New chapter up. Enjoy!
Varian POV
I walked off the training field, placing my sword back on my hip and taking a long pull from the waterskin I'd left off to the side. It wasn't hot outside, considering spring was only just getting to the point where you could do training drills outside and not be at risk of losing a finger to frostbite, but it was warm enough to make physical exertion tiring. The field was fully cleared of snow and was dry enough to not make a mess when working on it.
Life was good.
Though talks were still in progress, the Alliance and the Horde were closer than they've ever been to full peace, Stormwind had a fully respected and loved king and queen, and although it had only been a few months since Anduin and Connie returned from their honeymoon, they had already announced that they were pregnant. I was going to be the first Wrynn man in recent history to actually be alive to meet his grandchild and, with any luck, I'd be around to be a part of his or her life.
As a father, I did the best I could. Fatherhood had never come naturally to me and when Tiffin was killed, I lost all hope I'd had to become a good father. Thankfully, my shortcoming in the area hadn't seemed to tarnish Anduin's excitement. He was nervous, of course, since he was still very young, but I was confident he'd make a better father than his own.
I walked over to the bleachers, where Vala was sitting. She'd come out to watch me train the newest batch of army recruits, and for her part, she didn't look bored. I'd glanced over a time or two during my drills and she was always watching me with interest.
Vala was another reason I was happy. I'd never thought I'd meet another woman who'd make me feel like this. Part of me was sure I'd be alone for the rest of my life, since my old personality wasn't the type to attract genuine interest. I was thankful that part of me had been wrong.
"The new recruits seem to really respond to you." She said, smiling up at me, accepting the kiss I offered her. Though we hadn't actually announced our relationship to anyone, including Anduin and Connie, we didn't try to hide it, either. We just kind of non-verbally agreed to just act naturally around each other and let people say what they will. So far, no one asked.
"It feels good to be training soldiers for the purpose of being ready for a war, not to replenish our troops from an active war. At least my skills can be put to good use, since I grew up and lived in war for most of my life. If there's one thing I know how to do well, it's fight."
"It's made you an amazing trainer. At least from my perspective, not that I know much about fighting or war."
I laughed. "I could train you to use a sword, if you'd like."
Vala smiled and shook her head. "No thanks. I'll stick to magic and daggers, but I appreciate the offer."
I sat next to her. It wasn't warm out, but the sun felt nice on my face. "You don't have to come out here with me everyday. It can't be that interesting sitting in the cold watching me yell at people."
"On the contrary, I like coming out here with you. I like watching you move, it's mesmerizing…and a bit erotic."
"Erotic? Really?"
Vala chuckled and blushed slightly. "You're with a woman half your age who was stranded alone for five years, so yeah, my mind has a way of making just about everything you do erotic."
I laughed, then leaned over and kissed her. Not an overly passionate kiss, but a long, lingering caress of lips that made her shiver from something other than the cold.
Yep, life was good…until it wasn't.
We were so involved with the kiss, neither of us heard the soldier running up to us from across the field…
To Be Continued...