It is time for Moiraine and Lan to be whole again.
Moiraine and Lan walked back to the Aes Sedai's room in complete silence. After Siuan had finished the delving of her lover, the woman of the Blue Ajah had barely said a word. Lan had received a warning glare from the Amyrlin before she had hissed at him to look after his Aes Sedai. As if she needed to remind him of that!
The uncrowned king of Malkier wished they would finally reach Moiraine's room. The Cairhien woman had taken so many new corridors that the Warder was lost again. Were they getting closer or farther away from their destination? In Moiraine's condition, it was possible she used the longer way to sort her thoughts.
Suddenly, voices approached them, and the Aes Sedai froze. Lan strengthened his ears until he recognized one voice – King Galldrian! One look at Moiraine's face showed him she couldn't face the king in her condition. She needed rest.
Quickly, the Warder opened the door on their left and checked the room. It was one of the many guestrooms, but more importantly, empty. He grabbed the arm of his frozen Aes Sedai and pulled her behind the door before closing the wooden construct carefully.
Moiraine's breathing was shallow, like she wasn't getting enough air. Lan pulled the woman against him, then his arms wrapped around her, one hand stroking her hair comforting.
When Moiraine returned the hug, the Malkieri noticed she was trembling terribly. Calmly, he continued to rub soothingly over her hair and back and pressed a few kisses on top of her head.
"Where is she?!"
The Aes Sedai stiffened when she heard King Galldrian's angry voice outside the door, and her fingers dug painfully into Lan's back. Yet, the Warder didn't change their positions.
"This Aes Sedai said the Amyrlin sent this terrible woman back to her room, yet she isn't there! I thought an Aes Sedai can't lie!"
"Maybe she already left her room again, your Highness." Another man was with the king.
"I don't like having a Damodred wandering around in the palace! Who knows what she will do?! Find her!"
Moiraine and Lan stayed in the room until the Warder couldn't hear the voice of the angry king anymore. And even then, he waited before he carefully opened the door again. Nothing was heard.
"How far are we from your room?" Lan whispered.
The woman of the Blue Ajah shook her head. "We're almost there." Her voice was barely audible. "Two more corridors."
Relieved, the Malkieri nodded. "Come." He released the Cairhien woman but intertwined their fingers immediately to pull her after him. Moiraine was still trembling, and he didn't know how well she would follow without his encouragement.
They left the guestroom and headed down the corridor.
Moiraine had been right. Her room had been nearby, and they luckily didn't run into anyone else. Lan took one last scrutinizing look at the corridor before closing the door behind him. Then he grabbed the chair and placed it under the door handle. That way, no one could enter the room without their permission.
When the uncrowned king of Malkier turned around, he saw the Cairhien woman standing in front of her bed, calming herself. Light, he hated that place!
"Moiraine?" Startled, she turned around to face him.
Slowly, he approached her with his hands up in defense, giving her every chance to move away. But she didn't. Her eyes watched his every move, yet she didn't even flinch.
Once the uncrowned king of Malkier stood right before her, the Cairhien woman closed the distance herself and wrapped her arms around him.
Lan was relieved she was seeking contact. He didn't know how to help her when she shut him out.
They stood in the middle of the room for a while until Moiraine's trembles vanished, and her breathing eased. Lan rubbed his hands in soothing circles over her back, waiting for her to break free. And since he knew her, she would soon push him away to regain her composure.
As if she had read his mind, the Aes Sedai stepped out of her Warder's embrace and turned away to clean her face. "We need to think about a place where to hide the False Dragon. It needs to be somewhere my sisters will believe he needs no surveillance anymore."
"Moiraine-"
She brought more distance between them by walking to the door. She wouldn't dare open it, but it was her way of distracting herself. "A place where Rand will have access to him, and they can train properly."
"Moiraine-"
"We can't pull any attention to Rand. If anyone suspects him of channeling-"
"Stop!"
The Aes Sedai winced at her Warder's outburst. He rarely yelled at her. But he had more important things to discuss than Rand and the False Dragon – at least in his eyes.
Lan took a deep breath to calm himself, then asked, "Can we please forget Rand and Logain for a moment?"
"Rand needs training. But as long as Logain stays here, we lose time – precious time. Who knows when the Dark One-?"
"Just for a moment, Moiraine. Please."
The uncrowned king of Malkier saw the reluctance in the eyes of the Cairhien woman. She didn't want to change the subject. Could she really not see that there was something more important at the moment?
Finally, Moiraine nodded. "What do you want to talk about instead?"
"Unmask the bond."
He was surprised at how pale she turned all of a sudden. Hadn't she expected that request? Hadn't she thought about unmasking the bond?
"You don't want to be in my head right now," she whispered, shaking her head slightly.
"You never should have masked the bond in the first place." Lan took a step forward but stopped when Moiraine took one back. "Please, Moiraine. I need you back."
This time, she shook her head more vehemently. "I don't want to pull you down with me."
"I can handle it." The Warder took another step forward, watching how his Aes Sedai backed away to the door without realizing what she was doing. "I handled every situation over the past twenty years. This is no different."
"Being back in Cairhien – in the Sun Palace – Lan… I can't do this to you."
"Let me support you. You're not alone, Moiraine. Allow me to be there for-"
"What about Nynaeve?" She was grasping at everything that could be useful. "One day, she'll become an Aes Sedai, and-"
Lan crossed the room, and Moiraine stumbled backward against the door. But it was already too late when she finally realized the situation she was in. The brooding man stepped before her and blocked every escaping possibility. "How often do we have to discuss this?!" Lan growled. "I won't become Nynaeve's Warder! I'm yours! Always have been, always will be! Stop using the Wisdom as an excuse, and unmask our bond!"
Silent tears rolled over Moiraine's cheeks, making Lan's heart ache. Why was she punishing them? Sighing, he went on one knee before her. "What do you need from me?" He asked gently. "Do you want me to renew my oath? Do you want me to swear a new one? I'll do it. Just tell me what you need, and I'll do it."
"I don't want you to swear another oath to me," the Aes Sedai whispered.
Frustrated, the Warder rubbed his temple. "Then what else do you need, Moiraine? Don't you want me back?"
Her knees gave up, and she sank to the floor before him. Immediately, Lan's hands reached out to catch her, afraid of her losing consciousness. Had he pushed her too far? This morning had been exhausting. First, Logain's attack, and then Rand's channeling to untie the knot.
But the woman of the Blue Ajah was awake, and she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Of course, I want you back."
Relief washed over the Malkieri. He hadn't even realized how scared he had been that she could not want him anymore. Smiling sadly, he leaned his forehead against hers. "Then let me back in, my Aes Sedai. You're my heart – my soulmate." He leaned closer until their lips almost met, letting his warm breath move over her lips when he whispered, "My home."
Moiraine shivered and closed her eyes. Her fingers left his shoulders and started moving while Lan's heart began to beat faster. Would she do it? Had he convinced her? Would she unmask-?
The Warder gasped when the bundle of Moiraine's complex feelings filled his head and heart. The door she had closed so many weeks ago stood suddenly wide open, and she had stepped right through it. It was the best feeling he had ever had. His body tingled everywhere. Every cell in his body longed for that incredible woman and welcomed her home.
Lan couldn't stop himself but had to send Moiraine his love through the bond before his heart exploded. They were whole again! She was his and his alone!
A sob escaped Moiraine's lips when she felt Lan's love, embracing it at the same time. She had missed him just as much as he missed her.
Smiling lovingly, Lan cupped her face in his hands, wiping her tears away. "Mine," he whispered.
He was rewarded with a wave of Moiraine's love, warming every cell in his body. They were finally back!
Moiraine didn't know for how long they kneeled on the floor, enjoying the feeling of one another through the bond, but she didn't feel the urge to move. Lan loved her. After everything she had done to him – after everything she had SAID to him – he still loved her. Nynaeve had maybe taken a piece of his heart with her, but not all of it. A piece of his heart still belonged to Moiraine.
Tenderly, the Aes Sedai let her fingers move over her Warder's neck and shoulders. She felt him being curious about what she was doing. I just want to be close to him. I want to feel him. But no word crossed her lips. She couldn't say it.
Suddenly, Lan grabbed her arms and pulled them away from his body. Moiraine couldn't hide her disappointment from him, and he smiled when he received it. As a response, the Malkieri sent her a feeling of trust through the bond. The Cairhien woman needed a moment to understand that he asked her to trust him.
Curious, she watched him standing up before he also pulled her to her feet. What had he planned? When her Warder started undressing her, the Aes Sedai winced. "Lan!" She hissed.
"You need to rest," Lan declared, continuing his work. "Or do you wish to keep your clothes on for that?"
Her belt fell to the ground, and Lan's talented fingers continued to open the laces of Moiraine's dress. Moiraine reached up for Lan's cheek. "I don't want to rest right now." All her senses reached out for her Warder through the bond. It felt so good to have him back! She finally wasn't broken anymore.
The uncrowned king of Malkier chuckled when he felt her joy. "Don't worry. I won't let you rest alone. I haven't slept all night. It will be good for me to lie down, too." His forehead touched hers. "And what could be better than lying in bed while having my beautiful Aes Sedai in my arms?"
Moiraine's dress opened, but she refused to let it slip off her shoulders. Instead, her hands reached for Lan's belt. "Well, if you intend to join me, you need to get rid of a few things, too. Don't you think?"
Smiling, her Warder pulled off his sword belt, letting it sink to the floor. But when he started to work on his tunic, his Aes Sedai growled and swatted his hands away. "It's my turn now." Lan held up his hands in defense as a sign that he wouldn't interfere any longer.
Satisfied, the Cairhien woman continued her work, slowly undressing the man before her. First, his belt landed on the floor, then his wrist armor before she pushed layer after layer off his shoulders.
Finally, only a thin tunic was left, which stood wide open to reveal Lan's muscular chest. Breathlessly, Moiraine reached out, yet didn't really touch him. Her hands moved over his chest, her fingers gingerly drawing patterns on his skin.
Lan had closed his eyes during her examination, and Moiraine felt him being at peace. She reached for her Warder through the bond, wanting to feel everything of him. Light, had she missed his warm presence! How had she ever been able to live without him?
The Aes Sedai's hands pushed the tunic over his shoulders, leaving him bare from the waist up, then she stepped closer while her hands wandered to his back. Lan's back was covered with old scars from a time before he had known Moiraine. Yet, she knew every single one of them.
The uncrowned king of Malkier shivered when her fingers moved over his old wounds. Then he grabbed her dress and pulled her close until their bodies were pressed together. "You're torturing me, Aes Sedai," he whispered against her lips, then his hands found their way into her hair.
Moiraine gasped when Lan pulled her head back, revealing her throat and leaving soft kisses on her skin. "Do you call this resting?" Be quiet, idiot! You don't want him to stop!
Her dress slipped off her shoulders, leaving her in her thin underdress. She probably should have felt cold, but her body seemed to be on fire. The energy of their bond pulsing through her like a raging fire.
Sighing, Lan let go of her. The Cairhien woman growled at her own stupidity, then pulled his head back down to her to kiss him. "Don't stop."
But the Malkieri smiled and freed himself from her grip. "You need to rest."
"I need you."
Her words let his smile grow, and a wave of love washed over her. "You have me." Moiraine copied his smile.
Suddenly, the uncrowned king of Malkier duck, then threw her over his shoulder. "Lan!"
"I'll ensure you get some rest."
"Put me down!" She shrieked when he dumped her on the bed. Oh, she could feel his amusement and wanted to slap him!
While Lan untied her boots, Moiraine pushed herself on her elbows and thought about kicking him. He was in a very dangerous position for her to create maximum pain. "That would be cruel, Aes Sedai."
Her eyes shot up to his face. The uncrowned king of Malkier knew exactly what the Cairhien woman had been thinking about.
"It is cruel to go against my wishes, Gaidin."
Both her boots landed on the ground, and her Warder crawled over her. With shining eyes, the Aes Sedai sank into the soft mattress. Her hands wandered over his chest when he lowered his head. His hot breath mingled with hers, and her breathing turned shallow. It was insane what kind of power that man had over her. One longing look, and she turned into a breathless, trembling thing.
"I'm simply taking care of the most important woman in my life." That insufferable man knew how to talk himself into her heart! But when the woman of the Blue Ajah lifted her head to kiss him, the uncrowned king of Malkier pulled back. "Sleep, remember?" Groaning, Moiraine's head fell back on the mattress.
Smiling, Lan pulled the hairpins out of Moiraine's hair. At least this time, she didn't complain or stop him. Once he was done, he left the bed to place them on the table.
"Didn't you say you would lay down with me?" Moiraine asked, raising a questioning eyebrow at the attractive man.
"Patience, Moiraine." Smiling, the Warder took off his own boots, followed by his trousers. Only his small clothes stayed.
Admiring, the Aes Sedai let her eyes move over the man's body. She remembered the feeling of him lying behind her – spooning her – while she pressed her butt against his growing erection. The last time, she had been afraid of Anvaere walking in on them. But now… they were in the Sun Palace – surrounded by countless enemies and memories. Could they have a repetition of the moment they had in Anvaere's house? Except with more potential enemies waiting for them behind the door?
"Stop that." Moiraine blushed, although she hadn't said anything. When her eyes locked with Lan's, she saw the undeniable longing in them. "I will sleep on the floor if you don't stop your thoughts."
From the corner of her eye, she noticed the growing tent of his small clothes. The man felt her arousal and reacted to it, obviously.
Moiraine cleared her throat, then repositioned herself on the bed so she could turn her eyes away from Lan's lower region. "Am I not allowed to think?" She lay down with her back to him.
"Not when your thoughts take a dangerous direction, which tore at my self-control," the uncrowned king of Malkier growled.
The woman of the Blue Ajah felt the mattress moving behind her, and her lips pulled into a smile. So he wouldn't sleep on the floor. Honestly, she probably would have joined him should he decide not to take the bed.
"Remember, you wanted me to unmask the bond. You wouldn't know about my thoughts without it."
Moiraine shivered when Lan left a trail of warm kisses on her exposed shoulder. "And I wouldn't change my decision," he whispered, his hand moving over her hip. "I will always choose to feel you than being cut off."
When the Aes Sedai tried to turn on her back, the Warder placed himself behind her, spooning her, then laid his arm protectively around her.
A sigh escaped Moiraine's lips when she felt her personal safety bubble building up around her. Safe – she was safe in Lan's arms.
"Sleep, my Aes Sedai."
The Cairhien woman growled when she felt the Malkieri sitting upright. "Come back."
Lan chuckled, then the blanket fell over her. Her Warder had pulled the blanket over them so they wouldn't get cold. Smiling, the man returned to his former position with his arm around her. "I'm here."
Content, she snuggled closer against him, enjoying his warmth while sending her love through the bond. Immediately, Lan sent his love for her, and their bond pulsed with life.
Lan pressed a kiss on her hair. "I'm here."
Moiraine squeezed his arm, then allowed sleep to send her to the world of dreams.
The next chapter will be uploaded on Wednesday.
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