It's the morning before the battle happens, and Moiraine and Lan have a moment to themselves.

Warning: This is a smut chapter – definitely NSFW!
For those who don't like to read about Moiraine and Lan being romantically involved, I will give you a short summary at the end of the chapter, so you can continue to read the next chapter on Sunday.

Moiraine awoke the next day from the sound of yelling voices. She and Lan had somehow managed to fit into that small bed with Lan spooning her. How did Alanna and her Warders manage? Surely, they hadn't tried to fit in.

"Are you out of your mind?! I said on the left! – The left side! Not the right side!"

"Ignore them," Lan murmured, pulling her closer to him and burying his nose in her dark locks.

"It sounds like everyone prepares for battle."

"Hmm," the Malkieri hummed, agreeing. "We want to surprise the Shadowspawn."

"And when were you planning on telling me?"

"I tell you now, don't I?"

"Lan." Sighing, Moiraine pushed back the blanket, trying to get up, but her Warder had different plans. Quickly, he threw his leg over hers, keeping her from moving. "Lan!"

"We still have time."

"You men may not need a lot of time to prepare yourself, but I like to wash myself before we fight against the Dark One's army."

But no matter what she did, the uncrowned king of Malkier didn't let go. Actually, it seemed like he tightened his grip on her.

"You always look beautiful in my eyes."

"Well, thank you, yet I still wish to wash myself. I won't face the Trollocs like this."

In response, Lan growled angrily. "I still wish you would return to Fal Dara."

Finally, the Cairhien woman was able to free herself from his embrace, getting on her feet. "We talked about this. I'm your Aes Sedai and wife. We've fought together for over twenty years, and I won't start now to let you fight your battles alone."

A small water basin was everything they had to clean themselves. Moiraine heated the water with Saidar, then let the nightgown drop to the ground. The air in the tent was cold, and she shivered for a moment before using the Aes Sedai trick to ignore the cold.

When she started to rub the wet cloth over her arms, she felt a spike of longing through the bond. Surprised, she followed the emotion and realized it came from Lan. What was he thinking about that made him-?

Moiraine froze, letting her eyes wander down over her naked front. Blood and ashes! What had she been thinking?! She had dropped her nightgown in front of Lan! There was no need to turn around to check if she was the reason for his arousal. She could almost feel his eyes on her back.

"Now, that's a sight I haven't been blessed with for weeks."

For a heartbeat, the woman of the Blue Ajah thought about covering herself, then decided against it. Lan was her husband, for light's sake! And before that, he had been her Warder. That man knew every inch of her body. She shouldn't feel uncomfortable with him staring at her. In their early days, it took her years to undress or bathe in front of Lan's eyes. But she wasn't that prudish Cairhien girl anymore.

After taking a deep breath, Moiraine continued to clean herself. Lan reacted like every other husband would after seeing his wife in her naked glory. "Well, that happens when you spend more time in your study than with your wife." Shocked, she bit her own tongue. Had she just given Lan permission to bed her? Even in her ears, her words had sounded like a challenge. Blood and ashes! What had she done?!

"So, you say I haven't been attentive enough the last weeks?"

The bed creaked, then the Aes Sedai felt her Warder's presence in her back. She forced herself not to move away or to throw the washcloth at him. After all, it had been her comment that had lured him toward her.

Yet, she couldn't stop her body from reacting to his longing. Her own arousal was rising, and she felt her core pulsing. Light! They were surrounded by an army! This was hardly the place to think about… pleasuring each other!

Lan's fingers moved tenderly over Moiraine's arms, sending a chill down her spine. "In that case, I have to make up for my… inattentiveness." His fingers closed around the washcloth. "Allow me to help you with that."

"I can do this myself." Moiraine's voice sounded like she was out of breath, and she also felt like she couldn't breathe normally with him standing so close to her. Pull yourself together, Moiraine!

"It is my duty as your husband to take excellent care of you." Lan pulled her long hair aside to reveal her throat, then pressed a kiss on her wild, beating pulse. "Allow me to see to my duties."

Fluttering, the Aes Sedai's eyes closed, and her fingers released the washcloth. Surely, Lan wouldn't… Moiraine gasped when Lan's lips touched the back of her hand. He washed her arm but then left a trail of kisses from her hand to her shoulder. This was not good!

He continued with her back and her other arm. Even her armpits got cleaned. After that, the uncrowned king of Malkier took her arm and turned her around. Hunger shimmered in Lan's eyes when he took her in. His breath accelerated, and if that was no sign of his longing, the quickly growing tent of his pants spoke volumes.

"You're cold." Lan licked his lips when he noticed her hard nipples.

Moiraine almost chuckled. Cold. As if her nipples were hard because of the temperature. Blushing, she reached for the wet cloth. "In that case, I should better finish quickly before I catch a cold. In the meantime, you can get dressed. Your captain-general will probably search for you soon."

But Lan kept the fabric out of her reach. "I insist on finishing what I started."

"Technically, I started to clean myself. You simply took over."

The uncrowned king of Malkier closed the distance, bringing his face close to hers and letting his hot breath move over her lips. "And I wish to finish."

His free hand found its way to her small back, pulling her flat against him so her nipples rubbed over his chest. Moiraine gasped, trying hard to suppress a moan. This was highly inappropriate! She should stop the man before the situation escalated!

But before one word could leave her lips, her Warder had captured her mouth with his own. All those weeks, she had pushed him away – kept him at a distance – because she had been scared of crossing the line. And although some of her memories had returned, and she remembered bedding Lan countless times, she was still scared about doing it. What if it felt different? What if Lan didn't want her anymore? She didn't want to disappoint him.

The Malkieri's kisses moved to her throat. At the same time, the man created some space between their bodies, letting the cloth move over her chest.

"Lan." Light, her voice sounded breathless! But she had to end that! "We can't- Oh."

The cloth had reached her breasts, and sparks rushed through her body when it got in touch with her hard nipples. That wasn't good!

Carefully, her Warder led her backward until her butt met the small table with the water basin. Surely, he wouldn't…

"You smell wonderful." Lan continued his examination by leaving a trail of kisses down to her breasts. "I missed touching you."

"Lan, we shouldn't… this isn't the right moment to-"

Another kiss silenced her while Lan's hand moved deeper. "I want to hear those little sounds you make when I'm bringing you pleasure," he whispered.

Little sounds? Dear light. That man truly wished to give her an orgasm! Anyone could enter at any moment, catching them in the act. And the walls of the tent weren't soundproof. Everyone around them would know what they were doing. Blood and ashes! Alanna would never stop teasing her for the next month!

"No, Lan. The tent… there is no shield…."

"I don't care." The washcloth disappeared between Moiraine's legs, and she shivered. She was already wet! "Let them hear that I take good care of my beautiful wife."

Slowly, he moved the fabric over her most intimate part, and Moiraine realized she spread her legs further to give him better access. What was she doing?! For weeks, she had avoided to let him too close to her and did her best not to encourage him in any way. And now, she did that! "This isn't the time to think about pleas- ah!"

Lan's fingers had parted her vulva, finding her wet entrance with ease and pushing in a finger. He smiled against her throat when he heard her gasp.

"That's it."

"Lan." Moiraine wasn't sure what she actually wanted him to do. Her body was clearly betraying her, welcoming his actions and reacting properly.

"Stop thinking, my love. Allow me to take care of you." He added a second finger, pumping slowly in and out of her.

The squishing sound of her body made Moiraine blush. Her body enjoyed the treatment way too much. "The army… your men… could come in."

"Forget them. They can wait a few more minutes."

Lan leaned down and took a nipple in his hot mouth. Damn him and his tongue! "The Shadowspawn… the attack." The Aes Sedai's fingers moved into her Warder's hair, holding him close to her breast. He was so good at that!

"My men won't start without me, so we have time."

"What if they… ah."

"Light, woman." Sighing, the uncrowned king of Malkier lifted his head, nudging her nose gently with his. "Are you done finding excuses? I'm trying to work here."

His fingers had stopped, giving the Cairhien woman the chance to think clearly again. What they were doing was a mistake! They could think about pleasure once they were back in Fal Dara – in their bedroom! – where no one could disturb – or hear! – them.

Breathing heavily, Moiraine placed a hand on his chest. "This is not the right time to do this, Lan. Your men wait for you, and Alanna will surely wonder what we did in here if I don't show up soon."

Smiling, Lan tilted his head. "And what do you want, Moiraine?" When she furrowed her forehead in confusion, he moved his thumb over her clit, making her whimper. His lips found hers in a sweet kiss, then he asked in a seductive voice, "Do you want me to stop doing this?"

Moiraine gasped when his thumb continued to strike her little pearl. Light, her legs were trembling! "The army…."

"Not an answer to my question," Lan responded. "Do you want me to stop?"

Burn him to ashes! That insufferable man could feel her longing and arousal through the bond. She was so wet that it flowed down her legs, and the sounds her body made… no one who looked at her now would say she didn't like Lan's attention.

"No, but-"

"Good." Lan didn't let her finish. His fingers picked up the pace, turning her thoughts into a mess. "And since you're still able to form words, I have to double my efforts. I don't want you to think about anything else but me and the pleasure I'm giving you."

The washcloth landed on the table beside Moiraine. Before the woman of the Blue Ajah could say anything, the man from the Borderlands went to his knees. With wide eyes, she watched him placing his shoulder under her left leg to lift it from the ground.

"Brace yourself on the table, my love."

"Lan, don't-"

But he wasn't even listening. Squeaking, the Aes Sedai grabbed the table when her Warder grabbed her other leg and threw it over his other shoulder. Her butt was barely sitting on the table! This was not a safe spot to do something like that!

Yet, the Malkieri seemed to think of it as safe because his tongue didn't wait long to get in touch with her most intimate part. A moan escaped Moiraine's lips when he started to lick her clit while his fingers began to move again. Blood and ashes!

Carefully, she tried to pull back her hips, but Lan's free hand grabbed her butt and held her close to his mouth. He wouldn't let her escape.

"Lan."

He hummed against her, knowing very well what those vibrations were doing to her. They had to… Moiraine's brain went blank when the man started to suck on her clit. Panting, she brought her hips closer to his face, relishing the pleasure that was building inside of her. It had been such a long time since her last climax.

Soon, Moiraine had forgotten about the tent, the army, and why they were there. All that was important now were Lan's tongue and fingers working on her. She couldn't stop the moans or the small whimpers from escaping her lips, and they seemed to encourage her Warder in his doing.

"Lan." Light, she was close. Her orgasm was building up fast.

"Say it again."

"Lan."

"Again."

"Lan!"

Smiling, he drew circles around her clit. When Moiraine lowered her eyes, she saw he was watching her. "You're so beautiful." His voice was thick with lust. "I want you to look at me while you climax."

Moiraine blushed. She should look him in the eye while he brought pleasure to her? "Lan, I-"

"Come for me, Moiraine."

His hot mouth closed around her clit, coaxing another moan from her. The Aes Sedai felt embarrassed that he watched her so intently but was unable to turn her eyes away. Lan knew she was close and quickened his pace once more.

"Lan." Her walls were already closing around his fingers. "Lan." He sucked harder on her sensitive pearl. "Lan!" Finally, the combination of his mouth and fingers sent her over the edge. "Lan!"

Her thighs closed around his head, but he never stopped. His fingers and mouth kept working on her while her body shook from the aftermath of her incredible orgasm.

Carefully, he slowed his actions, allowing her to calm down until the tight grip on his head loosened. Lan helped her to place her feet back on the ground, then had to steady her because her feet threatened to give way. Her entire body tingled from that climax.

Smiling, the uncrowned king of Malkier wrapped the Cairhien woman in his arms, pressing her against his chest. "Light, I missed tasting you." He pressed his lips on hers sweetly.

This time, Moiraine returned the kiss, enjoying the taste of herself on his lips. She hadn't known how much she had needed that release. "Thank you," she whispered, then pulled at his ear. "You played a dangerous game. Anyone could've entered at any time, catching us in this compromised situation."

"No one would have entered while you made those wonderful cute sounds, my love."

Moiraine felt her cheeks burning again. Burn that man! He knew how to embarrass her. Before she could give him an appropriate answer, the flap of the entrance was opened. "My Lord?"

Bryon, the captain-general, had entered without a warning. Luckily, Lan acted quickly and positioned himself before Moiraine. He was big enough to cover her entirely from Bryon's gaze, yet the Aes Sedai pressed herself flat against her Warder's back. If Bryon decided to take a walk through the tent…

Anger and embarrassment fought for the upper hand before she finally sent her anger through the bond. She had warned Lan that someone could enter, and now, it had happened. Lan, on the other hand, found the situation amusing and allowed her to feel it through the bond.

Her nightgown lay at her feet, but Moiraine didn't dare to pick it up. Cursing, she closed her eyes and hoped the man would leave soon.

"Good morning, captain-general," Lan greeted the man. "What's the rush?"

Bryon bowed formally. "Forgive me my intrusion, my Lord. It's the Shadowspawn. They're moving."

"Blood and ashes!" Immediately, all amusement had faded. When Lan dared to move, Moiraine dug her nails into his back, reminding him she was still there. "Give me five minutes, then I'll be there."

"Yes, my Lord." Bryon bowed again, then left the tent.

"So much for surprising the Shadowspawn," Moiraine said while picking up her nightgown. "I told you we shouldn't have wasted time with such nonsense."

She wanted to reach for her clothes, but Lan was faster. He grabbed her wrist and spun her around, then reached between her legs. Moiraine gasped when he moved his thumb over her sensitive clit. "This," he whispered against her lips. "Is never a waste of my time. Understood?"

Panting, the Cairhien woman nodded. Lan leaned in on her and kissed her harshly. Fear grabbed Moiraine's heart. That wasn't a sweet kiss. It was the kind of kiss someone used who imagined to die soon.

Shocked, the Aes Sedai pushed her Warder off her. The look in Lan's eyes told her he truly believed he would not survive that attack. "Lan-"

"Get dressed. We have to act quickly now if we don't want the Shadowspawn to slaughter us all."

And with that, he turned and picked up his own clothes. Playtime was over. Now, it was time to go into battle.

Quick summary of the chapter: Moiraine and Lan wake up in the morning, and the Aes Sedai washes herself before her husband's eyes. Lan takes over and helps her clean, but his longing affects Moiraine as well. Although she tries to reason with him, her body longs for his attention, which he gladly gives to her.
After letting her climax, the captain-general enters the tent to inform Lan about the Shadowspawn moving. It's time for battle.