Chapter Text
The pair stepped through the portal into Jaina’s quarters, all smiles and laughter. Sobering slightly, Jaina checked to ensure her ward was still in place and was relieved to find that it had not been touched.
Jaina wanted nothing more than to forget about the possible betrayal of Genn, the uncertain future of the Horde, and whatever was going to happen with her relationship with Sylvanas.
Her stomach tightened into a knot and she shivered. She did not want to think about any of those things. She only wanted to exist in the moment and take each day as it came. Whether things worked out how she wanted them to or not, she decided it did not matter. She only had one life to live and she was going to enjoy it.
Sighing deeply, Jaina kicked off her shoes and flopped on her bed, laying on her back, hands resting behind her head. Her love joined her, laying on her side, lightly stroking her shoulder and arm.
“I heard everything you said,” Sylvanas told her, a bit of a smile on her face.
“Eavesdropper,” Jaina teased, grinning.
“Sometimes, I just need to hear all that, too,” Sylvanas said.
Jaina blushed and turned to her then, looking deep into her love’s eyes. “I love you, Sylvanas Windrunner.”
“And I love you, Jaina Proudmoore.”
Jaina sat up then, beginning to remove her robes. Sylvanas helped her out of them, then quickly shifted to remove her own clothes. Jaina straddled her and kissed her deeply, hands exploring her naked body. Sylvanas’ hands went around Jaina’s back as she held her close.
They stayed like that for a while, simply content to be near each other and just kiss. Then, Sylvanas pulled back slightly and dropped her mouth to Jaina’s neck, sucking lightly on hot skin. She stopped before she left a mark and kissed along Jaina’s shoulder and collarbone. Jaina’s eyes closed, completely relaxed in her love’s arms and moaned softly. Sylvanas flipped them over, pressing the mage to the bed and lying on top of her. She kissed Jaina’s breasts, licking the nipples until they stiffened. Jaina murmured softly, Sylvanas’ name on her lips. The banshee moved back up to claim Jaina’s mouth in a kiss as her hand went lower, resting on the mage’s sex. She gently spread Jaina open, cool fingertips brushing her clit. The mage gasped and shivered, lifting her hips up slightly. She was already wet and the banshee stroked between her slick folds, then slipped one, then two, and finally three chilled fingers inside. Jaina whimpered into her love’s mouth, her body beginning to shake. She reached a hand down between Sylvanas’ legs and began to softly rub her clit. The banshee moaned deeply and continued thrusting her fingers inside as her thumb found the mage’s clit.
Jaina slowly slipped a couple fingers inside Sylvanas, then carefully added a third. Her thumb began moving in gentle circles around the banshee’s clit. Their thrusts inside one another matched in speed while their thumbs caught up.
They were both close, both panting, and they locked themselves in a deep kiss as they grew closer. “Oh, Sylvanas,” Jaina whispered, breaking the kiss, and Sylvanas’ name on the mage’s lips was enough to finally send the banshee over the edge, breathing hard and shaking.
Sylvanas caught her breath as Jaina slowed her movements, fingers just barely touching her sex, mindful of the sensitivity. The banshee continued her thrusts and whispered, “Come for me, Jaina.” Her thumb spun in fast circles over Jaina’s clit and the mage cried out, back arching as she came, panting and trembling, her face flushed.
They collapsed together, lips crashing into each other, kissing lovingly as they recovered. Sylvanas moved off Jaina carefully, settling in at her side as they continued to kiss.
“I love you,” Jaina told her for the second time, lightly caressing her love’s face.
“I love you, too,” Sylvanas said, grasping her darling’s free hand in hers.
“I’m so tired,” Jaina said, “and still a bit sore.” Sylvanas chuckled wickedly. “Not because of you,” she said, repeating her words on the ship. “Well, maybe a little because of you.”
Sylvanas was still smiling. “I know what you mean,” she said. “I’m tired too. Long day today and it’s still barely just started.”
Jaina nodded and looked out the window. She was right, the sun was high in the sky, so it was barely midday.
“What should we do?” Jaina asked.
“Not sure,” Sylvanas replied. “I’m nervous about Thrall.”
Jaina reached a hand to Sylvanas’ face, gently stroking her cheek. “I wouldn’t worry.”
“No?”
Jaina shook her head. “I think you convinced him and I know he loves the Horde and doesn’t want to see it fall.”
“Even if he accepts, the question remains of what I’m going to do next.”
Jaina gave her a confused look. “What do you mean?”
Sylvanas avoided her gaze. “I was... looking into something, but I decided against it. It would likely only bring about more problems and... the Horde deserves better.”
“Do I even want to know what it was?” Jaina asked, doubts about Sylvanas and their whole relationship suddenly at the forefront of her mind. She felt sick.
“You really don’t.”
Jaina sat up and drew her knees to her chest. She looked straight ahead and fought back the tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks. Her voice trembling, she asked, “Has everything been a lie?”
“No, dear.” Sylvanas reached out to touch Jaina’s shoulder and the mage flinched away, making Sylvanas withdraw her hand. “I’m tired, Proudmoore,” she said, and Jaina stiffened at the use of her surname. “I no longer want to fight.”
Jaina turned to her. “Fight this war?” she asked. “Or fight... at all?”
Sylvanas met her gaze. “The first one, for the most part.” She sighed. “The second... sometimes.”
Jaina looked down, understanding. When she thought that Sylvanas was intending to kill her on the ship, she had decided that she could accept if that was how her life had ended. She had accomplished much, she had bravely led her people to victory and to safety afterward, as she stood as the last line of defense between the Horde and her allies. Sylvanas intervening had not necessarily changed that, but everything that happened after certainly had. She was determined to make the most of her life, to not let anyone dictate how she would spend her days and not let anyone make her feel guilty for the decisions she had made or would make.
“I need to speak with my mother,” she said suddenly.
“About Genn?” Sylvanas asked.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll be back.”
Sylvanas nodded and watched Jaina dress, sighing softly.
Jaina removed the ward from her door and was about to open it when her love’s voice stopped her.
“I’m sorry I called you ‘Proudmoore,’” she said.
Jaina smiled. “At this point, Windrunner, it feels like a term of endearment.”
Sylvanas chuckled. “Sounds about right.”
“See you soon.”
“Mhm.”
Jaina opened the door just enough to slip through and shut it quickly behind her. She looked around and was relieved to find that she was alone. She cast a quick ward on the door and went to find her mother.
She did not have to go far. She heard voices outside as she descended the stairs and followed them.
“Jaina!” her mother called. “Come outside, sweetheart.”
“We were just about to send for you,” said Anduin.
Genn said nothing, merely nodded at her in a silent greeting.
“Where are your robes?” Katherine asked. “I had them cleaned and mended and sent them with a girl to your quarters this morning.”
Jaina’s heart sank, but she realized there may still be hope yet. “I received them,” she said, “and then clumsy me spilled my wine, so I’m washing them again.” She caught Genn’s eye as she spoke and saw a decidedly disappointed look on his face. Emboldened, she decided to get to the bottom of what was going on. “Something wrong, Genn? Judging by your face, you seem oddly concerned about some robes.”
“Jaina...?” her mother began and trailed off.
“What was on them? Tracking device? Sound amplifier? Both? Something else entirely?”
Genn cleared his throat. “Simple tracking device,” he admitted.
“Oh?” Jaina said incredulously. “Just a ‘simple tracking device.’ Wow.”
“You were gone an entire day,” Genn said through gritted teeth. “Forgive me for being worried that something may have happened to you, that perhaps you had been brainwashed and sent back to us as a different person, someone who would endanger your family and the Alliance.”
“What?” Jaina gasped the word. She shook her head. “You thought I might have been brainwashed?”
“I did, too,” Katherine said quietly.
Jaina turned to her. “I’m me!” she shouted. “I wasn’t brainwashed or captured or anything of the sort!” She was breathing heavily and tried to calm down. “I’m me,” she repeated, her voice soft.
Anduin walked over to her and pulled her into an embrace. “We were worried, Auntie,” he said. “Forgive us.”
Jaina was stiff in Anduin’s arms and he stepped back awkwardly when he realized it.
“None of you trust me,” she said, hurt in her voice.
Katherine spoke first. “Sweetheart, that’s not true!”
“It is true,” Jaina replied. “And... maybe... you’re right not to.” Her lip quivered and she dropped her gaze.
Katherine walked over to her daughter and gently lifted her chin. “What are you talking about, my love?”
As if on cue, Sylvanas materialized beside Jaina.
Anduin drew his blade and Genn bared his teeth, howling.
“Stop!” Jaina cried. “Just stop!”
Sylvanas put her hands up to show that she was unarmed and not planning to attack. “I’m here alone,” she said, “if that helps.”
Anduin lowered his blade and motioned for Genn to stand at ease. Katherine was too stunned to say anything and she merely looked between her daughter and the banshee, trying to make sense of the situation.
“What is the meaning of this?” Genn roared.
“As you already know, when our allies were escaping, the Horde tried to stop them. I stepped in and prevented them from doing so, but not without a cost. I was very nearly defeated, but Sylvanas intervened and sent them away.”
Genn was livid. “So, what happened? She keeps you for herself and forces you to act against the Alliance on her behalf?”
Jaina fumed. “I already told you nothing of the sort happened.”
Genn pressed his inquiry, “Are you trying to tell us that this monster wants to negotiate peace by ingratiating herself with you? Getting you to believe she’s changed?”
“This is why I hid the truth,” Jaina said, looking at Anduin, Katherine, and Genn in turn. Her eyes settled on Genn. “I knew you wouldn’t believe it.”
Genn shook his head and growled. “You are far too old to be this naive.”
Jaina frowned and licked her lips. “I’m not naive. I actually believe people can change for the better,” she said, as her eyes bored into Genn’s.
“This is outrageous.”
Sylvanas spoke up then, addressing Anduin. “Your majesty, your dog is bothering everyone. Could you, perhaps, do something about him?” Her tone was reminiscent of that day at Lordaeron, when the war began in earnest.
Anduin looked irritated and flummoxed, but gave Sylvanas an imperceptible nod. “Genn,” he said, turning to the worgen, “leave us, for now.”
Genn shook his head. “You would listen to this banshee over your own council?”
Anduin kept his voice even. “I would very much like to hear what everyone has to say. I’ve heard you. We all have. Now I want to hear everyone else. You can stay if you’re quiet. Otherwise, I’ll call on you later on.”
“I won’t speak,” Genn said finally.
“Thank you,” Anduin said. “Now, I want to know what happened after Sylvanas stopped her Horde. Genn did bring up a good point earlier. You were gone for so long, Jaina. I know you were weak and I understand that, but it was such a long time. What happened between then and yesterday, when you returned?”
Jaina exhaled and avoided his gaze. She felt her mother staring at her and wrung her hands. She chanced a look and saw her mother’s expression change. Katherine knew, the others had not quite grasped it.
“Anduin, Genn,” Katherine began, “I’d like to speak with my daughter alone.”
“Of course,” said Anduin. “Come on, Genn.” He started walking back into the Keep and Genn followed.
“Would you like me to join them?” Sylvanas asked.
“No,” Katherine said coldly. “You’re staying right where you are.”
“Understood.”
Jaina finally met her mother’s gaze, but did not dare speak.
“I don’t need details,” Katherine said, her voice still cold, but now tinged with a bit of disgust, “I just want to know why.”
Jaina exchanged a look with her love as Katherine regarded the two of them. “I’m not really sure how to put it into words, Mother.”
“Try,” Katherine said curtly.
Jaina swallowed and spoke quietly. “When Sylvanas’ champions had departed, we sat together for a while. I thought she planned to kill me, but she had no such plan. Instead, she kissed me.”
Katherine’s eyes widened.
“I wasn’t sure how to react, but something in me changed. I rested below deck at Sylvanas’ suggestion. When I woke up, we talked for some time and then...” she trailed off. “You said you didn’t want details.”
Katherine’s expression was unreadable, but Jaina felt she was being judged harshly all the same.
“What, exactly, did you talk about?”
“The future of the Horde,” Jaina replied. “Sylvanas told me about her plan to step down as Warchief.”
Katherine finally addressed Sylvanas. “Is this true? Do you actually mean to step down or is this some sort of trick?”
“I’ve already stepped down,” Sylvanas said. “Your daughter and I were in Deepholm this morning to speak with Thrall.”
Katherine was still unconvinced. “All right, so you’re no longer Warchief. What exactly does this mean? What does this change?”
“Everything,” Sylvanas said simply, holding Katherine’s gaze. “My leadership is not what the Horde needs and, with your daughter’s help, I realized that and made the appropriate decision for the sake of the Horde.”
Katherine turned to her daughter. “Is this what you want? Is she who you want?”
Jaina nodded. “Yes, Mother.”
Katherine folded her arms over her chest. “So be it.”
“Mother?”
“If this is what you want—who you want—I can’t stop you and I probably shouldn’t try. You’re far beyond being old enough to make your own decisions. It’s your life.” She looked at Sylvanas. “I won’t interfere.” She began to walk away, towards the Keep.
“Mother!” Jaina called, catching up to her. “What does this mean?” she asked quietly.
Katherine faced her daughter. “Right now, it means I accept your judgement. It does not mean I currently approve or will ever approve. But, you are my daughter and I love you with all my heart. I trust you and I trust that you will make the decision that is right for you.” She looked over her shoulder at Sylvanas, then turned back to her daughter and spoke kindly. “All of that said, I wish you the best. You’ve been through far more than any one person should ever have to go through. You deserve happiness, my love. I hope you find it, whether it’s now or in the future.” She pulled her daughter close, embracing her tightly. When she stepped back, there were unshed tears in her eyes. With a small smile and nod at her daughter, she walked away.
Once her mother was gone, Jaina turned and jumped a bit when she saw that Sylvanas was already at her side. Her own eyes were swimming with tears, but she was surprised to see tears in Sylvanas’ eyes as well. She gently touched her love’s face.
“What happens now?” she asked.
Sylvanas smiled at her darling. “I leave that up to you.”