a favor?"
"What do you need?"
"Could you tell me about your meeting with Siuan again?"
Lan's hand froze, and he tilted his head aside to have a better look at Moiraine's face. When her gaze moved up to meet him, she blushed at the amused twinkle in his eyes. Damn, this man! He knew why she wanted him to tell her about it again.
"I want to make sure I didn't miss a hidden message she sent through you." Yeah, she couldn't fool Lan with such a weak excuse.
"Do you want me to repeat all the different curses and descriptions she had for you as well?"
"Lan," Moiraine growled, and said man laughed about her embarrassment.
"Very well then. My meeting with the Amyrlin Seat…."
Lan stared at the White Tower while he rode through the streets of Tar Valon with Nynaeve and Egwene on his heels. He was still pissed though he did his best to keep his mask in place. Moiraine had ORDERED him to LEAVE her! Foolish woman! What had she been thinking?! Why couldn't he get the two women to the White Tower and return to his Aes Sedai?! Why did he have to leave her?! She must have done it to punish herself – that was the only explanation that made sense. It couldn't be because she was annoyed by him, right? Or was it because he had spent the night with Nynaeve in Fal Dara instead of staying by her side? Was she angry with him? Worse even, could she actually believe Lan didn't care about her anymore? – That he loved this young woman behind him more than his soulmate?!
The Wisdom had been wary when the Warder had told her and Egwene about them keeping moving while Moiraine stayed behind. Egwene had protested vehemently – the young woman had taken a liking in the Aes Sedai though she had returned from the Eye of the World without Rand – but Lan had ignored it, mounting his horse and leaving his broken Aes Sedai behind. There had been something in her words. Between her orders and tears, Lan never heard her saying what he was supposed to do after he had done what she had asked of him. It was a small hope – and he would ask Siuan about it later – but it was the thing that kept him moving. A way to see his Aes Sedai again, and he wouldn't let the Emond's Fielder ruin his only hope.
Of course, Lan had felt Nynaeve's questioning gaze upon him but had stayed quiet. He wouldn't explain to her what had happened between him and his Aes Sedai. And since they passed the gates of Tar Valon, the two women had become more nervous by the second.
The little group reached the White Tower and dismounted their horses. A red sister exited the tower and threw a disgusted look at Lan before she aimed for the crowded streets to disappear between the citizens.
Lan gritted his teeth. Light, he hoped he wouldn't run into Liandrin! This woman would never listen to him, let alone let him see Siuan.
"Lan?"
The sound of a familiar voice made him sigh, relieved. Luckily, not every Aes Sedai was like Liandrin. The uncrowned king of Malkier turned around, then bowed. "Alanna Sedai."
"What are you doing here, Gaidin?"
The Green Sister had two Accepted following her, but what surprised Lan the most was the fact that he couldn't see Maksim or Ihvon. Where were Alanna's Warders? "I bring you two young women who wish to become Novices."
Alanna's eyebrows shot up in surprise when her eyes fell on Nynaeve – she probably remembered the Wisdom's declarations not wanting to learn how to use the One Power – then she turned toward the Accepted. "Go. Find Sheriam Sedai. Tell her to meet me here immediately. Tell her two channelers have arrived who want to become Novices. Hurry!"
The two young women rushed inside the tower, then were out of sight. Alanna immediately forgot about them and returned her attention to those before her. She saw the anger on Nynaeve's face – the young woman didn't like the declaration of her WANTING to become a Novice. "I'm surprised to see you here, Nynaeve al'Meara. Wasn't it you who told everyone she didn't want to learn how to use the One Power? – That you are a Wisdom, using herbs instead of Saidar?"
"I changed my mind," Nynaeve responded through gritted teeth.
Alanna nodded simply, then moved on to Egwene. "And who are you, girl?"
"Egwene al'Vere, Aes Sedai." Unlike her friend, Egwene bowed politely and even used Alanna's title.
The woman of the Green Ajah nodded, then let her eyes wander over the little group, searching for… "Where is your Aes Sedai, Gaidin?" Her voice sounded cold.
"Not here, Alanna Sedai. As you may remember, she has been exiled from the tower."
"I remember." Alanna winced as if Lan had slapped her in the face. Her voice was still as cold as ice, but Lan saw the pain in her eyes. She had hoped to see Moiraine. "Where-?"
"Alanna Sedai!"
At the sound of another woman approaching, the Green Sister pulled her calm Aes Sedai mask back in place.
"Sheriam Sedai."
"What do I hear about two possible Novices at our gates?" An older Aes Sedai with white hair and wearing a blue dress joined the little group.
Alanna pointed at Nynaeve and Egwene. "These are Nynaeve al'Meara and Egwene al'Vere. According to some of our sisters, Miss al'Meara has great potential and even used the One Power before, though sadly, I never saw her channeling."
The woman of the Blue Ajah narrowed her eyes at Nynaeve. She hadn't met the Wisdom during her short stay in the White Tower but had heard about the young woman's talents and her sudden… disappearance. Suddenly, she recognized Lan. "Lan Gaidin! What are you doing here?" Her eyes searched the place, obviously searching for Moiraine.
"I brought these two women to the White Tower, Sheriam Sedai." Lan tilted his head politely.
Sheriam looked like she wanted to say more but then turned her attention back to Nynaeve and Egwene. A friendly smile appeared on her face. "Welcome to the White Tower, Nynaeve al'Meara, Egwene al'Vere. I'm Sheriam Sedai, the Mistress of Novices. Come. I'll show you around."
A Warder stepped out of the shadows and took the reins of the women's horses. Nynaeve threw an angry look at Lan. She didn't like to be ordered around, especially not from an Aes Sedai. And she also didn't like to be separated from Lan.
But the uncrowned king of Malkier nodded at Sheriam and Egwene – a clear message, 'Follow them.' The Wisdom grimaced at him but obeyed.
Lan sighed, relieved. For a moment, he had feared she would start an argument. Nynaeve wasn't an easy woman to handle.
Alanna waited until they had disappeared within the tower, then addressed Lan again, "Is that everything you came here for, Gaidin?"
Light, it felt weird to be treated with such coldness by someone Moiraine had always considered a friend. Would Maksim and Ihvon act the same?
"I need to speak to the Amyrlin Seat."
The uncrowned king of Malkier almost smiled when he saw the shimmer of hope in the woman's eyes. Alanna was terrible at hiding her true feelings. "Follow me."
She didn't even think about declining his request. Every other Aes Sedai would have told him that the Amyrlin Seat was busy and he couldn't see her now, but not Alanna. The Green Sister wanted her friend back in the tower.
Lan handed his reins to the Warder, who already took care of Nynaeve and Egwene's horses, then followed Alanna into the building. Did really just a month pass since he had called this place home?
Alanna spoke no word while she led him through the corridors. Lan noticed raised eyebrows and heads, which turned after they passed. Within an hour, everyone would know about Lan's return, while there was no sight of his Aes Sedai. Maybe it was a good thing Moiraine had refused to stay in a tavern in Tar Valon. No doubt, some of her sisters would start looking for her, assuming she wouldn't be far from her Warder.
Lan didn't care. All he wanted was to see Siuan. The longer he needed, the more time Moiraine would have to disappear – and that was something he couldn't let happen. He would find a way back to her.
They reached the rooms of the Amyrlin Seat and entered. Leane Sharif, Keeper of the Chronicles, sat at her table over some letters. The door between her room and Siuan's stood wide open. Her eyes widened when Alanna and Lan entered, yet she recovered quickly and jumped to her feet.
"Alanna Sedai! What is Lan Mandragoran doing here?!"
The Green Sister tilted her head. "Lan Gaidin came with two women to the White Tower who wish to become Novices and told me he needs to speak to the Amyrlin."
"So, you let him inside?! His Aes Sedai is exiled! He isn't allowed here anymore!"
"Forgive me, Leane Sedai," Lan interrupted the angry Keeper of the Chronicles. "The Amyrlin exiled my Aes Sedai, not me. I'm still a Warder, which means I have every right to come here, as do my brothers. And now, I need to speak to the Amyrlin Seat."
The woman before him opened her mouth, but before one word crossed her lips, a melodious voice said, "That's enough, Leane."
Siuan Sanche had entered the room, looking as regal as ever. Her dark eyes bore into Lan's, cold and dismissive. "I will talk to Lan Gaidin." The woman of Tear returned to her room, expecting Lan to follow.
But when the uncrowned king of Malkier took a step forward, Alanna's hand grabbed his arm and squeezed it. Lan's fingers twitched. He didn't like to be touched by anyone other than Moiraine – and Nynaeve – and his first instinct was to attack Alanna before he took a deep breath and held himself back. Instead, he turned his head to face the woman.
She didn't say anything – didn't dare while Siuan and Leane were listening – but her Aes Sedai mask was gone. There was a deep sadness in her eyes, yet also determination, sending a clear message to Lan, 'Don't mess this up.' This whole situation bothered her, and she was obviously missing her friend, not knowing what Moiraine and Siuan were plotting behind everyone's back.
"You shouldn't let the Amyrlin wait," the Green Sister said and released him, quickly pulling her Aes Sedai mask back in place.
Lan nodded, then walked into the Amyrlin Seat's room.
The next chapter will be uploaded on Wednesday.
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