Ghosts

by Annova

Summary:

Not every Alliance mage agreed with Jaina Proudmoore's Purge of Dalaran. Rommath discovers that some ghosts just won't stay dead and along the way, learns that love still has a place in his heart. Set during MoP and beyond.

Notes:

I've had this brain worm hanging around ever since experiencing the Purge of Dalaran as a long-time Alliance player. I took quite a few issues with what Jaina did and got away with.

I also wanted to explore more of the Blood Elves, especially Rommath, since he is woefully underdeveloped as a character. This is what came from that.

I hope to keep a steady schedule of twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays).

I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

Part 1: Parallels

Annaya knew she should have seen it coming. Jaina had been making threats against the Sunreavers ever since Theramore had been destroyed and Vareesa had been practically begging to remove the Horde from Dalaran for years. Something had finally tipped the scales and Jaina had given in. Annaya couldn’t say she blamed either woman. She was just as angry about the blatant disregard for so many innocent lives lost, and she still deeply mourned the death of Rhonin.

She hadn’t been there when Rhonin died, and the guilt gnawed at her like an open wound. No one blamed her, his little apprentice, but she had begged to accompany him that day. She had followed close on his heels as he hurried out to Krasus Landing, but he had refused to hear her. Despite everything she had done to become an archmage, there was no place for her at the Battle of Theramore. She needed to stay back, to protect Dalaran, to protect the family she had worked so hard to create. She still couldn’t help but feel as if she were abandoning him as she watched him fly away, and when news of his death had reached Dalaran, she watched a darkness grow within Vareesa unlike any she had ever seen before. Her path of vengeance was cold and lonely, and it seemed today was the day she would find her recompence.

Annaya ducked into an alleyway as a pair of water elementals swept around a corner and up the street toward her. She knew they wouldn’t bother her; she was an Alliance archmage, but it wouldn’t do her any good to be spotted out and about. Vareesa had imposed a curfew on every citizen in the city. Only Silver Covenant guards were allowed on the street, sweeping buildings for Sunreavers to detain. As soon as Annaya had heard the announcement, she had slipped on her cloak and snuck out of her apartment.

She needed to find Aethas. She didn’t know what was going on, but she knew she needed to get to him before the Silver Covenant did. He was the key to all of this; he would know something.

As she waited for the two behemoths to pass, she took a deep breath. Things had spiraled out of control so quickly after Rhonin had left. The Council had jumped at putting Jaina in charge, and Aethas had been adamant that she was the perfect choice, but Annaya had her reservations. Jaina was stubborn and willful; two qualities Rhonin had told her she shared with the other woman. Annaya had scoffed at the comparison. Jaina was so much more than her, in so many ways, Annaya could never bring herself to see the similarities.

She stepped into the middle of the alleyway, twirling her wrist to conjure a small arcane familiar at her feet. It appeared in a small flourish of blue and purple arcane energy, looking up at her for a moment before she waved her hand to send it off to search for the other archmage.

She had heard rumors for a while of Sunreavers working for Garrosh Hellscream, the Horde’s Warchief. She personally put little stock in them; she knew Aethas would never have allowed his own people to sacrifice the hard work they had put in to making the Kirin Tor a true neutral entity in Azeroth. There were so few places left where friendly Horde seemed welcome anymore.

And yet, her confidence wavered as she watched the Silver Covenant search the shops she had once frequented. She could hardly wrap her head around the friendly shopkeepers she knew so well being spies for the Horde.

As she waited for the familiar to return, she peered out of the shadows. She was supposed to be meeting the Council of Six at midday to discuss the latest in a long list of hostile Horde actions in the Eastern Kingdoms, but she doubted that the meeting was still going to take place. Jaina’s ‘purge’ seemed to have taken center stage.

A blue whisp drifted by her and she turned to see the arcane familiar reappear in the center of the alley. It stared up at her with a blank expression, waiting for her to approach.

“Well, did you find him?” she whispered, impatiently. She rolled the barbell through her tongue along her lower teeth as she waited. It was a nasty habit she had picked up ever since she had gotten the blasted piercing for her eighteenth birthday. It had been a dare from the other apprentices, and she still didn’t know why she kept it even to this day.

“Harlots have piercings,” Aethas had told her after she had showed it to him. “And last I checked, you were a noblewoman, not a harlot.”

She only looked like a noblewoman, having been born of common blood, but her apprenticeship to Rhonin had elevated her status considerably. She hid her lineage well, and very few people actually knew who her parents where, both of them having died in the Scourging of Lordaeron years prior.

The elemental twirled around, its arms raised above its head, and an image of Aethas appeared before her. She sighed in relief; he looked okay, but as he began to speak, she felt a chill run down her spine.

“Annaya, I’m sorry, I can’t say much. I’m going to try to work things out with Jaina. She’s got the wrong idea about all this, but I need you to do something for me, please.”

She watched as the image looked off to the side, at something she couldn’t see, but when it looked back at her, it appeared haunted. “Find my people, get them out of the city. Please do this for me. Please help me one more time.”

The image shimmered, wavering once before it disappeared. Annaya stood in silence for a long moment. She had always believed in Aethas’ dream of neutrality, even going to far as to side with him against the rest of the Council. She had put a target on her back more than once, had heard the threats and the names whispered in the shadows when Aethas was out of earshot and still she persisted.

She and Aethas had grown close over the years. After finishing her apprenticeship, she had risen quickly through the ranks of the mageocracy. Her propensity for magic made her a natural choice for diplomatic matters the council had little patience for, and the more time she spent with the council, the more she gravitated toward Aethas. Aethas pushed back against the historically Alliance-dominated council until he had secured a place for not only himself, but for his people. He put up a strong front, but Annaya could see through his normally stoic veneer. He was unsure of himself, and questioned his choices daily, but as they had grown closer, she gave him the confidence to lead his people. They had leaned on each other in ways the rest of the council scoffed at.

He had become the closest thing she had to a friend in this Light-forsaken city. Standing in the shadows of the alleyway though, she felt almost sick to her stomach, suddenly closed out of his mind.

What was going on?

She sighed, rolling the barbell along her teeth again before she pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. She glanced back at the elemental, waving her hand to dismiss it before she disappeared out onto the street to find Aethas’ followers.

---

The sewers of Dalaran were eerily quiet. The normally crowded arena was silent, and the usually lively tavern was empty. The guards must have already swept through, searching for any signs of Aethas’ people. Annaya hurried down the path, her feet splashing up water as she looked for anyone hiding in the shadows. When she reached the end of the pipe, she peered through the grates, but they were empty. She leaned her head against the cold brick wall, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. She was supposed to be saving Sunreavers, but the Silver Covenant seemed to be consistently one step ahead of her.

A wisp of purple energy gently tickled her wrist, and she tensed, looking in its direction. It had come from a pipe further down the sewer and she frowned. She moved silently, murmuring a chant to raise a thin blue ice barrier across her skin. The blue sheen glowed softly before dissipating as it locked into place. If the Sunreavers had betrayed the Kirin Tor, there was no telling what was waiting for her in that pipe.

She peered around the corner and froze, her eyes wide. The man who stood before her was not a Sunreaver mage. He was, however, a blood elf. He was tall, with raven black hair pulled back into a high tail and dark red runic tattoos running down his muscular arms that glowed faintly from barely contained power. He was dressed in the red and gold robes of Silvermoon and the lower half of his face was covered by a cowl so that only his eyes were visible. As he turned to face her, she felt a sense of familiarity, like déjà vu, wash over her.

That was impossible though. She had never been to Silvermoon, and she would have remembered an elf as stunning as him. She breathed in the faint smell of cinnamon and lightning on a stormy night; the tell-tale sign of fire magic. She raised her hands in surrender. He turned to face her as she splashed water against the cobblestone, and he tensed.

“You, human,” he spat, his fel-fire eyes bright in the dim light. “Do not move, or you will be ash where you stand.”

His voice even sounded familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. It was like a whisper on the edge of her mind, a memory folded in the pages of a book.

“Are you a friend of Aethas’?” she asked softly, adopting the deference she was well known for. She had spent years learning to handle even the most volatile of diplomats with a look and a quirk of her lips. She knew the benefits of being young, attractive, and smart and she knew how to get what she wanted when she needed to.

She glanced over her shoulder quickly to see if anyone was nearby. They were still alone, but she stepped forward into the pipe so as not to draw any attention to them. The elf raised his hands as she drew nearer, fire appearing around his fingertips.

“Please!” she pleaded; her eyes widening. “I am not your enemy. She... she’s going to kill him!”

His hands dropped slightly, but the fire still curled around his fingers. “Proudmoore? She has him?”

Annaya nodded quickly. “He said he could talk to her, but she’s gone mad with hate.” The words tasted sour on her tongue, and she frowned at the thought.

“Where has she taken him?”

“I can show you. Please, she is killing any who resist her. Innocent people!” She took a deep breath to calm the sudden panic in her throat.

The elf was quiet for a moment. “Why are you helping my people, human?”

“What I am doesn’t bind me to anything, my lord. Aethas believed in neutrality here in Dalaran, and I... I loved that dream.” she scoffed, looking down. She felt a sadness settle in her chest, but she pushed it away. There was no time for that anymore.

“It was a beautiful dream, but Jaina is blinded by her hatred of the Horde, and now your people are paying for it. I won’t stand by and let her slaughter people, regardless of which... side they happen to be on.”

He observed her for a moment, his eyes glowing in the soft light. Annaya forced herself to meet his gaze. His aura was strong, curling up to press against her, but she had spent her whole life around imposing – and often arrogant – mages. She hadn’t been born into nobility, she wouldn’t let his sharp gaze intimidate her.

Still, the déjà vu was back, and as she looked into the elf’s eyes, she felt like she had been there before, looking into those same eyes long ago. His long, pointed ears twitched slightly and her eyes shifted to them before settling back on his face.

“Take me there.” he finally said, the fire disappearing from his hands.

She nodded before she turned to peer out of the pipe. The sewers were quiet, and she waited another moment before she stepped out, the elf close behind her. They hurried up the steps and as they emerged onto the street, she couldn’t help but gasp. Things were far worse than before. Smoke drifted up from several shops along the main street, and she could hear screams coming from Dalaran bank. They ducked behind a nearby overturned fruit cart.

“Where are they holding Aethas, mage?” her companion asked as he crouched next to her.

“Jaina took him, mostly likely to the Silver Enclave. Arcanist Rathaella would be holding him there along with anyone else they’ve arrested.” she replied, pointing up to a window further down the street.

“Let’s go then. Most Covenant agents are out slaughtering Sunreavers right now, which means our chance is ripe. Slay Rathaella, and spring Aethas from his prison.”

The words were cold, and Annaya stared at him, her brow furrowed. How could he be so callous about his own people? He didn’t look back as he took off up the street, keeping to the shadows. She followed close behind, observing him as he moved. He moved easily, like he had been there before. She suddenly realized that she did know him.

“By the Light...”

---

She hurried up the path into the Mage Tower, the tome pressed tightly against her chest. She had spent the better part of an hour rummaging through the endless rows of books in the vast library, but she had refused to leave until she had found it. Mages passed her without a second glance, but still she kept her head down as she hurried up the steps.

She was late. She knew she shouldn’t have lingered, the ever-watchful eyes of her professors always on her, always waiting for the moment ‘the little commoner’ would slip up, but she couldn’t help herself. To know the book was within her grasp had been difficult enough, and now she finally had it.

She hurried through the massive doors, her dark blue robes swirling around her as she nearly broke into a run. If she hurried, she could make it to the classroom and sneak in through the back without the professor noticing. She dodged around a small group of arcanists loitering in the hallway... and ran headlong into someone.

She released a small cry as she bounced off their side harmlessly, sprawling out onto her back on the floor. The book flew from her hands, clattering to the floor somewhere nearby. She lay on the ground for a moment as shame drew up her neck to color her cheeks. Mages were supposed to be graceful beings, and there she was laying slumped out on the floor of the Mage Tower. Typical commoner.

“Are you alright?” a smooth voice reached her ears and she felt like crawling into a hole to disappear. She knew that voice all too well.

She opened her eyes to see the long blond hair and red robes of Prince Kael’thas standing over her.

She had run into Prince Kael’thas.

Of all the people to barrel into, she had to find the prince of the Quel’dorei, and member of the Council of Six.

He reached his hand out for her, and she sheepishly took it, slowly getting to her feet. Her face felt like it was on fire as she burned from embarrassment.

“F-Forgive me, your majesty, I was careless-” she stumbled over her words as she cast her eyes to the floor.

He held up his free hand. “It is quite alright. I should have been watching where I was standing.”

She smiled nervously back at him. She felt... wrong for even looking at him, let alone holding his hand and she pulled it free of his, clasping them together in front of her. The older apprentices had told her stories about Prince Kael’thas. How he was devilishly handsome and incredibly smart, and only had eyes for Jaina Proudmore. She felt a pang of jealousy as she thought of the other woman, but quickly pushed it away. Jaina was... Jaina, and Annaya was... just a commoner.

“Now, where are you off to in such a hurry?” he asked, straightening up and crossing his arms over his chest.

“I-I’m late for class, your majesty.”

“Class? Oh, you’re an apprentice?” he asked, as he took in her attire. She nodded quickly, nervously picking at a loose thread on her sleeve. Her dark red hair was pulled back in a simple braid, and she wore plain blue robes identifying her as a Kirin Tor apprentice. Simple and basic.

“There are so many apprentices around these days. Who is your mentor? You must have one?” he asked.

“My, uh... my mentor?” She faltered on the words. Rhonin had taken her in to train her, but she knew the rumors many of the nobles said about her. That she didn’t belong there; that she had no place in Dalaran. Rhonin didn’t deserve the headache she caused.

“Spit it out already, girl!” Someone snapped at her, and she jumped. She turned to see another elf approaching them and she froze. He was tall, only slightly shorter than Prince Kael’thas, and he had dark ebony hair pulled back into a high tail and runic tattoos curling down his arms. His blue eyes seemed to pierce into her very soul, and as she breathed in, she smelled cinnamon and lightning, and her breath caught in her throat. He held her book in his hand as he came to stand next to the prince, his ears twitching slightly in annoyance.

“My apologies,” she stuttered, clearing her throat as she glanced down quickly. “My mentor is Archmage Rhonin, your majesty.”

“Ah, Rhonin, of course!” Kael’thas replied loudly. A few nearby mages glanced at them, and Annaya felt her flush deepen. “Rhonin doesn’t take students easily. He must see something special in you, miss...”

“Oh! Annaya Dawnfire, my name is Annaya Dawnfire.”

“Well, Lady Dawnfire, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The prince bowed to her, and her eyes widened, darting between him and the elf standing next to him. He glared at her for a moment before turning to the prince with a sigh.

“Must you do this here? You’re making a scene!”

“Ah, Rommath, always one to spoil the fun.” Kael’thas chuckled as he straightened. “Well, don’t let me keep you any longer, Lady Dawnfire. If you professor asks, tell them I had utmost need of your services and was the reason for your delay.”

“Of course, your majesty.” she bowed as Kael’thas and his companion, Rommath began to walk away. Her eyes suddenly widened.

“Wait! My book!” She made to follow them, but Rommath had already turned back to her. She froze as he approached her, his eyes scanning the cover.

“Now, what does a human want with something like this?” he asked, looking up at her. He frowned as he held the book up between them.

“I’m learning Thalassian. I love languages and yours is one of the most beautiful. I hope to become fluent one day.” she replied with a small, hopeful smile.

He looked at her for a long moment. It was a hard stare, and she tried not to wither under it.

“Hmm, it is a difficult language. Not many outsiders can truly master it.” He finally replied as he held the book out for her.

She took it from him, and their fingers brushed briefly. She felt the flush creep up her neck. There were plenty of elves in Dalaran, but she had never been so close to one, especially one that waited on the prince. She held the book tight against her chest.

“Perhaps one day, I’ll be able to show you then, my lord.”

His eyes narrowed and his ears twitched. “Perhaps.”

He turned and followed after Kael’thas. Annaya stood, watching in the hallway until they disappeared.

---

It was Rommath. She remembered the day he left Dalaran to return to Silvermoon years ago. Arthas’ undead forces were bearing down on Quel’thalas, but she hadn’t learned just how badly the elves had been crippled until much later, after she had evacuated Dalaran. She had been staying in the refugee camps at Light’s Hope Capel when the news of both city’s destruction had reached her, and she had never heard from Rommath again.

She shook her head to clear the memory before she hurried after him. They arrived at the Silver Enclave to find the front doors unlocked. With a quick glance up the street, they slipped inside, and hurried up the stairs. They heard moving on the landing and she held up her hand to halt him. A Silver Covenant Guardian was waiting in front of a large door and he turned to face her.

“Archmage Dawnfire? What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice filled with suspicion.

She smiled at him as she approached. “Thank the Light I found you, Guard, things are a mess outside. I was just looking for a friendly face.”

The guardian relaxed slightly. “Of course, Arcanist Rathaella is down the hall. We’ve got a few prisoners in there as well. With your help we can transfer them to the Violet Hold.”

Annaya felt a crackle in the air and stepped out of the way just as Rommath suddenly stormed past her, his hands alight with fire. She watched as the guard burst into flames, his charred body collapsing at their feet.

It was quiet for a moment before Rommath turned to look at her. She slowly looked up at him with wide eyes.

“Does this frighten you?”

She glared at him, swallowing her nerves. “They made their choice, as have I.”

“I must say, I never expected a human to offer help to the Sin’dorei so freely.” He smirked behind his cowl.

Annaya bristled. She was used to the dismissive comments of nobles but hearing them from him felt… different. She brushed past him to push the doors open.

“I suppose there are still some things about me you have yet to learn, my lord.” she glanced back at him briefly. “My name is Annaya, by the way.”

She pushed the door open, not bothering to wait for a response. He followed shortly after, and they looked at each other for a long moment before they made their way down the hall. Annaya wasn’t sure if he remembered her. Certainly not. She was hardly memorable and so she steeled her mind to focus on finding Aethas and the rest of the Sunreavers.

There was a door at the end of the hall, and she placed a hand against the hardwood. There were quiet voices on the other side, and she frowned. She glanced back at Rommath quickly, who nodded to her and so she pushed the door open, revealing the large, expansive second story of the inn. Arcanist Rathaella turned to face them. Rommath moved past Annaya, and his whole body seemed to pulse with the heat of his flames. Annaya followed him in but moved to the prisoners, and she rushed toward a young blood elf who was kneeling on the floor, her arms bound behind her.

She pulled a dagger from her belt to cut the bonds holding her when the smell of lightning reached her nose.

“Annaya, you came! I knew you’d come!” she exclaimed as the mage helped her to her feet.

They turned to see Rommath standing over the charred remains of the arcanist.

“Grand Magister Rommath?! What are you doing here?” she asked, her eyes wide.

The Grand Magister turned to them, his fel-fire eyes scanning the room, but he didn't respond. The elf moved to help the other prisoners before she turned back to Annaya.

“Have you seen Selina? Is she okay?” the elf said, holding her hands out to the archmage.

Annaya shook her head. “I haven’t seen Selina, Feyla. I haven’t seen anyone. I’m still trying to find Aethas.”

Feyla hung her head as she stepped back. “This is all a mess.”

“What’s going on?”

The Sunreaver shook her head. “I don’t know. Everything changed so quickly. One minute we were all laughing together and the next…” she gestured to the room.

“Aethas isn’t here... they must have moved him.” Rommath interjected, looking over at Annaya as he moved to the window.

Annaya crossed her arms as she rolled the barbell through her tongue along her teeth. She turned to step up next to Rommath. He heard the clicking of the metal and glanced down. His brow furrowed before his eyes drew back up her face, but she was deep in thought as she tapped her fingers along her bicep.

“There’s one other place... the Violet Citadel.” she finally said, turning back to Feyla. “Jaina may have taken him to the top to hold him until after her... purge.”

“Let’s get in there and find out for sure. If not...” he sighed. “at least we saved a number of Sunreavers today.”

She glanced back at him, but he remained looking out the window. They were running out of time. The longer Aethas was missing the less likely they were to find him. She took Feyla’s hands in her.

“Feyla, Vareesa is holding the dragonhawks out on Krasus Landing. Go free them and then get to the sewers. Once we get Aethas, that’s how we’ll get you all out of the city.”

Feyla looked at her. “What about Selina?”

She shook her head. “I... I don’t know. I’ll try to find her, but...” she turned back to Rommath and he finally turned to her. Their eyes met.

“Just get there.” Annaya finally said, turning back to her.

They waited for the Sunreavers to leave the room before she took a deep breath and brought her hands up in front of her. Rommath approached her as a blue light began to emanate from her fingers.

“I was never allowed up there so I’ll get us as close as I can.” She said. He nodded, his eyes boring into hers as he stepped close, and the blue light slowly engulfed them.

They were teleported out of the Silver Enclave and up to the top of the Violet Citadel, to a small alcove near Jaina’s office. Annaya cursed quietly as her knee brushed his robes. She had gotten them close, but the alcove was not what she had imagined.

The space was cramped, and Rommath’s arms shot out to brace himself against the wall, boxing Annaya in. She tensed, her eyes darting up to his. They froze as they waited, listening for any sign of nearby guards. The hallway was deathly silent, save for their quiet breaths.

“We should go,” she whispered after a long moment. She wanted to look away but felt frozen by his gaze.

“Right.” He replied, his voice barely reaching her ears.

He slowly dropped his hands and leaned back, giving Annaya enough room to slip out of the alcove. Her nose was filled with the smell of lightning and her skin felt electrified.

Get it together.

He followed behind her and they hurried down the hall toward Jaina’s office. He held her ear against the door for a moment, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. She heard a man’s voice on the other side. She recognized it and huffed quietly.

“Anar’alah,” she said quietly, as she stepped back next to Rommath. “She would have that rat hold him.”

Rommath looked at her as she frowned. There was only one human that he knew of that spoke Thalassian. His ears twitched as long-forgotten memories began to surface in his mind.

“Aethas is in there, I’m sure of it.” she said, pointing to the door. “And I’m sure the Mage-Commander will be most surprised to see us.”

Rommath raised an eyebrow but nodded quietly as she turned to face the door. She pushed the door open and Zuros, the Mage-commander turned to look at them. His surprise quickly morphed into rage as he recognized Annaya.

“I figured you would eventually betray us, Dawnfire. A commoner like you could never be trusted not to. You always did have a soft spot for these... addicts.” He spat, waving his hand at the figure behind him.

She flinched as she looked past him to see Aethas, held up in arcane shackles against the back wall. His helm was missing, and he had a nasty bruise across his normally fair-skinned cheek. He was only unconscious, thankfully, and she turned back to the Mage-commander.

“You always did have a way with words, Zuros.” She spat back as she raised her hands in front of her. Icicles began to form on the surfaces around the room as white wisps appeared around her hands.

Before she could hit him with anything, he drew his sword and lunged at her. She easily dodged the attack, sending a bolt of ice at him. While Zuros focused on Annaya, Rommath rushed forward to Aethas. He whispered a few words as he placed his hands on the shackles, and they shimmered briefly before they disappeared. Aethas fell forward into the Grand Magister’s arms, groaning quietly as he slowly regained consciousness.

“You came,” he whispered, looking up at Rommath through bruised eyes.

“Now is not the time. We don’t have long.”

They heard Annaya shout and both elves looked over to see Zuros leaning heavily on the young woman. She groaned as she pushed him off her. He stumbled back, his hands clutching his stomach. Blood leaked through his fingers, and they saw the ice lance protruding from his gut.

He faltered, falling to his knees with a cough. “Mark my words, Dawnfire. You will regret the day you chose the Horde over the Alliance. I could have protected you. You could have been powerful.”

She slowly approached him, and he glared up at her. “Oh please. You should know me better than that, Zuros. Power doesn’t entice me. Money doesn’t tempt me. I will always choose what I believe is right.”

She brought her hands up to cup his face and she tilted it up toward her. Her fingers glowed blue, as splinters of frost began to crawl across his temples and down his cheeks. He let out a cry as his body tensed but she held him as he writhed. Finally, she released him, and he collapsed at her feet. He lay, unmoving, his body a sickly shade of grey blue, and Annaya let out a breath before she turned to face the two elves.

“We should hurry,” she sighed. “Someone was sure to have heard that.”

Aethas leaned heavily on Rommath’s shoulder as Annaya began to cast a portal for them. As she waited for them to step through, she spotted Aethas’ forgotten helm tossed to the floor. She picked it up, checking it for cracks before she hurried after them.

As they stepped through the portal, they arrived back in the sewer. The other Sunreavers were waiting with the dragonhawks and Rommath waved to them. The archmage pushed himself off the magister’s shoulder to turn toward Annaya.

“Stay with me, Aethas, we’re going out the tunnel,” Rommath said, but Aethas ignored him.

They began to hear yelling in the distance.

“You have to go-” Annaya said, as she held out his helm. Her eyes shifted between both elves.

“Come with us. You’ll be tried for treason if you stay here.” Aethas interrupted.

She scoffed. “You know I can’t just leave. Besides, I can handle Jaina better than anyone. You go while you still can.”

He took her free hand in his,” I’m sorry it came to this.”

“So am I.”

He suddenly lurched forward, pulling her into a hug. She froze, but just as quickly, he pulled away, taking the helm from her loose fingers. He stepped to the edge of the tunnel. She looked at Rommath and their eyes locked. Without thinking, she reached her hand out to him. He turned toward her, reaching his own out.

She smiled softly. “I could never forget you, Rommath. Please, don’t blame Aethas for this.” she said before she turned and disappeared back into the sewers. He looked at where she had gone for a moment before looking down at the object she had placed in his hand. He frowned before he closed his fist tightly and followed Aethas out of the tunnel.

Notes:

Oh goodness! Thank you for reading! It means the world to me! This has been sitting on my computer for months and I finally kicked myself into gear to post it, so if you enjoyed it, I have more! Either way, thank you again for reading!

Some quest dialog taken from in-game content, however, it's heaviest in this chapter. It will lessen as the story continues.

Translations:

Anar'alah: By the light

Chapter 2

Notes:

This chapter contains some of the last in-game content before my brain finally got its act together and I took the training wheels off.

As the dragonhawks set Aethas and Rommath down in Falconwing Square, Lor'themar finally felt his anxiety begin to lift. When Rommath had decided to stage a rescue of the elves in Dalaran, he had agreed, but as soon as the Grand Magister had left, the Regent-lord had regretted it. Tensions were high across Azeroth; Garrosh was on a rampage to kill any Alliance he could get his hands on, and he didn’t care what he had to destroy to do it. 

Lor’themar quickly stood to meet the two mages, Halduron joining him by his side. 

“Aethas, thank the Light! You’re alive!” 

Aethas slid off his mount, stumbling slightly as his feet touched the grass. Fatigue had long set in, and his bones ached deeply. The flight had been long and arduous, and he was already so exhausted from his previous torture. He nearly collapsed before Lor’themar, only just barely dropping to his knees with what was left of his dignity. 

“Thanks to the Grand Magister and Archmage Dawnfire, a few of us were able to make it out of there. Many more were sent to the Violet Hold.” he bowed his head, fists clenched tightly over his thighs. 

Lor’themar began to pace in front of Aethas, “Anar’alash denal! Will someone tell me what is going on in Dalaran?” 

Aethas sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. He was frustrated and the dagger of betrayal still sat lodged in his heart. Everything had spiraled out of control so fast, from when he had first learned of his Sunreavers working with Garrosh to Jaina’s discovery of the bell being stolen. He had been so confident that he could have talked Jaina back off the ledge, but there had been no discussion. As soon as he had entered the Violet Citadel, Zuros had arrested him and begun to ‘question’ him. As he knelt on the grass, he refused to lose his composure in front of Lor’themar, Halduron, and especially Rommath. These were the very people that he had come to for help, had begged for assistance and had been vehemently denied. He would not show them an ounce of weakness, not now. 

“It was Proudmoore!” he finally exclaimed. “She’s gone and expelled the Sunreavers from the city. She’s purging the Horde from the Kirin Tor!” 

Lor’themar sighed as he continued to pace. “She’s gone too far. I’m certain now the Alliance can move their war mages through the city at will. That human… witch!” 

He paused in front of the bench he had been sitting on earlier. He turned suddenly, pressing his hands under the seat, and tossed it into the nearby fountain. It splashed as he spun back to the group.  

“When will they learn? When will they see that the Horde exists because of the Alliance? Because of their prejudice and their bigotry? They force us ever closer to Hellscream’s Horde.” 

A strained silence fell over the group. Lor’themar looked back at him before glancing around at the survivors behind them.  

“And what of this… Archmage Dawnfire? You said she helped you escape the city? Where is she now? I would reward her for her bravery.” 

Aethas bit his cheek as he glanced at Rommath. They both knew well what likely fate awaited her. Rommath was glaring back at him, and his brow furrowed more. 

“She stayed behind in the city to allow us time to escape,” Rommath spoke up, turning his glare from Aethas to Lor’themar. The Regent-lord looked over at him. “She will most likely be tried for treason for assisting the Horde in committing mutiny against the Kirin Tor. They are notoriously cruel to those who betray them.” 

Lor’themar sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. After a moment, he dropped his hand. “While her actions are admirable, her fate is now her own. We can do nothing more for her.” 

He turned, looking at the massive bell resting nearby. It towered over the group as it rested silently on the grass. “Get this damn thing out of my sight! Hellscream bought this treasure with the blood of my people. I hope it destroys him.” 

Halduron stepped forward, directing the guards to move quickly. Lor’themar watched, his arms crossed over his chest and brow furrowed as the park square seemed to come alive with movement. 

Rommath looked over the Sunreavers that had made it out of the city with him. It hadn’t been many, but one he recognized from the Silver Enclave. 

“You, girl,” he pointed to a young mage who jumped to her feet. “What was your name?” 

“Feyla Firewalker, Grand Magister. What would you ask of me?” 

“Take your people and report to the Magisterium at once.” 

“As you command, Grand Magister.” She bowed quickly before turning to the other survivors. 

He frowned as he watched them leave. There weren’t nearly as many as he had hoped. If there had been more time, he could have saved more people…  

A memory flashed in his mind. He was standing on the shore of Quel’Thalas, watching boats filled with women and children escape Arthas and his scourge. The undead were bearing down onto the city and he had only just gotten the last civilians onto the boats before the first wall was breached. The memory suddenly shifted forward. He was standing on the same shore, watching the boats burn in the harbor as countless gargoyles descended upon them. He was powerless to stop them, powerless to save anyone and a wave of despair washed over him... 

No, this time it was different. He had saved lives. He tightened his fist. The object was still pressed into the palm of his hand and a bubble of anger swelled in his chest.  

He waited for the Regent-lord and Halduron to leave, until it was just Aethas and him alone next to the fountain. The archmage slowly got to his feet, his hands shaking as he began to brush himself off. Rommath watched him in silence for a long moment. 

“Know this, Aethas,” he said suddenly, and the archmage jumped. “ You condemned that girl to death.” He turned, clutching the object in his palm tightly, and left before Aethas could respond. 

The archmage watched him leave, before he slipped the helm down off his face. He dragged a shaky hand through his hair and sighed deeply. He could only hope Annaya would find her way out of the city and that one day he could apologize to her. Light, there was a lot he needed to do to make things right. 

---

Annaya wasn’t sure her day could get much worse. Aside from throwing her in the Violet Hold herself, she was almost certain the only thing keeping Jaina from executing her in front of the entire city was Khadgar. 

She sat in a chair in Khadgar’s office, nervously waiting for the Council of Six to summon her to their chambers. She laughed to herself. The Council was mostly just a front at this point. Jaina had already proven she was willing to take matters into her own hands, without the Council’s word or vote of approval. She did find it odd they were holding this meeting though. She held no special quarter over anyone, she was just a commoner with a special title bestowed upon her by a dead man. When she had returned to the Citadel after Aethas had left, there had been no one to detain her, and no one had detained her at all since then. She was in Khadgar’s office of her own free will. It was an odd feeling, but she couldn’t shake the sense of foreboding that permeated the walls around her. 

Annaya looked over as the door opened and Khadgar’s tired face peeked through. To his credit, he had been a wonder to her, an angel sent by the Naaru. Ever since she had met him in Outland, he had been nothing but kind to her. He treated her not just as a mage, but as an up-and-coming scholar, and the diplomat she truly was. He had introduced her to A’dal, and together they had taught her to master the arcane in ways Rhonin was never able to. 

“We’re ready for you,” he said quietly, and Annaya nodded, standing up. She smoothed down the front of her robes before she followed him through the door and down the hallway. 

The Council of Six normally met in the Chamber of Air, where they delighted in secrecy and games, however, Annaya had spent the past three years working for them. She had learned all their secrets. She knew everything there was to know about them. She entered the Chamber and noticed that they seemed to forgo secrecy this time, opting to appear seated at a long, square table. 

She came to a stop in the center of the room. The door shut behind her, echoing loudly in the large room and as she stood before them, she felt like an apprentice again. Normally, it wouldn’t have bothered her but now... things were different now. 

“Annaya Dawnfire, daughter of Alurian Dawnfire, you stand before the Council of Six accused of high treason,” Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver said from his seat next to Jaina at the table. 

Annaya could barely hold back the scoff. Archmage Runeweaver had never cared for her and used every opportunity to remind her of her common born status. He had been extremely vocal in his disapproval when Rhonin had promoted her to the rank of archmage and he had long detested her friendship with Aethas. 

Her family wasn’t special. Her father had been a farmer who worked the land in Lordaeron and her mother had been a seamstress. It was honest work, but it could never have paid for a daughter with magical acumen. Annaya had begun to show a propensity for magic as a young girl, but it hadn’t been until a chance encounter with the paladin Tirion Fordring that she had been afforded the opportunity to travel to Dalaran. Her father and Tirion had been friends as children and it was during a visit to his home that Tirion met Annaya. He knew immediately that she needed mentorship in the city of mages, and he knew the perfect person to train her. Rhonin had not been immediately receptive, but he had eventually come around. 

“You willingly aided traitors, allowing them to move throughout the city. You facilitated the Sunreavers gathering their forces and even helped them escape capture. What do you have to say for yourself?” Runeweaver continued. 

Annaya exhaled through her nose as she steeled herself. “I have nothing to say that I haven’t already said before. I made my decision willingly and with a clear mind.” 

Jaina jumped to her feet, slamming her hands on the table in front of her. “So, you chose to help the Horde? Over your own people?” 

Annaya glared at her. “I chose to help innocent people, Jaina. You had no proof of anything you were accusing them of! If you wanted to hold Aethas accountable for treason, then you should have, not gone after his people.” 

“The decisions I make as leader of the Kirin Tor are my business-” 

“Well, you were wrong, Jaina.” 

Icicles slowly began to form on the edges of the tables and outcroppings of walls as the two women glared at each other. Annaya clenched her fists at her sides as she grit her teeth. Khadgar finally stood up, his hands outstretched in front of him. 

“There must be some way we can move past this.” He ventured. 

“Annaya, someone has to pay for this.” Jaina snapped. 

“Haven’t the Sunreavers already paid enough?” she shot back. 

“As long as they choose to side with the enemy, they will continue to pay, and I will continue to do what I believe is right. I will purge evil from this city.” 

Annaya’s eyes narrowed, “I know someone else who purged a city because they believe it was the right thing to do.” 

Jaina recoiled like she’d been slapped. Annaya had never forgiven Jaina for turning her back on Arthas that day. It was a contentious point between them; Annaya knew in her heart if Jaina had just tried harder to stop Arthas that day... maybe Lordaeron would still be standing.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Jaina replied quietly. 

Archmage Runeweaver stood up. Annaya’s eyes darted to him. “That’s enough. It is the decision of this council that you, Annaya Dawnfire, will be placed under arrest. Effective immediately, you will hereby be branded as a traitor to the Kirin Tor and a traitor to the Alliance. Your sentence will be confinement within the Violet Hold, without the possibility of parole for the rest of your natural days.” 

She swallowed against the tightness in her throat as the words hit her like a punch to the gut. She had done shifts in the Violet Hold as a young mage. Some of the worst criminals in all of Azeroth were confined within the walls of the Violet Hold. She would be stripped of her own magic and placed in solitary confinement for the rest of her life. She would have no access to sunlight, or human contact, and she had heard stories of prisoners slowly going mad. No one had ever escaped from the prison. It was a death sentence – no, worse than a death sentence. 

She lifted her chin slightly as a pair of guards approached her. She drew herself to her full height.

“Don’t make this difficult, Annaya.” Runeweaver said. 

She met his eyes for a moment before looking at Jaina, but her eyes were still focused on the table. Annaya slowly held out of her hands, and one of the guards quickly placed a pair of arcane shackles around her wrists while the other clamped a hand on her shoulder. They expected her to run, but she wouldn’t. There was nowhere to go. 

As the shackles locked into place, they began to glow brightly. She swallowed nervously as she felt a pit open in her chest, draining her slowly of her magic. She exhaled slowly, trying to calm herself. She wouldn’t panic, not in front of the Council. 

“Any last words?” Runeweaver asked. She glanced up at him. She could almost hear the smugness in his voice. 

There was much she wanted to say, but her throat was tight, and she swallowed twice. “Just that... one day you’ll realize I was right.” 

The hand on her shoulder pulled her back slightly and she turned, allowing herself to be led out of the room. The door seemed to echo as it slammed behind her. 

Notes:

I didn't realize Chapter 1 was 5k words, and then I went to edit Chapter 2 and realized it was also 5k words, so I split 2 and 3 up...

Translations:

Anar’alash denal - Untranslated by WoWpedia, but spoken by Lor'themar in-game.

Chapter 3

The shackles were beginning to chafe. The guards had tightened them just past comfortable and as she shifted her wrists idly, the magic rubbed against her skin, leaving them sensitive and raw. She felt an emptiness in her chest, even as she tried to reach deep within her. Arcane magic could be finicky, and required concentration to wield effectively, but the shackles prevented her from even touching the innate tendrils that coiled within her. It was off-putting and anxiety flooded her body the longer the shackles remained. 

She kept her head down as the guards led through the streets. She could feel eyes upon her as they passed people, but she didn’t dare look up to see who it might have been. She couldn’t bear the thought of recognizing anyone. Rumors traveled fast in Dalaran. Despite its age, it was a small city, and she was almost certain her involvement with Aethas and the Sunreavers was now common knowledge.  

“There she is,” she heard a voice whisper. 

“That’s her? She’s the traitor?” another replied. 

“I thought all the traitors were captured already?” a third chimed in. 

The guard tightened his grip on her shoulder as he led her forward and away from the prying eyes of the civilians. She tensed her jaw but continued walking. The Violet Hold stood tall and foreboding before her and as the main doors shut behind them, they seemed to swallow her. There would be no escape. 

Warden Alturas stood, waiting for her just inside the main entrance. There were multiple gates leading deeper inside the prison, each protected with a magical seal. Should a prisoner ever escape their cell, they would have to pass the doors before they could even think about getting loose into the open world. The warden’s face was unreadable as the guard’s hand on her shoulder tightened, stopping her a few feet from him. 

“Archmage Dawnfire, I was told you were to be expected. Our newest... resident.” His voice was flat and gave nothing away. 

She had met the man a few times during her time in Dalaran. Mostly whenever she did a shift inside the prison, as all apprentices were required to do. He had been with the Kirin Tor for years, and had overseen the prison for as long as she could remember. 

"Warden Alturas,” she greeted, despite herself. 

“I trust you know what is about to happen?” he asked. 

She shook her head. 

“You will be stripped of your name and title, branded as a prisoner, and imprisoned within a cell deep within these walls. Your crime is high treason, and your sentence is absolute. Any questions?” 

She swallowed the lump in her throat but shook her head again. 

“Very well. Guards, you may begin.” 

The guard holding her shoulder pushed her gently back toward the wall. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to protest when the main gates opened again with a rush of air. 

“That will not be necessary. I will take over from here.” 

She inhaled quickly as Khadgar’s voice reached her ears. She turned her head to see him approaching them quickly, the doors sliding shut behind him. 

“Archmage, what are you doing here?” The warden gasped, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. 

The guard held her solidly in place, but she pushed back against him. She didn’t want Khadgar to see her like this. 

“I came to see my dear friend one more time before she disappears into this Light-forsaken place forever.” 

There was an edge to his voice that caught Annaya’s attention. He turned to address the guards.  

“You may leave. I will handle this.” 

“With respect, Archmage -” the guard still holding her began to argue but Khadgar held up a hand. 

“I have been around long enough to have processed my fair share of prisoners. You may go now.” His voice brokered no argument, and the guards looked to the warden for guidance, but he only sighed before he waved them off. 

They waited for the guards to leave before Khadgar stepped up close to Annaya. He placed his hands on the shackles, and they shimmered for a moment before disappearing. Annaya felt a rush of energy in her chest as her magic flowed back into her. She took a deep breath before she opened her eyes. 

Khadgar was looking at her with a soft smile on his lips and a twinkle in his eyes. It was a look she had only seen a handful of times before, when he was scheming and she frowned slightly.  

Khadgar turned suddenly, punching the warden square in the mouth. Annaya watched as the man instantly collapsed in a heap at their feet. 

“Khadgar, what -” 

“Here, take this.” 

He reached into his pocket, and she watched as he pulled out a hearthstone. He turned back to her and pressed it into the palm of her hand. She closed her fist around it and looked back up at him. 

“There isn’t much time before the guards come back. You have to go, quickly.” 

“Where though? Nowhere would be safe for me.” 

“Light’s Hope will take you. Send word to me through the Eye when you arrive there.” 

The Violet Eye. A secret order of spies founded by the Kirin Tor that acted outside the bounds of the mageocracy. Their work pushed the boundaries of what was considered ‘reasonable’ by Council standards, and most of the members’ identities were unknown even to the Councilmembers themselves. Annaya had met a couple members briefly during her time in Outland. They were shrewd and secretive, and incredibly good at their work. 

“There is one thing before you go, though,” Khadgar stated. 

She frowned slightly. “What is it?” 

“I need you to hit me.” 

“What? Absolutely not!” She held up her hands, eyes wide, but he only chuckled softly. 

“We need to sell it, Annaya. No one will believe you escaped on your own unless you hit me.” 

“Khadgar, I can’t...” 

She stared up at him as tears gathered in her eyes. Kind, sweet, gentle Khadgar. The man who took her in, who trained her in Outland, who was like a father to her was asking her to hit him. As if her day couldn’t get any worse. But as she looked at him, all she saw reflected back in his face was affection and an absolute love for her. 

“I will be fine, my dear.” 

She lurched forward, burying her face into his chest. His arms came up to hold her as tears finally burned across her cheeks. Tears of anger, tears of betrayal, tears of sadness. She had worked so hard to build a life she could be proud of, and she had gone and thrown it all away for what? Aethas was gone, Rommath was gone, and now Dalaran was gone. 

Fingers brushed across her forehead gently and she straightened, sniffling softly. 

“Look in the wardrobe when you get to the other side,” Khadgar said, gesturing to the hearthstone. 

She nodded gently before she stepped back. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders as he waited for her to strike. She closed her eyes for a moment, reaching within. The arcane tendrils shifted and moved, and she pulled them together, driving them toward her fingertips. As it reached the edge of her skin, she commanded it to slow, cooling it to below freezing. 

“I’m sorry.” she whispered before the magic jumped from her fingers, spinning together in the air and striking Khadgar in the chest.  

To his credit, he didn’t cry out. The frost splintered immediately, growing and moving across his body until he stood, frozen where he stood in a tomb of ice. It had happened quickly, but as Annaya stood, staring at him, she felt a knife in her heart. A greater betrayal she would never forgive herself for. 

She stood in the silence for a long time. Finally, she looked down at the hearthstone in her hand. The guards would be coming back any minute and she pressed her fist tight to activate the stone. A soft green hue began to glow from the stone, and she reached out to touch Khadgar’s frozen face once more before the glow enveloped her and she disappeared from Dalaran once and for all. 

---

She reappeared in a sparsely furnished room. She took a breath, smelling the crisp tang of salt in the air as a bell tolled in the distance. She released a shaky laugh. She was in Stormwind.  

She looked around. There was a freshly made bed, a tall wardrobe against the wall, and a lamp set on a bedside table.  

Look in the wardrobe when you get to the other side.  

She hurried over and threw open the door. There was a small knapsack and a pair of plain brown robes hanging from a hanger. She looked down at her own clothes. She still wore the purple and gold of the Kirin Tor and she quickly shrugged out of them. The Council had labeled her a traitor, she was no longer a citizen of Dalaran. She paused as she tied the ties of the new robes. She was no longer a citizen of anywhere. Light’s Hope would only take her because Light’s Hope took anyone who came to their doorstep. Would they still take her, knowing what she had done? 

She pushed the thought aside as she grabbed the pack. There was no time for that kind of thinking. She had to get out of the city. She peeked inside the pack. There was a change of clothes, a few potions, and a small satchel of coin. She felt a flutter in her chest. Had Khadgar planned this getaway? How long had he had all this set up? 

She pulled her long red hair up into a loose bun before pulling the hood of her robes over her head to cover it and hurrying out of the inn. No one paid any mind to the young commoner heading to the harbor. Another bell tolled, signaling the arrival of the next vessel, this one from Kalimdor.  

Since Deathwing’s destruction of the city, Stormwind had put considered time and money into rebuilding the harbor and it was now bursting with activity. The inn and nearby tavern were major hubs of life for sailors and dockworkers and Annaya had half a mind to slip onto the arriving ship. It wouldn’t be difficult to disappear somewhere in Kalimdor. No, she had to focus. Light’s Hope would be safest. She kept her head down and moved quickly through the city. She paid the flight master the few coin for a gryphon and was on her way. 

It was nearly dark by the time the gryphon landed at Southshore. She had wanted to press the beast to continue on into the night but thought better of it. It was dangerous flying at night so far north. One night in a small town couldn’t hurt. She was far enough away from Stormwind and the prying eyes of the Alliance, no one would recognize her here.  

A cold breeze blew up from the water past her toward the Alterac Mountains and Annaya pulled the edge of her cloak up to cover her neck. 

“Good evening, my lady,” the flight master bowed slightly, taking the reins of the gryphon from her. 

“Good evening, sir. How fares your small town?” she asked. Southshore was the closest settlement to the ruins of Lordaeron, now Undercity, and was routinely set upon by Horde forces. 

“Tarren Mill is forever encroaching on our town limits, but that’s nothing new. The guards have doubled their patrols, so there is nothing for you to worry about. All we ask travelers is that they stay to the lighted parts of town at night. We do have a curfew in place for your protection.” He explained. The gryphon chirped as he patted its large head. 

“Of course, thank you for the information.” She replied as she bowed and hurried down the hill toward town. The sun was already setting behind the hills and she would be hard pressed to find a room for the night. 

The innkeeper was a young human woman who eyed her for a long moment before she finally smiled and slid her a key to the last room available in the inn. As Annaya met her gaze, a ripple of apprehension shot through her. Something seemed… off about the woman’s smile, like her lips didn’t match her eyes. She shook her head as she took the key. She was just tired. 

“Thank you,” she said before she hurried up the stairs. 

The room was small, and sparsely furnished. She set her bag down on the bed and sighed, looking out the small window for a moment. There was a bitterness in the room as the nightly chill set in. Northrend was trapped in perpetual winter, but there was something different about being so far north in the Eastern Kingdoms. Annaya missed it. She had loved winters in Lordaeron, going ice skating at Brightwater Lake and watching the snow from the walls of Lordaeron. Nothing could ever compare. 

She sighed as the voices from the tavern below drifted up to her. There was still some time as the worker and guards wound down from their day and she decided to head downstairs. 

As she stood on the landing, she surveyed the patrons. She felt jittery and on edge, but no one seemed to pay her any mind.  

You’re safe. No one knows who you are here.  

She found a spot at the bar and slid into the open space when she felt eyes settle on her back. She quickly glanced behind her but couldn’t find the source. 

You’re just tired. It’s nothing.  

The barkeeper approached her. It was the same woman who had given her the room earlier. 

“What can I get you, darlin’?” she asked with a smile. The same smile as before and the ripple of apprehension again skated down Annaya’s spine. 

“I’ll just get whatever you have on special, please.” Annaya replied, glancing up at her. 

The woman trailed her eyes over Annaya’s face and robes before she nodded and left. She forced herself to stare at her hands on the bar as the eyes bored into her. She wouldn’t give whoever was staring at her the benefit of knowing they were getting to her. She was an archmage for Light’s sake. 

It felt like an eternity before the woman returned, carrying a mug. She set it in front of Annaya. 

“Moonberry juice, on the house, darlin’.” 

The woman smiled again before she left Annaya alone at the bar. She stared at the cup for a moment before she picked it up, taking a long drink. It tasted sweeter than normal, and she looked at it curiously. There was something off about it, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. As she sat, she thought about Dalaran, about how she had walked away from everything she knew for the sake of a belief. A belief she wasn’t even sure she believed in anymore. There were so many inconsistencies to what had happened and Aethas hadn’t told her anything.  

Khadgar had given her the report to read while she had been stuck waiting in his office, but even then, it had been hard to believe. That Aethas knew about the spies working within the ranks of the Kirin Tor yet did nothing to remove them. The reports indicated that his spies not only snuck into Darnassus to steal the Divine Bell, but that Aethas had helped orchestrate the theft himself. There was even discussion that he was a spy, slowly maneuvering himself to assassinate the Council and take the Kirin Tor by force. It was all ludicrous. It had to be. 

She took a deep breath. Once she got to Light’s Hope, things would start to turn around. She’d be able to gather her thoughts and figure out her next steps. She thought about sending a message to Aethas, but she wasn’t even sure where he was. She could only assume he had gone to Silvermoon, but she doubted a message could even get through to him especially with how relations between the Horde and Alliance were currently. Lady Liadrin still frequented the chapel; perhaps she could speak to her about it. 

She looked up, suddenly aware of how quiet the tavern had gotten. It was much later than she had anticipated. Her cup was empty, and she stood up to head to her room. As she did, her stomach flipped, and she swayed slightly. She leaned a hand against the bar as her head felt fuzzy, and she felt sweat begin to bead along her skin. A shiver ran up her spine as she felt eyes on her again. She needed to get to her room but as she took a step, her vision swam. 

“Are you ok, darlin’?” Annaya looked over to see the innkeeper looking at her. She was smiling, but again, it didn’t quite meet her eyes. 

Annaya felt a sudden fear grip her and she stumbled back. She needed to get out of there.  

“I uh... I don’t feel well,” she replied as she rubbed a hand across her eyes. She turned back to the stairs, gripping the banister tightly as her vision began to tunnel. 

She thought she heard movement behind her, but she didn’t look back. Her heart was pounding in her ears as she forced her feet to carry her up to the landing. As she slammed the door behind her, she slid to the floor as spots danced across her eyes. 

She pulled her body across the room, but she was unconscious before her head hit her pillow. 

---

She was slow to wake up. A cold breeze blew across her face, and she frowned. Her mind was a fog, like she was swimming in molasses. She heard voices, whispers somewhere in the distance but her eyelids wouldn’t cooperate. 

The bed dipped next to her.  

“Are you sure she’s out?” a man’s voice said. 

“I gave her a double dose. Trust me, she’s out.” A woman replied. Through the haze in her mind, Annaya recognized her as the innkeeper from earlier. 

She felt a hand on her arm, and she shifted. The hand gripped her tighter and she finally managed to open her eyes. A man with pale skin and milky white eyes – a Forsaken – stared down at her. She immediately began to struggle but he descended on her. Her movements were sluggish, and he easily subdued her, lashing her wrists together with thick twine. 

“She is feisty, isn’t she?” the man chuckled as he shoved a thick wad of fabric into her mouth. She groaned as she bit down and glared up at him. 

“She will make a fine gift for the Warchief. A Kirin Tor archmage will be full of information.” 

He flicked his hand, and Annaya heard the click of a knife lock open. Her eyes widened as he dragged the sharp edge along her cheek. 

“You’re lucky you’re so pretty,” he chuckled. He knelt over her, wrapping his bony fingers around her throat. He leaned forward, dragging the knife down along her jaw. “You’ll be a fine gift, indeed.” 

She tried to speak but it was garbled by the fabric in her mouth and the rogue simply laughed. 

“Good night, little mage.” He sneered as he tightened his grip. 

Annaya tried to breathe in but felt like she was trapped underwater. She began to thrash; to try to throw him off but he settled over her hips. She whined as her face grew hot and spots popped across her eyes. She felt like she was falling, the edges of her vision going black and the last thing she saw was the man laughing at her before she slipped off the edge. 

---

Rommath couldn’t sleep. Normally, his dreams were filled with what could have been, what he had lost to time and darkness, and the thing he would never get back, but since returning from Dalaran, his dreams had been different. Leaving Dalaran all those years ago had been difficult, for many reasons, but the threat of the Scourge bearing down on his home had been all consuming. The fear of losing everything and the total annihilation of his people had gripped his heart in a way he couldn’t describe still to that day. It hadn’t been until much, much later that he realized what he had truly left behind. 

He pulled his nightrobe tighter around himself as he looked down at the object in his hand. He hadn’t put it down since she had given it to him, and the edges were imprinted into the palm of his hand. 

It was a pendant made of pure gold, with emerald and ruby inlays to create the sigil of the Sin’dorei. It was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand, but large enough to be able to see every centimeter of exquisite detail. It was something only his people could have created; something special to him. He had thought it lost when he had left Dalaran in the days leading up to Arthas’ attack on Quel’Thalas. Kael had ordered him back to the city and in his haste, he had lost the pendant. It seemed a cruel joke that she would find it. 

Kael had given him the pendant as a token of his ‘devotion’ to him. Rommath had sworn to follow him, to serve him in all things, but Kael refused any outward signs of his own affection. Despite their relationship, the prince had always had his eyes set on someone else. Rommath had been so blind, or perhaps in denial, but he had taken the pendant regardless. The tie to keep him attached to Kael’thas. When he had lost It, Rommath had been devastated, and it had set off a chain of events as he watched the prince spiral into madness. 

The breeze rustled the curtains on the balcony and Rommath cursed Sunreaver. The blasted archmage had to go and mess everything up. He had warned Aethas that the Kirin Tor would betray them at their first opportunity, just as they had done in the past, but Aethas was young and stubborn. He was willfully naïve, and now they were all paying for it. 

Rommath glanced over at the curtains. He’d had a bad feeling in his stomach for the past couple of days, more than he normally did. Aethas had returned to Silvermoon, and although the archmage was busy wallowing in self-pity, there was something else bothering the Grand Magister about the whole situation. He wanted to reach out, to try to find a way to learn of the young girl’s fate. He could only assume she’d been arrested after the elves had escaped, but something itched at the back of his mind. He had to know for sure. Rommath still some connections in Dalaran, old friends he could always whisper to if he needed information. 

An idea suddenly began to form in his mind, and he slipped his feet into a pair of slippers before he hurried out of his room toward his office. If he was quick enough, the message would get there by dawn. 

Notes:

So, Southshore was completely destroyed during the Cataclysm, however, the two closest Alliance posts are Chillwind Point and Refuge Point NEITHER of which have an actual inn, so I had to take some... artistic liberties with lore.

Also, I absolutely adore Khadgar. Biggest dad energy.

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 4: Interlude 1

Year 18, two years before the Fall of Quel’Thalas and the Scourging of Lordaeron, Dalaran City

The banquet had been going for hours but Rommath had long since left the Citadel. He was loathe to play noble; to pretend he cared about the pomp and circumstance of the stuffy upper class in the city. He participated because it was expected of him, because he attended to Kael’thas. If he was being honest though, the endless parties and banquets bored him. He could sit through meetings filled with diplomats and cocky nobles, but the parties were too much.  

And then there was Arthas and Jaina. Arthas, Lordaeron’s own crown prince, who was not a mage and whose only business in Dalaran was to visit and pursue Jaina Proudmoore, and Jaina who was studying under Archmage Antonidas, the current leader of the Kirin Tor. Arthas was young, cocky, and didn't know the first thing about acting as a "proper noble." He was like a celebrity amongst the apprentices and Jaina who seemed to be everywhere Rommath needed to be. Rommath detested the young mage. She was beautiful, incredibly gifted, and terribly perceptive. He knew Kael’thas was enamored with her and still she rejected him in favor of Arthas. 

He sighed, frustrated.  The party had been thrown to celebrate both princes. Arthas was only there temporarily, to study for a short time before returning to train as a paladin of the Silver Hand.  Archmage Antonidas, ever the diplomat, had seen it as the perfect opportunity to bolster relations with Lordaeron. Rommath didn’t see the point, nor did he truly care. He had snuck out at the first opportunity. The night air was cool on his skin and a walk in the park would do well to help clear his head. The endless speeches and empty small talk were giving him a headache. 

Jaina Proudmoore had been at the party, and as expected, Kael’thas had spent the better part of the night trying every trick in the book to woo her away from Arthas. It was nauseating really, watching Kael’thas, the proud prince of Silvermoon stoop to such a level for a human. Even one as pretty as Jaina; Kael’thas could do better. 

The pendant weighed heavy against his sternum as Rommath turned to leave the park. Perhaps he could get a bit of time to himself before Kael came up with another one of his hair-brained schemes. He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers and stepped forward onto the street, nearly colliding with someone.  

The person in question let out of high-pitched squeak and his ears perked up and he dropped his fingers to see a young woman stumbled back away from him. She had long red hair, a color that reminded him of the sun bleeding into night over the trees of the Eversong woods, braided back out of her face to reveal high cheekbones that accentuated her dark green eyes. As she looked up at him with wide eyes, he could see flecks of gold shimmering in the mage lights that twinkled in the park around them. Her lips were small, but full and seemed to be slightly tinted with rouge and his eyes darted down as they parted as if to speak to him. He realized quickly that it was the woman from the mage tower weeks before. 

“Oh, m-my lord, my apologies, I didn’t see you there!” she bowed quickly, that blasted book clutched in her hands. “Usually, the park is empty at this time of night. I will leave you-” 

She moved to leave but he held up a hand and her mouth instantly snapped shut. Her fingers tightened on the book as she held it against her chest. 

“I hold no quarter over this park. You are welcome to it just as I am,” he said, waving his hand out for her to step forward. 

She gave him a small smile as she stepped closer and then suddenly stopped. “You aren’t at the banquet, my lord?” 

They could hear the clinking of glasses and jovial voices in the distance. The party had been going on for hours and Rommath, who had attended far too many since coming to Dalaran, knew it would be going on long into the night. 

He narrowed his eyes as suspicion filled him but as he observed her, he was met with wide eyes that seemed to welcome him. 

“I am not. The affairs of the nobles are... grating. I can only take so much of their prattling.” 

She smirked, her lips turning up at the corners. “The prince is not with you?” 

Oh. Of course she would be looking for the prince. Everyone was always looking for the prince. Rommath was, of course, his second and often a silent figure in the prince’s life. What advice he did offer was typically brushed off with a laugh or a wave. Rommath’s ears twitched in annoyance and her eyes shifted to them quickly before settling back on his face. 

“No, he enjoys the prattling.” 

She giggled quietly, her fingers shifting around the edges of the book. Rommath felt him neck warm. He wasn’t trying to be funny. 

He cleared his throat. “You aren’t at the banquet? These events are a perfect time for the students to meet the masters of our craft. The Council loves to evaluate the up-and-coming mages.” 

Her eyes shifted down to her feet as her face fell. “I’m not invited to the banquets. Not someone of my… station.” 

He frowned. She was an apprentice just like the others – 

She seemed to follow his line of thought. “I am common born, my lord.” 

Her voice was barely audible over the gurgling fountain behind them. He watched as her fair skin flushed. Training in Dalaran was a privilege reserved for those with enough money to pay for it or those with exceptional power. While many elves had a natural propensity for magic, humans did not come by their abilities as easily. For a common born human to be trained in the city meant she had to be incredibly strong or incredibly rich. He trailed his eyes over her for a moment. 

Rommath remembered their last meeting. She had said her mentor was Rhonin, a member of the Council of Six. Rhonin did not take apprentices easily, and to take a commoner was even more curious. There was something about her, something special that he couldn’t quite place his finger on. 

“There is no shame in where you come from, my lady.” He had cast off his own family name years before when he had sworn himself to the prince’s service. At the time, he had convinced himself it had not been out of shame but out of devotion. He tried to remind himself of that often. 

“There is here.” 

She fiddled with the book in her hands. 

“Your studies,” he said, gesturing to it. “How have they been going?” 

He wasn’t sure why he asked. He didn’t care about the humans that filled the halls. His priority was to his people, but as he watched her face light up with a joy he hadn’t seen in a long time, he felt something in his chest he could quite put a name on. 

“Very good, my lord! You were correct, of course, your language is quite difficult, but I have been reading in my spare time. I just…” her eyes dropped again. “I have no one to practice with.” 

He opened his mouth to reply but a sudden flourish of robes and blonde hair behind her cut their conversation short. 

“Rommath, I wondered where you had run off to!” Kael’thas’ loud, jubilant voice boomed as he swept into the park. Rommath could tell that whatever the prince had tried to do with Jaina clearly hadn’t gone well and he had resorted to drinking his feelings about it away. 

The pendant was heavy against his sternum as Rommath glared at him. The girl – Annaya was her name, Rommath remembered – jumped as she spun around to face the other elf, bowing quickly. 

“Your majesty, my apologies, I-I didn’t see you!” 

Kael paused as he came to stand next to Rommath, his eyes jumping between them both.  

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked with a sly smile. 

Rommath’s ears twitched as he watched the poor girl get even redder. She looked horrified to be implicated in something that had absolutely not been happening.  

“We were just talking. Lady Dawnfire seems to be the only apprentice not able to attend the banquet.” 

Kael’thas clicked his tongue, looking down at her. “Yes, that is unfortunate. Your… circumstances seem to prevent you from enjoying yourself fully in the city.” 

“Oh, with respect, your majesty, I make my way well enough. My circumstances have never stopped me before.” She smiled at him. 

“I trust that you see they never do.” Rommath said, cutting back in. He felt something strange in his chest again. 

She bowed her head with a small smile. “As you command, my lord.” 

A bell tolled in the distance and Annaya’s head shot up. “Oh, it’s gotten so late! My apologies but I must be off. It was lovely to see you again, my lord; your majesty.” 

She bowed before the elves again before she turned and was gone almost as quickly as she had appeared. The two elves stood in silence for a moment. 

“I think she fancies you, Rommath,” Kael’s voice was light as he said it. 

Rommath scoffed as he glared at the prince. “She’s young; barely even a woman.” 

“That means nothing, humans are a short-lived race. Come now, you have to agree, she’d look pretty on your arm or perhaps, somewhere else…” Kael quirked an eyebrow at his dark hair-haired companion. 

Rommath scowled. Kael’thas was very clearly drunk. 

“Besides,” the prince continued as he led them out of the park. “I’m told she’s an up-and-coming frost mage. Imagine the possibilities...” 

The pendant was heavy against his sternum as he followed the prince, but his thoughts, for once, were light. 

 

Present Day, Sunfury Spire, Silvermoon City, Quel'Thalas

Rommath sat at his desk, a letter open at his elbow. The Eye had sent a follow-up missive, at his request. He had called in a slew of favors to continue tracking the young human woman from before. He had covered his tracks well, but it was becoming harder to know who to trust, even in the Violet Eye.  Rommath had promised too many things, burned too many bridges, and it still wasn’t enough. Garrosh had spies everywhere, even in the Alliance. 

She had escaped Dalaran after being arrested, that much was known now, however, upon leaving Stormwind, she had gone north. Her trail had suddenly gone cold in Southshore. As much as he tried to convince himself it was nothing, that she had simply gone into hiding to escape capture, the nagging feeling was back.  

Where was she going? Why was she in Southshore? Was she trying to get to Silvermoon? 

Rommath sighed as he stood from his desk to step onto the balcony. A gently breeze rustled the curtains. The sun had set over Eversong Forest, casting the sky into a swath of reds, pinks, and golds. It was a beautiful sight; one that frustrated Rommath. Every evening the sun cast the sky in such beauty, and every evening he was forced to see it, and to remember. Rommath hated remembering. The pendant sat next to the letter on his desk. He hadn’t been able to bring himself to wear it. Knowing that she’d had it all these years, he wondered what she had thought of it, what she had done with it. His mind was a whirl of thoughts and emotions. Kael had asked him about it when they had been in Outland together, and when Rommath had admitted he’d lost it, there had been an odd look in his eye. At the time, Rommath couldn’t have described it, but looking back, he was certain it had been... betrayal? 

Rommath shook his head as he gripped the balcony railing. He didn’t want that thing back. He didn’t want any of this and yet, the bubble in his chest continued to grow. If he couldn’t find her, if he couldn’t save her... he couldn’t bring himself to think about the possibilities of that. He would find her, no matter what it took. 

Notes:

Ended up re-writing this entire chapter to leave a little (okay, a lot) to the imagination and this came out shorter than I would have liked, but things should start picking up as we go.

Fleshing out a little lore/background... fun fact, I actually wrote this chapter backwards. So, that was an interesting writing challenge.

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 5

“Garrosh has summoned all of the leaders to Orgrimmar.” Lor’themar explained as he walked quickly through the hallway of Sunfury Spire. Halduron and Rommath followed closely behind him. 

“What could he possibly want to discuss now? He has already made it quite clear that he intends to burn a path of destruction across Azeroth.” Halduron scoffed. 

“He didn’t say. Only that he wanted the Horde leadership in Orgrimmar by the end of the day. He would give us further orders then.” 

“Hellscream giving you orders?” Rommath chimed in, his eyes flashing in the light. “It’s despicable, ludicrous! After everything you’d done to keep the Horde intact!” 

“Hellscream is a loose cannon, but I will continue to do what I must to keep our people safe.” Lor’themar turned to face them as he stopped in front of the portal that led to the Horde capital. The portal attendant bowed before they stepped back to give him space to approach.  Orgrimmar could be seen on the other side, like looking across a pond of glistening water. The edges of the portal crackled and sparked as it pulled the tendrils of power together to create the doorway. 

The meeting hadn’t been planned and, in typical Hellscream fashion, his missive had only contained the time and place along with a barely contained threat if someone should decide not to attend. As much as Lor’themar had come to loathe Hellscream, he knew keeping up appearances was more important than his personal feelings. 

“I trust you two will keep things under control while I’m gone, and keep away from each other’s throats,” he smirked at his two advisors. They pointedly refused to look at each other. “This shouldn’t take long.” 

He turned back to step through the portal. 

“Regent-lord.” 

Lor’themar turned slightly as Rommath stepped forward, his voice dropping to just above a whisper. He inclined his head toward the Grand Magister. 

“I know we have more pressing matters to attend to, but have you given any more thought to what we discussed the other day?” 

He had. In fact, the young human woman had been on his mind quite a bit lately. To go up against the might of the Kirin Tor, to challenge someone as volatile as Jaina Proudmoore was incredibly commendable. There weren’t many who were willing to risk their lives for the Sin’dorei, and she had done so without even a second thought. Lor’themar had wracked his brain trying to devise a plan to search for her, but Garrosh held each Horde faction with an iron fist. It was nearly impossible for him to move without the Warchief learning of it. 

“Our position has not changed, Grand Magister. Hellscream has eyes everywhere.” 

“There must be something we can do. We could smuggle her into the city, keep her hidden away from Hellscream and Proudmoore, until things have calmed down.” 

It was such a strange sight, seeing Rommath so caught up with finding this woman. “We would have to find her first, and we still have no clue as to her current whereabouts.”  

“I’ve been putting some thought into that-” 

Lor’themar shook his head. “I’m sorry, Rommath, but as of right now, my hands are tied.” 

Rommath’s eyes were hard and unreadable, but he nodded. “I understand, my lord.” 

As Lor’themar stepped through the portal, he wracked his brain for any ideas on how to first find a lost human woman in the haystack known as Azeroth. 

---

The heat was the first thing that hit him. Durotar was much warmer than Quel’thalas, but it was a dry heat, and he brushed his hand across his forehead as he looked around the portal room. Kalimdor was naturally a hot continent with its deep forests and vast deserts, but Orgrimmar always felt so much hotter. He hated coming to the capital as it was, and even more so lately, now that Garrosh was in charge. Hellscream had made it quite clear how he viewed the Sin’dorei, especially after the Purge of Dalaran. Anyone not of orc descent was expendable and the elves were merely pawns for him to further his agenda of humanity’s destruction. Lor’themar detested even being in the Warchief’s presence. 

The Regent-lord hurried out of the portal room and began to head toward Grommash Hold. While Silvermoon was the pinnacle of high elven architecture, Orgrimmar was what he would have considered... rugged. Thrall had done much during his time as Warchief to bring the orcs into modern society and Garrosh had continued it for a time, however, some of the buildings Lor’themar passed still had thatched roofs and muddy clay walls. Grommash Hold, thankfully, had been recently renovated to look much more like a proper throne room. Since Deathwing’s destruction after the Catacylsm and the subsequent destruction of Theramore, rebuilding efforts had slowed considerably. Hellscream’s focus was decidedly more militaristic than it was socially conscious. 

As he passed into the Hold, his mind began to wander back to Rommath. He realized he had never seen his Grand Magister so flustered over anything before. Not even the prince’s death had affected him in quite the same way. Kael’thas’ descent into madness had broken all of their hearts, but this was... different. Rommath seemed absolutely fascinated by her. It was such a strange sight. Rommath cared deeply for their people, but this woman was human, and as far as Lor’themar knew, she was a stranger. Aethas was the only one who knew her beyond a name or her reputation. Sunreaver had spoken of her a handful of times in reports, particularly during the Lich King campaign, but beyond that, Lor’themar could hardly recall.  

“Ah Regent-lord, it is good to see you.” 

Lor’themar turned to see the hulking form of Baine Bloodhoof approaching him. He inclined his head toward the Tauren chieftain, and they turned to take their seats around the large table. The other leaders were still trickling in and Lor’themar scanned the room for a moment.  

“It is good to see you too, Baine. Tell me, how fares Thunder Bluff these days?” Lor’themar replied as he approached the table. He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword as he eyed the guards at the doorway. 

Baine huffed as he settled next to the Regent-lord. “I suspect much better than Quel’thalas. We are small, but Orgrimmar rarely troubles us. Tell me, Regent-lord, how have your people been since... the incident?” 

It had only been a few weeks since the Sunreavers had been expelled from Dalaran, but news traveled fast. As suspected, Jaina had moved Dalaran under Stormwind’s banner, making it once again, purely Alliance-controlled. Lor’themar couldn’t deny that it stung. Aethas had worked hard over the past few years and to see it squandered so easily was devastating. Even his own covert work to negotiate his people into an alliance with Stormwind had gone by the wayside since the purge. As far as everyone was concerned, the Blood Elves were just as guilty as Hellscream was. Aethas had been beating himself up over it for weeks. He glanced over at the chieftain. 

“We have been surviving, as we always have. While things did not go as well as I would have liked, we will persevere.” 

Baine did not reply. They fell into a comfortable silence as the rest of the Horde leadership finally arrived. Lor’themar had never truly felt comfortable playing politician, but it was a mantle he had taken up after Prince Kael’thas had left for Outland. He wore the title proudly, albeit begrudgingly. Lor’themar was much happier in the forests, or atop a hawkstrider, feeling the wind on his skin and a bow between his fingers, but the call of leadership could not be ignored. His people needed him, and he led them as best he knew how. 

The guards suddenly snapped to attention and Lor’themar watched as Garrosh stormed into the room. 

“Finally,” Garrosh barked as he took his place at the head of the long table. “You all decided to show up.” 

Lor’themar bit his tongue. He counted the minutes in his head until he could leave the blasted city and return to Silvermoon. 

“It is not easy to drop everything and come out here to Orgrimmar, Warchief-” Baine began but a glare from Garrosh stopped him. 

“When I summon you, you all are expected to report immediately.” Garrosh snapped, turning his glare to each leader. 

“Well, we are here now, Warchief.” Vol’jin finally responded. Garrosh looked at him for a long moment before he nodded, straightening his back. 

He began to pace slowly around the table and Lor’themar forced himself not to turn and follow him as he moved. Garrosh paced the entire length of the table, observing each leader as he went. 

“I’m sure you are all wondering why I called you here on such short notice.” 

Nobody replied as Garrosh continued to circle the table. “I have been hearing reports of defection among the ranks. My spies have intercepted correspondence between members of the Horde and members of the Alliance.” 

Lor’themar glanced over to see Garrosh staring at him. It had been weeks since his last missive to High King Varian Wrynn and he had made sure to cover his tracks when he had been in contact with him. There was absolutely no way the Warchief could have known what he had been doing.  

A sudden thought hit him, and he felt his heartbeat quicken. Rommath. 

“Warchief, I can assure you-“ Sylvanas began but Garrosh lifted a hand to silence her. 

“The Horde is strong, and we will destroy the Alliance and anyone else who chooses to side with them. I expect each and every one of you to… re-evaluate your loyalties to Orgrimmar and remove any possibility for defectors. I will not tolerate anything less than unfailing loyalty.” 

The leaders around Lor’themar each made a sound of acquiescence, and he bowed his head quickly. Garrosh narrowed his eyes at him. 

“Everyone is dismissed. Regent-lord, I would have a private word before you leave.” 

Murmurs spread across the table and Lor’themar met Hellscream’s gaze, but he nodded as he stood from the table. The rest of the leadership filed out of the room before the Warchief turned and settled into his massive throne. Lor’themar exhaled slowly before he stepped around the table and approached the orc. 

He could sense the guards slowly approaching him, but he made no move to acknowledge them. He couldn’t let Garrosh sense his apprehension. 

“Regent-lord, my spies have made some concerning reports to me.” Hellscream leaned forward on the throne. “Reports about your people.” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Warchief.” 

Hellscream narrowed his eyes for a moment before he smirked. “It would seem that you have a traitor in your ranks. Very high up in your ranks.” 

He tossed a scroll to Lor’themar, who caught it effortlessly. The Regent-lord glanced back at the orc, who simply waved his hand at the elf. 

“This was recovered off a dead Kirin Tor mage. I think you’ll find it quite interesting.” 

Lor’themar felt his heart pick up as he slowly unrolled the scroll. He scanned the parchment, his heart hammering in his chest.  

 

My Lord-  

Secrets can be traded, but only for more secrets. Information is one such secret.  

Never forget where you came from.  

-The Eye  

 

It was silent in the room as Lor’themar rolled the scroll back up. There was no name mentioned, so unless the mage they had captured had mentioned anything, there was no way they could know who it was destined for. 

“Do you have anything to say, Regent-lord?” 

Lor’themar’s eyes darted to the side as he sensed a guard stepping closer. 

“I do not, Warchief.” 

Garrosh leaned back on the throne. “I’m disappointed, Theron. I had thought, as a leader, you would have more awareness of the goings-on of your own people. To know that you are allowing your own people to conspire with Alliance dogs-” 

“Warchief,” Lor’themar interrupted, meeting the Warchief’s gaze with a glare. “As a show of my unflinching loyalty to the Horde, I would like to handle this myself. I will excise this... corruption from Silvermoon.” 

Garrosh sat, tapping his fingers on the arm of his throne. Lor’themar continued to meet his gaze, even as he felt the guards close in on him. He clenched his jaw, waiting. Finally, the Warchief held up a hand. 

“Do this and prove that you are loyal to the Horde. Bring me their head as proof.” 

“It will be done.” Lor’themar nodded. 

---

As he stepped out of Grommash Hold, his mind was spinning. Rommath had been searching for the young girl despite his orders to stop, but Lor’themar couldn’t have imagined he would be so careless as to be sending letters to anyone connected to the Alliance. Lor’themar knew very little about the Violet Eye or about mage inner workings, but the more his mind spun, the more concerning things became. 

He began to wander the city, trying to gather his thoughts. Rommath had been his political advisor for a number of years. There had been tension at first, of course, but Rommath had always been loyal to their people. Lor’themar refused to believe that he would sell them out because of his... obsession with this woman. 

He sighed as he continued to wander. He had made his way further from the crowded buildings and the darkness of the Cleft of Shadow began to envelop him. The Cleft housed the more questionable residents of Orgrimmar, along with the mage and warlock trainers. Garrosh held a deep distrust of magic and had both the mage and warlock enclaves moved there shortly after being named Warchief. The Kro’kron, his elite guard, kept a close eye on them, for fear of any potential rebellion. 

Normally, he would have kept clear of the seedy underbelly but not today. The shadows seemed to welcome him. A gentle breeze blew toward him and the cool air of the cave kissed his skin. He would only spend a few minutes there, perhaps check out one of the weapon vendors before heading back to Silvermoon. Just long enough to figure out how to approach Rommath. 

He was almost at the shop when he spied two Kor’kron guards conversing nearby. He knew better, but something piqued his curiosity, and he slid into the deeper shadows to listen into their conversation. 

“Did you see her?” the first guard whispered. 

The second one nodded. 

“So, he speaks the truth then.” The first chuckled. “I’ll have to make a trip down there after my shift.” 

“It’s worth it, even if she is a bit noisy.” 

The guards trailed off as they returned to their patrol. Lor’themar waited in the shadows a moment longer, his brow furrowed. There were plenty of prisoners in Orgrimmar, especially since Garrosh had begun his rampage, but something about the guard’s conversation was concerning. A lot of things about this trip were concerning. He had already lingered too long, and he turned to head back to the portal room when a figure suddenly blocked his path. 

Lor’themar took a step back, his hand tight around the hilt of his sword, but the figure raised a hand. They were an orc, that much he could tell, but the figure’s face was obscured by a large hood. 

“If you want to save her, follow me.” The figure said before they turned and made their way across the Cleft of Shadow. 

“I don’t know what-” 

The figure stopped and turned back slightly. “There isn’t much time before the guards return. We need to hurry.” 

He exhaled heavily through his nose. He didn’t know who the figure was; it very well could have been a trap by Hellscream to lead him down to the prison and lock him in a cell. Garrosh had spies everywhere. Still though, he could take one orc, so he decided to follow, his fingers tight around the hilt of his sword. 

As he waited for the figure to unlock the prison door, Lor’themar glanced over his shoulder. Anxiety skated up his spine, but nobody seemed to take notice of them. Not in the Cleft, where questionable deals were regularly done in the darkness. The door swung shut behind them and they descended into the dank prison. 

The prison proper was a massive underground dungeon carved out of the stone cavern and water dripped from the ceiling as they hurried through. Sconces were lit along the wall, casting long shadows across the walls. Their steps echoed throughout the halls, and Lor’themar glanced behind him as they hurried further inside. There were no guards posted anywhere and he frowned. Everything about this was odd. 

The figure led him to a cell at the end of a long corridor where they fumbled with a ring of keys. It took a moment before the door swung open and the figure led him into the cell. 

“What is the meaning of this?” Lor’themar hissed. 

The figure pointed to a dark corner. Lor’themar’s eyes followed the finger. 

He felt his breath leave him as he realized what he was looking at. 

Notes:

Most of this chapter was already written, but I did have to change some things to make it make sense.

Chapter 6

She had no idea who was touching her, but she instinctively tried to roll away. The hands were oddly gentle after everything else. Had it been hours since the last visit? Days? She had lost track, but all she knew was the long, thin fingers brushed over her damaged skin, sending chills through her. She remembered begging them to stop but they only laughed before shoving her down and taking her again. Using her, breaking her. At first, it had been for information, but then... they stopped asking questions. She had cried out, her voice echoing off the stone walls, but no one had come to save her. Just another orc. Always another orc. She had felt split in two, shattered into a million pieces. Every part of her hurt to move, hurt to touch, and those hands would not stop touching her. 

“Can you hear me, little one?” a male voice asked softly, and she turned her head slightly toward it. It was soft and gentle, oh so different from them.

The hands gently turned her, and she finally managed to crack her eyes open. Her right eye was swollen shut from the fracture of her cheekbone and dried blood caked her left eye, but she blearily looked up at him. 

He was an elf, with hair the color of silvered moonlight and a single softly glowing fel-fire eye that looked at her with an openness and concern that she hadn’t seen in so long. He reached up to touch the leather collar around her neck, immediately noting it was magical in nature. He frowned.  

It was designed to keep mages in check, a crude torture device for use against magic. He had seen similar ones used before, during the Troll Wars and shuddered. He reached around to unclasp it, tossing it to the ground next to them. His fingers tingled slightly from the heat of it, and he could only imagine the pain it had caused her. Her skin was reddened and raised where the collar had rested against her neck. He trailed his eye along her body, taking stock of her injuries and his brow furrowed the further he went. 

He couldn’t tell where one bruise stopped and the next began. Welts and cuts adorned her body in a grotesque map of the torture she had endured. He swept his hand against her forehead, brushing her dark red hair back from her face before he unclipped his cloak to lay it over her. He brushed his thumb across her bruised and swollen cheekbone, and she groaned quietly, tilting her head toward him. 

Lor’themar looked up at the hooded figure. “What is the meaning of this?” 

“Do not let Hellscream take her. Her cries were…” 

The figure trailed off for a long moment. “She is innocent in all of this. When she lay here after they left, she would cry in the language of the elves. Your language. I knew you were the one to save her.” 

“Who...” she breathed and Lor’themar looked back down at her. 

“Garrosh has been corrupted by a deep, evil hatred. This girl is innocent. Save her and end Hellscream’s reign. Do what must be done.” The figure’s voice was deep as it echoed off the cell walls. 

Lor’themar nodded. He looked up at the figure’s back. 

“Your son died a hero, High Overlord. What happened in Northrend-” 

“Was a tragedy for us all. I will honor the sacrifices of our people by fighting for all our honor. Hellscream has forgotten what honor means.” The figure – Saurfang – bowed his head. “We will see each other again.” 

The Regent-lord watched the figure disappear out of the prison cell before he looked down at the young woman. He slipped his hands under her knees and behind her shoulders to lift her off the cold, wet floor. She whimpered softly as her body was jostled. 

“Shhh,” Lor’themar hushed her as his hands tightened around her bruised body. “I will not let any harm come to you, little one. How in the Light’s name did you end up here?” 

She shook her head, wetting her dry, cracked lips with the tip of her tongue. “The... the orcs... please, they’ll come back soon...” 

He glanced back at the doorway quickly. “I will not let anyone harm you, not anymore. I will get you out of this city and back to your people-” 

“No! No, please... I can’t go back, it’s not safe... I-I can’t go back...” her voice cracked as she began to struggle in his arms. 

He sat back on his haunches as he held her tightly to him, pressing his nose against her temple. He breathed slowly, whispering an old Thalassian song against her hair just like his mother had always done for him when he was a child. 

“Tell me how to help you.” he finally said after she slowly calmed down. Frustration filled him as the thought of leaving her became ever-present. 

The Thalassian sparked a memory, and an image appeared in her mind. Fresh tears came to her eyes, and she sniffed, burying her face into his chest. 

“Rommath... Rommath, I tried, I’m sorry I couldn’t...” she whispered into Lor’themar’s chest before she fell still. 

He looked down at her for a long moment, half trying to understand what she had just said and half trying to ensure she was still breathing. He was almost positive she had mentioned his Grand Magister’s name, but then how would she have known who he was? Could this possibly be the girl Rommath had been looking for? What cruel twist of fate was it that Lor’themar would find her here after all this. 

Lor’themar looked over his shoulder again. The figure had left but the guards could return at any moment. She was impossibly small in his arms, but he would surely be stopped trying to smuggle her out of the prison and there was absolutely no way he’d make it back to the portal. 

An idea popped into his head, and he shifted her in his arms slightly to reach into his pocket. He pulled the hearthstone out, palming it over a few times as he adjusted her in his arms again. Hearthstones held just enough magic for a single, one-way trip to a destination of the owner’s choosing. Halduron had set it for Lor’themar’s office back at the Sunfury Spire as an emergency safety measure in case Lor’themar ever found himself somewhere he couldn’t talk – or fight – his way out of. He never thought he would actually need to use it.  

“Hold on just a little longer,” he whispered as he squeezed the stone in his fist, and a green aura began to glow from it, slowly surrounding the two of them. It took a few moments, but finally, they disappeared, reappearing in the safety of his office. 

He tossed the hearthstone on his desk as he hurried to place her gently on his couch. 

“Halduron, Rommath, come quickly!” he called out, and it only took a moment before his two advisors burst into the room. 

They both paused, confused as to how their Regent-lord, who they had watched take the portal to Orgrimmar only hours before, had suddenly appeared back in his office, but it was quickly overtaken by the young woman on his couch wrapped in Lor’themar’s cloak. 

“Lor, what-” Halduron, bewildered. 

“Halduron, call a healer, quickly!” Lor’themar replied, leaving her side to rummage through the cabinet near his desk. 

Halduron turned quickly and left while Lor’themar began to throw open the doors of the cabinet. Rommath took a few steps toward the couch as his eyes fell on the woman. Even despite the dirt and grime and dried blood, he could recognize her dark red hair anywhere. The sunset bleeding over the Eversong Woods... His eyes widened. 

“Theron, where did you find her?” Rommath asked as Lor’themar returned to her side, a small bottle of liquid in his hand. He took a few more steps closer but paused. Like anything closer would be too close and she would be gone again. 

Lor’themar uncapped the bottle, sliding his free hand under her head to lift it so he could pour it into her mouth. She coughed, sputtering slightly as the potion burned her sore throat. Her brow furrowed but she remained asleep. 

“Orgrimmar,” he finally replied, gently laying her head back on the couch and looking up at the magister. 

Rommath’s chest tightened. His worst thoughts began to swirl within his head and he clenched his fists as a bubble of anger welled up within him. He opened his mouth to respond, but Halduron suddenly burst back into the room, a young elven priestess on his heels. 

“Heal her,” Lor’themar commanded, moving away so the priestess could kneel next to couch. 

The young woman gasped quietly but nodded quickly. She knelt next her, her hands glowing gold with holy light as she began to run her hands over Annaya’s body. 

“Lor’themar, where in Orgrimmar-” Rommath pressed. 

“I do not know.” The Regent-lord snapped and then immediately sighed. He rubbed a hand across his eyes in frustration. “I found her down in the dungeons. She was chained up... like an animal.” 

The air was thick as the priestess moved the cloak slightly to run her hands over a particularly deep bruise on her hip. It ran down and across her thigh, disappearing under the cloak covering her. Rommath’s eyes followed the priestess’s hands. The last time he had seen Annaya in Dalaran, her hair had been vibrant and her eyes sharp, so full of life but now... now she was almost unrecognizable.  

You left her behind again...  

“M-my lord, I cannot heal her,” the priestess suddenly spoke up. All eyes turned to her. 

“What do you mean?” Lor’themar replied. 

“She is injured... on the inside. I-I am unable to heal her with my current skills.” the priestess looked up at Lor’themar with teary eyes. “I do not believe anyone can. She will surely die without greater intervention.” 

It was silent for a long moment. 

“The Sunwell can save her,” Halduron said suddenly. 

Lor’themar and Rommath looked at him before turning to each other. 

“Take her,” Lor’themar said but Rommath was already moving. 

The priestess moved back and Rommath knelt over Annaya, sliding his hands between her and the couch. She whimpered softly as she tangled her fingers into the front of his robes to pull herself closer to him. She buried her face against the fabric of his cowl, breathing deep as he held her against him. 

“I have you,” he whispered to her as he flexed his forearms. She felt impossibly light in his arms. He turned and swept out of the room. 

Rommath hurried down the hall toward the Spire’s portal room. Anger roared in his chest as his mind raced. The cloak barely covered her body, and he cataloged each bruise and cut that he could see, imagining the awful way she had received it. What had the orcs done to her? What had she been through since she had left Dalaran? 

As he stepped through the portal onto the Isle of Quel’Danas, he felt a wave of arcane and holy energy rush over him. The Sunwell was close. Annaya made a small noise of discomfort as he hurried down the path. He looked down at her and his anger abated slightly. 

“We’re almost there,” he whispered, pressing his nose into her hair. He could smell a hint of citrus and cold ocean air, the scent of frost magic, but it was almost completely overpowered by the smell of dirt and dried blood. He wrinkled his nose, pulling back slightly. He wanted vengeance, to rip whoever had done this apart limb from limb. Reducing them to ash was too good, too quick of a death for them. 

“Rommath...” she whispered as she cracked her eyes open slightly. “Is... is that you?” 

He smiled softly at her. “Yes, it is. You’re safe with me.” 

He pushed through the back entrance of the Shrine of the Eclipse, the room overlooking the Sunwell. He hurried down the path, where he was met by an older priestess. She was tall, with bright golden eyes and long white robes. 

“Grand Magister, the Ranger-general sent word that you were coming. Please, follow me.” 

She turned and he followed her toward the edge of the Sunwell. The pool was massive and as he glanced across it, he could see visitors that had traveled from all over to witness it. It had been a long time since he had last been so close to the healing waters and they lapped at his feet. 

The priestess held out her arms. “Please, we will take-” 

“No,” he interrupted, his grip tightening on the woman in his arms. He felt her fingers tighten on his robes in turn. “I will take her myself.” 

The priestess retracted her hands, staring at him for a moment before she nodded. “If anyone can handle the power of the Sunwell, it would be you. Very well, you may proceed.” 

She stepped aside and he looked down at Annaya. “I will not leave you; I promise.” 

He took a deep breath before he stepped forward, into the water. Instantly, he felt a jolt of power surge through him, as the twin energies swept up his body. It felt incredible and overwhelming, and he had to take a deep breath to force himself to keep going. When he was waist-deep, he bent to lower Annaya into the glowing water. She jerked in surprise, pulling at the front of his robes. 

“Be still, I am here with you,” he said, pressing his lips to her hair again. He paused as he waited for her struggling to stop. 

“I can’t, please...” she whimpered, tears coating her eyelashes as she released a shuddering breath. 

“It will pass. I will stay with you here, I promise.” 

He leaned back against the edge of the pool, pulling her into his chest. She pressed her face into his neck again, releasing a shuddering breath that ghosted along his jaw. He could feel the energy begin to travel up his body and he took a deep breath. 

“Don’t let me go,” she whispered to him. 

“Never again,” he replied quietly as the water swallowed them both. 

---

It was like floating in sunlight. Rommath blinked away the brightness as his eyes adjusted. It took him a moment to recognize his surroundings, but as his brain caught up to what his eyes saw, a shiver skated down his spine. He remembered the feeling well, of falling into the Sunwell. The memory was seared across his mind like a scar. The pure light pulsing through his body, healing him, cleansing him. 

They were floating in a bright expanse of light. Annaya shifted in his arms, and he pulled her closer to him. Her lips brushed against his skin as she buried her face further into his neck. He frowned. 

Soft bells began to chime in the back of his mind, and he looked up. His frown deepened at the creature floating down toward him. 

A’dal. 

They floated in a void of pure white expanse, but the Naaru’s form seemed to take up every bit of space before Rommath. The bells increased in his mind as the creature floated silently before him. 

“What brings you to the steps of the Sunwell, Rommath of the Sin’dorei?” Its voice echoed softly in his head. 

He had never met A’dal before. After Kael’thas had left, and Rommath orchestrated the destruction of the Naaru, M’uru, he had spent years trying to distance himself from the reputation his actions had earned him. He had done everything in the prince’s name, and with the best of intentions, to sate his people’s mana addiction and rebuild a weary people after near total annihilation, but the cost of his actions had always weighed heavily on him. When he had learned the truth about Kael’thas, about his true loyalties, he had been torn. Everything Kael’thas had told him had been a lie, and everything Rommath had done in his name had been horrific.  

Lady Liadrin had told him the Naaru harbored no ill will toward him for what he had done and yet, as he looked up at the massive being before him, he felt a shiver run down his spine. 

He exhaled through his nose. “Save her.” 

There was a long silence and Rommath could feel Annaya’s soft, shaky breath ghost along his cheek. 

“You bring before me a child of the Light,” the voice in his head said. “Her deeds in Outland were many, and her time in Northrend was great.” 

Rommath felt his nerves fraying and her breath ghosted across his skin again. He was losing her. 

“But her body is broken beyond repair, and her spirit is fading. She will soon die.” 

Rommath flinched. He tightened his grip on her. “Then save her. What must I do... what much I offer to save her?” 

“You ask a boon of the Naaru?” 

Rommath bristled. “My life is forfeit. I know where I stand with the Light but do what you must. Take... what you must from me to save her. She deserves more than I could ever give.” 

Rommath frowned as he looked down at her. She was quiet, her breathing finally soft and even. 

“You are not yet lost to the Light, Rommath of the Sin’dorei. Annaya Dawnfire will live and so will you. As you have saved her, so will she save you.” 

He felt a weight release in his chest as the twin energies began to swirl up and around him. His fingers felt warm and as he watched, a sheen of gold light began to envelop her even as he held her. Her breath hitched and her fingers tightened in his robes, and he looked up at A’dal one more time before he felt himself falling into the endless void of light. 

Notes:

Creeping up on canon divergence territory here, with a cameo by Saurfang, since he was pretty MIA throughout all of MoP. Will see how I feel next chapter as this fic continues to take on a life of its own.

Also, hearthstones are incredibly rare in lore, unlike in-game where literally everybody has one and innkeepers just hand them out to everyone.

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 7

Annaya watched High Priestess Shada work from her seat at the table. She nervously fiddled with the hem of her sleeve as she chewed at her lower lip. The priestesses assigned to care for her had given her a new set of red and gold robes and her long hair had been braided down her back, the unruly wisps pinned away from her still healing cheeks and forehead. Shada was seated with her back to her, her long silver-blond hair cascading down to her waist as she worked. 

Annaya had gone to her for her daily check-up since her first time in the Sunwell. Shada fussed over her, checking her bruises and broken bones to make sure they had all healed properly. The Sunwell had saved her life, but most of her injuries had needed time to heal naturally. Today’s visit was different, though. 

Some memories refused to surface. They were murky or covered in a film of white cotton. Other memories were clear and crisp. Some of those she wanted to forget. The orcs doing terrible, terrible things to her, calling her names and laughing as they broke her apart piece by piece. She tried not to focus on those. Others, like her time in the Sunwell, she clung to. Her cheeks warmed as she remembered the Grand Magister’s voice in her ear and his breath on her cheek, holding her against him. She still wasn't sure if that was real or not.

When she had finally awoken, Shada had told her she had suffered a terrible mana sickness as her body had consumed every bit of energy in her body to keep her alive long enough to be saved. Rommath had brought her to the Sunwell and... Something had been done to heal her. It was all so confusing and thinking about it just gave her a migraine. 

When Annaya had come to see the high priestess earlier that day, she had taken a small vial of the mage’s blood and was currently mixing it with a tincture unknown to the archmage. There was the final test required before the priestess would clear her to leave the island, and as she sat across the table from her, she felt anxiety dance along her skin. 

Annaya was no alchemist. She read books, and did research, leaving the more hands-on work to others. There were mages in Dalaran that dabbled in alchemy and enchantment, but Annaya’s heart had always been in scholarship. Learning the history and inner workings of her latest research venture was where she sought to put her energy. She had a natural propensity for languages and had taken to learning Thalassian, followed by Eredun, the language of demons. When she had been on Outland, it had been particularly helpful, although some of the Draenei had scoffed at her... less than savory interests.  

Aethas had been surprised when she first spoke his own language to him, and they often split their conversations between each other’s languages. Annaya smiled to herself, remembering some of their livelier conversations. She would ask a question in Common only for him to respond in Thalassian. It kept her skills sharp, and she appreciated his openness when most elves wouldn’t have bothered. 

Shada straightened suddenly, and Annaya’s eyes shot to her. Her fingers paused against the hem of her sleeve as her body tensed, waiting for the priestess to turn around. 

It felt like forever before she did, her gold eyes meeting Annaya’s. Shada smiled softly at her as she held up the vial of Annaya’s blood. 

She didn’t know much about the alchemical process, but Shada had explained that the best outcome would be for the vial to turn midnight blue. Any other color, namely bright orange, was less than desirable.  

Annaya’s eyes fell on the vial as Shada held it out for her. Her heart dropped. The vial was bright fluorescent orange, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. 

“Does this mean…” She began, the words dying in her throat. She couldn’t say them, afraid that if she spoke them aloud, it would make them true. 

“I’m sorry, my dear. I can run the test again if you want-“ 

She shook her head vigorously. “No, it’s… okay.” She reached her hand out to take the vial. “We thought this would be the case.” 

Shada held onto the vial a moment longer, before relinquishing it. Annaya took it, her eyes glued to it as she pulled it close to her. It had originally been her blood, but now it moved like water. So much rested in the contents of the vial, and as her fingers closed around it, she felt a ball of emotion well up in her. 

There wasn’t much else to be said and so she stood from her chair and left the priestess’s office without another word. She wandered the Isle aimlessly for a short time, the vial clenched tightly in her fist. Her thoughts spun in circles, wrapping around and under themselves as she ruminated. She wanted it to be a lie. She wanted it all to be a lie. She would wake up and be back in Dalaran and this would all be a bad dream. 

Eventually, she came to a garden. The sun was bright and warm on her face, and she stared at the large fountain in the center. A statue of Kael’thas stood before her, the water cascading down from his outstretched hands into the large white marble basin. 

She remembered him from Dalaran when he was a member of the Council of Six. She had been in awe of him. He was a powerful mage, and a stalwart leader to his people. When Arthas attacked Quel’thalas, it had been devastating to not just him but to all of the elves. The Sunwell had been a lifeline for the elves for generations, but after its destruction, they had turned to dark, evil ways to sate their dependence on magic. Kael’thas was eventually driven mad by his quest to free his people from that dependence. Annaya felt a sadness settle in her chest. So many innocent lives had been lost, and for what?  

She heard a noise behind her, and she tensed, instantly on edge. She froze, her eyes wide, heart hammering in her chest.  

It’s nothing. You’re safe here.  

She forced herself to exhale before she turned around. As she did, her eyes fell on a familiar site approaching her. Aethas smiled at her as he walked up the path toward her. He wasn’t wearing his ridiculous helm, and he was dressed in a pair of plain red robes. He was lacking all of the finery he had worn as a member of the Kirin Tor, now appearing as a simple mage. Just like her.  

No, not like you-  

“Hello, Annaya. It’s been a while.” 

Her heart skipped a beat. “Aethas, I…”  

She didn’t know what to say. They had left each other so suddenly, and there was still so much unspoken between them. She slipped the vial into the pocket of her robes as she gripped her hands in front of her. 

“How are you feeling? The priestesses say you’re healing well.”  

She looked down at her fingers. The bruises had faded but as she flexed her fingers, they ached terribly.  

A memory flashed through her mind, a Kro’kun guard twisting them until- 

“I uh…” she swallowed a lump in her throat, looking back up at him. “Every day is something.”  

There was an awkward silence.  

“You look beautiful.”  

She flushed, frowning down at her feet. Why had he said that? She wasn’t beautiful, she was nothing. Just a whore to be used whenever they wanted. She could barely stand to look at herself anymore, knowing what they had done to her. What she had done to survive. 

“I, uh… T-thank you, Aethas.” She mumbled, refusing to meet his eyes.  

“Ah, there you are.” Annaya looked up to see High Priestess Shada walking up the pathway behind Aethas.  

She smiled down at Annaya as she came to stand next to Aethas, who bowed to her.  

“I see Archmage Sunreaver found you. I figured you would be in the garden, so I sent him here to check for you.” 

“For me?”  

Shada nodded. “Yes, you have been summoned to Sunfury Spire. The Regent-lord wishes to speak to you, now that you’re well enough to leave the island. The Archmage graciously offered to escort you.” 

Annaya’s eyes widened. “The Regent-lord wants to see me?” 

“Yes, my dear. You are the talk of the town lately. A veritable hero among our people.” 

“Hero?! But I haven’t done anything!” 

Shada held up her hand. “Ah, but you have. Saving the Sunreavers was quite a feat, wouldn’t you say?” 

Annaya looked away. She began to fiddle with the hem of her sleeve again. Aethas’ eyes dropped to watch her for a moment. 

“We should go, they’re waiting for us.” he finally said. 

Shada nodded before she waved her hand for the two of them to leave. Aethas stepped forward and Annaya reluctantly followed him. They fell into an awkward silence and Annaya thought back to Dalaran. They would often go on walks together, to get away from the chaos of the council and discuss their research or whatever drama was going on in the city. 

“How are you... recovering?” Aethas finally asked. 

She glanced over at him. “As well as can be expected, I suppose.” She lifted her hand to flex her fingers slightly. “Shada has been taking good care of me... better than I deserve.” 

His head snapped toward her, ears flicking slightly. “Why do you say that?” 

She winced slightly and his gaze instantly softened. “Forgive me.” 

He reached his hand out to her, and her eyes instantly snapped to it, her body tense. He paused, dropping it back to his side. “Annaya, please let me help you.” 

Aethas had been obsessed with finding Annaya since he had returned to Silvermoon, but had been afraid to approach any of the leadership. He knew he was already on thin ice, had already screwed up multiple times, but had spent the past weeks searching for her. He had called in favors, sent out secret missives, and wracked his brain for every possibility he could think of to try to find her. He knew she would have made it out of Dalaran, but when he lost track of her, his heart had turned to ice in his chest. When he had learned Lor’themar had found her in Orgrimmar, he had been ecstatic and had jumped at the chance to assist in any way he was allowed. 

Annaya stared at her feet, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve for a moment. She could feel his gaze on her and her skin crawled.  

“We should go. Don’t want to keep the Regent-lord waiting.” She whispered. 

He nodded as his ears dropped slightly but he turned and continued up the path toward the portal room. The attendant nodded to them as they stepped through and as Annaya’s eyes took in the Spire, she paused. 

“Are you alright, Annaya?” Aethas asked, turning to look back at her. 

“Yes, of course, it’s just...” she shook her head. “Your city is beautiful. Human architecture could never compare.” 

He huffed quietly. She always flattered him and his people. At first, he had brushed it off as fake praise. He was so used to having to prove himself to everyone, especially the humans in Dalaran, but with Annaya, he quickly learned she was being genuine. He had learned to trust her criticism and feedback, and in turn, had learned to trust himself. He realized too late that he should have trusted her more. 

He watched her stare at the curtains and pillars of the Spire in wonder for another moment. She reached out to touch one of the drapes that hung from the large window. 

“Annaya-” 

“Yes, sorry.” She shook her head and followed after him. 

They came to a set of large double doors. 

“Normally, I would have to educate all guests on the proper etiquette on meeting the Regent-lord, but I believe you’re more than fully versed on handling heads of state.” 

“Of course,” she replied, with a nervous laugh. “Besides, your Regent-lord has been more than generous to me already.” 

He glanced down at her hand again. Even faded, he could see the bruises that blotched her skin. 

“Do they hurt you?” he asked, gesturing to it. 

“What?” she looked down. “Oh, I mean, it aches more than anything, but I’ll manage. As I always have.” She forced a smile, and he watched her for another long moment before he finally turned and pushed the doors open. 

As they entered the room, Annaya immediately noticed three elves sitting across the room. She recognized Lor’themar, his silvered hair a halo in her memory. His single fel-fire eye glowed as he looked up at her. The second she was unfamiliar with. He had long bright blonde hair held out of his face by a simple green headband. The third, who sat across from them made her breath catch as she took in his dark ebony hair and red runic tattoos that trailed down his muscular arms. Grand Magister Rommath. 

“Lady Dawnfire, I would like to introduce you to Lor’themar Theron, Regent-lord of Quel-thalas, Ranger-general Halduron Brightwing, and Grand Magister Rommath,” Aethas announced as he gestured to each leader in turn. Annaya bowed slightly to each, anxiety skating up her spine. Every set of eyes was on her and her body buzzed. She wanted to be anywhere but there. 

“Thank you, Archmage Sunreaver,” Lor’themar replied as he stood up from his desk. 

Aethas bowed. “I will take my leave.” 

She spun toward him. “You’re not staying?” 

She needed him; a friendly face and a welcome presence to be with her. These men may have saved her, but she didn’t know them. 

“I’ll be waiting outside when you’re finished.” He smiled softly at her before he left the room. She stared at the place he had stood until Lor’themar spoke up. 

“How are you feeling, my lady?” 

“Please, call me Annaya. I doubt I have much nobility left in me. It was as artificial as I was.” she said sardonically, turning to look back at him. 

“Nonsense, you are as noble as you have always been. Dare I say, even more so now,” Lor’themar replied, setting his glass down and stretching his hand out toward her. “You are a hero among many of my people.” 

She flushed, looking down. “I was only doing what I thought was right, my lord.” 

“Yes, of that I am sure, but there is something to be said of a human sacrificing herself for the Sin’dorei. Especially in recent times, Light knows we could use a friend like that.” 

“There does seem to be an ever-dwindling number of friends these days,” she mused with a smirk. 

There was a small silence in the room and Annaya felt eyes on her. She glanced up to see Rommath watching her. Their eyes met, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. It was not a shiver of anxiety or fear, and her stomach tightened. 

“Priestess Shada has informed us of your current condition. Your mana is incredibly depleted.” Lor’themar continued. 

Annaya glanced down at her hand. She flexed her fingers slowly, wincing slightly. “They told me that without my mana, I would almost surely have died. I am now... mana-less? I believe that’s what she told me it was called.” she chuckled sadly as she dropped her hand to her side. She could feel the vial against her thigh, and she swallowed her nerves down. “I also have you to thank for finding me when you did, Regent-lord.” 

She glanced back at Rommath for a moment, and his ears twitched. 

Lor’themar smiled sadly. “Yes, I was... not where I was supposed to be when I happened upon you, and I suppose it was good I found you when I did.” He sighed. “Given that, it would be unwise to send you back in your current condition.” 

Her brow furrowed. “Send me back where, Regent-lord? I have nowhere to go.” Her voice wavered slightly, and she cleared her throat. 

“Surely Stormwind-” 

“With respect, my lord,” she cut him off. She took a steadying breath, wetting her lips, “but I would not call the city that stood by while Jaina massacred an innocent sect of people for her greater good my home. High King Varian would rather protect his reputation than do the right thing. Besides, Jaina had me labeled a traitor to the Kirin Tor, and by extension, the whole of the Alliance. I would surely be arrested if I were to show my face in any city under their banner now.” 

Lor’themar pursed his lips. He picked up his glass, twirling the ice around idly as he thought. “Very well, you may remain here until you have fully recovered. We will discuss what to do with you then.” 

“Thank you, my lord.” She turned to leave but paused, looking back at the trio. “If I may, Regent-lord...” 

He quirked an eyebrow at her and she licked her lips again. “I know that I am only a guest here in your city, but I would ask to be put to work if possible.” 

He frowned, and she took a small step forward. “I have other skills besides magic. I am a linguist and a scholar.” 

“You are still recovering, Lady Dawnfire. You need to rest. I would send you back to Quel’danas with the priestesses. The Sunwell would be the best place for you right now.” 

The thought of resting, of being alone with her thoughts and the memories filled her with absolute terror. She glanced over at Rommath, her eyes wide, silently pleading with him, and his back straightened almost imperceptibly. 

“Regent-lord,” he said suddenly, and all three sets of eyes turned to him. “Perhaps it would be good to put her to work. The Reliquary is looking for new blood to help them with the artifacts being brought back from the new land. She’ll be safe and out of harm’s way there.” 

Lor’themar took another sip of his drink before he glanced at Halduron. The Ranger-general smirked at him but didn’t reply.  

“Alright, fine. Aethas can take you over there. We’ll see just how good your language skills are.” He finally conceded. 

Annaya bowed her head and as she straightened, she caught Rommath’s gaze. It was intense, and she swallowed. Lor’themar dismissed her and she hurried out of the office. 

As the door closed behind her, Aethas approached her. 

“So, how did it go?” he asked. 

She took a deep breath to steady herself, trying to shake off the mounting panic in her chest. 

“Annaya?” 

She finally nodded. “Good, it went good.” 

Aethas smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here safe, Annaya. You’re going to absolutely love the Magisterium.” He turned his back as he began to lead her outside. 

“Aethas, I-“  

“It’s really a wonderful place. The magisters drive the apprentices hard, but they really do learn well. I’ll introduce you to everyone and get you an office and-“ 

“Aethas.”   

He turned back to her. She was frowning at him.  

“I’m not going to the Magisterium.”  

He cocked his head as his brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”  

She shook her head, holding up her hands between them. “I don’t have any magic.” Her throat tightened as she said it, but she pushed through it. “I’m useless as a mage, so I had to offer my… other skills.” 

The orc’s laughter echoed in her head, and she cast her eyes down.  

It was silent for a long moment.  

“Well then, where am I taking you?”  

She peeked up at him through her eyelashes. He was smirking at her, his eyes soft.  

“Well… the Grand Magister saw fit to send me to the Reliquary. He said I could assist the High Examiner until I was feeling better.” 

Aethas snorted. “Oh, he is not going to be happy about you.” He turned slightly, gesturing for her to follow. “Come on then, I’ll take you to meet our illustrious High Examiner.” 

---

The Reliquary lab was set back down a long hallway right outside of the Spire. They passed a pair of arcane golems standing guard on either side of the entranceway and Annaya glanced up at them as they hurried through. They didn’t move or shift at her presence. The elves used arcane golems to augment their security forces, and she marveled at the sheer power of the mechanical beasts. It was a wonder that they were able to use magic and technology woven together to create such powerful behemoths. As they entered the Reliquary halls, they began to pass rooms filled with boxes and tomes, some tended to by elves while others seemed to just be storage. They came to a large room and Aethas led her through the large double doors.   

An older blood elf was hunched over a large table littered with books and artifacts and he looked up as they approached. His eyes shifted between Aethas and her, and as they fell on Annaya, he squinted, his brow furrowing. 

“Sunreaver, I had heard you were back in Silvermoon. What is this you’ve brought me?” he said with a scowl. 

Aethas held his hand out to the other elf, “High Examiner Bloodwatcher, I would like to introduce you to Archmage Annaya Dawnfire.” 

Annaya smiled at him, but he did not return it. She bowed slightly out of respect. He regarded her silently, his frown deepening.  

“She is here under the Regent-lord's protection, High Examiner.” Aethas nodded at Annaya. 

She straightened her back. “It is a pleasure to meet you, High Examiner. I have a penchant for languages; I’ve spent my life studying them.” 

He regarded her for a moment. “Hmm, languages, you say?” 

“I am fluent in three currently, but I pick them up quickly.” 

“Hmm, we shall see.” He turned his back, walking further into the room. “Come along then, let’s see what work we can find for you.” 

Annaya glanced back at Aethas, who grinned at her hopefully. She grinned back nervously before she followed quickly after the High Examiner. 

Notes:

Well, they're finally in the city together. But things can just never be that simple, can they?

Definitely going to be looking to go into Rommath a little more next chapter, so that will be fun.

Chapter 8

They waited in silence as she left Lor’themar’s office. Once the door closed, the Regent-lord walked to the bar across the room to refill his glass while Halduron leaned back in his chair, tossing one of his legs over the arm. The Ranger-general brought his own glass to his lips, taking a sip of his bourbon, the clink of ice cubes echoing in the room. Rommath continued to stare at the door. 

“She’s pretty.” 

Rommath’s glare snapped to Halduron, who had his nose shoved in his drink. 

“I would hold my tongue if I were you, Brightwing, before I burn-” 

“That will be quite enough, you two.” Lor’themar interrupted as he returned to his desk. He could almost see steam coming out of his Grand Magister’s ears from the heat rolling off his body as Halduron simply grinned into his glass. 

“There is a matter we need to discuss, especially now that the archmage is up and about.” Lor’themar continued. 

He set his own glass down and waited for both of his advisors to focus on him. He had been contemplating this conversation since he had returned from Orgrimmar with Annaya weeks prior. It was not one he was looking forward to. The thought of Rommath selling secrets for a human girl turned Lor’themar’s stomach. His Grand Magister was normally so resolute in his convictions and his dedication to their people, but if he was willing to sell them out for something as simple as the whereabouts of a woman... things were more dire than he had originally thought. 

He tugged open the top drawer of his desk and pulled out the scroll the Warchief had tossed to him when he had been in Orgrimmar. Lor’themar had wanted to destroy it, throw it into his fireplace and forget the whole thing even happened, but he couldn’t get rid of it. Not yet at least. Not until he had confronted the Grand Magister and tried to make some sense of what was written on it. He stood, walking around to the opposite side of the desk where he held out the scroll for Rommath to take. 

“What is this?” Rommath narrowed his eyes as he took the parchment, unfurling it quickly. 

Lor’themar didn’t reply and he watched the magister read it, his fingers tightening around the edges. 

“Where did you get this?” Rommath finally asked, not looking up for the scroll. 

“It was given to me in Orgrimmar... by Hellscream.” 

The silence was thick as the implications settled in for all of them. 

“Rommath, we need to talk about this.” Lor’themar finally said. 

The Grand Magister began to roll the parchment back up, his ears twitching in annoyance. “I would prefer if we didn’t.” 

The Regent-lord sighed heavily, standing up from where he had leaned against the edge of the desk. “Rommath, I had to promise the Warchief this traitor’s head as a show of loyalty.” 

Rommath refused to meet his eyes as he held the parchment in his lap. His voice was quiet and clipped, void of any emotion. “So, I am to be executed then?” 

Lor’themar threw up his hands as he began to pace before his advisors. “Of course not! I said it to buy us time, to get some breathing room. Light, he already doesn’t trust us, it was the only thing I could think of to not be executed myself.” 

He turned to fall heavily into his chair, face in his hands. After a moment, he straightened his back and cleared his throat. “And I'm not going to send that girl away, especially when it would mean certain death, but you have to give me something, Rommath, please.” 

It was silent in the room for a long moment as Halduron and Lor’themar watched Rommath. His brow was furrowed as he clenched his fists before he finally looked up at the Regent-lord. 

“We have... a history.” 

“What kind of history?” Lor’themar asked. 

“It’s nothing like you’re thinking,” Rommath explained. His chest was beginning to feel tight, and his brow furrowed further. “We were in Dalaran together long ago. She was an apprentice at the time.” 

“Was there anything...” 

He shook his head quickly. “Absolutely not. She is a human.” 

Even as he said it, he knew the excuse was weak. Kael’thas had laughed at him when he had told him too. 

“When I left Dalaran, we lost contact with each other. It was sheer coincidence that we found each other when I returned there to rescue Aethas.” 

Coincidence or fate?  

Lor’themar nodded as he picked up his glass. “The message is rather cryptic. Do you know what it means?” 

Rommath looked down at the parchment. He was quiet as he read it again. And then a third time. 

“I do not.” 

Lor’themar narrowed his eyes. “Are you certain?” 

“The Eye likes to speak in riddles and double speak. This scroll... could mean anything.” 

Lor’themar had not been born a statesman, but he had been a captain and Ranger-lord of the Farstriders long enough to learn when he was being lied to. Rommath knew what the scroll meant. His Grand Magister was always guarded, and kept his secrets close to his chest. It had taken Rommath a long time to learn to trust Lor’themar and Halduron but this seemed particularly out of character for him. 

He sighed. “Well, thankfully, Hellscream made no mention of who the scroll was meant for, so we still have that advantage. However, I do not like being on the defensive. The pieces have been shifted and now we have to move to keep up. It is only a matter of time before he demands an update, and I will be forced to provide one. We are running out of time to make any type of move.” 

He emptied his glass in one long drink before eyeing each of his advisors. “No more movement or spywork behind my back. We cannot afford to misstep.” 

They both nodded before Rommath placed the scroll back on Lor’themar’s desk and excused himself. His office was down the hall from Lor’themar’s and he hurried to it, locking the door behind him. He waved his hand to set his security wards, listening for the quiet ping in his ear to know they were active. He was in no mood to deal with anyone anymore. The bubble of emotion that had been building in his chest since Annaya had first walked through the Regent-lord's door was threatening to burst through. 

Seeing her again was... overwhelming. He had dreamed of her almost every night for weeks, broken and dying as he rushed her to the Sunwell. He had woken up in a cold sweat from nightmares of her crying out for him as she lay bleeding out in his arms. He was always too late to save her. Nothing that he did was enough; the orcs always won. But to see her in the flesh, with her soft hair pinned out of her face and her bright eyes flecked with gold stole his breath away. He wanted to reach out and feel her in his arms again. 

He couldn’t describe what he was feeling as he thought about her. Each feeling seemed to rise and fall like a wave as something overtook each new emotion. Anger was most present, but there was something more. Betrayal? Hurt? Desire? 

He stalked toward his desk as he ripped the cowl from around his neck. He couldn’t breathe as the bubble continued to grow inside him. He crumbled the fabric into a wad before he tossed it to the floor at his feet. He was in control; he was in control. He was in complete control. 

He turned suddenly, his fingers burning with flames as he released a roar. The bubble in his chest had burst and he threw a fireball against the far wall. He watched as it spread, the edges of the flames crawling out from a black ash center before petering out into nothingness. His chest heaved as he tried to calm his quickened breathing.  

Annaya was safe. She was there in Silvermoon, and she was alive. Then why did he feel like this? He drew his hand across his eyes before he looked down at his desk. The pendant lay in the middle, atop a stack of unread reports. He grabbed it, squeezing it between his fingers as he paced out onto his balcony. A gentle breeze brushed his cheek as he stared down at it. 

---

A hand reached forward to cup his cheek, tilting his face up. Bright blue eyes searched his own. Kael’thas leaned forward, his breath ghosting along his lips.  

“What will it take to convince you, my heart? What will it take to make you believe me?”  

He couldn’t answer. He didn’t know. He was used to being so confident in his work, but with Kael’thas, he was always off-center, and unsure of himself.   

“I don’t know.” he finally replied, unable to look into his bright blue eyes.  

Kael’thas chuckled softly, closing the distance between them. Their lips met briefly before he pulled away.  

“I think I might.”  

The prince stood up suddenly and Rommath watched as he crossed the room. His long dark silk robes billowed behind him as he moved effortlessly. Kael’thas always had a grace about him, something Rommath could only ever hope to have. He placed his wine glass down on the desk before he pulled open one of the drawers and pulled out a small box. He returned to the bed and took Rommath’s glass before handing him the box.  

“What is this?”  

“Open it.”  

Rommath looked down. The box was small, covered completely in black velvet with gold trim. He ran his fingers across the top reverently before he slowly opened the lid. Kael’thas slotted his chin over Rommath’s shoulder to look down at it.  

“What do you think?” he asked, running his hands idly along Rommath’s arms as he watched his companion’s face.  

Rommath lifted the pendant out to hold it in the palm of his hand. The emerald and ruby jewels reflected the mage lights in the room, and he trailed his index finger along the gold edges. “It’s...”  

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”  

Rommath nodded, suddenly afraid of his own voice. Kael’thas chuckled as he reached his arms around Rommath’s body to take the gold chain from him, unclasping the hook. He pulled it up around his Rommath’s neck, reclasping it gently. He trailed his hands along his partner’s shoulders and down his arms. Rommath gently trailed his fingers along the pendant, now resting against his sternum.  

“Just like you are.”  

Rommath felt his cheeks warm. The pendant felt heavy where it sat.  

“I wanted to give this to you when we returned to Dalaran, but I suppose an early present never hurt anyone.”  

“But...” his throat was tight, and he swallowed. “Why?”  

Kael’thas smiled. “To show you how much I care about you. We may never be able to show our love in public, but I want you to know that I do care about you.”  

And there it was. After everything, Kael’thas was still a prince, and Rommath would never be good enough. Rommath frowned, turning around to look at him.  

“Why can’t we? What’s stopping us from being together publicly?” Rommath asked, his voice breathless. He hated how he sounded, weak and desperate.  

Kael smiled as he brushed a long strand of Rommath’s dark hair behind his ear. “Oh, my sweet Rommath, because you are not nobility.”  

Rommath flinched like he had been slapped. “What?”  

“I care about you, about us, but my father was right about one thing. Our people must come first. What would they think if they saw us together? I care about you, my heart, but a prince has to keep up appearances.”  

He said the words like they were common knowledge, like Rommath should have known better, but hearing them twisted something inside him. Even after everything he had done, it would never be good enough.  

Rommath turned to get off the bed, but Kael’thas gripped his wrist, spinning him back toward him. Rommath wanted to be angry at him, wanted to hate him, but one look from the blonde and he felt all fury bleed out of him. He could never stay mad at Kael’thas.  

“Let me go,” he growled, pulling weakly in Kael’s grip.  

“Hush,” Kael laughed at him before pulling him back and rolling him over to lay against the silk sheets. “You always think too much, Rommath.”  

Rommath tried to push against him, but Kael’thas pressed his lips firmly against his, silencing any further argument.  

“Let me help you stop thinking. Once we get to Dalaran, everything will be better. I promise.”  

---

He raised his arm to throw the pendant over the balcony. He wanted to get rid of it. This damned pendant was everything he wanted to forget. Everything that was forced upon him. He had worshipped at Kael’s feet, believed every lie, every whispered promise, every honeyed word, and for what? For the hope that one day he would choose him? He had walked away from everything for Kael’thas. He had... 

He lowered his arm. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t destroy it. It was all he had left of Kael’thas. He looked down at it. Its ruby and emeralds glittered in the fading light. He was still too weak to destroy it, and he released a deep sigh. He was tired, his mind still trying to make sense of the feelings twisting in his chest. He slipped the pendant into the pocket of his robes as he leaned against the railing and turned his face up to the setting sun. The sky was beginning to bleed reds, oranges, and yellows across the blue and purple sky. He smiled softly and the tightness began to slowly release.  

It was too early to go to the Reliquary, despite how desperately he may have wanted to. He would wait. He could do that at least.  

---

Halduron chuckled into his glass once the two Farstriders were alone. “So, we’re keeping her then?” 

“She’s not a pet, Hal. We’re simply offering her refuge while she recovers from her injuries.” 

“Is that a smart idea though? Seems quite a few people are looking for her right now.” 

Lor’themar sighed. “Well, I can’t really turn her out in the cold now, can I? Besides, she wants to make herself useful. Why not let her?” 

Halduron chuckled as he untangled himself from his chair to refill his glass. “You always did have a soft spot for little birds with broken wings.” 

Lor’themar scoffed at him but didn’t reply. He picked up the scroll and read it again. 

“Our Grand Magister sure seems to be affected by her. I haven’t seen him so flustered since... ever.” Halduron continued as he returned to his seat. 

“Yes, it is curious. I definitely think there is more to all this than it appears.” 

“Well, if we know anything, Rommath will be locked tight as a vault.” 

Halduron took a sip of his bourbon. “Perhaps it will be good for him then. Kael’s death was hard on us all. Him the hardest. This may be a chance for him to finally heal.” 

Lor’themar cocked his head. “Perhaps it is.” 

 

Notes:

Oh, Halduron and Lor'themar are definitely going to be up to shenanigans. Halduron especially!

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 9

One Week Later

“Archmage, did you have any updates on that magical device the excavators sent back from Pandaria?” High Examiner Tae’thelan Bloodwatcher called over to Annaya from the large table in the center of the Reliquary lab. 

Annaya looked up from the contraption she’d been poring over for the better part of an hour. It was an odd device, covered in symbols and shapes that vaguely reminded her of ones she had seen in Silithus years before. Brann Bronzebeard and his Explorers’ League had found ancient artifacts from an old race known as the Aqir. They had been followers of the old god, N’Zoth and had been found in and around the prison of C’Thun, another Old God discovered in the ancient city of Ahn’Qiraj. She had been assigned to help the Explorers’ League during the War of the Shifting Sands in Southern Silithus and her work had been one of the deciding factors in her promotion to archmage. She’d determined the symbols on the device before her were from a similar race known as the mantid, and she found it especially curious that they were showing up so readily in the artifacts brought back from Pandaria. She scribbled a quick note in her notebook to mark her place before she closed it and stood up. 

“I do not, High Examiner. It was only recently catalogued and placed into storage.” 

Tae’thelan narrowed his eyes. “The Grand Magister wants it transferred to his research chambers for his personal study. See to it that it finds its way there, will you?” 

She faltered at the thought. “O-of course, High Examiner, it will be done.” 

She had fallen into her role as a translator well. When she had first come to the Reliquary, there was a large stack of Mogu relics tossed in a corner, waiting for someone clever enough to read them. She had taken to them quickly. The language was difficult, but it was similar to the Titan language, and while difficult, she had learned that well enough when she had helped Brann Bronzebeard in Ulduar years prior. The stack of Mogu texts had quickly diminished and she had even created a cipher for the High Examiner to use. He had accepted it with a frown, but the gift had created the first cracks in his stoic and icy demeanor. He liked the cipher, but she realized he much preferred having her there instead. 

After that day, Tae’thelan had called for her more often. She became more than just a translator, more than just the mana-less human on loan to the Reliquary. She became his assistant, his right hand, and the only one he trusted to catalog and organize his work adequately. He was particular about many things, and the way he kept the Reliquary organized was one of them. 

Using her language skills was wonderful, but she still felt the emptiness inside of her from the mana sickness. High Priestess Shada saw her periodically for check-ups, and by all accounts she should have begun to see some of her magic return, but whenever she reached within to pull at the arcane tendrils that should have been there, there was nothing. 

There had to be something wrong with her, something she was missing. Errant thoughts whispered in the back of her mind that the orcs had done something to her in Orgrimmar, something aside from the horrors they had inflicted upon her body, but she didn’t know what. Maybe they cursed her or placed hexes upon her. Her mind wove stories as she lay awake at night, unable to sleep for fear of returning to that place, and each night the stories only became wilder. She wanted to look in the library, to maybe find some hidden piece of research that might shed some light on her affliction, but the thought of finally knowing terrified her even more.  

She looked down at the artifact in front of her. She picked it up, intent on completing her translation of the object before her midday walk when she heard someone enter the lab. 

“Archmage Sunreaver, how can I help you?” Tae’thelan’s voice was sharp, and Annaya looked up over. 

Aethas stood in the doorway, a nervous smile on his face. His long red hair was loose down his back and his normally covered features were unhindered by that ridiculous helm he had always worn in Dalaran. 

He beamed at her as he stepped around the other elf and opened his arms for her. He moved quickly and she tensed, frozen to the spot.  

Please stop, please stop, please stop.  

He stopped just out of arm’s reach, lowering his arms as he noticed her wide eyes. He cocked his head slightly. 

“Hello, Annaya,” he shifted nervously. “It’s been a while.” 

It had been a while. Since dropping her off at the Reliquary, Aethas had been almost completely missing from her life. She had asked the High Examiner where he had gone, but Tae’thelan neither knew nor did he care to keep track of the archmage. Annaya knew Aethas was busy coordinating the reintegration efforts of his people back into Silvermoon society. The Sunreavers had lived in Dalaran for many years, and to be suddenly uprooted had to be jarring for many of them, Aethas especially. She had tried to tell herself that he still thought about her, but she hadn’t even seen him in passing, and as she lay awake at night, the stories about him wove their way alongside the orc tales. 

“What are you doing here, Aethas?” she asked, biting her cheek at how harsh it sounded. 

She caught his grimace, but he smiled regardless. “I wanted to see if you would accompany me to the Magisterium today.” 

“Why?” 

The Magisterium. The site of all magical training in Silvermoon. Annaya felt her chest tighten, if she hadn’t been suffering from mana sickness, she might have been sent there initially.  

A useless archmage.  

“The Grand Convergence is today. I thought you might like to attend.” 

The Grand Convergence. The annual test of all apprentices in the Magisterium. Aethas had told her about it a few times back in Dalaran and some of the younger elves had told her horror stories about failed tests or embarrassing stumbles while trying to impress the magisters. Every Blood Elf with any ounce of magic in their body had to pass their Grand Convergence test to be considered a ‘proper mage’ or be destined as a failed apprentice for all eternity. A fate worse than death for the Sin’dorei. 

“Am I even allowed in there?” she asked as she closed her notebook, sliding it across the table and out of the way. 

“Why wouldn’t you be? You’re a mage, just like I am, and you’re an archmage.” he cocked his head slightly. “Besides, it might do you some good to be around magic again.” 

He smiled softly at her and she sighed. He continued to smile at her and she finally shook her head with a small chuckle before she stood up. 

“High Examiner, I’ll be out for the rest of the afternoon.” she called to Tae’thelan, who simply waved his hand dismissively at her without looking up from his pile of artifacts. 

She hurried after Aethas, and they fell into step together as they crossed the Bazaar and headed for the Magisterium. The training hall was located near Sunfury Spire, and as the palace’s tall gold pinnacle appeared over the building roofs, Annaya felt a shiver run through her. She hadn’t been back to the palace in nearly a week, but its occupants had been on her mind. One occupant in particular, as much as she had tried to ignore it. 

She didn’t sleep much, out of fear of what she would dream about, but her waking thoughts would sometimes drift to strong hands holding her, warm breath on her cheek, and the smell of lightning on a stormy night. She flushed as she thought of it. 

They crossed the courtyard and Annaya frowned as a small group of apprentices crowded around the large double doors that led into the Magisterium. Annaya felt her cheeks warm as they passed through the crowd, and she cast her eyes down. This was where she belonged, training mages, passing on knowledge as an archmage and yet, her magic was still lost to her. She tried to reach for it, but all she felt was the void within her. 

“Annaya?” 

She looked up at the familiar voice. The crowd of apprentices seemed unending, and she felt her skin prickle but as she looked around, she focused on a familiar face. 

“Feyla!” she gasped, waving at the young blood elf. 

Feyla pushed through the crowd and grabbed her hands. Annaya had to swallow a sudden wave of panic in her throat. She felt like she was being pulled forward, held down, that at any moment one of the guards would come to force himself- 

“I was so worried about you! Aethas told us you were here, but I didn’t believe him,” Feyla’s voice was loud and vibrant as she wrapped her arms around Annaya’s middle. 

“O-of course I’m alright,” Annaya forced the words out around the tightness in her throat.  

It was like spiders across her skin, and she felt like she was drowning but she smiled at the young mage. Feyla had always looked up to her in Dalaran. She and her companion, Selina trusted her and Annaya had felt awful when she hadn’t been able to find the other elf that day. The Silver Covenant had become a cult and the mages that served Vereesa were resolute in their convictions. Annaya’s heart broke for the young Sunreaver. 

She pushed back against Feyla gently and the elf released her. Annaya released a breath as her heart tried to beat out of her chest.  

“What are...” she took a breath to try to calm herself. “What are you doing here, Feyla?” 

Feyla turned to look back at the large doors. “I’m testing today!” 

Annaya frowned. “But I thought you were already a full-fledged mage.” 

“Technically, I am, but the Grand Magister is retesting all the Sunreavers that came back from Dalaran. He wants to make sure we received a ‘proper education’ in the city.” Annaya smiled at the air quotes Feyla included. 

“Of course he doesn’t trust us,” Aethas grumbled next to Annaya. 

She glanced at him, but Feyla shook her head quickly. “It’s ok, Archmage! I don’t mind, honestly! I’ve been practicing and I’ll show him you were a good leader! You taught us well!” 

Annaya watched Aethas for a moment longer. She remembered him complaining about Silvermoon politics in the past. One particular occasion came to mind. He had returned to Quel’thalas to request additional aid against Malygos and the blue dragonflight and was denied. Although the aid eventually came, it was not by Aethas’ request, and she suspected the slight never sat well with him. 

His face was set in a deep frown and Annaya reached a hand out to him. “Come on now, Aethas. We’re here to see your people, not some stuffy magister.” Perhaps a part of her did want to see that stuffy magister, but she bit her cheek as she smiled at her fellow archmage.  

She waited for Aethas to release his frown before he finally nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go.” 

“Good luck, Feyla.” She nodded to the young elf as she followed Aethas inside. 

He led her to a row of chairs inside the Magisterium and she slid into one, casting her eyes across the room. The training hall was truly magnificent, with high ceilings and large red and gold banners bearing the crest of the Sin’dorei hanging over the floor-to-ceiling windows. The apprentices slowly filed in and were lined up near the entrance, all awaiting their turn to test. 

The Kirin Tor had a similar test for aspiring apprentices hoping to one day become established and proficient mages. Annaya had to take her test twice before she was accepted into the ranks of the mageocracy. She suspected Archmage Runeweaver had something to do with it, as she was positive that she had recited every incantation to the letter. It had taken her even longer to become an archmage, and that was ultimately only because of Rhonin. 

She looked up to see a row of magisters seated up in the balcony. They would evaluate the apprentices for how well they handled their abilities as they moved through an intricate series of carefully thought-out steps. Aethas had given her a quick rundown; it involved beginning with simple fire and arcane cantrips followed by more involved and complex abilities all culminating in the summoning of a powerful fire elemental. 

Annaya’s eyes swept across the balcony, taking in each magister. They were all older male elves, but she paused when she caught sight of the Grand Magister in the middle. He was dressed in red robes with gold trim, and he had his usual cowl covering the lower half of his face. His runic tattoos seemed to glow softly in the light. He was focused on something a magister was saying next to him, but his fel-fire eyes were bright as they scanned the room below him. They caught on her, narrowing slightly and she felt her breath quicken.  

“Aethas, I don’t think I’m supposed to be here.” Annaya said quietly as Rommath’s frown deepened. 

Aethas followed her gaze as he leaned toward her. “Trust me, you belong here.” 

Rommath looked away from her to focus on the apprentices and she finally managed to do the same. She noticed Feyla was among a small group being ushered toward the edge of the large ring in the center. A magister holding an old tome approached them. His eyes were sharp, and he glanced down and then back up a few times. 

“You’ll love what’s about to happen.” Aethas whispered to her. 

Feyla stepped forward into the center of the room. Annaya glanced back up at the magisters. They were all seated, watching Feyla and she watched as a magister next to Rommath stood. He smoothed down his robes before he spoke. 

“Today you will prove whether you have the mettle, the fortitude, and the skill to be ranked among the strongest mages in Azeroth. We Sin’dorei do not wield magic as a simple tool, it is in our very being. It is who we are. As you step inside the Ring of Convergence, you will show us whether you are ready to join our ranks and become one of our newest arcanists.” 

His voice filled the room, commanding complete attention. Annaya glanced at the apprentices to see them all staring up at him with wide eyes. 

The magister took his seat, and Annaya watched as Feyla stepped forward into the center of the room. It was silent as the young elf bowed to the elves above them before she squared her feet. She began to cast the beginning of series of cantrips. 

Annaya felt it immediately. It was like a string pulling inside of her chest. As Feyla twisted a cantrip to light her hands in flame, Annaya released a sharp breath. Something her chest moved, contorting and pulling around her heart, and she frowned. Aethas glanced at her, but she simply shook her head, brushing him off. She rubbed her hand over her heart quickly, refocusing on the elf in the middle of the room.  

One of the magisters waved a hand and Feyla bowed before she recentered herself. The feeling in Annaya’s chest disappeared just as suddenly as it had begun, and she relaxed slightly.  

Feyla brought her hands up and began to murmur softly as she moved into the next stage of her test. Annaya felt her stomach flip and she inhaled sharply. The void in her chest shifted and the arcane tendrils that had been lost to her began to move. Something was causing her missing magic to move within her, and she closed her eyes, to focus on quieting it. One of the tendrils twisted and moved, spreading outward violently and she grimaced. Her eyes snapped open as she realized she couldn’t control it. 

She looked at Aethas but he was focused intently on Feyla and so she looked up into the balcony. A pair of fel-fire eyes was focused on her. 

“I need to go.” she whispered before she stood from her chair and pushed herself through the small row of seats. 

“Annaya, what-” 

---

She didn’t know where she was going. Aethas’ voice had faded away as she hurried through the halls. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears and her eyes burned from tears as her feet carried her. Everything was so stupid.  

Stupid, stupid, stupid.   

She could feel her magic, but she couldn’t control it. It was so close and yet, still so far away. Every time she concentrated on it, it seemed to shift just out of reach, sending a stab of pain through her. She growled, frustrated and angry. Why was it so difficult? What was wrong with her that she was like this? What had they done to her? 

She reached a turn in the hallway and paused for a moment. The noise from the Training Hall had faded completely, and she stood still, listening. She suddenly felt exhausted. She looked over to see a set of doors that led to a small balcony overlooking one of the many gardens in Farstrider Square. She stepped out on it. She would only stay a moment, and then return to the ground floor. She knew she wasn’t supposed to be there. She just needed a moment. 

She rested her forearms on the railing of the balcony before she slotted her forehead into the crook of her arm. She took a deep shuddering breath. 

“I thought I might find you here.” 

She jumped, spinning around to see Rommath step out onto the balcony. She sniffed, rubbing her hand across her face. Of course he had followed her. 

“I-I’m sorry, I know I’m not supposed to be here-” she started but he held up his hand as he approached her. 

“It’s quite alright. You left in quite a hurry, I just wanted to make sure you were safe.” 

“What about the apprentices?” 

“There are other magisters to watch them.” 

She huffed, as exhaustion stole her breath. She turned back to lean against the balcony again. A gentle breeze rustled the loose wisps of hair at her temples. 

“He shouldn’t have brought you here.” Rommath said after a moment. 

She stared down at the fountain in the garden below. “Aethas means well, he just... he’s doing his best.” 

“He should know better.” Rommath insisted, shaking his head. 

She sniffled as she rubbed her hand across her eyes. He glanced over at her. 

“I wanted to…” she sighed, the words suddenly escaping her. “To thank you.”  

She glanced sidelong at him. “The High Priestess told me what you did for me. At the Sunwell.” 

Rommath’s ears twitched but he didn’t reply, and Annaya smiled softly. He wasn’t looking at her and so she shifted closer to him slightly. His eyes immediately darted to her. 

The breeze blew again, rustling their robes and Annaya sniffled before she turned and slid her back against the railing until she was seated against it. She was still so tired, and she pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. 

“Ugh, I’m such a mess,” she complained. 

“Nonsense, you look... Presentable.” 

She laughed as she looked up at him.  

“I just... don’t know how to fix it.” she said with a shake of her head. 

“I can help if you’d like.” 

She frowned up at him, but he was staring down at the fountain.

He wanted to help?

“Why?” 

He finally looked back at her. “Do I need a reason?” 

“Well...” she cast her eyes down. “No, I suppose not, I could hardly be important enough to-” 

“Little flame, I will say this one time. You are important enough for anything.” 

She looked up at him. His gaze was intense as he looked at her and she had to force herself to exhale. 

“I would be honored, Grand Magister.” 

He nodded as he extended his hand to help her up. “Good.”  

She took it and as she got to her feet, they stood together on the balcony for a moment longer. The breeze blew the wisps of her hair across her cheek. She could feel her heartbeat quicken as she met his gaze, refusing to look away. He finally released her hand and turned to walk back inside. 

“First of all, you can call me Rommath. It would not do for you to be constantly referring to me by my title.” 

He turned back to see her watching him, her eyes wide. “What?” 

“N-nothing!” she stuttered as she hurried after him. 

They returned to the ground floor where he finally turned back to her. They could hear the sound of the Grand Convergence on the other side of the doors. 

He turned back to her. “You will report to my office tomorrow at noon. We will begin your training then.” 

“My training?” 

He nodded with a frown. “Yes, something is keeping you from your magic. So, we will start over from the beginning. For all intents and purposes, you will be an apprentice.” 

Her eyes widened and his frown instantly softened. “You are still an archmage. You will always be an archmage. We will do this until we can figure out what is happening to you.” 

She took a deep breath before she looked up at him. “I trust you.” 

He froze. It was a phrase he hadn’t heard in a long time. People didn’t trust him, and yet, this woman, who was dying in his arms mere weeks ago was putting her faith, her trust in him. 

“I won’t let you down.” 

She smirked at him; the corners of her lips quirked up as she turned to push the doors of the training hall open. “I know.” 

Notes:

Mage "ranks" are weird. I added in Arcanist as a rank above apprentice and below Magister because like, not everybody can be a magister right out the gate.

Also, Blood Elves and their naming schemes... it took me forever to come up with a decent name for this test.

Chapter 10

Notes:

This chapter got away from me a little bit...

also, I went back and did some minor formatting and grammatical edits on previous chapters. Nothing major that you'll need to re-read for, but I noticed things that bothered me, so I went through and did some cleaning up.

Annaya followed High Examiner Bloodwatcher through the Reliquary. He had been in a particularly irritable mood ever since she had told him that she would be apprenticing with Grand Magister Rommath. They reached the lab where Tae’thelan crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing at her. 

“And just why did you enter into an apprenticeship with him? You are an archmage, correct? Last I checked that meant you were already a master of your craft.” 

She shifted nervously, smiling up at him. Very few people actually knew about her affliction and while Tae’thelan had been incredibly kind to her, she had not told him any of the details. All he knew was that she was there to help him as a translator and an expert scholar while she recovered. 

“What exactly happened at the Grand Convergence yesterday?” He pressed her. 

“Well, Aethas took me to watch the test and...” She looked away. “The Grand Magister and I had a lovely conversation. He thinks I can... learn a thing or two about magic as well.” 

It wasn’t entirely a lie.  

Tae’thelan scoffed. “That uptight, arrogant, fool. He thinks anyone who isn’t him is absolutely worthless!” 

Annaya raised her hands quickly. “It’s not that bad, High Examiner! He wasn’t disrespectful at all and I agreed to his help!” 

The High Examiner watched her for a moment before he scoffed and turned back to the table in front of him. It was covered in artifacts that still needed to be cataloged and archived. Many of them were covered in mysterious symbols that was she supposed to translate. Annaya watched him work for a moment. 

“High Examiner, all of my assigned tasks are complete and ready for your review. ” 

He didn’t respond. Annaya narrowed her eyes as she watched him. A thought suddenly struck her.  

Was he jealous?  

She smiled softly at him. 

“High Examiner, I won’t be gone forever. My services are still the Reliquary’s services.” 

He didn’t turn to see her go. As she hurried across the square to head for Sunfury Spire, her thoughts drifted to her meeting with Rommath the other day. 

Little Flame. She flushed at the thought. The words had slipped from his mouth as he looked down at her. She had been called many things throughout her life: commoner, archmage, stupid whore... but when little flame had left his mouth, it had stirred something within her. He had said it naturally, like it was something he had always said. Like he had always called her that. 

Then there was the matter of her being his ‘apprentice.’ Did he even take apprentices? She didn’t know. It was highly unusual for her, a fully trained archmage to need additional training, but to receive it from the highest-ranking mage in the city? She didn’t deserve any help. She could figure this all out on her own. And yet... he wanted to help her. She had heard stories about Grand Magister Rommath, the cold, distant mage who made apprentices cry wanted to help her. 

She smiled to herself as she crossed the Bazaar. He had wanted her at his office at midday and although the High Examiner had given her a plethora of tasks to complete beforehand, she had only just made it out with enough time to spare. If she hurried, she could still make. 

“Lady Dawnfire, Lady Dawnfire!” 

Annaya looked up from her thoughts to see an older Blood Elf smiling at her from the doorway of a shop. She smiled as she returned the wave. Bellerun Goldenfeast, the city’s resident baker, was absolutely beaming at her, gesturing for her to come closer. She had met him during one of her midday walks while exploring the shops that lined the Bazaar. He had instantly recognized her as the Hero of Dalaran -- a name she secretly detested. She knew he meant well, but the praise still didn’t sit well with her, even weeks later.  

She secretly adored the baker and made a point of visiting him as often as she could. Bellerun loved to experiment with his baking, and Annaya was always a willing participant. She couldn’t remember a single treat he had given her that she hadn’t liked and while she had very little money to her name, he would always send her off with a cookie or a bun as a way of thanks for indulging him. 

She assumed by his exceedingly excited gestures that he had some new experiment for her to try but she was running late for her meeting. She couldn’t stand to turn him down though and so she stepped inside the bakery. 

The smell of warm vanilla and fresh cinnamon curled around her nose as she pushed the door open. A small bell chimed as she crossed the threshold into the bakery. Flowers were set out in vases on the tables and glass cases lined the front of the bakery filled with fresh baked breads, pies, and cakes. Bellerun stood behind the counter, gesturing for her to approach. 

“Lady Dawnfire, I’m so glad I caught you!” His voice was bright and cheery, and Annaya couldn't help but smile at him as she stepped up to the counter. 

“Hello, Bellerun, it’s been a while. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to stop by.” 

He waved away her apology. “Worry not, my lady! I know you are incredibly busy! I caught you today, though, and that’s what matters!” 

He slid open the door on his side of the glass case and reached inside. She watched as he pulled out a plate of muffins and placed them on the counter. 

“Bellerun, I really can’t stay long today, I have a meeting-” 

“I’ll only be a minute, my lady.” He leaned over to grab a small white paper bag. “I just baked these and I want you to try them.” 

She heard a bell toll in the distance, and she winced. She was going to be late. She glanced over her shoulder quickly as the baker continued to place muffins inside the bag. She turned back as he pushed it toward her. 

“Here, take these and try them. Let me know what you think!” 

She took the bag, clutching it tightly against her chest. The muffins had a fresh, herbal smell, and she sniffed. “What are they?” 

“My cousin is a Reliquary herbalist deployed to Pandaria. He’s sent me back a plethora of herbs to test out in my baking. What you hold in your hands is my first round of green tea muffins! I’m so excited for you to try them!” 

She smiled softly at him. “I am honored that you trust me with your baking. I will report back to you my thoughts at once.” 

She bowed slightly before she hurried out of the bakery. She tried not to run across the Court of the Sun, but anxiety began to gnaw at her stomach as her worry grew. Her first meeting alone with the Grand Magister and she was already late. She half expected the guards to stop and question her, but they let her pass without incident, and she hurried up the stairs. 

She raised her fist to knock on the Grand Magister’s office door but paused. She could feel an aura of magic permeating from the room and the string in her chest pulled slightly. She grimaced, clutching the bag tighter in her other hand. He was behind that door, waiting for her. 

What are you waiting for? This is nothing. Knock, you fool.  

She set her jaw and rapped lightly on the door. It was silent in the hallway as she waited. She thought perhaps she might have knocked too softly, which of course, she would have done and raised her fist to knock again. 

“Enter.” 

She froze for a moment. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears as she gripped the doorknob and turned the handle. 

The room was sparsely decorated, and as she stepped fully inside, she glanced around. Large red and gold banners bearing the Sin’dorei crest lined the far walls and there was a portrait of a male elf on one of the walls. A metal plate underneath read Belo’vir Salonar. She remembered him as the previous Grand Magister before the Third War. 

“Ah, so you finally decided to show up.” 

Annaya winced as she turned her attention to Rommath. He was seated behind his desk, but he set his quill down as she approached. She smiled weakly at him as she held up the bag. 

“My father always said to never show up somewhere uninvited or empty-handed.” 

He quirked an eyebrow as he stood up. “And what did he say about being late?” 

Her eyes dropped. “He did also say a Dawnfire was never late.” 

He moved around the desk, his long robes rustling as he moved. Annaya felt like she was back in Dalaran, awaiting a punishment for some imaginary infraction she had made as an apprentice. 

“Well,” he paused and waited for her to look up at him. “You are here now and that’s what matters.” 

There was no anger or malice in his voice, and she smiled softly at him. They stood for a moment before he nodded and gestured to the bag. “What did you bring?” 

The change of subject seemed to jolt her into action. “Oh! I was on my way here when the baker caught me. He wanted me to try one of his new creations.” 

She opened the top of the bag, and the smell of fresh baked bread wafted through the air, mixed with the earthy, fresh aroma of green tea. She reached in and slowly pulled out a small muffin. She took a deep breath, and her eyes slowly drifted closed. It smelled absolutely delicious. When she finally opened her eyes, she noticed Rommath watching her, and she flushed slightly.  

“Here, take one.” She offered him one and his eyes widened. 

“I don’t think-” 

“He gave me plenty,” she reassured him with a smile. 

She pressed the muffin into his hands before she reached back into the bag for another one. She set the bag on the edge of his desk before she pulled back the small paper wrapper and broke off a small piece to pop into her mouth. As she savored the sweet, earthy taste, she released a quiet hum. 

Rommath looked down at the muffin in his hands. It was small, barely large enough to fit in his palm and he narrowed his eyes as he considered it. He wasn’t accustomed to receiving gifts and after a moment, he set it down on the desk to watch her instead. His cheeks had begun to warm, and he turned away from her to take a breath.  

“We should begin your training.” 

“Oh!” her eyes shot open, and she set her muffin down quickly. “My apologies, my lord, I forgot!” 

She turned back to him. 

“What did I tell you about referring to me?” 

A flush crept up her neck as she looked down. “My apologies-” 

“And stop apologizing!” he snapped. She jumped and he immediately softened. 

“I am here to help you, Little flame.” His voice was soft as he took a step toward her. 

She followed his foot before her eyes traveled up his body to meet his eyes. He had said it again. 

“Can I...” she licked her lips nervously. “Can I ask something of you?” 

“Of course.” 

She felt ridiculous as she began to pull at a loose stitch in the hem of her sleeve. “Can you remove your cowl while we are here?” 

Rommath’s eyes widened. He always wore his cowl. Most high-level magisters had some level of face protection, typically enchanted to offer additional magical shielding, but his cowl had become almost like a security blanket for him. He had adopted the one he currently wore during the Third War and almost never took it off. Especially around others. Kael’thas always said his face gave away too much. 

“Why do you want me to remove it?” He ran his fingers over the edge thoughtfully. 

Her face burned as her memories began to run rampant. “The guards... were always covered when they came... I could never see who they were when they...” 

The words froze in her throat and refused to move any further. She had learned to identify the orcs by their voices and by how they touched her. She never saw their faces. She pulled harder at the hem in her sleeve as her frown deepened. She blinked furiously to keep tears from falling as she focused on a spot on the floor between them. She knew it was beyond her station to ask such a thing of the Grand Magister, especially on their first meeting like this, but every time she looked at him, the thought of the guards was always lurking just beyond the light. She wanted to see him.  

She heard the rustle of fabric, and she glanced up. When she did, her breath caught in her chest. Rommath stood before her, cheeks lightly tinged pink as he looked back at her. His fel-fire eyes were bright as they were framed by his long, dark lashes above high cheekbones and a strong, well-defined jawline. She thought he was stunning before, but seeing his full face was like seeing a dream in real life. 

“You don’t even need to ask.” 

She pulled at the hem of her sleeve as her face burned. “Thank you... Rommath.” 

He walked to his desk, where he placed the fabric down. She watched him, her eyes focused on how delicately he handled the fabric. His long fingers folded the cowl in half and then in half again before he was satisfied. 

“Shall we begin?” he said, turning back to her. 

She nodded, suddenly afraid of her own voice. Rommath gestured for her to step into the middle of the room and she turned. 

“Mana sickness is fairly common, especially amongst the younger mages and apprentices. They overwork their bodies or push themselves to try to learn new skills or reach a new level of power before they are ready. 

“While you are not an apprentice, something similar has happened to you. Your body consumed all of your mana as a means to keep you alive long enough to get you to safety. This is normally a temporary ailment but somehow yours is different.” 

He had begun to pace as he spoke, and she followed him with her eyes. She fiddled with the hem of her sleeve again but as he stopped in front of her, she paused. 

“It’s like a void has opened up within me.” 

He nodded. “Yes, I have felt this before myself.” 

She quirked an eyebrow at him. “You’ve had mana sickness?” 

“I was a young mage once too.” He waved a hand at her. “Try casting something.” 

She frowned but brought her hands up between them. She closed her eyes as she tried to concentrate on one of her favorite cantrips. Normally, she would pull at the arcane tendrils within her, twisting them and pulling them before slowing them to below freezing where they would create a barrier of frost around her body. Now though, as she tried to reach within her, she found only darkness. She exhaled through her nose as she tried again. After a moment, she opened her eyes. 

“There’s nothing there.” 

“Try again. Slower this time.” 

She shot him a glare but did as he instructed. She moved slowly, searching for a strand of energy, anything from the arcane but the further she searched, the darker it became. She made a small noise in the back of her throat as her frustration grew. 

“I can’t find anything.” she growled. 

Rommath took a step toward her. Her eyes snapped open as she watched him, but he didn’t come closer to her. 

“You can do this.”  

His voice was soft as it wormed its way through her. She took a deep breath and tried again. 

---

She had lost track of how long they had been there, but with every cantrip she tried to cast, it was the same result. Frost armor, dancing lights, flaming hands, gusting wind. It was all the same. She would search for some shred of her magic, and she would return with naught to show for it. She was tired and frustrated, but as she looked up at Rommath, he simply watched her silently. 

“It’s no use.” she finally said. She had a migraine beginning to throb behind her eye and her patience was running thin. “I’m just destined to be the mana-less archmage for eternity.” 

She collapsed into one of the chairs by his desk where she pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. 

“I’m surprised,” Rommath mused from the center of the room. 

She glanced up at him. 

“I never took you as someone to give up.” 

“I beg your pardon?” 

He turned away from her. “If I recall correctly, there was a certain mage apprentice back in Dalaran that, what was it, ‘made her way well enough’?” 

Annaya stared at him, her mouth agape. They’d had that conversation twelve years ago. She was absolutely convinced he had forgotten who she was. She was just a commoner with a silly teenager’s infatuation. They had only spoken in passing a few times, and never enough for her to make an impression, especially on someone who waited on Prince Kael’thas .  

“How did you...” 

He looked back at her, “How could I forget you?” 

She flushed, looking down. She had spent months after he left the city wondering if she’d ever see him again. When Arthas had destroyed her home, he had destroyed her peace. When she had returned to Dalaran weeks later, Kael’thas and Rommath were gone, Lordaeron was completely destroyed and Quel’thalas was nearly destroyed along with it. She had thrown herself into her studies shortly thereafter, intent on proving to everyone around her that she could be more than just a commoner. She would never be helpless again. 

Rommath moved from the center of the room. She watched him silently as he came closer to her. 

“Let’s try again, shall we?” he said with a small smile. 

She released a long breath before she stood up and followed him back toward the center of the room.  

“I want to try something different.” he mused. 

“We’ve tried everything already. Nothing has worked.” 

“Not everything.” 

She looked at him curiously as he turned back to her, tensing slightly as he stepped closer to her. He paused, holding his hands out for her. 

“Is this... okay?” he asked quietly. 

She nodded, looking up at him. His tattoos glowed slightly as she swept her eyes over his arms and up to his eyes. 

“What are we going to do?” 

“I want you to use me.” 

Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” 

He chuckled quietly. “Use me as a conduit. I have enough mana for both of us.” 

He held out his hand in between them. She had heard of sharing magic before but had never tried it. It was a rare, difficult skill to master and only the strongest mages could even attempt it. To try and fail often meant disaster if done improperly. 

After a moment, she took his hand. His thumb brushed across her knuckles softly and she felt a shiver run down her spine.  

“Now, take a deep breath and use me.” 

As she closed her eyes again, she was almost immediately drawn in by the sheer power radiating from him. Her magic was like a sleeping beast within her, she would have to coax and prod it until the tendrils of arcane energy unfurled for her to manipulate them, but as she felt Rommath’s magic, it was like basking under the heat of a radiant star. It washed over her, beckoning her to come closer, to wrap her up in it and hold her. She lifted her other hand in the air as she began to pull tentatively at his power.  

He felt her begin to draw from his energy and he forced himself to relax. It was an odd feeling, and his first instinct was to draw back and close himself off but as he watched her brow furrow as she concentrated, he felt almost compelled to let her in. He had never let anyone in, not since Kael’thas, and that had been... awful. 

After Kael’thas, Rommath had closed himself off. Kael’thas took what he wanted, body and soul and the Sunwell had been the only thing that had healed him, but Annaya was gentle. She was delicate and her touch was almost shy as she explored. She pressed further, reaching deeper as his magic seemed to open up and wrap around her, holding her close. She gasped quietly as a spark of arcane energy suddenly jumped between their joined hands.  

He watched her free hand closely as he felt his mana begin to shift and move through them. The tattoos on his arms glowed brighter as his power grew to adjust for her. Her hand slowly began to glow orange before it burst into flames. She released a breathless laugh as her eyes snapped open. 

“We did it!” she exclaimed; her eyes wide as she stared at her hand. 

“You did it,” he corrected. She looked up at him, the light from her hand reflecting the gold flecks in her eyes. 

“You helped me.” 

“And I’ll keep helping you.” 

She smiled at him. He could still feel her pressing gently against him, like she was waiting for him to direct her further. He rubbed his thumb across her knuckles as another spark shot between them. 

Suddenly, there was a knock on his office door. She jumped, pulling away and severing the connection. Rommath felt his anger flare and he glared at his door. He grabbed his cowl as he stomped across the room. 

“There had better be a good reason why you are interrupting me-” 

He pulled the door open to deal with the poor elf that had knocked. Annaya took a deep breath as she stepped out onto the balcony. Her head was spinning. She had felt magic again and it had felt... breathtaking. It was so different from what hers felt like, but as it had flowed through her and she had taken hold of it, it felt... perfect. Like it had been hers all along. Like she was always meant to wield it. She glanced back at the Grand Magister. His back was to her, but as she watched his shoulders and arms, the tattoos still glowed from their shared connection. She smiled to herself. 

He remembers you.  

He remembered her. After all these years, she mattered to him. She had assumed so many of their encounters had been one-off incidents that only she would lie awake and remember. Perhaps he... no, she was getting ahead of herself. 

“Annaya?”  

She turned to see Rommath standing in the doorway. She smiled back at him. 

“I apologize but I have been called to an... impromptu meeting with the Regent-lord.” 

“Oh, I understand,” she bowed her head slightly. “Never a dull day in leadership?” 

He had replaced his cowl, but his eyes lifted as if he was smiling. “With two Farstriders to look after? No, there isn’t.” 

She laughed lightly as she stepped past him into his office. As she passed his desk, she glanced down. Her eyes fell on the pendant sitting on top of a stack of parchment and her brow furrowed slightly. 

“I’m sure the High Examiner is expecting me as it is.” She gestured to the bag of muffins. “Perhaps the Regent-lord and Ranger-general would enjoy a treat. My gift.” 

He watched her walk to the door, where she turned back to him. “Tomorrow at noon?” 

He nodded. “Yes, I expect you on time this time.” 

She quirked her lips. “I will endeavor to not disappoint.” 

With that she disappeared out of his office. He stared down at the pendant on his desk for a long moment as he remembered the feel of her touch. He idly rubbed a hand across his chest. 

“Until then, Little flame.” 

He did not take the muffins to his meeting. 

Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Notes:

Slightly shorter chapter today with a little backstory as I prep the next chapter. It's gonna be a doozy!

“Do you trust me?”  

“Of course I do.”   

Rommath looked up into bright blue eyes as Kael’thas reached out for him.  

“I want you to do something for me.”  

“What... what do you want me to do?”  

Kael’thas chuckled as he pressed his hand gently against Rommath’s bare chest and coaxed him to lay back against the silk sheets. “Just relax and trust me. Can you do that for me?”  

Rommath nodded as he looked up at Kael’thas. His long blonde hair hung loose over his shoulders, curtaining around them and tickling Rommath’s skin. Rommath felt a pull somewhere deep inside his chest. He released a shuddering breath as he wrapped his fingers tentatively around Kael’s wrist.  

“What was that?”  

Kael’thas didn’t reply as he splayed his fingers and pressed harder. Rommath felt something move within him, something pull in his chest and then warmth began to spread through his body. He gasped, his eyes widening.  

“Yes, that’s it, just relax...”  

Rommath tried to respond but the words were stuck in his throat. It was like Kael’thas was everywhere inside of him. Wherever he moved, Kael’thas was there, pressing against him, touching him, moving with him. He had never felt so... exposed. Kael’thas shifted forward, sliding his knee between Rommath’s legs to keep him secured beneath him. His brow furrowed as he shifted his hand again, like he was searching for something and Rommath twitched beneath him, as a soft pained moan escaped his lips.  

“You have to relax, my heart, or this will just hurt more.”  

“What are... what are you doing?” Rommath forced out as a jolt of fire suddenly shot through him. He tensed, twisting under Kael’s grasp.  

Kael carded the fingers of his free hand through Rommath’s long dark hair, pulling his head back and tilting his chin up. He pressed his nose against his cheek.  

“Your magic is beautiful, just like you, Rommath. Let me feel it, let me feel you. It’s glorious, so, so beautiful...”  

Rommath couldn’t even scream as he felt his precious magic ripped from him.  

---

Rommath placed the muffin back in the bag as he swallowed around the memory. The difference between Kael’thas and Annaya had been so stark. Kael’thas had been brash and demanding, but Annaya had been tentative and soft. It had only taken her a moment to get her bearings before she understood what she was doing, and yet, she only took what he had offered her. His head was still spinning as he worked out the tightness in his chest.  

He remembered begging Kael’thas to stop, remembered crying to him that it hurt, that it was too much, but he also remembered the prince whispering that this was the way to show him true devotion. That it was the only way for them to be together. 

He had allowed him in exactly three times. Each time it felt like fire in his soul, but each time Kael’thas whispered to him that it was beautiful, that it was perfect. Each time was worse than the last. When Rommath awoke on the edge of the Sunwell after that third time, he swore to himself that he would never let anyone close again. Kael’thas never asked after that, and Rommath threw himself into finding a way to sate what quickly had become a very apparent mana addiction. Many of his people suffered from it, but Kael’thas was insatiable. Rommath was steadfast and he often wondered if he had fully given himself to Kael’thas, would the prince have chosen not to hide him anymore? 

Rommath shook his head. It didn’t matter anymore. He had made his decision and so had Kael’thas.  

Lor’themar was waiting for him. 

---

As he closed the door to the Regent-lord's office, he noticed Halduron was already lounging in one of the large chairs set out before Lor’themar’s desk. That damned Farstrider was always spread out somewhere. No decorum whatsoever. Rommath scoffed lightly. 

“Ah, Rommath, good you’re finally here.” Lor’themar said as he set his glass of bourbon down. 

Halduron raised his own glass at the Grand Magister in greeting. 

“What is this about, Theron, I am... incredibly busy.” Rommath quipped as he sat on the edge of his chair. His mind was still spinning, and he felt off balance. He needed to get himself together. 

“Finally taking some quality time for yourself?” Halduron replied with a smirk. 

Rommath shot him a glare, but Lor’themar stood up, cutting off any retort. He held a scroll in his hand. 

“I received a message from Orgrimmar. Hellscream wants an update on our little… situation.” 

Rommath’s back straightened. He had known this was coming eventually. He had covered all of his tracks when communicating with The Violet Eye, but of course, they had been sloppy on their end. He should have known he couldn’t trust anyone to do the job correctly. Thankfully, they had been smart enough not to include any correspondence with his name on it. Instead, they had included just enough sensitive information to make his life difficult. 

No one alive, not even Lor’themar knew where he came from. He had forsaken his family name at Kael’thas’ request just before the First War when he had begun to work with him. He had met Kael’thas at the Magisterium as a young mage and they had become instant friends, but their relationship had quickly grown into something more than that. They began to meet in secret, with shadowy trysts in alcoves or long walks in the woods whenever Kael’thas could get a few moments away from his princely duties. King Anasterian would never have allowed his son to consort with a commoner, and after much convincing Rommath finally cast off his name. Kael’thas named him his second, and he nearly followed him into madness. It had taken every bit of Rommath to turn his back on Kael’thas. 

“What are we going to do about this?” Halduron asked as he sat up in his chair. 

“Thankfully, Hellscream only thinks he’s on to us. He demanded the traitor’s proof of death; however, I told him I have decided instead to use this traitor instead. Let them get us closer to Proudmoore and her Kirin Tor.” 

Rommath watched him step around the desk. 

“As you know we recently made landfall on the Isle of Thunder in Pandaria. I just received word that Dawnseeker Promontory is ready to begin receiving more of our forces. Reliquary excavators, as well as a contingent of rangers, researchers, and magisters are already preparing to deploy, however, I want you two to go with them. Aethas as well.” 

Rommath tensed. “Go to Pandaria? Why?” 

“Well, for one, it gets you out from under Hellscream’s nose should he come searching for his elusive traitor , and two; I need you three out there right now as my eyes and ears. The Kirin Tor is already on the ground searching for Mogu relics to strike back against the Horde, and we need weapons and technology to strike against Hellscream. We can’t let them find anything before we do.” 

“What about Annaya?” 

Lor’themar’s brow furrowed. “What about her?” 

He glanced at Halduron quickly. Rommath was thankful for his cowl as he felt his neck flush.  

“We have been... exploring her mana sickness. If I leave now, there’s no telling what will happen to her or if she’ll even regress.” 

“Well, she had been recovering well enough. The High Examiner has lauded her with positive praise for her work at the Reliquary. If you must, you may return to Silvermoon periodically as work dictates, but our priority is finding something to beat Hellscream. He is becoming worse; more brash, more reckless. The hate in his soul is expanding.” 

“When do we leave?” Halduron asked as he watched Rommath closely. 

“I am still waiting on final confirmation for completion of the arcane focus. Then we’ll have a stable portal to the new land. Until then, you will carry on as if nothing has changed.” 

Halduron nodded as he stood. “I’ll go find Aethas and let him know. That overachieving little firecracker is probably working on the portal as we speak.” 

“I swear he is going to get himself in trouble one day.” Lor’themar mused with a chuckle as Halduron left the office. 

“Theron, I cannot leave. Not when we’re so close to getting her mana back.” Rommath stood from his chair. 

Lor’themar turned his eye on the Grand Magister. “It has to be this way, Rommath. You are safer not here right now.” 

“My safety is unimportant! She is what matters.” 

The Regent-lord didn’t immediately reply. Instead, he turned away to refill his glass at the bar along the wall. Rommath forced himself to take a breath. His chest had begun to feel tight again as emotions he had locked away tried to force their way out. He didn’t want to feel like this. Why was he feeling like this? 

“Rommath, I may not know the details of how you came into Kael’s inner circle.” Lor’themar pulled the cork out of an old glass bottle and sniffed it before he poured himself a drink. After a moment, he sighed, recorked the bottle and turned back. 

“Belo’vir chose his apprentices carefully,” he met Rommath’s gaze briefly. “And you were always powerful. It seemed only natural for you to gravitate towards Kael’thas.” 

“Lor’themar-” 

The Regent-lord raised a hand. “You don’t have to say anything, Rommath. I won’t push you. You know I have never pushed you. Whatever it is that you see in her that reminds you of yourself, I understand.” 

Rommath sunk into the chair. He didn’t understand. He couldn’t understand. Lor’themar had been born to a long line of rangers and had always been destined for leadership. Being a Farstrider was in his blood. Being a noble was in his blood. He had never had to fight for anything, had never had to scrape and bleed just to be recognized as good enough.  

When he had first met Annaya, it had scared him. A little common-born with such wonder in her eyes. She reminded him of what he had been like before... before everything had changed. But she was human. They were nothing alike. They could never be anything alike. 

Now though, he had a chance to save her. He had a chance to do something like no one had ever done for him. 

“I can’t lose her again.” his voice soft and Lor’themar had to cock his head to hear him. 

“I care about her as well.” the Regent-lord replied. 

Rommath shook his head, looking down at his hands. “You don’t understand...” 

He frowned as his chest tightened further. He wanted to feel her gentle touch again. 

Lor’themar smiled softly. “I think I have some idea.” He sat back in his chair.  

“Rommath, I need you on that island. I will watch over her while you are gone, you have my word.” 

It was silent in the room as Rommath idly ran his fingers along the edge of his cowl for a long moment. “Understood, my lord.” 

Chapter 12

Notes:

Loosely based on the in-game quest "What's in the Box"

Long fingers gently took her hand and pulled her closer to him. A spark of pure, arcane energy crackled as it leapt between them. She gasped quietly as her stomach tightened and her core tingled. She looked up into fel-fire eyes as another hand crept along her hip to pull her closer. They turned and her hips pressed back against the desk. His desk. His office wasn’t locked; anyone could just walk in and discover them. To be found with him was frightening but oh so exciting. To know that he would take that chance, for her. All for her.  

He leaned closer, sliding a knee between her legs as another spark danced along their hands. He was close, so close. She could almost feel his breath ghost along her lips-  

 

“You’re daydreaming again.” 

Annaya jumped, spinning around to see Tae’thelan smirking at her. He had his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned against the large table in the center of the lab. She flushed as she looked down at her notebook. She had been doing that quite a bit lately, daydreaming, as the events of the previous few days seemed stuck at the forefront of her mind. 

She had only ever heard stories of sharing magic, and most of them were terrible tales of horrible accidents. Young mages who wanted to be closer to their companions would let each other touch the literal fabric of arcane energy that lay coiled within them. Sometimes it would consume them, other times it would explode outward, forever maiming or scarring them. She shuddered at the thought. But then, as she thought of her and Rommath... it had been so different. He let her in, and she had been wrapped in a warm blanket of sheer energy and power. She wanted to feel it again. She wanted to bathe in it. It suddenly became clear to her why it was so addicting. 

The elves had long been addicted to magic. Their very lands were drenched in magic, having lived so close to the Sunwell for thousands of years, it was only natural for them to eat, drink, and breathe pure magic in everything they did. Most elves had some magic in them, even if they didn’t become full-fledged mages. She remembered when the Sunwell had been corrupted shortly after the destruction of Quel’thalas, Prince Kael’thas had driven himself mad looking for a cure. It was a dark time in the Sin’dorei’s history, but now they cared for their lands with honor and pride. Most no longer coveted magic in the ways they used to, but the old methods still existed. Some even still knew how to use them. 

“Archmage, your presence has been requested in the Grand Magister’s research chambers. The artifact we sent him the other day has been proving more difficult than he originally thought. He and Archmage Sunreaver had been examining it, however, they would like you there.” 

She frowned. “What do they need me for?” 

Tae’thelan smirked at her from his position at the table. “The artifact is covered in Mogu symbols and last I checked; you were our resident Mogu expert.” 

She huffed as she grabbed her notebook. “I did provide them with the translation, you know.” 

“I am aware,” he sighed as he shook his head. “But then these are two high ranking mages who haven’t lifted a finger in the scholarly world in years. I would not keep them waiting.” He waved at her before he turned to focus on a stack of papers in front of him. 

She laughed lightly before she hurried out of the Reliquary. The sun was high over the city as she tilted her head up toward the sky. A light breeze rustled the leaves on the trees that lined the path before it gently tickled along her skin. Perpetual springtime; she never thought she would come to enjoy the temperate days and forever blooming flowers, but as she smiled at the resident elves as she passed them, she began to feel... happiness? 

Her time in the dungeons had felt like a deep, dark eternity. She had begged for death, cried for them to kill her, to end her suffering. The orcs had only laughed as they loomed over her, but no one laughed at her here. She was treated with kindness and grace. She was treated as an equal. Something she couldn’t remember ever feeling before. Certainly not back in Dalaran. 

The Grand Magister’s personal research chamber was located above the Hall of Blood, on the far side of the Court of the Sun. The chamber was guarded by a large arcane golem, called Arcanis Mechanica. It was Rommath’s personal construct, and it stood still and silent over Annaya as she approached. It seemed to sense her, and it came to life, powering up and turning toward her. 

‘GREETINGS, ANNAYA DAWNFIRE. PLEASE PROCEED DOWN THE TUNNEL BEHIND THIS UNIT. HIS MOST HIGH AND POWERFULNESS THE GRAND MAGISTER ROMMATH AWAITS YOUR ARRIVAL.‘ 

The corners of her lips quirked up at the golem’s words. She bowed her head, before she slipped around the construct and hurried down the steps. She had never been in the Grand Magister’s personal research chambers and a shiver of anticipation ran down her spine.  

She began to hear voices coming from the end of the hall. She recognized both as Aethas and Rommath. As she entered the large room, she saw the two mages arguing with each other in front of a large blue box covered in Mogu symbols. It was the same one she had translated the previous week before sending over at the Grand Magister’s request. 

“... We must never forget what they did, Aethas. They have betrayed us twice now and they will most assuredly betray us again. The Kirin Tor is dangerous.” Rommath spat as he waved a hand at the archmage dismissively.  

“And bowing to the Warchief is any better? Hellscream’s obsession with these artifacts is such that I haven’t seen since Kael’thas walked amongst us.” Aethas shot back as he glared at the box.  

“We are the Sin’dorei! We should not bow to anyone. Not the Kirin Tor, not the Alliance, and certainly not the Horde. We should forge our own way and use these artifacts to do it.”  

“Rommath, without allies we will certainly be crushed under the heels of our enemies. You know there is no middle ground with Garrosh. We are either with him or against him.”  

Annaya swallowed nervously as she approached them. There was a strange intensity in the room, and it blanketed the room in a way that made her skin crawl. She knew the two mages didn’t care for each other, and often bickered about the most inane topics but something felt different between them. 

“Excuse me, my lords, the High Examiner informed me that my presence was requested with the artifact?”  

Both mages turned to her, their fel-fire eyes sharp and cutting, and she froze under their intense gazes.  

“Lor’themar wanted a status update,” Aethas cut a look at Rommath. “Or is it his master Garrosh that requested it? We should tell them both that this experiment is a waste of time. Why are we taking orders from someone who would have us walk the very road that we walked with Kael’thas?” 

Aethas threw his hands up as he stomped across the room. Rommath watched him go, his fists clenched at his sides. Annaya clutched her notebook against her chest as she stepped further into the room. 

“Grand Magister?” she asked softly as she approached Rommath. 

He slowly turned his glare from Aethas to her. Something was off in his eyes and her brow furrowed. 

“The artifact?” she pressed softly. 

He shook his head, “Yes, well we’ve determined that this device is similar to the fel crystals we once used to enslave demonic energies years ago. The creature in this box is believed to be a physical manifestation of an emotion, however, we’re not entirely sure which one as of yet. We just need to see how intact the entity is in order to assess how powerful of an emotional grip it has.” 

“I translated the Mogu on the box before I sent it down here.” she replied. 

“Yes, I am aware of that, but it’s like a puzzle. If you would be so kind as to... solve it for us, we can move forward.” Rommath waved a hand at the box with a sigh. 

Annaya nodded as she approached the box slowly. It was giving off an odd aura and the closer she got to it, the more on edge she felt. She set her notebook down next to her as she ran her hands along the edges. It took her a few moments to get her bearings as she read the symbols before she began to work through the puzzle in her head. 

“This is a waste of time, Rommath.” Aethas complained from across the room.  

Annaya shot him a look. He was fidgeting as he glared at the wall. That was odd; Aethas didn’t fidget, and she cocked her head at him before she turned back. 

“Very typical of you, Sunreaver. If we are not doing things your way, it is not good enough. This is exactly how you ended up here in the first place.” Rommath shot back. 

What was happening?  

“I’m done waiting. I’m going to find Halduron. He’s the only one with any sense around here. Just fill me in on the results tomorrow before we leave for Pandaria.” Aethas spat before he stomped out of the room. 

Annaya paused. She looked over her shoulder at Rommath. “Leave for Pandaria? What is he talking about?” 

Rommath sighed. “Can you just open the box please? I will explain everything once we finish with this.” 

She swallowed nervously as doubt began to spread through her. Rommath had gone to his meeting with Lor’themar the other day, but he hadn’t mentioned anything during any of their meetings since. Things had been going well with them. She had felt magic again. Rommath had seemed happy with her. Rommath was helping her. Why would he decide to leave now? Had she done something wrong? Had she offended him somehow? 

She turned back to the box. 

She took a deep breath as she pressed her fingers into the sides, feeling along the raised edges. She frowned slightly before, “I’ve got it!”  

The edges shifted, and as it began to turn, she felt an intense pressure against her for a moment as things seemed to slow momentarily. A wave of intense darkness flooded her, drenching her in pure doubt and confusion. 

The box exploded outward as the sha burst free. She cried out as she was flung backward, and she hit the far wall. 

“Annaya!” Rommath yelled as he turned toward her quickly.  

The creature released a roar as the room was drowned in a wave of red and black fog. Rommath turned, his hands glowing red as he collected latent arcane energy in the room into a ball before he threw it toward the sha. The beast turned toward him as it continued to grow as it seemed to flow out of the box, its form that of pure darkness. Rommath squared his feet, and his hands burst into flames as he called down a pillar of flame directly on the sha. The beast roared again as he watched it burn in black and white fire before finally falling still. 

He stood, his chest heaving for a moment before he remembered Annaya. She was kneeling on the far side of the room, one hand pressed against her chest as the other steadied her against the wall. 

He knelt before her, his heart beating in his ears. “Annaya, are you okay?” 

“I-I think so.” 

She slowly got to her feet. She continued to rub her hand against her chest. Rommath released a breath. Seeing her hurt again had been... he frowned. It was a line of thought he refused to engage with. He reached a hand out to help her but she didn’t seem to notice it as she stood fully, her eyes still focused on the ground. 

“Where... where are you going?” she suddenly asked, her voice soft. 

Rommath’s ears twitched. “What?” 

She looked up at him. “What Aethas said earlier; where are you going?” 

“I... Lor’themar is sending me to Pandaria. I am supposed to leave tomorrow.” 

Her eyes widened as she straightened. “What? Why didn’t you say anything?” 

He raised his hands in front of him. “Halduron and Aethas are going too. He seems to think we are the best options to lead the excavation efforts right now.” 

“No, you can’t leave. Not after everything. We’ve only just started working. Was it me? Did I do something? I have to tell him you need to stay here!” she babbled as she turned to hurry up the steps. 

“Annaya, wait-” he jerked forward, wrapping his fingers around her wrist.  

 

Rough fingers gripped her wrists, pulling her back, pulling her down. She cried out as the delicate bones of her wrists ground together but all she heard was a rough laugh in her ear. She smelled the sharp breath of her captor as he leaned over her as more fingers dug deep into her thighs, wrenching her legs apart.   

“No, please, I can’t-“  

A crack across her cheek and then another across her lower back, and fingers pressed deep into the meat of her hips. More laughter and then-  

 

Annaya tore her hand free as she spun away from Rommath to press her back against the wall. Her heart was beating in her ears as her chest heaved. Rommath stood, frozen.  

“Annaya, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-“ 

“Don’t... Don’t say anything.” 

She held her wrist tight to her chest as she focused on a spot somewhere in the middle space between them. It had felt like them. The guards grabbing her, holding her, using her, but it couldn’t be them. They weren’t there. This was Rommath. Rommath was here. Rommath wouldn’t do that. Rommath would never do that. Rommath wouldn’t hurt her. 

She tried to take a breath, but it caught in her throat, and she shuddered. 

“Rommath, I…” her chest hurt from where the sha had hit her and she took another breath. “You can’t leave me.” 

He didn’t know what to say. People didn’t care about him like that. He was the Grand Magister; he did what was expected of him. His sacrifice was expected, and he would do what was expected for the good of his people.  

As his chest suddenly tightened, he realized he never thought he would hate that feeling. He never thought he wouldn’t want to go.  

“I don’t have a choice, Little flame.” 

She glared at him. “You’ve never had a choice, have you?” 

He stared at her for a long moment, mouth slightly agape. Where was this coming from? “It’s not permanent. I’ll come back to visit periodically; I promise. We’ll work on your magic when I’m back.” 

“You promised you wouldn’t leave me.” 

It was like she had taken a mace to his chest, and he took a step back.  

“Don’t let me go.”  

“Never again.”  

“Annaya, I-” 

“Just, go. Please.” 

Her eyes were wet as she blinked back tears, and he turned away. 

He eyed the charred body of the sha lying next to the box. He could feel the power radiating from it, and he stepped back. He realized suddenly; the intensity in the air, the tightness in his chest, the tears in her eyes. It wasn’t natural, it wasn’t them. He didn’t know how to fix it, but he needed to try. He looked back at Annaya. She was rubbing her chest again. 

As he turned toward her, he ripped the cowl off his face. He wanted her – no, he needed her to see him. She tensed, looking up at him with wide eyes. “Annaya Dawnfire, I made you a promise.” 

He walked to her, stopping just out of her reach. He wouldn’t touch her, not again, not until she wanted him to. No matter how badly he ached to feel her in his arms again, he couldn’t bear to see that pain in her eyes again... because of him. 

“I made you a promise, little flame, and I will return to you. Whatever doubt, whatever fear you have, I...” His throat was tight, but he forced his way past it. “I will keep my promise to you.” 

He left the research chambers.  

Annaya slowly slid to the floor, her back pressed against the wall. She clutched her wrist tight against her chest as Rommath’s words repeated over and over in her head.  

I will return to you.  

She sat against the wall, staring at the unmoving body of the sha until the sconces on the walls around her lit up on their own. One of the Reliquary researchers appeared sometime later, and she slowly looked up at them and nodded when they asked if she needed help cleaning up the mess. She stood, staring at the disorder, for a long moment when she noticed a red and gold swath of fabric lying discarded on the floor. She grabbed it, and as she ran her fingers over it, she realized it was his cowl, the one he had ripped off for her. So she could see his face. She took it and slipped out unnoticed and before returning to her apartment.  

When she locked the door behind her, she felt the pain in her chest finally subside. What had happened back there? She looked down at the fabric in her hand. It was still warm and as she laid in her bed that night, she breathed in the cinnamon and lightning smell of fire magic. She let herself cry for the first time in a long time. 

Pandaria was a new, untamed land. The researchers sent back plenty of relics and artifacts for her to translate, but she realized she needed to be out there. She needed to be with Rommath. 

 

“Don’t let me go.”  

“Never again.”  

 

Notes:

Yeah, this one was rough 😭

Thank you for reading!

Chapter 13

Summary:

Lor'themar and Annaya have a conversation and some decisions are made.

Notes:

Thank you all for sticking with me, we're going somewhere with this.

The High Examiner frowned at the stack of reports on the table. They had been piling up over the past week, ever since Dawnseeker Promontory had established a secure line of communication back to Silvermoon. The sheer volume of artifacts was monstrous, but Tae’thelan was absolutely drowning under it all. Just when he had gotten a handle on everything, a fresh wave of artifacts would come through needing archival and translation. He hadn’t given the Regent-lord an update in days. 

Unfortunately, that put him in his current situation. Lor’themar had asked for a Reliquary update and was expecting the High Examiner to present to his office at noon with the latest reports. Tae’thelan, however, was waist-deep in his latest discovery and was loathe to pause it, even for someone as important as the Regent-lord. 

He grumbled as he straightened the stack of parchment on the table. It would take all afternoon to brief Lor’themar, and that was if he didn’t ask any questions. Tae’thelan couldn’t afford to lose even a second of research time on his latest discovery, not with Orgrimmar starting to breathe down their necks about every little thing that could give them an edge over the Alliance. Hellscream, already a loose cannon, had arguably become worse as of late. His desire to destroy the Alliance was all encompassing, eclipsing nearly every other pressing concern the Horde had. Tae’thelan disliked orcs before this whole Pandaria business, but with Hellscream in charge, he liked them even less. 

“High Examiner, there you are!” 

Tae’thelan looked up to see Annaya hurrying towards him. He smiled softly despite himself. He remembered when Sunreaver had brought her to him nearly a month ago. She had been quiet, subdued, and although she smiled at him then, he could tell she was suffering. He knew Lor’themar had found her in Orgrimmar, but what she was doing there had not been disclosed to him. He wasn’t given the option to turn her away, but he quickly found he was glad he didn’t.  

She was trained as a mage, but her skills in scholarship were amazing. She picked up languages faster than anyone he had ever seen before, and she was incredibly curious. The mages he had known only wanted to learn about magic, but Annaya wanted to learn about everything. There was a wonder within her that very nearly rivaled his. Against his better judgment, he gave her free rein to explore his lab, and after only a week, she had created a completed Mogu cipher and organized the majority of his chaotic workspace. 

“Annaya, I was wondering where you had run off to,” he replied as he straightened.  

She glanced at the pile of papers in front of him. “I apologize, I was working through one of the artifacts with a group of the researchers. I think you’ll want to see it!” 

He noticed she wasn’t carrying her notebook with her. She had lost it during the incident in the Grand Magister’s research lab the week before. They had determined that the creature inside the box had been a smaller, more concentrated version of the emotion ‘doubt’ and thankfully it had been contained to just the lab space. While Annaya had taken the brunt of the explosion, her notebook had also been destroyed in the ensuing fight. 

That notebook contained most of her translations that hadn’t been entered into the main Mogu cipher and although she had a good memory, it had taken her days to begin creating a new one from scratch. 

Tae’thelan knew that whatever she wanted to show him would be exactly the kind of thing he wanted to see, but the thought of the Regent-lord's meeting continued to loom over him.  

“Annaya, you know that I always love to listen to you, however, I have found myself in a bit of a... bind.” 

Her brow furrowed. “What kind of a bind?” 

“Well,” he sighed, and his shoulders dropped slightly. “I am expected in the Regent-lord's office within the hour to brief him on our latest discoveries, but I find I simply cannot tear myself away from the lab right now.” he waved his hand at the table. 

She glanced over his shoulder again as she scanned the pile of relics set out before him. The corners of her lips quirked up. “You always do seem to get yourself caught up like this.” 

She crossed her arms over her chest as his ears twitched and his cheeks flushed.  

“What do you need me to do, High Examiner?” 

He thought for a moment. He couldn’t tear himself away from the relics, but it was still so early that he couldn’t truly explain what he was doing with them. The stack of parchment sat on the edge of the desk and after a moment he realized, Annaya was the one who had organized them for him. She had already prepared him for his meeting. He looked back at her. 

“I would have you brief the Regent-lord in my place.” 

Annaya observed him for a moment, before her eyes traveled to the stack of papers. This was her opportunity to make her case to Lor’themar. This was her chance to get to Pandaria. To get to Rommath. 

"I’ll do it.” she nodded. 

Tae’thelan smiled wide at her as he gestured for her to come closer. “Come, we don’t have long to prepare you.” 

---

As she stood outside the Regent-lord's office, she wondered how terrible it would be to just... not knock. She clutched the stack of parchment to her chest as she stared at the large ornate doors, trying to convince herself that it was nothing, that it was just another meeting, but every time she raised her fist to knock, she was gripped by a sudden fear in her chest. 

Lor’themar had saved her life. He had rescued her out of the very pit of death, and yet, the thought of standing before him frightened her. 

What is wrong with you? Knock on the door!  

With Rommath, it had been easy. She had longed to be near him, to hear his voice, to feel his touch. After everything she had been through, he was her light in the darkness. His face suddenly appeared in her mind as she stood in the hallway and she squared her shoulders. He had left her nearly a week ago to deploy to Pandaria, and every night she dreamed of him. She missed their midday meetings to explore and find her magic. They had only just begun, but already it had felt so natural. To be close to him. She desperately looked forward to her time with him, and then... Lor’themar took that away. 

She glared at the door in front of her. No, he hadn’t done it on purpose. Rommath was the Grand Magister. He needed to be out there. And Annaya needed to be there with him. 

She knocked on the door. 

Lor’themar looked up as Annaya entered his office. Her dark red hair was pinned back in a loose bun, and she wore red and gold robes adorned with the Reliquary tabard. She had settled into her life in Silvermoon easily, despite the circumstances of her arrival. 

“Good afternoon, my lord. I’m here on behalf of the High Examiner.” she bowed before him, clutching the stack of papers against her. 

Lor’themar smiled at her. “Good afternoon, Archmage. It’s good to see you. I can presume you will be giving the Reliquary update then?” 

She nodded quickly. She hadn’t seen the Regent-lord much since their last meeting, but he was like a halo in her memory. Her feelings were twisted inside of her chest and so she took a breath to calm herself. 

“If I may, my lord,” she placed the stack of papers on the edge of his desk. “Since establishing Dawnseeker Promontory, work has sped up exponentially. Although most of the relics that have returned have been wonderous finds, nothing of any import has been discovered. The relics have mostly been historical documents.” 

“So, no weapons or technology as of yet.” 

She shook her head. “Unfortunately, no.” She began to flip through the stack of papers. Her heart fluttered as her mind began to race. A thought crept into her mind. 

She had been planning this conversation since Rommath had left. The first night, as she lay clutching his cowl, she had planned to storm into Lor’themar’s office and demand that he allow her to accompany the Grand Magister. Once she had calmed down, she started to lay out a much better plan. She was an archmage. She had stood before nobles and diplomats plenty of times. She was well versed in handling the arrogance of nobility, and Lor’themar was anything but arrogant. As she stood there before him, she realized this was her chance. 

“If I may be so bold, Regent-lord...” 

He quirked the brow over his working eye. 

She licked her lips. “Why did you send him away?” 

It was silent in the room. After a moment, he leaned back in his chair. “Rommath is perhaps the only person that I would trust to leave this kingdom to if anything were to happen to me.” 

Annaya exhaled quietly as Lor’themar stood up. “I do not believe there is a soul alive that cares more for the people of Quel’thalas than he does. Turning his back on Prince Kael’thas was the hardest thing he ever had to do. While I do not know the true details of their relationship, what I do know is that ever since his death, Rommath has been like a shell of his former self.” 

Lor’themar stepped around the desk, coming to stand in front of her. “That is, until you came along.” 

She looked up at him, but didn’t speak. The words in her throat were twisted and warped. Even if she wanted to respond, they wouldn’t move. 

“When he returned from Dalaran after rescuing Aethas, he was different, almost... unbalanced. Your fate consumed him. So much so that he began to make mistakes.” 

Lor’themar picked up a scroll from his desk and handed it to Annaya. She took it, looking back at him with a frown. 

“He was so consumed with finding you that he nearly doomed himself and everyone in this city.” 

Annaya scanned the scroll. Her heart hammered in her chest as the implications of Lor’themar’s words sunk in. 

“Annaya, I will do whatever I must to ensure the survival of my people, but I could not condemn Rommath to death for this. Know that he did not want to leave you. I forced him to for his own safety.” 

He turned away from her to walk to the bar across the room. She watched him set a glass down in front of him before he poured himself a drink. 

“How has he been since leaving?” she asked quietly. 

Lor’themar turned back to her, glass in hand. He looked at her but did not respond as he returned to his seat. 

She read the words on the parchment over again. She was nobody, a nameless girl from a nameless family and yet she had chosen to help the Sunreavers because it had simply been the right thing to do.  She stood up suddenly. 

“Send me to Pandaria.” 

He quirked an eyebrow at her. She licked her lips again as she stared at him. 

“Send me to Pandaria. I need to be out there.” 

With him.  

She grit her teeth. 

“I’m not sure that is a good idea-” 

“Allow me to work in the field with the Reliquary. I can translate and archive artifacts much faster... and we’ll be able to work on my magic together.” 

He smirked at her as he sat back in his chair. 

“Regent-lord, you know I’m right. I can be of better use out there. We are moving too slow to be effective here. Send me to Pandaria. Please don’t make me beg.” 

Lor’themar sighed. She had a point. Between Halduron and Aethas, and now Rommath and Annaya, he was getting too old for this. 

“We will go to Pandaria on one condition,” he turned to the top drawer of his desk and began to rummage through it. After a moment he pulled out a small purple and gold orb. It was about the size of an orange, and he handed it to her. 

“What is it?” she asked, turning it over in her hands. 

“It’s called the Orb of the Sin’dorei. It is one of our most trusted and secret glamours. Go ahead and twist it.” 

She frowned but did as instructed. As she turned the top half, a blue wave of light overtook her, and she felt a warmth envelop her. She looked up at Lor’themar to see him smiling at her. After a moment, the blue hue disappeared, and the warmth dissipated. 

“What happened?” she asked, looking down at her hands. Aside from her fingers looking suspiciously long and thin, they looked otherwise normal. 

“Here,” Lor’themar pulled out a small hand mirror from his desk drawer and handed it to her. As she took it and looked into it, she gasped. 

The face looking back at her was not her own. It was a blood elf, complete with fel-fire eyes and long, pointed ears. Her hair was still the same deep red but the angle of her face had adjusted to be more in line with elven anatomy. She was, at first glance, a blood elf.  

She looked up at the Regent-lord. 

“To the unknowing eye, you are just another of my people, but to those that know, we see you as you are. This will allow you to leave the city without the worry of being caught by Hellscream’s forces."

He approached her slowly and she looked up at him. “You will be safe at Dawnseeker Promontory, but it is still a Horde encampment. Your safety is paramount while we are there.” 

“Wait, we?”  

He nodded. “Unfortunately, the Warchief has shifted focus to Pandaria. He has moved his command center, and himself out to the new land. I must also shift focus if I am to stay one step ahead of him.” 

She twisted the orb and the blue light enveloped for her a moment as her disguise wavered for a moment and disappeared. 

“We shall leave in the morning. Gather what you need from the Reliquary and get some rest. Report back here at first light.” 

She nodded quickly, sliding the orb into her pocket. As she did, her fingers brushed the fabric of the cowl and her heart fluttered. She was going to Pandaria. 

---

As she stared at the wavering portal in front of her, she felt serious doubt about the voracity of her plan. She frowned as she watched it shimmer and waver every so often, the connection to its destination weak and unstable. She watched the portal attendants quietly bickering over the portal as she waited for the Regent-lord to finish his final preparations. 

“Are you ready to go, Archmage?” 

She turned to see Lor’themar hurrying toward her. He was dressed in his usual regalia, and she suddenly felt woefully underdressed. She glanced down at herself. She had changed into simple gold and red robes for the journey; she felt like a commoner, hardly someone worthy of traveling with the Regent-lord of Quel’thalas- 

“Do you have the orb?” 

“O-of course,” she stuttered, fumbling in her pocket for the small device.  

“Perfect! Keep it close and use it for the journey, until we’ve established just how safe it is for you. I don’t want you to accidentally stumble upon any wayward orcs.” 

She smiled nervously at him as her thoughts began to race. What would happen if she was spotted by an orc? What if they were sympathetic to Hellscream? Would she be taken back to the dungeons? Would she be taken right there, in front of everyone? In front of Rommath? 

She fumbled with the orb, twisting it quickly. Lor’themar watched her quietly as he waited for the disguise to take before they turned to the portal. It wavered again as they approached it. 

Lor’themar sighed. “This blasted portal is a death trap.” 

She had heard horror stories of inexperienced mages getting lost in their own portals due to poor workmanship. A collapsed portal was considered one of the worst ways to die, forever lost in the Twisting Nether. She frowned as she looked at the edges of the portal, curious what was wrong with it. 

“Shall we?” he gestured. She nodded quickly and they stepped through. 

As she appeared on the other side, she was immediately assaulted by sounds and smells of the new land. She paused for a moment to adjust, taking in everything around her. She had heard stories from the researchers but the sheer colors around her were almost overwhelming. The portal was set back away from the settlement, and she quickly caught sight of elves moving back and forth as they hurried to work. 

“Are you ready?” Lor’themar asked next to her after a moment. 

She looked up at him with a smile. “After you, my lord.” 

---

Rommath was exhausted. It wasn’t the work that was difficult, but his thoughts refused to let him relax. He had been in Pandaria a week, and as per usual he didn’t sleep, but instead of Kael’thas, he couldn’t stop imagining her. The look in her eyes when he had grabbed her, the fear he had caused her. It had stunned him. Her face had been burned into his mind and he saw it whenever he closed his eyes. She had begged him to leave her, and he had, the words to apologize twisted and lodged in his chest. It hadn’t been until he made it back to his office that the tightness had lifted, and he had been able to actually think. 

He had wanted to go back to her, to pick her up off the floor, to hold her in his arms. But what would he say? What could he do? He had ruined it all, ruined everything. He had promised to come back to her, but would she even want him to come back? 

“Grand Magister, the Regent-lord has arrived.”  

Rommath looked over as the Sunreaver scout bowed before him. He nodded as he stood from crypt stone he was knelt in front of. It had Mogu symbols scattered across it and while he had the notebook to help him translate it, it was a slow process. He was grateful for the Regent-lord's arrival as a short reprieve. 

He hurried out of the Court of Bones and up the path to the portal. Most of the artifacts that had been found there were sent back to Silvermoon for translation and archival and his role was mostly oversight. Perhaps with the Regent-lord finally on the island, they could finally shift focus to address the growing Kirin Tor presence. Proudmoore was slowly encroaching on their encampments and dig sites, but so far, no fighting had occurred. Rommath knew it was just a matter of time. 

He stepped out of the portal into Dawnseeker Promontory. As he did, he paused, catching a smell of citrus and ocean air. It was unmistakable; it was the scent of frost magic. He frowned. There were no frost mages there. That was alliance magic. He sniffed again, but the smell was gone. He looked up the path. He watched blood elves work on various nameless projects around the settlement. Dawnseeker Promontory had made significant improvements in such a short time and now that the Regent-lord was there, things were set to move much faster.  

Lor’themar’s tent was set back, away from the bustle of the promontory and Rommath hurried up the path. As he pulled back the flap to slip inside, he caught the scent of citrus and ocean air again. A thought crossed his mind. There was no way... 

 Lor’themar and Halduron turned to face him as he entered the tent. A young female blood elf stood across from them. As she turned to look at him, she smiled wide. Rommath frowned. She looked... familiar. 

“Ah, Grand Magister, you made it.” Lor’themar raised his glass at him. 

“Am I interrupting something?” he replied, gesturing to the blood elf. 

“Oh! My apologies, I forgot about this thing!” Even her voice was familiar, but as Rommath watched her fish an orb from the pocket of her robes, his eyes widened. 

She twisted the orb, and he watched as the disguise fell away, leaving Annaya standing before him. 

“What are you doing here?” he asked breathlessly. 

Her face fell slightly. 

“Lady Dawnfire and I agreed that her expertise would be of better use in the field.” She smiled nervously at Rommath as Lor’themar waved a hand at her.  

She was there, really and truly there, in front of him. It had to be a dream. 

“I might have also pushed just a little to come out here.” She tilted her head slightly as she smiled and Rommath felt something flutter in his chest. “I understand the importance of finding a way to move quicker than both the Kirin Tor and Hellscream. We are too slow back in Silvermoon.” 

“You have no problem with working against the Kirin Tor?” Halduron asked from his place lounging in his chair. 

“I do not.” she cut him a look. Rommath couldn’t help but smirk behind his cowl. “Jaina’s hatred of the Horde will be her undoing. Hellscream’s hatred of the Alliance will be his. We can use that mutual hatred to work for our own benefit.” 

"We will put you to work at once, Lady Dawnfire, but the journey was rather arduous. That portal was... questionable.” Lor’themar chuckled. 

Annaya turned to him. “I do have some thoughts about that, my lord!” 

He raised his hand,” I’m sure you do, and there will be plenty of time for us to make whatever adjustments you think necessary. However, I am certain you would like to see the island for what it is? Perhaps relax a bit before you head out into the field tomorrow?” 

Lor’themar glanced at Halduron, who smirked back at him. 

“I can take you, if you would like.” Rommath cut in suddenly.  

As he stood waiting, he suddenly felt... nervous? She had been so afraid of him. What if she still was? 

“Regent-lord, if you have no further need of me?” she glanced back at Lor’themar but he simply nodded, raising his glass toward her.  

She turned back to Rommath. “I would enjoy that very much, Grand Magister.” 

He couldn’t describe the feeling in his head as she stepped closer to him. She smirked at him as she passed him and disappeared out of the tent. He turned and followed her out of the tent. 

Lor’themar looked over at Halduron as the flap to the tent fell back into place. “Don’t you say a word.” 

Halduron only chuckled into his tumbler. “Not a word.” 

Notes:

So, up to this point our two have been figuring things out separately but going forward, they will be spending a good amount of time on Pandaria together. Thank you for sticking with me and they've been stumbling around but finally these two will be doing a lot more together.

<3

Chapter 14

Notes:

Hi! So, as I mentioned, this starts "part 2" which I have named "In Close" since our two lovebirds are now circling each other. I have updated Part 1 as "Parallels" and done some minor (mostly cosmetic) updates to previous chapters.

Part 2: In Close

He followed her away from the Regent-lord's tent in silence. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he needed to say, and yet, every time he opened his mouth, nothing came out. It had only been a week since he had last seen her, but it had felt like an eternity. Her hair was braided down her back, and it reminded her of the first time he had seen her, back in Dalaran. His thoughts began to spiral, spinning faster and faster as he imagined the two of them in the sewers. He imagined looking into her eyes, imagined being closer to her, imagined holding her in his arms- 

“... initially assumed.” 

He stopped walking when he realized she had spoken. “I’m...” he floundered for a moment. “What did you say?” 

She glanced back at him, her eyebrow quirked. “I said, I had a whole plan devised to get out here, but the Regent-lord was much more receptive to me than I had initially assumed.” 

“You wanted to come out here?” 

“Of course I did!” She turned to fully face him, her hands on her hips. “Why wouldn’t I?” 

He frowned slightly. She was a successful researcher now, and Pandaria was nearly bursting with artifacts that needed cataloging. They were constantly finding things that could one day turn the tide of this damned war. It only made sense that she would want to be out there at the front lines.  

“We are discovering new finds nearly every day, I’m sure you were nearly beside yourself back at the Reliquary with your work.” 

She blinked at him for a moment. “You think...” she scoffed, shaking her head before she turned and started walking again.  

He stared after her for a moment. “Wait, Annaya.” 

She continued to follow the path away from the settlement and he hurried to catch up to her. 

“Where are you going?” He called after her. 

She shrugged her shoulders as she continued to walk. He followed her in silence until they came to a small alcove along the shoreline. The sounds of the settlement had faded into the distance. The sun was setting below the horizon, and bright brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows bled across the water toward them. 

She stopped for a moment as she scanned the water. “I don’t know. Aren’t you supposed to be showing me around?” 

He frowned. She glanced at him and their eyes met. She turned away again but he stepped forward quickly to block her path. “Please, just wait. We need to talk.” 

She looked up at him. “You’re right. I want to apologize.” 

He flinched at her words. He had fully intended to apologize to her when he had returned to Silvermoon. He had spent hours obsessing over what he would say to her, how to beg for her forgiveness for causing her so much pain, but as she stared up at him, he could only stare back. He was rarely speechless, but with her, the words sat stuck, tangled in his throat. 

“Wait, what?” 

She huffed a laugh. “You’re usually much more perceptive than this.” She finally turned to face him. 

“I’m sorry.” she repeated. 

“But, why?” 

She sighed as she looked down and began to pull at the hem of her sleeve. “Back in Silvermoon, I... I was not myself. I said things that were... unfair. I accused you of things without knowing the truth. That... creature did something to me and it jumbled everything up inside of me. Everything that’s happened to me, everything I’ve been trying to ignore... when you grabbed me, it was like I was back there again.” 

She ran a hand across her face as she turned away from him. “I know you would never ... but my mind started running wild... I couldn’t stop myself. I don’t want to feel like that anymore. I don’t want to run anymore.” 

Her shoulders sagged as she finished. He watched her for another moment, trying to force himself to speak, but his throat refused to move. He frowned as he ran his fingers along the cowl protecting his face. It was supposed to protect him, but he had used it to build a wall around himself. A wall away from her. 

“I don’t want to run anymore either.” He finally forced out as he gripped the fabric and pulled it loose from the collar of his robes. When he looked back at her, she was watching him with wide eyes. 

“Rommath, I...” her words trailed off as she raised her hand out to him. 

He stepped toward her, intertwining their fingers together. She released a shuddering breath as he pulled her into him. She placed her free hand gently against his chest to steady herself. His heart fluttered under her fingers. 

“My little flame...” he whispered as he brought his free hand up. 

He brushed the back of his knuckles across her cheek gently. He remembered how she had looked, bruised and broken, her face swollen from the orc’s beating, and he swallowed against a sudden bubble of anger in his chest before carding his long fingers behind her ear into her hair. He tilted her face up gently. 

“I would never hurt you.” 

She made a small noise in the back of her throat. The bubble deflated, and he felt warmth gather in his chest as he stood, holding her. He realized suddenly that his magic was reaching out for her again. It felt different than any other time he had let her in. It was searching for her. It wanted her closer. He felt the power within him begin to shift toward her and the tattoos along his arms began to glow.  

A spark of arcane energy suddenly snapped along the fingers touching her cheek and Annaya flinched in his grasp. Before he could pull away, she gripped his elbow to hold him in place. Her eyes shot open to stare up at him. He was rooted in place by brilliant green eyes as another spark danced between their intertwined fingers.  

“I can feel the magic – your magic – within me. It’s... it’s... incredible...” she said quietly. She was breathless and Rommath’s heartbeat quickened. 

He pulled her closer to him and his magic swelled to envelop them both further. His tattoos glowed brighter, and another spark jumped along her cheek. The gold in her eyes seemed to reflect the glow from his tattoos as she parted her lips. He leaned forward and her breath ghosted across his lips as she exhaled. 

“Annaya, I-” 

They suddenly heard a pair of voices on the path behind them, followed by laughter. They broke apart quickly, instantly severing the magical connection. Annaya spun away from him, toward the water’s edge as Rommath stood, frozen in place. His tattoos pulsed with power a moment longer as he tried to contain himself. He watched her fair skin flush a deep red as she covered her mouth with her hands. 

“I’ve got just the place, Aethas! You’ll love it!” 

She turned to watch as Halduron and Aethas came down the path toward them, bickering with each other. Halduron was playing with Aethas’ hair as the mage swatted his hands away from him. As Halduron stepped back, out of his companion’s range, he stumbled over his feet. He managed to catch himself from falling just steps from where Rommath and Annaya stood. 

It took him a moment to recognize the two mages, but his eyes lit up as he stepped back next to Aethas, throwing his arm over the archmage’s shoulder as he pointed a finger at the two. 

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” His cheeks and the tips of his ears were flushed pink, and his voice was slightly slurred. Annaya realized he was drunk. 

“Weren’t you in a meeting with the Regent-lord, Brightwing?” Rommath hissed as he squared his feet to face Halduron head on. “What are you and Sunreaver doing out here?” 

“Don’t change the subject!” Halduron’s voice was loud and Aethas ducked out from under the Ranger-general's arm before grabbing him by the elbow to try to pull him back. 

“Halduron and I were just out for a walk.” Aethas said with a nervous smile. “Come on, Hal’, let’s head back to my tent. It’s quieter there and-” 

Halduron waved his hand dismissively. “Yes, yes, in a minute.” He swayed slightly where he stood. “What I want to know,” he swiveled his head between Annaya and Rommath. “Is what you two are doing out here.” 

“That is none-” 

“Don’t you remember, Ranger-general? Rommath and I were also out for a walk.” Annaya cut in as she stepped up next to him. She placed a gentle hand on Rommath’s bicep, and their eyes met briefly before she looked back at Halduron. The gold in her eyes still seemed to glow slightly from Rommath’s shared magic. 

“Oh, on a first name basis now, are we?” Halduron narrowed his eyes at them.  

“Come on, Hal’, let’s go.” Aethas tried again as he pulled on the ranger’s tunic. 

“No, this is big, Aethas! This is huge! Lor’ needs to know!” He turned to his companion as he continued to point at the two mages. 

Annaya and Rommath glanced at each other. “I think the Ranger-general has had a bit too much to drink.” she laughed lightly, shaking her head gently. 

“Yes, thank you for the observation, Annaya.” Aethas rolled his eyes.

“Are you going to be alright getting him to his tent safely?” 

Aethas gave her an exasperated look as he tried to pull them back up the path. “If you trip over him on your way to bed, you’ll know I gave up and left him for dead.” 

She laughed again as she watched Aethas struggle with the Ranger-general for a few more moments. Halduron continued to struggle against him as Aethas coaxed him back up the path but finally their voices faded away into the trees. Rommath let out a sigh. He turned away from Annaya to walk toward the water’s edge. 

“Great. Just what I need right now.” He pinched the bridge of his nose between his fingers. 

She followed after him. “I think you’ll be okay. I’m not sure the Ranger-general will remember much of this come morning.” 

He sighed again before he dropped his hand to look at her. They were so close, and his fingers ached to feel her touch again. 

“Shall we go? Before anyone else decides to intrude on what was supposed to be our private moment?” she laughed lightly as she looked out over the water. 

“Probably for the best.” 

Rommath watched her for another moment, his mind flipping and twisting around itself. He wanted to reach out for her, to take her hand, but they would be walking through the settlement together, and he was the Grand Magister. He would already have to deal with those two damned Farstriders, the last thing he needed were rumors among the rest of the camp. He swallowed the tangled mass of words in his throat before he turned and gestured for her to follow. 

The setting sun cast a warm glow across the settlement as they walked, and lightning bugs danced with each other along the edges of the bushes. He led her to a small row of hard sided tents before he turned back to her. 

“You will be safe here. While other members of the Horde periodically visit the promontory, it is mainly a Sin’dorei establishment.” He explained. 

She looked at the tents as she began to pick at the hem of her sleeve again. His eyes dropped to her hand momentarily. His fingers ached to reach out for her. 

“Little Flame,” she looked back at him. “You will be safe here.” 

She smiled softly before she stepped close to him. He tensed. The sun was setting behind the buildings and shafts of light peaked between the tents, reflecting the red highlights in her hair. 

“Which tent is yours?” 

His ears twitched slightly as his stomach tensed. “Why?” 

“Because I want to know.” She smirked at him, and he swallowed, suddenly nervous. “In case I need... saving.” 

She turned away from him and he most definitely caught the wink she gave him before she disappeared into her tent. Rommath had a lot of trouble sleeping that night. 

---

Annaya woke with the sun. There were birds singing and new smells that overpowered any fatigue that still lingered from the journey to Pandaria. The Orb of the Sin’dorei sat on her nightstand, and while she had yet to see any non-elves on the promontory, she still slipped the device into the pocket of her robes, just in case. 

She hurried out of her tent to head for the Regent-lord's command post. Lor’themar hadn’t given her any assigned tasks for the day, but her thoughts were solely on Rommath. Her skin had felt electrified after Rommath had touched her. Wherever his fingers had been, it felt like ghosts of him had been left behind. She had laid awake for hours, imagining where else his fingers could go. Where his magic could take them. With him, she didn’t feel afraid, she didn’t feel dirty anymore.  

She brushed her fingers across her cheek lightly. In the days after she had woken from the Sunwell, she remembered looking at herself in the mirror. Her face was still swollen and bruised. One of the orcs – the general – had hit her with his gauntlet early on when she tried to fight him. She remembered tasting blood as her nose and eye socket had broken. Her face swelled quickly when he hit her again, and again, and again. He held her down and forced himself inside her. She didn’t fight him after that. 

She swallowed thickly as she took a shuddering breath. The memory had come quickly but then the ghosts of Rommath’s fingers returned. He didn’t care what she had looked like when she had come to Silvermoon. He didn’t care what the orcs had done to her. He still touched her. He still pulled her close to him. He still gave her his precious magic. 

She bowed her head to a guard outside the command post before she hurried inside. She expected the triumvirate to be present, but only Lor’themar looked up at her from behind his desk. 

“Good morning, archmage.” He smiled at her as he set his quill down. 

She paused for a moment, looking around the room. “Good morning, my lord. I uh... I was looking for the Grand Magister?” 

He smirked. “Unfortunately, all three of my ambassadors have already deployed to their respective posts for the day.” 

She startled slightly, the smile slipping from her lips. “What? For how long?” 

He held up his hand. “Do not fret, my dear. I gave you the orb, remember? And as my High Examiner here in Pandaria, you have my express permission to move freely between the dig sites.” 

“High Examiner?”  

"Do you not like the title?” 

“No, it’s just...” 

She was a High Examiner? Like Tae’thelan? But she was a commoner!  

She bowed before Lor’themar. “I am honored, my lord.” 

He nodded his head back. “You have earned it, Annaya. Now go, I’m certain there is plenty of work for you to do out there.” 

“Of course, my lord!” 

She turned to hurry to the row of portals that would lead her away from the promontory. 

“And Annaya?” 

She turned back at the doorway. 

“Be safe out there.” 

---

She rolled the orb between her palms as she waited for the portal attendant to address her. It was safe in the promontory, but the Court of Bones wasn’t in the promontory. None of the dig sites were. Not only were there hostile Horde, but there were also hostile Alliance. She was still wanted for treason and Kirin Tor forces could be anywhere. Lor’themar had given her the orb to protect her but as she stared down at it, anxiety skated along her spine. How much good could one little orb truly do? 

She sighed before she twisted it. The portal attendant looked up at her as she was enveloped by the familiar blue hue. She didn’t feel the change, but she waited for the light to dim and the attendant to nod at her before she slipped the orb into her pocket. There was no sense in waiting any longer and so she stepped through. 

She wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the Court of Bones. With a name like that, she supposed she should have expected a cemetery. The portal was hidden in a small alcove, and a guard turned to face her as she materialized through completely. She smoothed down her robes for a moment as she caught her breath. Portal travel was always slightly disconcerting even for the most experienced mages. 

“We weren’t expecting any other visitors. Identify yourself.” the guard stated. 

Annaya narrowed her eyes at him. He was young and she realized he was actually a Farstrider stuck on guard duty. 

“I am... High Examiner Annaya Dawnfire. I’m here to meet with the Grand Magister. Where is he currently?” The title felt clunky on her lips and almost like she was impersonating someone else, but she forced herself past it. 

“High Examiner? Forgive me, my lady, I was unaware! He is inside the crypt.” The young elf pointed to a tall building down the path and Annaya thanked him with a smile before she hurried past. 

As she stepped inside the crypt, she paused. She could hear quiet voices and the periodic clinking of a hammer. As she looked around, her brow furrowed.  

“Excuse me, I’m looking-” she paused to ask an excavator for directions when she saw him. 

He was across the crypt, partially obscured by shadow, and facing away from her, but she knew it was him. His dark hair was pulled back, and his tattoos curled down his arms, but they seemed to glow softly as she approached him. 

“There you are,” she said. 

He turned to her, his sharp eyes falling on her. It took him a moment to see through the glamour, but as he did, his eyes widened. 

“Annaya? What are you doing here?” 

She cocked her head slightly. “That’s all you have to say to me? No ‘good morning,’ no ‘I missed you,’ nothing at all?” 

“You cannot be here! It isn’t safe!” his voice dropped as he replied. 

“Grand Magister,” her voice dropped as she stepped closer to him. Her eyes seemed to glow as she looked up at him. “I have spent the better part of a month chasing you, I would ask that you do not make me chase you anymore.” 

He felt a shiver dance down his spine and his heartbeat quickened. “I... I wasn’t aware you wanted to come with me.” 

She narrowed her eyes slightly. “Are you choosing to be intentionally daft? What I want... Is to be with you.” 

He was wearing that damned cowl again, but she caught the smirk in his eyes. “I will endeavor not to disappoint.” 

She smirked back at him. 

Notes:

I initially thought there was only one High Examiner, but in my research of trying to find a fancy name for her new position, I discovered that there was a second High Examiner added in BFA. I'm not entirely sure if this was an oversight by Blizzard or not since Tae'thelan is very much still alive in lore but... oh well, now there are three!

Also, for someone like Rommath who is normally so good with words, he sure does have a hard time getting it together around Annaya :P

Chapter 15

Notes:

It wasn't even that this chapter was difficult, this weekend was the worst . And next weekend is just as bad. I may have to skip an update just to ensure what I give is a quality update, but we'll see how things go. Hope you enjoy!

Annaya put herself to work quickly. The Court of Bones was a cemetery, but each secret held within was nearly immeasurable. Rommath tried not to hover near her, but even as scouts reported to him throughout the day, he couldn’t help but keep her in the corner of his eye. Knowing she was there felt like a dream to him. His thoughts wandered to the night before at the shoreline, and how close he had come to finally having her. 

It had been ages since he had laid with anyone, not since Kael’thas. When the prince had sent him away to return to Silvermoon, Rommath’s emotions had become twisted up inside of him. Their relationship had soured since traveling to Outland, and Kael’thas had only continued to pull further away from him the more he seemed to draw closer to Illidan Stormrage. Rommath tried not to read too much into it, but even he couldn’t deny that suspicion had wormed itself into his heart. 

And still, he carried the prince’s banner back to Silvermoon. He held out hope that Kael’thas would return from his quest, and they would finally spend their lives together, free from their mana addiction. When news had reached him that he had sworn allegiance to Kil’jaeden and fallen deep within his clutches, his heart had further shattered. Turning his back on Kael’thas was the hardest decision he had ever had to make. 

Rommath turned back to watch Annaya pick up a piece of rubble. The crypt stone she was examining had been broken, but with some effort the Mogu symbols were still readable. She sighed heavily as she knelt over the stones on the ground. 

“Is something the matter?” he asked as he came to stand next to her. 

She glanced up at him quickly.  

“It’s just...” she sighed again as she dropped the piece of rubble on the ground to look for another. “It’s nothing.” 

“Tell me.” He knelt next to her as he lowered his voice. 

“I memorized most of the Mogu language, it’s just... it’s a difficult language. It’s hard to keep track of it in my head.” She picked up another piece of rubble and brushed her hand across it to clear some of the dust and dirt from the surface.  

He watched her soft lips move as she translated the symbols in her head. Her brow furrowed as she looked through the rubble for the piece it had broken off from. 

“You know, I think I have something that might help.” Rommath cocked his head. 

She looked over at him. He shifted closer to her as he reached into the pocket of his robes and pulled out a small black leather notebook. Her face lit up as she recognized it. 

“Is that... my notebook?” 

He smiled as he handed it to her, and she flipped through the pages. 

“I could kiss you right now! How did you find it? I thought it was destroyed!” 

The tips of Rommath’s ears flushed at her words. 

“I... I found it in the mess in my lab after everyone had left. I thought it would be a good idea to keep it safe. I know how much it means to you.” 

She looked up at him as she placed her hand on the top of his. “Thank you.” 

His hand warmed under hers as he stared into her eyes. 

“High Examiner, if you have a moment, I would be grateful for your assistance.”  

Annaya turned toward the excavator’s voice, and her hand slid away from his. Rommath’s fingers ached to reach out to grab it and hold it just a moment longer, but he held himself back. Now was not the place. 

“A’vendelsu’o,” she smiled as she knelt next to the excavator. 

The young elf smiled at her as she shifted over so Annaya could examine the stone. Rommath watched, his mind spinning. Heat skated down his spine to pool low in his belly at hearing his language on her lips. It had been so long; he had forgotten how perfect it sounded in her voice.  

“It is a difficult language. Not many can truly master it.”  

He had issued her the challenge years ago, and she had risen to meet it. As he listened to her speak softly in Thalassian, he realized he could drown in her voice. He felt his stomach tighten as his thoughts began to wander again. He imagined her speaking Thalassian as they lay together, her whispering it in his ear as she lay across his chest, her crying out in ecstasy as he- 

“Exactly, if you start from this symbol right here, and then read them in this order, everything else should make more sense.”  

“Wonderful, thank you, my lady,” the young elf bowed her head, and Annaya wiped her hands on her robes as she stood up.  

She turned back to Rommath. He watched her for a moment before he tilted his head slightly, indicating for her to follow him. They turned to head further into the crypt when a young farstrider suddenly burst into the room. 

“Grand Magister!” He bowed before them quickly. He was breathing heavily as he fumbled with his bow. 

“Calm yourself, ranger.” Rommath snapped as he shifted closer to Annaya. She glanced over to him before she refocused on the young elf in front of them. 

The poor ranger looked terrified, as if he had seen a ghost. He drew a shaky hand across his face as he tried to pull himself together. 

“Forgive me, my lord. I...” He released a long breath as he drew himself up. “The Mogu on this island are not simply killing those they take prisoner. They steal their very souls and turn them into... monsters!” 

The young elf began to breathe heavily as he glanced over his shoulder at the entrance to the crypt. Rommath frowned but before he could snap at him again, Annaya stepped forward. 

“It will be alright, young ranger. You did well to report back to us. Just slow down and start over.” Her voice was soft as she placed her hand on his shoulder. 

He shook his head. “We tried to push them back, but they fell upon us like a wave! We could barely react before they had already captured half of our squad! I was barely able to make it out. They’re taking both Horde and Alliance scouts and turning us into something else. I cannot say what!” 

He hung his head as he shuddered. “My brothers and sisters are... they’re dead!” 

She gently squeezed the ranger’s shoulder. 

“None of that now. We don’t know for sure what fate has befallen them. You did well to get back here as soon as you did. Do not fret, young ranger. Go rest and we will take care of it from here on.” She gestured for him to sit against the far wall to catch his breath and he stumbled away from them. 

She waited for him to be out of earshot before she turned to Rommath. “We need to save them.” 

“Absolutely not.” 

“Rommath.” 

“Annaya.” 

“Rommath, we cannot let the Mogu turn them into... slaves.” 

He sighed as he looked at her. “Have you forgotten that you have no magic?” 

“I have not. But you do, and do not think I am unaware of my effect on it.” 

He cocked an eyebrow as she put her hands on her hips. Hips that he very much wanted to place his own hands on. He would pull her close to him- 

He blinked quickly to clear his mind as she continued speaking. “It’s simple. You do the fighting, and I do the rescuing.” 

“There will be no changing your mind, will there?” 

She smiled up at him as she tilted her head slightly to the side. Wisps of her hair had come loose by her cheeks, and she brushed them back. 

He sighed. “Fine, but the moment things become too dangerous – and that is when I say that they do – we return to the safety of the dig site.” 

She nodded. “Deal.” 

They left out the crypt entrance. They walked up the path in the direction the ranger had come from. Guards were stationed along the way, their eyes sharp for any sign of the danger the young elf had warned them of. Eventually, they came to the entrance of the Sunreaver Onslaught dig site. Rommath touched the back of Annaya’s arm gently as they scanned the cemetery.  

The sun had set, and a fog had begun to roll in from the ocean. As the fog curled around the headstones, Annaya could almost make out ghosts floating aimlessly across the open ground. The grounds had been empty when they had first come through and she shivered despite herself. 

“Are you alright?” Rommath asked, keeping his voice low so as to not draw any undue attention to them. 

She nodded quickly. She reached out to grab his hand and laced their fingers together. He glanced down quickly as he felt his ears flush again. “I’ll be okay. Let’s just hurry.” 

They set off across the graveyard. 

It didn’t take long before they began to find evidence of whatever had created the wandering ghosts. Broken weapons were strewn across their path and what looked like droplets of blood littered the ground. Rommath felt the grip on his hand tighten. 

“Annaya, we don’t have to do this.” he whispered. 

She shook her head as she glanced back at him. “We’re doing this.” 

As they continued through the crypt, they heard noises and a deep, grating voice. They hurried to hide behind a nearby crypt wall. They watched as a massive, terrifying creature, one of the Mogu loomed over three unconscious Silver Covenant scouts. The Mogu had its back to them and Annaya looked up at Rommath. 

“That must be one of them.” she whispered, as she leaned against the stone wall. 

Rommath nodded, his brow furrowed. 

The creature was easily twice as large as he was. It was covered in intricate metal armor that seemed to reflect the dim light. It raised its arms over one of the scouts and they watched as a ball of lightning began to form. The Mogu spoke loud, uttering words that he couldn’t understand but Annaya’s grip on his hand tightened slightly. 

The elf’s body seized suddenly, and they watched as the ball of lightning continued to gather before it shot down and struck the scout in the chest. The scout cried out in pain for only a moment before they fell limp. They watched as the Mogu spoke another series of words and then a ghost separated from the body of the elf. It hovered for a moment before it began to float away from them. 

“Let’s go.” she whispered. He wanted to protest that it wasn’t safe, but she was already moving. 

The Mogu had turned to the other scout that lay at its feet and had begun to chant. The ball of lightning formed overhead as they moved closer. The scout’s body tensed as the ball of lightning struck him in the chest. A few moments later, a ghost separated from his body. The Mogu muttered another chant, and the two ghosts began to float away.  

The Mogu watched the ghosts before it began to stomp away. Annaya moved to step out of their hiding spot, but Rommath pulled her back. 

“What are you doing?” he hissed. 

“We have to strike now if we want to stop it. We can still save the third scout.” she glared back at him. 

“Are you insane? Do you know what that thing would do to us?”  

She drew close to him. She trailed her fingers along his cheek and down his jaw gently. “We will be okay, surfal.” 

Rommath’s ears twitched at the word. She released his hand and turned back to face the Mogu. Before he could say anything, she had disappeared around the corner and was gone. He hurried forward to peer around the corner. He watched her dash forward, keeping to the shadows. He frowned as his chest tightened. This woman was going to be the absolute death of him. 

The Mogu was nearly out of view but as she dashed forward, toward the three Silver Covenant scouts, it paused. Rommath clenched his jaw as he watched. She was going to get hurt, or worse. 

Annaya was exposed, halfway across the cemetery when the monster suddenly turned back. Something had alerted it to her presence. She had just reached the bodies when it released a roar of anger. It turned to head back toward her. She froze, staring up at the giant creature. 

It yelled as it raised its massive arms over her, and she felt the air crackle around her. Some of the words were hard to understand but she understood the basic essence of what the Mogu was saying. 

Annaya reached within herself. The void was deep, but she searched for the arcane tendrils she had grown to know so well. She searched through the shadows, pulling at the edges that she knew were there, waiting for her to find them. She grit her teeth in anger. It was so close. Her magic was right there, and yet, she was still unable to reach it. She clenched her fist as she rose to her feet.  

The Mogu towered over her, and she looked up at it. It began to chant, and a dagger of fear shot through her. The words clicked into place, and she knew exactly what it was saying. She watched a ball of lightning begin to form over her head as the Mogu continued to speak louder. 

“Annaya, get out of there!” Rommath called to her as he ran down the path toward her. 

She looked over her shoulder as Rommath came closer. His fel-fire eyes flashed in the light, and she looked from him back up at the monster towering over her. She could feel the warmth of his magic reaching out for her and she instinctively reached back for it. It was safe, it was welcoming, and it gave her strength. 

She closed her eyes as his warmth began to envelop her when she felt something shift within her. Something she hadn’t felt in weeks. The beast within her was waking up. She gasped as the tendrils began to grow and move, shifting and reaching for Rommath’s fire. 

She raised her palm in front of her as she concentrated on drawing the arcane from within her. It was ornery and uncooperative, but it moved slowly as she pulled it toward the surface. The chanting grew louder, and she glanced up to see the ball of lightning growing in size. She pulled harder at the arcane and it burned in her chest. She realized suddenly that it wasn’t going to be enough. What little magic she had found was too little and it was moving too slow. 

She groaned in pain when she felt a swath of warmth cover her.  

A hand gripped her elbow and Rommath was beside her. The Mogu made a noise before saying something in its language. 

“Relax into it. Don’t fight it.” His breath was warm against her ear as he engulfed them in a shield of molten armor. She knew it would do little to protect them from the lightning bolt, but it helped pull her magic closer to the surface. 

Annaya refocused her thoughts. Her magic undulated and twisted within her as it thrashed against her chest. It was trapped within the void still, but at least she could see it now. She pulled harder, and suddenly she felt something give. She opened her eyes as her palm burst with a bright blue light. It wavered slightly and she grit her teeth, forcing the arcane energy running through her to slow to below freezing. It took a moment, but she watched as the frostbolt materialized. But… it was different. It was a frostbolt but it was surrounded by a shield of fire. She smiled as she realized; it was a frostfire bolt. 

The Mogu motioned with its hands and the ball of lightning shifted but Annaya took the opportunity to strike. She pushed her hand toward the creature and the frostfire bolt shot forward, striking the Mogu square in the chest.  

It released a roar of surprise and staggered back. The lightning bolt disappeared as the monster’s concentration broke. It roared something in its language as it righted itself but Annaya and Rommath were already moving.  

Rommath tattoos glowed brightly in the dim light as his magic expanded across the cemetery. Annaya conjured another frostfire bolt and sent it flying at the Mogu before Rommath called forth a massive pillar of flame from the sky to hit the Mogu. It hit the creature, alighting its skin that wasn’t covered by its armor. The fire spread, traveling under the metal and they watched as the Mogu burned to cinders. It trashed as it tried to put itself out but eventually it fell into a heap at their feet. 

As soon as the Mogu’s charred body hit the ground, Annaya collapsed to her knees. Rommath hurried to her side. 

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Just tired.” She waved him off as he placed a gentle hand on her back. 

“Annaya, was that-“  

She smirked up at him. “Frostfire.” 

“But how?” 

She exhaled heavily before she sat up. She met his gaze as she reached back to take his hand again. “Because of you.” 

Rommath paused. There were plenty of mages who dabbled in multiples elements, but it was incredibly difficult and taxing on the body. Magic was arcane by nature, but most mages tended toward a particular element, either fire or frost. To remain as a pure arcane mage was possible but considered simplistic and basic. Most mages, especially those of the Kirin Tor were expected to specialize in one element. 

A groan nearby broke the silence. They looked over to see the third Silver Covenant scout lying on the ground begin to stir. The ghosts that the Mogu had extracted from their bodies had disappeared after the massive creature had fallen and whatever had kept the third one down had begun to wear off. Annaya knelt next to the scout and her eyes widened.  

“It cannot be…” she murmured. 

“What is it?” Rommath replied as he knelt next to her. 

Annaya placed her hands on the scout, who was a young female high elf. She had long blond hair intricately braided behind her ears and Annaya gently touched her face. The elf jerked slightly as she came to. 

It took her a moment to get her bearings but as her eyes focused on Annaya, she frowned. 

“Who are… where am I?” she groaned. 

“It's alright, you’re safe now.” Annaya replied. “That monster is dead.” 

Annaya helped the scout sit up. She looked around for a moment before her eyes fell on Rommath. 

“Grand Magister... Rommath?” She looked between the two and Annaya realized she still had the glamour in place. 

“Selina, it’s me.” Annaya said as she reached into her pocket to twist the orb quickly. The glamour shimmered before it disappeared. 

It took her a moment but as she recognized her, Selina’s eyes widened. “Annaya? What are you doing here? I thought... They told us you were dead!” 

“Dead?” Annaya shook her head with a small laugh. “No, I’m not dead.” 

Selina struggled to her feet. Annaya tried to help her, but she brushed her hands off. “No, Annaya. You don’t understand. Vareesa told us you betrayed us. You turned your back on us for...” she glanced over Annaya’s shoulder at Rommath. “For the Horde.” 

Annaya frowned. “Selina, the Sunreavers were innocent. Garrosh used them for his own benefit. I only helped them because they needed it. Jaina’s purge would have killed them all.” 

Selina pulled away from her. “You are Alliance, Annaya. You turned your back on us for... for them.” 

Annaya winced. She took a step back, closer to Rommath. He didn’t touch her, but she felt him move to meet her. “Selina, I don’t know what to say.” 

“Annaya, you can’t play both sides. You know this.” She glanced at Rommath again. “No matter how much you may want to.” 

Her chest tightened. Annaya had always felt out of place with some of the ideals of the Alliance. The Horde was persecuted and mistreated by many, something she had often felt herself in the Kirin Tor as a commoner. She supposed it was only natural that she would find a kinship with them.  

Annaya watched as Selina turned away from her. She reached a hand toward the high elf. “Feyla made it out of the city.” 

“She did?” 

Selina turned back to her. Her face lit up at the mention of Feyla but she paused. Feyla and Selina had been close back in Dalaran, but they hadn’t been able to say goodbye when the purge had happened. 

“How is she?” Selina asked, her voice quiet. 

“She’s well. She worries about you.” 

Selina sighed. “Can you... tell her I miss her?” 

Annaya nodded. “I will.” 

“I won’t tell anyone I saw you today. Your secret is safe. Just... go, please.” 

Annaya turned back to Rommath. “It was good to see you, Selina.” 

Selina didn’t respond. Annaya grabbed Rommath’s hand, and they hurried back up the path. When they were out of earshot from the Silver Covenant scout, Rommath paused. Annaya pulled on his hand, but he refused to go any further. She looked at him. 

“We should hurry.” 

“Annaya, we should talk.” 

“It doesn’t matter.” 

He frowned. “It does matter.” 

Her chest was tight. She tried to pull her hand free of his, but he tightened his grip and pulled her back to him. She let herself stumble into him. 

“You did the right thing in Dalaran.” 

She scoffed. “How can you be so sure?” 

He frowned. “Because I know. It was the right thing.” 

He drew his fingers across her cheek, and she looked up at him. “Come, let us return to Dawnseeker Promontory. I’m sure you’re tired.” 

She nodded as she leaned into his arms. They stood a moment longer before he led her back up the cemetery path toward the dig site. 

Notes:

Trying to slip more Thalassian into their speech, since Rommath definitely likes it 😆

Translation:
A’vendelsu’o: Let me help you
Surfal: Love

Chapter 16

Notes:

Had a much busier weekend than I anticipated and then today became busy too, but it's here! I got this chapter completed and edited. Slightly smaller than I would have hoped and a little less "action" but hopefully starting to look at some plot points I have been neglecting for a bit.

I hope you enjoy!

The sun was setting by the time they returned back through the portal to Dawnseeker Promontory. The portal attendant nodded to them briefly before they turned away to assist other workers that were coming through behind them. Rommath stood, watching Annaya smooth down the front of her robes before she looked up at him. She gave him a tired smile and a small nod. He wanted to take her back into his arms and hold her, or soothe her, or whisper softly into her hair. He wanted to do... something. He knew how taxing using magic could be in her condition and his mind was spinning. The Mogu had come so close to killing her back in the cemetery. If he hadn’t been fast enough, or strong enough... he refused to entertain that line of thinking. 

They walked slowly up the path back towards Lor’themar’s command post. They stopped in front and Rommath turned back to her. She looked over at him and he reached out his hand to run his fingers across her forehead gently. Her eyelids fluttered as she leaned forward into his touch. 

“Get some rest, I will brief the Regent-lord on what happened.” he said softly. 

She nodded as her eyes dropped to the ground between them. “I would rather... stay with you.” 

His chest tightened. He desperately wanted the same thing, but duty called them both. “I will come for you this evening and we can do something together, just the two of us. No more interruptions.” 

She smiled as she looked up at him through her eyelashes. The gold in her eyes still seemed to reflect the light and he trailed his fingers back into her hair. 

“Perhaps we can get something to eat? Spend some time talking? Somewhere quiet?” she asked, her voice soft as she leaned against him lightly. 

He felt suddenly self-conscious as he remembered where they were and released her quickly. Kael’thas had never allowed outward affection in public but with Annaya, he found himself craving it. The longer he spent with her, the more he wanted to touch her, to feel her, to simply be in her presence. She made a small noise of complaint as he dropped his hands from her hair. The tightness in his chest remained as his fingers flexed. 

“That sounds wonderful. Now, go rest, dalah kim’felo.” 

She smiled as her eyes lingered on him a moment longer before she set off down the path toward the sleeping tents. Rommath watched her go before he ducked into the regent-lord’s tent. Lor’themar and Halduron were already inside. Halduron was leaned back in his chair, his leg thrown over the armrest, as he usually was and Lor’themar was seated at his desk. 

“Ah good, Rommath, you’re here,” The regent-lord said as he gestured for the Grand Magister to sit in one of the chairs opposite his desk. “Halduron was just briefing me on how things in Za’Tual have been going. How was the Court of Bones?” 

Rommath barely held in his sigh. His skin was still buzzing as he thought about how close they had come to the worst thing imaginable happening. If it were any other scenario, he would never have been out there in the cemetery, but he found that being with Annaya brought out a different side of him. She made him want to do things he would never have imagined doing before. She made him more reckless, more impulsive, more emotional. Kael’thas had expected him to be a silent shadow, offering council only when he asked for it – although he would rarely follow it – but Annaya sought him out, and he saw her as an equal. She was an equal. They were both commoners, even if he had a fancy title now. They were equals and he wanted to raise her up as he had been raised up. Emotions began to swirl in his chest as he thought about her, and he forced himself to focus. 

“It was... eventful.” Rommath replied. Lor’themar raised an eyebrow at him and Rommath continued. “The crypt was crawling with Silver Covenant and Mogu and they have begun to encroach on the dig sites. However, the situation is currently under control. Annaya and I handled it.” 

“You and Annaya? I was under the impression she was still recovering from her condition.” 

Rommath nodded. “She is... however, we did have a positive development in the face of danger. She is a remarkable woman.” 

Lor’themar smirked. “That she is.” 

He stood up from his desk and Rommath watched as he made his way over to the bar to pour himself and Halduron a drink. After a moment, he turned back with two tumblers in hand. “As you both know, Hellscream has moved his base of operations out here to Pandaria. He currently resides at Domination Point on the mainland in the Krasarang Wilds and has left us to our own devices for the most part.” 

He handed Halduron a tumbler filled with bourbon before he sat against the edge of his desk. “I have been sending him periodic... updates to keep up appearances, both on excavation efforts and on our other little issue while we have been building up our own arsenal to eventually move against him.” 

Rommath frowned. “Has something changed?” 

Lor’themar was silent for a moment. “Hellscream is sending a contingent of his Kor’kron to the promontory. He has ‘grown tired of waiting’ on us and wants his own warriors to provide the results he seeks.” 

“Results for what?” 

Lor’themar gave him a long look and it took a moment for Rommath to realize. “The missive.” 

“How long do we have?” Halduron finally spoke up. He was spinning the ice in his tumbler and his brow furrowed as he looked between them, deep in thought.  

Lor’themar shook his head. “Not long. It is about a day's travel by ship from the mainland and Hellscream had already sent them out when he had contacted me. I... failed to mention the portal to him.” 

Halduron gave a small smirk. “Praise the small miracles.” 

Rommath suddenly stood up. “Theron, we cannot allow orcs in the promontory. Not with Annaya here.” 

Lor’themar raised a hand. “I am aware of our predicament. Both of our predicaments and I have a plan for both. We have some time still, Rommath. Sit, and we will prepare to protect both of you.” 

---

Annaya’s bones ached. She wanted to lay down and sleep for the next week but as she wandered down the path toward the row of sleeping tents, she found her feet instead taking her toward the water’s edge. It was the same hidden alcove she and Rommath had visited the night before and she smiled softly to herself. Standing on the water’s edge, watching the sunset with Rommath, the thought of it sent her mind racing. 

The small bench on the shoreline came into view and she paused for a moment as she noticed someone sitting, watching the sunset. They had red hair and long, pointed ears and she knew instantly who it was. 

“Good evening, Aethas. I wasn’t expecting to see you out here.” she said as she approached the bench. 

Aethas jumped, turning toward her quickly. He looked up at her with wide eyes and he moved to stand up quickly. Annaya raised her hands in front of her with a smile. 

“Anna! I didn’t know you were back!” 

They stood, staring at each other for a moment and Annaya noticed he was fidgeting again. “Sit, Aethas, please.” 

She waited for him to take his seat again before she sat on the opposite end of the bench. They sat in silence for a few moments, and she let her head fall back as she basked in the warmth of the setting sun. 

“How have you been, Anna?” he finally broke the silence. 

She glanced over at him, offering him a small smile. “I’ve been good. Things have been going well!” 

She felt warmth well up in her chest as her thoughts traveled back to Rommath.  

“I must say, I was surprised when I heard you had come out here. What with your... condition and all.” 

“I mean, I am the best at translating the Mogu language and Rommath has been helping me with my magic sickness. It only made sense that I come out here.” 

Aethas didn’t respond and Annaya looked over at him to see his brow furrowed. 

“Do you think... do you think that’s wise?” he finally said. 

“Do I think what’s wise?” 

He sighed. “Whatever it is you’re doing with Rommath.” 

She frowned as she turned fully toward him. “What do you mean?” 

He dragged his hand across his face as he sighed. “Anna, you don’t know him like I do. He is... volatile, and difficult to deal with on the best of days.” 

“Volatile? Aethas, what are you talking about?” 

Where was this coming from? Why was he saying these things? Annaya knew Aethas and Rommath had a contentious relationship and that they argued often, but this seemed oddly out of character for him. 

“Annaya, I just don’t want you to get hurt. I care about you and... I should have been there for you back in Dalaran. I should have tried harder or done something. I... kept things from you and I still feel terrible about it. I feel... responsible for what happened somehow.” He began to pick at his robes. 

She huffed softly as she laid her hand gently atop his own. He jumped slightly as he tensed, looking over at her.  

“Aethas, we have a lot to work through in our friendship, but trust me when I say, I know what I’m getting into with Rommath. You don’t have to worry about me when it comes to him.” 

“Annaya, I-” 

“Aethas, trust me.” 

He sighed before he nodded, and they fell into a comfortable silence. They watched the sun fall below the horizon of the sea. 

“So,” she finally said. “You and Halduron, huh?” 

She watched as Aethas turned beet red and she laughed lightly. 

“It’s not what you think, I swear!” 

She laughed again. “Oh, but it sure did look like something last night. Halduron couldn’t keep his hands off you.” 

If it was possible, Aethas turned even redder at her words. She leaned back against the bench as the other mage covered his face with his hands. 

“Don’t worry, Aethas. Your secret is safe with me.” 

He peeked at her through the gaps between his fingers. After a moment, he reached out to take her hand in his. “I don’t deserve you, Annaya.” 

Her smile softened. “I know, Aethas.” 

---

Rommath hurried through the promontory. His skin was buzzing as his mind raced. The orcs were coming, and he needed to find Annaya. He needed to get her to safety. The last they had spoken; she was going to rest. If he could keep her out of sight, she would be safe. He needed to keep her safe. 

He paused on the path as he reached within himself for a moment. He pressed forward with his magic, searching for her. He didn’t know if it would work, but as the fire within him unfurled to sweep across the encampment, he felt a flicker of magic respond in kind to him. He knew instantly that it was her. He hurried toward it. 

As he came around the bend, he caught sight of the water before his eyes fell on the two redheads sitting on the bench. One was a redhead with long pointed ears and he knew immediately it was Aethas. The other, he smiled as he recognized Annaya’s deep, dark, red hair. She turned to look up at him as he came into view and some of his anxiety abated. She was safe, she was alive, and she smiled up at him. 

“Rommath!” her voice reached his ears and warmed him completely. He was grateful for the cowl covering the lower half of his face and he smiled at her. He didn’t need Aethas to see how she affected him. 

“There you are,” he replied as he approached her. She stood from her spot on the bench and stepped closer to him. Aethas eyed them both. “Are you ready to go?” 

“How was the meeting?” she asked. 

“It went... well. We have a few things we need to discuss.” His eyes shifted to Aethas for a moment before settling back on her. “In private.” 

She flushed slightly. “Of course.” 

She turned back to the other mage. “It was good to see you again, Aethas. We still have much to catch up on. We should speak again soon.” 

He nodded quickly. “I would... like that.” He had begun to fidget again as he watched them. 

Rommath turned and she followed him back up the path. He moved quickly as his mind began to race. He wanted to grab her hand, to ensure she was still there, but he held himself back. Not until they were in private. 

“Rommath, what’s wrong?” she asked. He didn’t respond as he led her toward his personal tent. 

The Kor’krun would be there sooner than he would have liked. Lor’themar and Halduron had come up with a plan to protect both of them, but they were quickly running out of time. He needed to move faster. 

“Rommath-” 

He turned to her suddenly and she nearly ran into him. The sun had set and the twilight cast a dim glow across the camp. Shafts of light peeked through the gaps between the tents and they stood in one of the small pockets of lights. Nobody was around them and Rommath took the chance to cup her cheek and draw her closer to him. She moved easily toward him. 

“I need to keep you safe.” 

She wrapped her fingers around his wrist as she looked up at him. “Surfal, you are-” 

“No, we don’t have much time. They are coming.” 

She frowned. “Who is?” 

He sighed heavily as his voice dropped. “The orcs are coming.” 

Her breath froze in her throat as her fingers tightened around his wrist. 

Notes:

Aethas is doing his best, but as mentioned, he is kind of an idiot...

Translation:
Dalah kim'feloh: my little flame
Surfal: love

Chapter 17

 ... the chain rattled as she shifted slowly. Her entire body ached. Everything hurt to move, hurt to touch, hurt to breathe. She heard laughter and voices as the lock to her prison cell clicked open. It sounded like two of them this time. She cracked her swollen eyes open to see the General and one other Kor’kron soldier step into the cell. His voice sounded unfamiliar to her and she tensed. The new ones were always the roughest with her.

They both still wore their full set of armor, complete with their heavy horned helmets. The only thing she could make out were their beady, dark eyes and large, jutting tusks as they approached her. She looked up at them as the General reached down, wrapping his massive hand around her throat. He squeezed as he lifted her, and she inhaled sharply before he pressed her against the cold stone wall. Her bare feet brushed the ground, toes reaching for purchase to relieve some of the pressure on her throat.

“Wake up, little whore. I've been looking forward to you all afternoon.” His voice was booming and deep, and sent a dagger of fear through her. He leaned closer to her, sniffing her, inhaling her scent.

“You always smell so good.” he chuckled as he continued to sniff along the bruised skin of her collarbone and down to her breasts.

She looked at him with wide eyes. Oh, how she wished she wasn’t awake for this. They had taken her plenty of times after she had fallen unconscious. Please, Light, let this be one of those times.  

He shook her twice and she released a small cry. The General laughed.  

“There it is, just what I like to hear.”  

He dropped her suddenly and she collapsed into a heap at his feet. The chain rattled behind her, and she moved slowly, sitting up on her knees as he began to undo his breeches. She knew what was coming; there was no sense in fighting. Fighting only resulted in more pain. She looked up at him as he pulled himself free, stroking himself to full hardness.  

He tangled his free hand into her hair to pull her head back slightly and hold her still. “Put on a good show for my lieutenant, little whore.”  

He pressed himself against her lips, pushing himself fully into her mouth and she tried not to gag as he held her still...  

 

 

Her whole body was tense as she stared at Rommath. 

“Annaya?” 

“I... I… can't…” her grip around his wrist tightened even more and he stepped closer to her.

He brought his other hand up to cup her bare cheek and she wrapped her fingers into the front of his robes. He shifted, gently pushing her to step back until they were fully engulfed by the shadows. Her back brushed against the building wall and she pushed forward into him. She released a small, wounded noise as she looked up at him, her eyes wide and wet with unshed tears. There was no one around, but Rommath didn’t want to take the chance they would be spotted. Not now. He would save her the embarrassment if he could.

“Annaya, breathe. It will be okay." He said softly as he moved into her space, pressing his nose into her hair. 

She shook her head quickly as she tried to shift out of his grasp but he tightened his hold just enough to stop her.

“No, I… I have to go… I can't let them find me." Her chest heaved as she spoke and she struggled harder. “They can't find me." 

“I won't let them get to you, I promise." 

She whined softly as she continued to pull against him. He frowned. He remembered the bruises that had littered her body that day he took her to the Sunwell. He had always wondered how she had received them, but had never felt it right to ask. The next time he had seen her, the Sunwell had healed the bruises, but the images had been burned into his memory. He had stayed up many nights remembering them and dreamed of getting his hands on the orcs who had harmed her.

He began to murmur softly against her hairline in Thalassian. He whispered nonsense at first, promises of how he would protect her, how he would keep her safe. The words spilled from his lips faster than his brain could conjure them.  The fingers tangled in his robe tightened further, pulling him closer and he shifted his hands from her cheeks back into her hair. As he pulled her into his arms, she pressed her face into his neck and he felt her body shudder.

“Please, don't let them take me back there. I… I can't go back there." She whispered into his neck. He felt something wet against his jawline and the edge of his cowl. His chest tightened as he realized she was crying.

“I would burn them to ash before they touched you. Diplomacy be damned, Annaya, I…" his throat tightened suddenly as the words became stuck. There was still so much he wanted to say, but they refused to move. He shut his eyes tight as he inhaled deeply for a long moment, willing the tightness to release. 

They stood together in the shadows as Rommath forced every evil and wayward thought out of his head. He had been down that path before with Kael’thas. He would have followed the prince into oblivion – and very nearly did – if not for the clarity of mind afforded to him by his return to Silvermoon. Now, he found himself in the exact same position again; ready to follow Annaya wherever she needed him to go. Was he truly so weak of will that another person could sway him so easily? Was his heart so easily caged? The thought was both terrifying and exhilarating. 

“Annaya, we don't have much time," he drew his fingers up and across her temple. She slowly leaned back to look up at him. Her eyes were puffy and red and he couldn’t help but smile softly at her. "But we have a plan. We will be ready for them.”

He waited another moment before she finally pushed away from him. She sniffed before she wiped the back of her hand across her eyes.

“I won't let them take you, I promise." He repeated as he gazed into her eyes.

She reached out for him without a word and he laced their fingers together. “Come, we need to return to Lor’themar. He will go over the next steps.”

She took a deep breath, her eyes drifting closed for a moment before she looked up at him. There was a renewed look, a fire within them as she met his gaze. “Okay, let’s go.”

Optics be damned, he kept his grip on her hand as they made their way across the promontory back to Lor’themar’s tent. There were still a few workers shuffling about, but he refused to make eye contact with them as they passed. The tips of his ears flushed as he heard whispers among them. He would never live this down but he found that he didn’t care anymore. Kael’thas had been the one who had cared about optics.

He only released her hand once they had arrived at the regent-lord’s tent and as they stepped inside, they found both Halduron and Aethas already there. Lor’themar bowed his head to them all.

“Good, you found her. Lady Dawnfire, we don’t have much time.” he immediately began as he stood up from his desk.

Annaya felt a gentle touch against her lower back as Rommath stood close to her and she tried not to lean into him. 

“Rommath told me the…” she swallowed around the words. “They are coming.”

Lor’themar sighed as he picked up his glass. “Yes, unfortunately, Hellscream continues to put his nose in our business at every opportunity. His paranoia seems to be worsening. He is sending a contingent of Kor’kron to inspect the promontory. He wants to make sure everything is up to his standards .”

The thought of seeing the Kor’kron again sent a dagger of terror through her heart and she tried to turn away. Rommath’s hand against her back stopped her and she glanced at him. He didn’t look at her but his ears twitched slightly.

“Annaya, I have no intention of letting the orcs find you.” Lor’themar continued. 

She met his gaze briefly. They had never spoken about what he had done for her back in Orgrimmar. She had wanted to thank him; to offer him more than just the nervous smile she had only ever been able to give him, but as she met his eyes, she realized that he already knew. 

“I offered you protection when you first came here, and I like to think of myself as a man of my word.” he said with a smirk.

She returned his smirk with a small one of her own. “For which I am forever grateful, my lord. What did you have in mind?”

“Yes, the plan,” he took a drink before setting the tumbler down and stepping around his desk. “The orcs will be here by midday tomorrow. If their intention is to inspect the camp as Hellscream’s missive stated, then we will simply put you somewhere they will not be allowed to go.”

She frowned slightly. “Is there such a place on this island? They have the Warchief’s blessing.”

He held up a finger. “Ah, but there is! The arcane focus is the only place on this promontory no other member of the Horde is allowed inside. Only trained Sin’dorei may enter, or they risk damaging the equipment and breaking every portal connection we have worked tirelessly to create on this island.”

She huffed. She had forgotten about the arcane focus. It had been built along a deep running ley line with the sole purpose of powering the portals throughout the island. Only the most highly trained mages and engineers were allowed near it. It was the most logical place to hide her, and the only place the orcs wouldn’t be able to search.

“We’ll keep you there for the duration of their little inspection, and then only once they have left, it will be safe for you to come back out.”

She glanced over at Rommath. “Do you think… will that work?”

He finally met her gaze. “It will work.”

“Will you be there with me?”

He nodded. “Yes-”

“Actually,” they both looked over at Lor’themar. “I need Rommath here with me.”

Annaya took a step forward as her heart began to flutter. “You want me to be there alone?”

“The engineers will be there with you-”

“No, I-I can’t,” she shook her head as she tried to turn around again. She needed to leave, to get somewhere she knew would be safe. Rommath’s hand stopped her and she looked at him. “Rommath, please.”

Rommath opened his mouth to respond but Aethas stood up from his seat suddenly.

“I will go with her.”

Everyone turned to him and he shrunk back slightly. “Aethas, are you sure?” Halduron questioned as he straightened in his chair. Their eyes met briefly before Aethas turned to the others.

“You three need to be here to keep up appearances, however, I have no such requirement. I can take her.”

He smiled softly at her. “It will be like old times.”

She smiled softly back at him. “Just like old times.”

“The strength of the arcane energy at the epicenter of the focus should also help dampen any efforts they may use to find you.” Lor’themar continued.

Her smile faltered. “Are they looking for me?”

He shook his head. “Not you specifically, no, but we cannot be too safe. They are here for a reason, and I will do everything I can to protect you.”

Her heart fluttered and she bowed her head. “T-thank you, my lord.”

Lor’themar scanned the room as he picked up his drink glass. “We knew it was only a matter of time before we would have to deal with Hellscream like this. He believes he is the master of this game, however, we will not let him best us. We will get through this, and then we will turn our attention to assaulting the Throne of Thunder. It is about time that we made the first step.” He emptied his glass before he set it down on his desk. “Get some rest tonight, Annaya. Tomorrow, we have some orcs to beat.”

She swallowed nervously but nodded to him. Rommath followed her outside. She stood, wringing her hands together as she glared at the ground.

“Annaya?”

“I…” she looked up at him. “Can we walk for a bit?”

“Of course. Whatever you need.”

She turned and began to follow the path away from the main encampment. He followed her, close but afraid to touch her. He frowned at his insecurity. Why was he like this all of a sudden? Why did she send his mind into such a tailspin?

He glanced sidelong at her as they walked. Annaya was wringing her hands together again and he stepped closer to her. When she noticed, she dropped them to run her fingers across the back of his hand. He flexed his fingers, aching to take her hand. He turned his head toward her and she simply smiled at him. They continued in silence for a while as the sun continued to set below the treeline. Rommath wanted to say something, anything to her; about tomorrow, about them, something to break the silence, but no words would come. He had always been the one to provide counsel or wisdom, but as she looked over at him, she seemed content simply in his presence and he, for once, was content in the silence. 

Finally, they came to a stop. Rommath looked over and realized they were standing in front of his personal tent. He frowned; he hadn’t actually told her where it had been located, but she smiled softly at him as she looked back. His ears twitched and she giggled softly before she brought her hands up, wringing them nervously again. He placed a gentle hand against her lower back.

“I don’t want to be alone right now. Could I…” she sighed before her eyes dropped to the ground between them. “Could I… stay with you tonight?”

He reacted on instinct, faster than his brain could comprehend. “Whatever you need.”

His skin was buzzing as his thoughts raced. Annaya paused as she eyed the door.

She took a deep breath before she stepped forward, disappearing through the door. Rommath waited a long moment. She was inside his tent. Annaya was inside his tent. He forced his feet to move. 

As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he saw her. She was leaning over his nightstand, her eyes scanning the tome he had placed there that morning. He dragged his eyes slowly up her body as he felt heat pool low in his belly. He couldn’t help the thoughts that ran through his mind as he watched her. It had been so terribly long since he'd had those thoughts, and lately he couldn’t escape them. She had lit a couple of mage lights and they floated silently above them, casting a soft glow throughout the room. Her hair seemed to glow with reds and oranges, reminding him of the sunset over the Eversong Woods. She glanced over at him.

“I didn’t know you like romance novels.” she laughed as she set the tome down.

“I… dabble. When you’ve read everything in the Silvermoon library, sometimes you have to get creative.” Rommath felt his ears begin to flush as she looked at him.

He watched her as she moved about the room. His room was sparsely decorated and she trailed her fingers across a stack of parchment on his desk before she finally settled on the edge of the bed. She released a long breath and as he looked at her, he realized just how exhausted she looked. The mana sickness still plagued her, but she had been pushing herself far beyond what she should have been. His mana had helped give her strength, but it was only a matter of time before even that wouldn’t be enough. Rommath frowned as he pulled the cowl free from the neckline of his robes. He should have been paying closer attention. He had become too complacent. 

“Sit with me, please?” her voice jolted him from his thoughts and his feet moved of their own accord. 

He dropped the fabric in his hand on the desk as he passed before he perched on the edge of the bed. He felt on edge, like he wanted to move closer to her but afraid any movement would frighten her away. It was an odd feeling, one he hadn't felt before.

He jumped slightly when she touched the back of his hand. Their eyes met. 

“Rommath, I…” her voice trailed off as she looked away.

"Annaya,” he reached toward her, brushing his fingers along her cheek to prompt her to look back at him. "Tell me what you need.”

She released a shuddering breath as she blinked quickly and a tear escaped the corner of her eye. He brushed his thumb across her cheek to stop it. 

“I don't know," her voice cracked as another tear escaped. 

He pulled her gently toward him and she fell forward into his arms. She tangled her fingers into his robes to hold onto him as he wrapped his arms around her. 

"I'm just… so scared,” she whispered. Her lips brushed against the skin of his neck as she clung to him.

“It will be okay," he replied against her hair. "I'm not going anywhere.”

He breathed slowly as he waited. His thoughts were racing. What would happen tomorrow? What if the orcs found her? What if Aethas failed? He tightened his grip on her.

Finally, she pulled back from him. 

"You must be exhausted.” he ventured.

She nodded before she glanced behind them. The bed had large black silk pillows set against the headboard, and she shifted to lay back against them. He would be lying if he tried to deny that he hadn’t thought about this, Annaya in his bed, but right now it felt… different.

He laid against the pillow next to her, careful to keep his distance. Her eyes had drifted closed but as the bed shifted, they cracked open, and she rolled over to wrap an arm around him. He tensed briefly before he laid a hand on her flank, pulling her closer to him. She shifted closer to rest her head against his chest and he brushed her loose hair out of her face.

"Rommath?” 

Her voice was quiet, and he had to cock his head to hear her.

“Hmm?" 

“Thank you." 

Heat spread through his chest as he looked down at her. Her eyes were closed, and her breath came deep and even. He brushed his fingers through her hair.

“Anything for you, dalah’surfal."  

He waved his hand, and the mage lights twinkled out.

Notes:

So, this story has officially taken on a life of its own. Where I had originally intended it to go, is not where it has led me. That is not a bad thing! I just have to do a bit more reworking than I had anticipated 😅
Also, my drafts folders is getting fuller by the day. I want to get some new pieces out, while also providing quality chapters for this, since things are about to get good. I will be moving to a once-a-week posting schedule as of this chapter. So, expect to see new chapters every Monday moving forward!

Thank you so much as always, I love your continued support! 💞

Translation:
dalah’surfal: My love

Chapter 18

The thought of waking up to hands on her body had become a nightmare to her. In Orgrimmar, hands on her body meant another guard wanting to use her, to break her in ways she didn’t know she could break. In Orgrimmar, hands on her body meant pain and terror and screaming for someone to just please kill her please please please. But as she slowly awoke to the sounds of birds chirping outside the tent, she felt a hand curled around her waist and a solid presence against her back. She tensed as her senses came alive but then an exhale tickled the hair along her neckline and she realized where she was. This was not Orgrimmar, and those hands did not belong to the orcs. 

She shifted slightly, dragging her hand down along the arm that covered her to interlace her fingers with the long, slender fingers of the man currently laying behind her. He exhaled softly again and again his breath tickled her neck. She wanted to stay there, nestled under the blanket that covered them, safe in his arms forever, but as the birds continued to chirp outside, she sighed before she released his hand and slid out of his grasp.

As she stood up, she felt a flush begin to creep up her neck. She had dreamt of waking up in similar ways like that but for it to actually be happening? She quickly adjusted her robes before brushing her fingers up through her hair. It had come loose from the braid she had kept it in the day before and she swept it up into a loose bun. As she turned back to the bed, she froze. Rommath was awake and watching her. 

“Good morning.” he said softly. His voice was rough and gravelly, still tinged with sleep. It sent a delicious shiver through her.

She smiled at him. “Good morning.”

“How did you sleep?”

“I slept,” she laughed nervously. “Haven't done that in a while, so that is a plus.”

His brow furrowed and her eyes fell to the floor as she began to pick at her robes. She heard movement on the bed and glanced up to see Rommath standing. He moved to reach out for her.

“Annaya-”

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t funny.” she cut him off before she turned away. 

He watched her move about the room. She seemed focused on searching for what few possessions he had brought with him and she picked up and replaced trinkets as she went. She looked down at a small stack of missives from the Magisterium on his desk and he watched her lips move as she silently read the top one. Finally, she looked back up at him.

“So, today the orcs come." 

Rommath got up from the bed and moved to her. She turned toward him and he reached out, taking her cheek gently in his hand. She leaned into his touch, her eyes falling closed.

“I will do everything I can to keep you safe." 

She placed her hand against his sternum. It was gentle and warm. “I know.”

“We all know our part. We will get through this."

She took his hand in hers. He watched her gently trace the lines of his palm with her index finger and he barely suppressed the shiver it sent along his spine.

“What is it?” he finally asked.

She sighed suddenly, turning away from him. He watched her for a moment.

“It’s just…” she shook her head. “Nothing, it’s stupid.”

“Nonsense, nothing you say is stupid.”

She huffed. “That’s the thing.”

Rommath’s brow furrowed. “Annaya-”

She looked back at him. She held out her hand and he looked down. His face dropped. She was holding that damned pendant.

“Annaya-”

“I always knew this was important to you, that’s why I kept it safe.” she huffed. “But, I can’t help but wonder… just how important is it? I’ve seen it… everywhere.”

He stepped close to her, laying his hand over her own to cover the pendant. He knew he should have left it behind in Silvermoon. He should have destroyed it when he had the chance, but he was still unable to part with it. It was the last piece of Kael’thas he had. It was also the last thing he wanted to talk about.

“It was… a gift.”

She looked up at him, searching his face. Rommath felt utterly exposed under her intense gaze. The mage lights reflected the gold in her eyes and he wanted nothing more than to drown in them in that moment.

“From the prince.” she finally replied.

Rommath nodded slowly and he watched as something unreadable passed across her face before she smiled softly.

“Of course.” she nodded.

It wasn’t a lie but as she turned her hand over to place the pendant in his, Rommath felt… wrong. He wanted to say more to her, offer some more of an explanation, but the words were tangled in his throat. She had accepted what little he had given her without question; it felt almost cruel. He didn’t deserve her, it wasn’t fair.

He took the pendant from her and slid it into the pocket of his robes. “We should go. We don’t have much time left to prepare.”

She smiled as she nodded at him. Rommath tried to smile back but he couldn’t escape the sick feeling that had settled in the pit of his stomach.

---

The Kor’kron were massive orcs. Rommath observed them silently as they stepped into the tent, but his mind was reeling. These were the monsters that had hurt Annaya? These were the brutes that had touched her in the vile ways his mind had conjured up when he couldn’t sleep at night? He clenched his jaw as he forced the beast within him to remain buried deep. They had come this far, and despite every evil thought he had toward these monsters, he had to keep control. He couldn’t ruin this now.

The general was easily twice as large as he was without his armor on, and his horned helmet nearly brushed the top of the tent. His dark beady eyes swept across the room, stopping on Rommath for a long moment before settling on the regent-lord. 

“Welcome to Dawnseeker Promontory, General.” Lor’themar greeted with a wave of his hand.

The general grunted before he bowed slightly. The two Kor’kron warriors behind him bowed along with him. “Thank you for receiving us, Regent-lord.”

“I do hope you’ll forgive the clutter, we are still in the process of building up the encampment.”

The general chuckled. “As are we on the mainland. However, the Warchief wishes to increase production speed ahead of an assault on those damned Alliance dogs. He has been having us inspect each Horde encampment to ensure everyone is operating at peak efficiency.”

“Of course, General.” Lor’themar watched the general turn toward Halduron.

“Ah yes, where are my manners? This is my Ranger-general, Halduron Brightwing and my Grand Magister, Rommath.”

Rommath tilted his head toward the general as he stood next to Lor’themar. For once, he was grateful for the cowl that covered his face. Their eyes met and the general smirked.

“Is something the matter, Grand Magister?” the general asked as his smirk widened.

Rommath’s eyes narrowed. There was so much he wanted to say and he had to force his magic back, deep inside him.

“Just do your inspection and leave us be.” he finally said.

The general chuckled before he suddenly took a step toward him. Rommath tensed. The general looked down at him as he sniffed the air.

“Is that frost magic I smell? I wasn’t aware the blood elves used frost magic.”

Rommath’s heart stuttered. “You must be mistaken. There are no frost mages here.”

“Oh? But you smell like frost magic, Grand Magister. The highest ranking mage of the blood elves dabbling in frost magic or is there  a lost little frost mage somewhere in your camp?”

Rommath’s ears twitched as his fingers flexed. “I can assure you, if there were any frost mages here, we would know. Just do what you came here to do and then leave.”

The general chuckled before he gestured and the two Kor’kron turned to leave the tent. He bowed before the triumvirate and then followed them out. He stood for a moment as he scanned the encampment. He sniffed the air and then slowly smiled. He turned to the two warriors at his side. “She is here. I can smell her. We don’t leave until we find her.”

The two warriors nodded in agreement before they set off toward the nearest building.

---

Aethas looked down at the orb in Annaya’s hand. She was rolling it idly between her palms as she paced back and forth. They were currently hidden in the Grand Engineer’s office at the arcane focus. Annaya was wearing the glamour the orb provided and if he squinted hard enough, he could make out her blood elven guise. It was odd to know that such a little thing offered such protection to her, and yet, he still saw her as she was.

The arcane focus provided a steady cover of magical energy that seeped into Annaya’s bones, giving her comfort and providing her strength, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of impending dread that had been with her since Rommath had left her to meet the orcs. He had spent all morning promising her that he would keep her safe, and yet she found it incredibly difficult to believe how that was possible when he wasn’t physically with her. She trusted Aethas, but she needed Rommath with her.

“Annaya, you’ll rub a hole into the floor. Please sit down.” he said softly, gesturing to the chair beside him.

She paused, eyeing him and then the chair. Finally, she settled into the seat with a huff. “But they’re here , Aethas.”

He turned to her, taking her hand in one of his. “I know, but all we can do is wait. Let the others do their part.”

She sighed again and they fell into a comfortable silence. He continued to hold her hand and she watched him idly play with her fingers.

“Do you remember,” he finally said. “When we were working on the Malygos campaign? We figured out that he wanted to destroy the ley lines running throughout all of Northrend?”

She huffed again as she leaned forward. “I told you to seek out Queen Alexstrasza at Wyrmrest Temple to get help.”

“And I thought you were out of your mind. Me? Gaining an audience with the queen of the dragons?”

Annaya shook her head. “But you did it, and you were successful. You got us the aid we needed.”

He was quiet for a moment as he stared at their clasped hands. “You always did believe in me.”

He suddenly stood up and began to pace. 

“Aethas, what is it?” she asked.

“Annaya, I…” he stopped suddenly. He turned to her and their eyes met. “I’m sorry.”

She stood to embrace him and he wrapped her up in his arms before burying his face into her neck. “I’m so sorry, Anna. I should have been there. I should have done more. I should have trusted you.”

She tightened her grip on him as she pressed her face against his hair. Her eyes burned as her throat tightened. She swallowed, fighting against feelings that she had buried deep. Aethas shuddered against her as he cried into her neck, holding her tight to him. 

“I should have tried harder to make you come with us that day.” he breathed between sobs.

It was like something broke inside of her as she hiccoughed. Hot tears spilled from her eyes as she clenched her jaw against the pain in her chest. 

“Why…” she tried but a hiccup stopped her. “Why didn’t you tell me what was going on? I wanted to help you. Light, Aethas… I only wanted to help you.”

He shook his head against her neck. “I didn’t… I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

A short laugh burst from her chest as more tears streamed down her face. It was a cruel joke. It was all a cruel joke. 

“I was so stupid. I thought… I thought I could do it myself. I thought…” his hands somehow tightened more around her. “I thought I was strong enough.”

She exhaled sharply. “You are, Aethas. You are the strongest person I have ever met, it’s just…” her mind was reeling. “We were supposed to be a team.”

“I know, I was just…” he paused for a long time. Annaya already knew the word was coming before he said it. “I was scared.”

She nodded against his hair as she huffed out a laugh. “Me too.”

“I don’t want to lose you, Annaya. I am just always so scared to lose you.”

She shook her head quickly. “You won’t, Aethas. You haven’t.”

---

The Kor’kron stepped back onto the path. The general stood, waiting. He narrowed his eyes as he sniffed the air again. He knew she was there. Her scent was one of the best parts of her; that and her cries. He had been furious when she disappeared. He had no proof that the regent-lord had smuggled her out, but he’d had his suspicions. He never figured out how the damned elf had done it, but he had known it was him. Those blood elves had always schemed against the Warchief and now his suspicions were all but confirmed the longer they remained on the island. His little whore was there, and he was not leaving until he had her back in his clutches.

“Nothing, General.” one of the warriors said and the general grunted. They were running out of buildings to check.

“We’ve checked everywhere.”

The general turned and began to pace back and forth. Where could they have hidden her?

“Check again. Even if we have to burn down each of these buildings, we do not leave until I have her.”

---

Aethas sniffed quietly as he pulled back. Annaya let him go. 

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

She laughed softly before she cupped his cheeks in both of her hands. She pulled his face toward hers to rest their foreheads together.

“We’re in this together, Aethas.”

He nodded before he sniffed again. “Yes, we are.”

They fell into a comfortable silence, only broken by the occasional sniff from the both of them. Annaya pulled him into another embrace. It had felt so lonely without his presence in her life but as he hugged her tightly, she felt a small sliver of peace wiggle back into her heart.

---

The general stood in front of the large building. He looked up to watch the large shaft of pure energy shoot up into the sky. The smell was strongest there. It was the last place to check; she had to be there. He knew it. He stepped forward and was immediately stopped by a blood elf dressed in red and gold armor.

“You’re not allowed to be here.” the elf held up his hand as he glared at them.

“I go where I please.” The general sneered before one of the warriors stepped forward to push the elf out of the way.

“You cannot disturb the arcane focus! The regent-lord will hear of this!” The elf continued to yell but the general ignored him as he pushed through the door. He stood in the doorway and as he sniffed, he grinned.

---

Annaya heard the yelling outside the door, and she jerked upright. Aethas was already on his feet. He reached his hand out for Annaya and she took it.

“How-”

He raised his free hand to quiet her as they listened. Annaya’s blood went cold as she recognized the deep, booming voice on the other side of the door. It was him . He had found her. She tightened her fingers in Aethas’ hand as she pulled him back. They had to get out of there. She glanced behind her. There was a back entrance that they could use to sneak out but they would have to go immediately. 

Aethas glanced back at her. “Annaya, what-”

“We have to go!” she whispered as she pulled him.

He followed her as they hurried into the back room. The back door was hidden by a magical barrier and Aethas waved his hand to uncover it. The yelling was getting louder as the orcs continued to argue with the engineers in the main room and Annaya glanced behind them. The back entrance door was locked and Annaya had to force her panic down. He was going to find her.

“Please, Aethas, we have to go!”

“I’m trying, Annaya!” Aethas whispered back as he fumbled with the handle.

The door to the office slammed open and Annaya bit her tongue to keep herself from crying out. Her eyes burned as tears began to trail down her face. He was going to find her .

Aethas growled in frustration as he paused for a moment. He needed to focus; for her. He waved his hand over the handle and it clicked open. He grabbed it and pushed it outward before he took her hand again and pulled her through. They were standing outside the arcane focus and he looked around for a moment before he took off in the direction of the portals. 

“Come on, we need to get out of the camp.” Aethas’ chest heaved as they ran up the path.

They had just crossed the threshold into the portal room when she felt a large hand wrap around her arm. Annaya’s heart stopped as she was pulled back, her hand slipping out of Aethas’. He slid to a stop as she released a small shriek.

The general pulled her against him and as she looked up, she was met with black beady eyes. The orc chuckled as he looked down at her.

“Now, what do we have here? Two little elves trying to sneak out of camp?” he laughed as his hand tightened around her arm.

Aethas turned to face the general, his hands glowing with fire. “Release her, orc. We have no quarrel with you.”

“We mean you no harm, elf.” he looked down at Annaya and paused. The girl was a skinny thing, with long red hair and pretty fair skin. Her eyes were a dark green with gold flecks but as he breathed in, he caught the scent of frost magic again. He leaned forward and she released a small cry, shrinking back from him. Her fear sent a thrill through him.

“You’re a pretty little thing, aren’t you?” he mused as he pulled her closer to him. She tried to tear free from his grasp, but he tightened his grip on her arm.

“Let me go,” she whimpered, and he cocked his head. She even sounded like his little whore but as he looked at her, he saw only a blood elf.

“I will not ask you again, orc. Release my companion.” Aethas said and the general glanced up. Aethas’ hands were wreathed in fire as he approached him.

The general snarled as he pushed the she-elf toward the archmage. This wasn’t his whore. Whatever the elves were doing in this camp with frost magic, she wasn’t here.

“The Warchief is leading the Horde to victory. There is no room for weakness or frailty. I suggest you help your little friend here before someone else… helps her instead.”

She looked up at him and their eyes met. She made a small noise in the back of her throat before she buried her face in Aethas’ chest. He waved his hand, and his two warriors turned and walked up the path. He looked at Aethas for a moment.

“Keep her close, mage. Next time we meet, this conversation will be much different.”

Annaya shuddered as she gripped Aethas’ robes. It was quiet for a long time before he finally leaned back.

“They’re gone.” he said quietly.

She released a shaky breath. He ran his hand through her hair, and she finally opened her eyes to look up at him. 

“Do you… want to talk about it?” he asked her quietly.

She shook her head before she buried her face in his chest again. He nodded as he embraced her. They had almost made it, but he had gotten her again. She felt dirty again, exposed, flayed open, like she was back there all over again. She had thought she had been safe with the elves, but he was still looking for her. He still wanted her, even after all this time. She would never truly be safe from him. 

---

They returned to the arcane focus and remained there until a servant came to collect them. Annaya was quiet and as Aethas took her hand, he brushed his thumb gently across the back of her knuckles. She hadn’t spoken since they had returned to the safety of the office, but she had cried in his arms while they waited, and he brushed her loose hair out of her face.

“They’re gone now.” he reassured her before they left the office.

She nodded slowly, her fingers tightening in his grasp.

Her heart nearly beat out of her chest as they walked across the promontory to Lor’themar’s tent. She couldn’t help but look around, her eyes wide. Despite his assurances, every sliver of movement looked like an orc waiting, just out of sight in the shadows for her. She stepped closer to Aethas and he whispered to her in Thalassian. She looked up at him with wide eyes, her grip tightening on him.

As they stepped into the regent-lord’s tent, she tried to muster a smile, but it felt hollow. She forced herself to meet Rommath’s eyes and his brow instantly furrowed. He stood up from his chair.

“What happened?” his voice was sharp, and she flinched toward Aethas.

Aethas swallowed nervously. “They forced their way in. We had to… leave. They cornered us near the portal room. He managed to grab her.”

Rommath’s hands began to glow as he moved toward Aethas. “You had one job, Sunreaver. Keep her safe and you couldn’t even-”

“He did.”

Rommath paused, looking at Annaya. She had Aethas’ hand and forearm clasped with both of her hands and she was looking up at the archmage. Aethas looked down at her. 

“He did keep me safe.” She finally turned to look at Rommath.

He felt frozen to the spot. The glow in his hands disappeared as she looked at him. Every shred of anger slipped from him like water through his fingers. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot, and her cheeks were flushed. Whatever had happened had ruined her. His heart quickened in his chest. He should have been there; he should have been the one to protect her.

“The orcs have returned to the mainland,” Lor’themar announced. “We all played our part and got through this…” he looked at Annaya. “Relatively unscathed. Let us rest and tomorrow we can begin the next stage. We move on assaulting the Throne of Thunder. Hellscream is up to something, and it is about time we make the first move.”

Aethas turned to Annaya and said something soft to her in Thalassian. She responded in kind, huffing quietly. Rommath frowned. He hadn’t heard the words but seeing Annaya’s soft smile made his chest tighten. She should have been smiling at him.

She let go of Aethas’ hand and turned to Rommath. “Can we go, please?”

He frowned as the tips of his ears flushed, and he nodded. She waited for him to approach her before she turned into him. Rommath could feel all eyes on him as they left the tent, and it wasn’t until they were outside, and he let himself touch her. He turned suddenly, pulling her into his arms.

She let out a small noise before she wrapped her arms around him. “Rommath…”

“No, don’t speak.” he replied, pressing his nose into her hair. He smelled the scent of frost magic and anger bubbled in his chest.

He took her hand and hurried down the path back toward his tent. He needed to get them out of sight. He had so much he needed to say, and he could feel his chest tightening the longer he kept the words trapped.

He waved a hand, and a few mage lights twinkled on when they were finally inside the safety of his tent. Annaya let go of his hand to wander the room again, as she had done that morning. Rommath frowned, frustrated. He turned away from her, pulling his cowl free. Why was this so hard? She was there, and she was safe, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to say what was inside his chest, nearly bursting through. He dropped the cowl on the desk and turned around.

Notes:

Took a slightly different approach to this chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it! Also, glad some stuff is finally happening!

Things did seem to get a little trope-y but eh, that's okay!

<3

Chapter 19

She stood with her back to him, her arms wrapped around herself. Rommath stepped toward her but stopped. His fingers were outstretched but he pulled them back, suddenly unsure of himself. She seemed suddenly so small, even the air around her seemed to shiver as if afraid.

She sighed before she turned to look at him. Her eyes were red and puffy and her face was flushed. His ears drooped slightly as he reached out for her again. She shifted away from him.

“Annaya-" 

“I…" she sighed once more as her eyes dropped to the floor. “It was him. He was still looking for me, Rommath. He…” she idly touched a spot on her arm and Rommath's eyes darted to it. He felt fire begin to build in his chest and he pushed the beast back. 

“We did everything right and he still found me. Aethas did everything he could but he… he…” her fingers tightened around her arm. “He grabbed me. He was so close. He looked into my eyes." She met Rommath’s gaze. “He’ll never stop hunting me." 

Her voice cracked as she said it. Rommath moved before his brain caught up to his body. Annaya's legs folded under her and he swooped forward to grab her, both of them collapsing down to the floor. He settled back against the side of the bed as he carded his fingers into her hair. She released a deep, heaving sob against him. He felt hot tears hit his neck and collarbone as she cried into his neck. His chest was impossibly tight, and he could barely breathe as he sat holding her.

“He'll never stop, he- he-" 

He shushed her, pressing his lips to the upper shell of her ear. She clawed at his robes, pulling him both closer and pushing him away. “How did he find me here? How did he… how did he know where I was?”

She coughed and hiccupped as she sobbed into his robes. Her breath caught and cracked as she tried to breathe through her tears. “I'm so scared, Rommath, please. I'm so scared, I don't know what to do.”

"Trust in me, Annaya. Trust in me and I swear to you I-” he swallowed around the tightness in his throat. "I will protect you. I won't let him take you. I won't let him touch you ever again. I swear to you." 

He skated his hand over the spot on her arm and she flinched into his chest. He pulled her closer to him as the fingers of his other hand combed through her hair to press against her scalp. Her fingers tightened in his robes as she slowly lifted her face. Her nose brushed against his jaw and he turned his face down toward her. He brushed his fingers across her cheek and her eyes fluttered.

“Do you promise?” She whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I promise,” he replied as he leaned forward to close the distance between them.

As their lips met, time seemed to melt away. The tightness that had wound itself up in a tangled mess in his throat for so long abated. Words and thoughts, feelings and emotions that were twisted spun away from him. So many years of running, so many years of trying to escape and all he wanted to do was there, in that moment. The kiss was tentative but as she sighed into his mouth, he pulled her further onto his lap. She slid her hands up to wrap around the back of his neck as her eyes fluttered closed. He tilted his head to press himself closer, his thumb idly brushing along her cheekbone. Her lips parted as he slid his over hers and he gently pulled her lower lip into his mouth. His teeth grazed her soft skin before he pressed forward again. 

He didn't want to pull back but as he did, he tilted his head to press his forehead against hers. She ran her fingers gently along his face and he watched as she slowly opened her eyes to look up at him. She sniffed as she released a shuddering breath.

“Alah, you are beautiful.” He whispered as he pressed his lips to her forehead.

She huffed quietly as he cupped her face in his hands. Fresh tears escaped her eyes as she blinked and he quickly brushed his thumbs across her cheekbones. She tried to look away but he held her close to him.

"I am nothing,” she shook her head.

Rommath frowned. His voice was quiet in the dim light. "Is that what he told you?”

She looked up at him through her lashes. She opened her mouth to speak but no words were forthcoming. He waited quietly as she stumbled over herself.

"My little flame," he finally drew her lips to his again. She made a small noise in the back of her throat and he felt heat pool low in his belly. The second kiss was long and slow, gentle and warm. He had to force himself to pull back again. 

“He is nothing. That brute who dared to touch you, to hurt you-” he caught himself. He continued to brush his thumbs across her cheekbones. His thoughts trailed to the bruises she once had there. “You are beautiful, and intelligent, and so incredibly brave. He sought to break you but I will do whatever I have to to put you back together. Tell me what I must do.”

She wrapped her fingers around his wrist. “Rommath…”

"No, I need to speak.”

Her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. 

“You… have invaded my thoughts for months now. For so long, I wanted to forget you." He frowned as he said it but his hold on her remained. “I longed to return to my self-imposed prison of solitude, but after Dalaran… I was consumed by my thoughts of you.”

She sniffed as her fingers tightened around his wrists.

"My every thought was about you. Your voice, your eyes, your touch upon my skin. Aethas was right, you should have come with us that day, but I…" he looked up at the ceiling for a moment before meeting her gaze again. “I refused to see what was always in front of me.”

A flush crept up her neck. She suddenly pushed forward into his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.

"I've let you go far too many times, Annaya. No more.”

She laughed quietly as she settled into his arms. He pressed a small kiss to her forehead before he leaned back against the side of the bed. She pressed her nose into his neck and after a while, her breathing became slow and even. He drew his fingers down her arm as his eyes grew heavy. He had been running from his exhaustion for as long as she had been, and he let his eyes slide closed.

---

Year 19, One Year Before the Fall of Quel’Thalas

 

“Come now, Rommath, you must admit, she is certainly attractive for a human.”

Rommath cut a look at the prince. Kael’thas was smiling at him. For a human. This was the same elf who chased Jaina Proudmoore throughout the Citadel, trying to woo her day in and day out. He had the gall to stand before him and pander about the attractiveness of a human. Rommath frowned.

“I told you, Kael, there is nothing there. She was simply being nice.”

Kael’thas scoffed at him as he turned. “Whatever you say then.” He smoothed down the front of his robes. “I will be in Council meetings the rest of the day. Do try to stay out of trouble, will you?”

He glanced back over his shoulder at Rommath, a smirk dancing across his lips. Rommath only glared back at him. When the prince had disappeared into the Chamber of Air, Rommath waited in the hallway for a few moments longer before he sighed. It was hard to deny though, that young apprentice had been popping up more often than he cared to admit. 

It was like she knew where the prince was going to be and she had made it her mission to run across the two of them nearly every day. She was a quiet thing, but whenever Rommath saw her, she always smiled at him. It was… disconcerting. Rommath was not used to smiles from the mages in the towers. He was the silent companion to Prince Kael’thas; he was the one usually ignored or forgotten, and yet… she always made sure to smile at him. Even when Kael’thas took up every inch of space, she always found him.

Rommath scoffed at his thoughts as he stomped out of the tower. Kael would be busy with council duties until later that evening. Perhaps he could entertain himself in the library or maybe he would return to his office to work on correspondence from Silvermoon. Something to take his mind off their conversation. Something to take his mind off that infernal girl.

He was nearly out of the Violet Citadel when he heard arguing. He paused at the top of the stairs. He laid his hand on the railing and leaned over to see one of the arcane professors yelling at an apprentice. He cocked his head slightly; normally, the handling of the apprentices would be an afterthought to him, but the young girl currently being yelled at had dark red hair and was clutching a tome between her arms. 

“I don’t expect much from you, Dawnfire,” the professor sighed. “I expect the bare minimum actually, but at some point, you will be expected to produce something of substance. Pick a school, choose an element, find a particular spell that you fancy. Something, anything. Rhonin selected you as an apprentice for a reason, yet I have not seen that reason. Do not shame him by performing worse than even I would have thought possible for a person of your… station.”

Rommath watched the girl flinch at the professor’s words. “I u-understand, my lord. I will endeavor to not disappoint you any further.”

The professor stood before the girl for another long moment before he threw up his hands and stormed off. Rommath could see the poor human clearly from his position and he watched her stare down at the floor, her fingers trailing along the edge of her tome before she glanced around nervously. The rest of the mages paid her no mind and she pulled the hood of her robes over her head before she hurried out of the tower.

He should have continued on his way and forgotten about the interaction, but something in the back of his mind told him to follow her. She hurried down the busy street and he nearly lost her in the crowd but her dark blue hood made it easy to follow. He paused as she turned down the alleyway.

He knew he shouldn’t be there. He should have turned and gone up the street long ago but his curiosity was getting the better of him. He glanced over his shoulder as he slowly approached the end of the alley. He would just check on her, ensure she was alright, and then be on his way.

He heard a soft voice and peered out of the shadows. The alleyway opened out into a small park and he saw the girl kneeling in the grass with her back to him. There was a small arcane elemental in front of her and he watched as it twirled around before an image appeared. A tall woman with dark red hair appeared. She smiled softly down at the girl before she began to speak.

“Oh, Annaya, hello my sweet girl!”

Rommath watched as Annaya pushed her hood back, off her head and looked up. “Hello, mother, I’ve missed you.”

Her voice was quiet and Rommath had to strain to hear her.

“How have things been in Dalaran?”

Annaya sighed as she looked down at the grass. “The same as they’ve always been…” She looked up. “How is Papa?”

“He is well. His knees ache in the cold weather, but he does what he can. He visits the healer almost every day but you know how stubborn he is.”

Annaya smiled before she sighed. The image wavered and Rommath realized with a start that it was a recording. Annaya wasn’t talking to a real person. His heart tightened in his chest. 

“Mama, I want to come home.”

The image smiled down at her as it rippled along the edges. “Oh my little flame, you are so strong. You will do great things in Dalaran. We know you will.”

“But how? I am nothing here! I’m never given a chance-”

The image continued to smile at her. “We believe in you, Annaya. You will make us both proud one day.”

“Mama, please… don’t leave. I-I miss you both so much.”

Rommath watched as the image wavered again before it disappeared. The arcane elemental stood, staring up at the young girl for a moment before she waved it away with a huff. She sat on the grass, her head in her hands. He didn’t know what to do. His fingertips tightened on the edge of the alley wall. He was normally so sure of himself and yet, as he stood there watching the young girl come apart, alone, he felt just as lost as her.

He turned and walked away.

---

Present Day

 

Rommath wasn't entirely sure how long they had been sitting there but he jerked awake when Annaya shifted in his arms. He looked down to see dark green eyes flecked with gold looking up at him and he smiled softly.

She leaned forward and he met her in a gentle kiss. Her lips were soft and the kiss was slow. Rommath felt himself getting lost in her. He cupped the back of her head gently to draw her even closer to him.

She finally pulled back, her eyes fluttering open. She yawned, stretching her arms over her head as she sat up. 

“Perhaps you’d like the bed a bit more?” he asked quietly.

She tensed, turning to look at him slowly.

“Just to sleep,” he assured her with a small smile. She flushed as she returned it after a moment.

She finally nodded with a small smile and he helped her to her feet. She sat on the edge of the bed to remove her shoes before she looked up at him. He watched her, again unsure of himself. He wanted to reach out to her, to feel her lips against his again, but something about the way she was holding herself…

He sat next to her on the bed. She tensed before she exhaled slowly and turned to look up at him. 

“Annaya, I will never do anything you don’t want. You need only say the word.”

She leaned into him, and he lifted his hand to cup her cheek. She released a shuddering breath. “I know.”

---

Rommath stepped inside the Regent-lord’s tent. Halduron raised an eyebrow at him from over the edge of his bourbon glass.

“Really, Brightwing? Drinking at this hour?” he scoffed as he took his seat across from the Ranger-general.

Halduron raised an eyebrow back at him as he leaned back in his chair. “You’re one to judge, Grand Magister. We are fighting a war, you know.” He glanced behind Rommath. “You’re alone this fine morning?”

Rommath’s ears twitched as he narrowed his eyes. “Annaya will be along shortly. We met Aethas on our way. He wanted to speak with her and I felt it prudent to give them some time alone, given the events of yesterday.”

He watched Halduron sit up a little straighter at the mention of Aethas. He wanted to roll his eyes but held himself back. Annaya really was rubbing off on him.

“You didn’t hurry them along?” Halduron asked.

“I am not their keeper, Brightwing-”

Lor’themar cleared his throat and both advisors looked at him. He set his quill down and began to organize the stack of parchment on his desk. They sat in silence for a few moments before they heard Annaya and Aethas enter the room. Rommath turned and he couldn’t help the flush that began to heat his neck as her eyes met his.

“Finally, our two archmages have joined us. We can begin.” 

Aethas ducked his head as his cheeks flushed. He moved to stand next to Halduron, who glanced behind him for a moment before refocusing on Lor’themar. Annaya took a few steps closer to Rommath. He wanted to reach out to her, and he flexed his fingers before he gripped the armrest of his chair. Even his magic seemed to try to reach out for her. His ears twitched as he felt her hand brush against his arm.

“We have had one too many close calls with Hellscream. Our contingent of scouts on the mainland has sent back some alarming reports and you are all well aware of what occurred in the Promontory yesterday. Hellscream says he wants to move as a united Horde front, but it is safe to believe that he is now moving on his own. He has been working to infiltrate the Throne of Thunder behind our backs. It is time that we do the same.”

The Regent-lord looked at everyone in the room. “There is no option for failure. Hellscream will destroy everything in his path. If we do not make it to the Throne of Thunder before he does, we will lose this war before it has even begun. You all know the parts you play. I expect only the best from you. We will prepare to move north today, I want us all ready to go as soon as possible. There is no more time to delay.”

He nodded and everyone turned to leave. Rommath stood from his chair, his fingers shifting to interlace with Annaya’s. She met his gaze.

“We have some time. Come with me, please?”

His voice was soft but he tilted his head toward the entrance. She nodded once and he led her out. There was still so much he needed to say. He led her toward the shoreline.

Notes:

Oh, this one made me nervous!

If you noticed, I added a tentative end number of chapters. This is give or take a couple of chapters, as I'm still deciding if I want to split Throne of Thunder and Siege of Orgrimmar into two parts each (four total). I just wanted to give you all a general idea of how much longer we have! We are nearing the home stretch, and I truly hope we can stick the landing!

Thank you all again for taking this journey with me!

Chapter 20

Rommath led her away from the encampment. They walked along the path and past the bench they had visited before. The sun sparkled across the water and a gentle breeze blew soft waves against the shoreline.

“Rommath, where are we going, we have to prepare-”

He turned back to her suddenly, and she had to stumble to a halt to avoid running into him. His fingers tightened around hers and she looked up at him with a small smile.

“We have time,” he said quietly. “We can let the others handle things for a while. I wanted to talk a little more.” His throat was tight, like before, but he pushed past it.

“Of course.”

They walked along the shoreline in silence.

“Annaya," Rommath finally said. “You know, I have always wondered about you.” He mulled the words over in his mouth for a moment. “How a human commoner was able to afford an education with the Kirin Tor.”

She turned her head away to watch the water gently lap at the shore. “My father was a paladin of the Silver Hand when he was a younger man, before his injuries forced him to retire to the countryside of Lordaeron. He became close friends with Tirion Fordring and the Highlord would sometimes visit us for holidays.

“He was visiting for Winter’s Veil one year, just before I turned sixteen. That’s when he discovered me.” She turned back to look at Rommath. “He told my father that I had this… great power within me and that I needed proper mentorship. My parents couldn’t afford to send me to Dalaran on their own, so Tirion did it as a favor to them.”

She scoffed before she looked back out over the water. “My apprenticeship to Rhonin was also done as a favor. I don’t know what was said between the two, but I remember Tirion taking me to visit him when we arrived in the city. Rhonin didn’t take just anyone as an apprentice, but he took me.”

Rommath’s brow furrowed slightly. “Could it have been because he saw something in you, even at such a young age? Rhonin was a smart man.”

She shrugged. “Perhaps. He never told me his true motivations and I was too afraid to ask.”

Rommath took her hand and pulled her back toward him. She looked up at him. “Little flame, do you really think an archmage such as Rhonin would have taken you as his apprentice if you hadn’t deserved it?”

She tried to look away, but he cupped her cheek gently to encourage to look back at him. She finally shook her head. “No, I suppose not.”

“Good. You were worthy of being in Dalaran. No one can ever take that from you.” His chest tightened as he said it. The words echoed in his head, a reminder even to himself.

He shifted his hand around to interlace their fingers and they continued up the shoreline for a while.

"I did think about you, you know, after I left Dalaran. My mind was a whirlwind as I traveled to Silvermoon, but I did wonder if that young human woman would be alright.” He looked back at her with a soft smile. "I had fully intended to come find you when I returned to the city but… things did not turn out quite as we had hoped.” He released a sad laugh. “I left for Outland with Kael’thas so soon after the attack; things moved so quickly for everyone." 

She nodded in understanding. “I know." 

“I would be lying if I said that Kael’thas allowed for any room for anyone else but I was swept up in it all; swept up in him. It wasn't until I was sent back to Silvermoon that I finally began to see things clearly again.”

She reached out to touch his free hand. "You don't have to talk about it-”

He shook his head. "No, I need to say this. I should have reached out to you somehow. A message or… something. You deserved at least something . It wasn't fair for you to be left alone.”

"I wasn't alone forever. Aethas came to Dalaran." 

Rommath scoffed. “Sunreaver… hardly an improvement.”

Annaya cocked her head. "That's not fair. Aethas means well and he did so much for the Horde in the city.”

He finally sighed. “I… Perhaps I am too hard on him.” 

She glanced sidelong at him. “You are, and you know it. Give him a chance. He might just surprise you.”

They looked at each other for a long moment before she stepped forward to embrace him. Rommath immediately wrapped his arms around her before pressing his nose into her hair. The tightness in his chest began to release as he held her and he took a long, deep breath. 

It felt nice, standing there with her. A gentle breeze blew along the water, rustling their robes and causing her hair to tickle his nose. He didn’t want to move, but he could hear the clanking of armor and weapons and he knew they would have to leave soon.

“Little flame.”

She made a small noise as she tightened her grip on his robes. He chuckled quietly. “We have to return to the encampment.”

“Can we just stay here a little longer?”

“Of course we can.”

---

The Throne of Thunder was a massive, sprawling citadel that sat at the north end of the isle. As Annaya sat atop the hawkstrider, she felt a shiver of dread skate down her spine. This was the fortress they were about to assault? The Thunder King was behind those walls? It all seemed preposterous. The idea that they would not only be able to fight across the massive battlefield filled with trolls, Alliance, and Mogu, but then all break through the walls before defeating a massive god-like monster, seemed absolutely ludicrous to her. She glanced to her left to see Rommath atop his own hawkstrider. His eyes were glued to the massive front gates of the citadel down in the valley below them.

Lor’themar’s hawkstrider stepped up next to her, with Halduron and Aethas on his far side. “This is the final push. There is no room for failure. The Zandalari and the Alliance will try to stop us every step of the way, but we will not fail .” He pushed his hawkstrider forward slightly.

“I have complete faith in all of you to get us through those gates.” He swept his eye from advisor to advisor and Annaya felt a shiver run through her again. “Get us into that citadel.”

He turned his mount around and set off down the side of the hill. Halduron and Aethas set off after him. Annaya sat for a moment, watching the Sin’dorei forces begin to advance. 

“Annaya?”

She jumped slightly. Rommath was watching her, his bright fel-fire eyes settled on hers.

“I’m… okay.”

“You don’t have to do this, you know. No one will think any less of you if you need to return to the Promontory.”

She shook her head quickly as she tightened her grip on the reins. “No… no, I can do this.” She kicked her heels and the hawkstrider set off down the hill.

 

She left her hawkstrider at the base of the hill. Rommath kept close to her as they moved closer to the walls of the citadel. The Zandalari were occupied by the Sin’dorei and Annaya moved quickly around the small pockets on the flatland. Lor’themar, Halduron, and Aethas had disappeared past the outer walls, each splitting off to fight their own battles. Rommath had stayed close by her and they were covering ground quickly. He had wanted her to use the orb to disguise her physical appearance but she had shrugged him off.

“No, I will no longer hide myself.” she shook her head as he reached for the glamour.

“Annaya, this isn’t a joke-” Rommath huffed.

“I know it isn’t.” She cut him off. She took the orb from him and slid it back into her pocket. “You were the one that told me that I mattered. That I was worthy.”

He exhaled heavily through his nose. “Anar’alah, you are, surfal, but the glamour is for your safety. It is not a matter of your worth. I simply could not stand to see you hurt.”

She reached up to caress his cheek. His ears twitched slightly. The sounds of the ensuing battle seemed to fade away, if only for a moment. “Then stay close to me, my love.”

She turned to join the fray and he moved quickly behind her. The beast within him roared to life as fire wreathed his fingers. It had been ages since he had joined a proper battle, but with each fireball that he threw, he felt the years of being chained behind a desk melt away. With every pull of the magic within him, each missive and meeting that he had been forced to attend passed into the shadows. After so many years of hiding in the shadows of nobility, he finally felt alive. He was a proper magister again; the Grand Magister.

A massive troll came barreling toward him and he spun out from under its arms to toss a barrage of firebolts at him. His eyes seemed to glow brighter as he held his hands above him for a moment before pulling fire from the sky directly down on top of the troll. He watched it scream and thrash as it burned before he turned to refocus on another advancing troll.

He raised his hands to conjure a fireball when he caught movement from the corner of his eye. He turned to see a troll running at him, an axe raised high over its head. His eyes widened as he realized he didn’t have time to move out of the way when suddenly he watched as a fireball hit the troll square in the chest.

He paused. The fireball had been wreathed in frost magic. He smirked as he turned to see Annaya nearby. She cocked her head before she snapped her fingers and another frostfire ball appeared in the palm of her hand.

Rommath watched as she stepped in front of him and tossed the frostfire ball at the troll still advancing on them. It hit the troll in the shoulder, knocking it off balance. The creature roared in pain and she quickly threw another one, which hit it in the mouth. Its head snapped back and they both watched as it fell backward. The ice splintered along the troll’s skin and it released a shuddering breath before it lay still.

She turned to him, her hand outstretched toward him. He took it, pulling her in toward him as he rose to his feet.

“Grand Magister,” she laughed as he traced her cheek. “This is hardly the place.”

She spun out of his arms and he watched as she returned to the fray. He watched her as his heart hammered in his chest. The feeling was… foreign to him and he frowned slightly.

They continued to dance around trolls as they moved toward the walls. Rommath kept Annaya in his peripheral vision but she seemed at ease in the chaos. Her magic came smoothly to her, the frostfire vibrant in her hands. The beast within roared almost happily as it seemed to feed not only him, but her as well. With each body that dropped to the ground at their feet, he felt heat pool within him. The longer he spent near Annaya, the more he yearned for her. He wanted to be away from the battlefield, just the two of them. Alone.

Finally, they crossed the outer wall. Annaya caught sight of Lor’themar and a group of Sin’dorei warriors advancing toward the front gate of the citadel. She grabbed Rommath’s hand and together they hurried toward them. They arrived just as a group of Alliance soldiers cut the group off.

“Stop right there!”

The voice sent a chill through Annaya. Memories of Dalaran and Orgrimmar rolled through her and she skidded to a stop at the rear of the group.

Jaina?

She watched as Jaina Proudmoore stepped to the front of the group of Alliance soldiers. Lor’themar drew his sword as he stepped forward and squared his feet.

“Hand over the Archmage and I may let you walk out of here with your life, Lor’themar.” Jaina demanded as she stomped forward, her staff out in front of her.

Annaya froze for a moment until she realized Jaina hadn’t noticed her yet. The other human was glaring directly at Aethas, who was standing next to Lor’themar in the front of the group.

“Proudmoore!” Lor’themar ignored the demand as he waved his sword in front of him. “Release my people from the Violet Hold or I will cut you down myself!”

“They are prisoners of war! They orchestrated an attack on Darnassus from my city-”

“The Sunreavers are innocent in all of this! Hellscream is to blame for the raid on Darnassus!”

Annaya swallowed as she shook her head. Every thought that had crashed to the front of her mind was tangled up but she pushed it away as anger bubbled to the surface. Jaina still seemed to be fueled by her hatred of the Horde, but the Sin’dorei were innocent. Annaya had turned her back on everything because of her belief in their innocence; she would not stand there any long and allow her to spew this hatred. No longer.

She pushed her way to the front of the group as Lor’themar pointed his sword at Jaina. Rommath tried to grab her to stop her but she shook off his hand.

“Jaina! When will it be enough?” Annaya yelled as she came to stand next to Lor’themar.

Jaina’s eyes widened. “Annaya? Is… is that really you? What are you doing here? I thought you were… we all thought-”

“Thought that I was dead?” Annaya growled as she clenched her fists. “I would be, if it wasn’t for Lor’themar and the Sin’dorei. He saved me from the orcs. Thanks to you banishing me from Dalaran, I was taken and…” she swallowed before she pushed herself forward. She would not hide any longer. “Tortured. I should be dead.”

“Annaya, the blood elves are the enemy. They sought to destroy-”

Annaya sneered. “They sought nothing. They were innocent victims in all of this, just like you and I. How many times must you hear it before you start listening?”

Jaina was quiet for a long moment. “Annaya, come back to Dalaran. I remove the verdict; you will no longer be imprisoned. You belong with your own people.”

Annaya barked a laugh. “My own people? My own people turned their back on me when I needed them. It was the Sin’dorei that took me in when I had nothing… when I was nothing.”

She felt movement behind her and the gentle press of magic against her skin. Rommath had come to stand behind her. She swallowed around her nerves.

“Jaina, you have been blinded by your hatred of the Horde for so long. Hellscream is the enemy, our enemy. He is using all of us as pawns in this game of his.”

Jaina’s brow furrowed as she thought. 

“Jaina, we must work together if we are to defeat him. If we are to avenge the innocents that have died in this senseless war.”

Annaya’s eyes shifted down as Jaina’s hand tightened around her staff.

“Rangers, lower your weapons.” Lor’themar suddenly said. Annaya glanced at him but his gaze was locked on Jaina.

The archmage exhaled slowly through her nose before she held up her hand. “Very well then. We will stand down.”

“Thank you, Jaina.” Annaya bowed her head. Jaina looked at her with a glare.

“I didn’t do this for you, Annaya.” She turned back to Lor’themar. “Know this. There can be no peace while Hellscream remains Warchief of the Horde.”

Lor’themar smirked as he re-sheathed his sword. “That is precisely why I am glad today is ending the way it is.”

He turned back to the group. “We will gather our wounded and return to the harbor. We have made significant headway and can reconvene tomorrow to make the final push into the citadel.”

Annaya turned to look back at the Alliance soldiers dissipating one more time before Rommath touched her hip gently. She looked up at him.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

She nodded. “I will be. I…” she frowned as she tried to find the right words. “I wasn’t expecting things to end up that way.”

He smiled softly. “We often do not expect them to. But I think it was for the best.”

“I think so too.”

As they followed the rest of the group away from the entrance, Annaya felt the tangle of emotions begin to unweave itself. She couldn’t explain how she felt and she looked back one more time before she hurried after Rommath and the group.

Notes:

Used some in-game dialog at the end there but changed things up enough that I think it still worked out.
Also, had to get my feelings about Jaina and her feelings out.

Anyway, as always, I hope you enjoy, and I am so grateful for your support!

Translations:
Anar'alah: By the Light
Surfal: Love

Chapter 21

Lor’themar turned to everyone as they entered the Promontory. “Halduron, Rommath, I would have a private word with both of you in my office.” 

He scanned the group for a moment. “You all did very well out there. We are one step closer to the Throne of Thunder and defeating Lei Shen. Get some rest; your new orders will come soon.”

He turned and walked further into the camp. Annaya stood for a moment, rubbing her hands along her arms as she thought. Jaina’s words still echoed in her head.

You belong with your own people.

Her brow furrowed at the thought. Her own people. It had been months since she had last been with her people; months since she had been labeled a traitor to the Alliance; months since… she swallowed as she shook her head.

“Annaya?”

She turned to see Rommath watching her. She tried to smile at him but it faltered as her eyes fell.

“What is it? What is wrong?” he stepped up close to her and she tensed, despite herself.

She shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just… just thoughts.”

He reached out to touch her elbow and she shifted to face him, moving away from his hand. “The Regent-lord will be waiting for you. You should go.”

“He will be fine for now. You are my priority.”

She forced herself to look up at him. His fel-fire eyes were bright and a shiver skated down her spine. She wanted to reach out to him, to feel his touch again. She wanted to kiss him again, but something stopped her. It wasn’t the thought that they were in public, he had already spurred on plenty of rumors for the both of them. She frowned as she tried to name the feeling.

“I will wait for you after you finish your meeting.” she finally forced out, giving him a small smile.

He tilted his head toward her as he raised his hand to cup her cheek. As his fingers touched her skin, she flinched slightly. His hand froze.

“Annaya-”

“Just go, I will wait for you.” she repeated, barely able to keep the waver out of her voice.

He frowned as watched her a moment longer before he turned and followed Lor’themar. She stood on the path, trying to calm her breathing. Her thoughts were running wild and her heart was hammering in her chest. She needed to get out of there. She needed to get somewhere safe.

---

The Reliquary had set up a small library in the Promontory where they stored a selection of Mogu texts and documents. As Annaya stepped across the threshold she glanced around for the caretaker.

“Hello? Is anyone here?” she called out. There was no answer and she released a sigh of relief. The last thing she needed was for anyone to see her lose control of herself. 

She waved a hand and a small group of mage lights twinkled to life above her as she moved to the bookshelves at the back of the room. The books were organized by discovery date and title, and she found what she was looking for quickly.

She pulled the Mogu text off the shelf and dropped it onto the large table in the center of the room. She flipped it open and began to skim the pages. The text was entirely in Mogu and she searched for keywords as she read. She was looking for anything related to Lei Shen or the Thunder King, anything that might give them the edge once they breached the main gate.

She sighed as she closed the book before immediately searching for another one. There had to be something in the texts she had documented; something that could help them. She had to be… useful.

She paused. 

Useful. Worthy. Important.

Why was she thinking these things? She shook her head as she opened the second tome and began to scan the pages. Her eyes shifted from word to word as she translated each symbol in her head.

A teardrop suddenly hit the page and she started slightly in surprise. She rubbed her face, and as she pulled her hand back, it was wet. Was she crying?

As she sat at the table, staring at her hand, her chest suddenly tightened. Everything she had been running from, everything she had been refusing to face came crashing down against her.

She had turned her back on her people. She had abandoned them, and for what? The thought of a dream that died when Aethas had left Dalaran. She was one little girl, what could she do in the vast ocean of Azeroth? Garrosh Hellscream was the Warchief, and his general would stop at nothing to find her and tear her apart. He already had torn her apart. 

She would never sleep peacefully through the night, she could never again walk alone in the dark, she would never feel the touch of a man without the fear of being struck, she would never sleep with a lover without panic gripping her heart. She was broken in every way, even as she tried to deny it over and over. She could never see herself as anything more than broken pieces.

A sob suddenly burst from her chest as the realization hit her. What did she have left to offer? What good was she?

Her eyes were clouded over with tears as she sobbed at the table. She tried to catch her breath, to reel herself back in, but it seemed like the more she tried to contain herself, the harder she cried.

Hands suddenly grabbed her, spinning her around and then she was enveloped by the warmth of fire. She choked and hiccupped as she pulled at Rommath’s robes, but he held her tight to him.

“Annaya, it’s me. It’s only me.” He whispered against her hair. “Tell me, please. Tell me what is going on.”

“No, I… I can’t.” she ground out as she clenched her teeth. 

“Yes, you can.” he pulled back slightly to press his forehead against hers gently as he cupped her cheek.

“I…” she huffed as she pulled away from him.

He let her go. He watched her turn back to the table and place her head in her hands. 

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” she finally whispered. “Everything was fine and then… I just… I don’t know.” 

She turned back to him. Her heart was hammering against her ribcage as she looked at him. He was… so beautiful, she wanted to reach out to him. As she looked into his bright, sharp eyes, she realized she wanted him to hold her, to kiss her, to make love to her, but she was…

“Why me?” she finally asked.

His ears twitched. “What do you mean?”

“Why do you want me?”

He frowned. “What kind of question is that? I have already told you.”

Her eyes fell to the floor between them and Rommath paused as his anger fled from him.

“Annaya,” he reached out for her and she let him take her hand in his. He slotted their fingers together slowly before he ran his other hand down along her shoulder. He frowned again as he began to sort through the words in his head. 

“Annaya,” he began again as he stepped closer to her. She tensed slightly before relaxing. “You saw me, when I was merely a shadow. I stood behind Kael’thas for years, acting as his voice but never being heard.”

Their eyes met for a long moment and she released a shuddering breath. “You heard me. You saw me. When everyone else would have passed me off as the prince’s herald, his right hand – and nothing more than that – you cared more about me than you probably should have.”

She huffed softly.

“I was so blind and it wasn’t until I left Dalaran that I finally saw the truth. It wasn’t until it was too late that I truly understood. Annaya, I…” he wanted to finish the sentence, but the words refused to move any further.

He had only ever spoken them once before and they had been dashed across the rocks that day in Outland. As he looked into her dark green eyes, he longed to say them again to her, but they refused to move from where they were rooted in his throat.

So, instead he leaned forward to rest his forehead against hers again. “I want you because you are the first person in so long that never compared me to him.”

She pressed forward to kiss him and he wrapped his arms around her. He held her to him as their kiss deepened and he pulled her into him. She was warm and his magic rumbled to life as it surged forward to envelop her. She made a small noise in her throat before she finally pulled back.

“I’m sorry-”

He shook his head quickly as he cupped her cheek. “No. No apologies. Never apologize to me.”

She huffed again. They stood together in the dim light of the library for a while longer. No words were spoken as he brushed his thumbs along her cheeks to dry her face. Her eyes drifted closed as she allowed herself to be touched. The thought remained in the back of her mind that she was still dirty but the way he touched her sent shivers through her. He was so gentle and kind and loving .

“Tell me, Little flame, what drew you to the library?” he finally pulled back to ask.

She sniffed before she turned back to the table. Her fingers were still interlaced with his and he smiled behind his cowl.

“I wanted to search for anything I could find on the Thunder King. The Reliquary has done remarkable work excavating artifacts and tomes since coming out here to the Isle, and I just know there has to be something hidden in one of these books.”

“Have you had any success so far?”

She shook her head. “No, I was… swept up before I could find anything of use.”

He glanced over at her and her eyes darted away from him. He leaned closer to her. “Surfal, when this is over, I am going to take you somewhere magical. Somewhere only for the two of us. Where no one will disturb us so that you can finally heal.”

She took a deep breath as she bit her cheek. She wouldn’t cry again but a great bubble moved through her chest at his words. Her head felt like it was in the clouds and she blinked quickly to force back a new wave of tears.

She looked back down at the book. “You know I cannot read Mogu, so you will have to translate for me.”

She smiled at him before she began to skim the pages. She picked out important words and phrases and they went, moving through that book and two more before they found anything that warranted a second look.

“Lei Shen employed someone named… Forgemaster Deng who helped him unlock the power of two powerful weapons, the Fist of Ra-den , and the Highkeeper’s Ward . These weapons were eventually crafted into the…” she frowned as she slowly translated the symbols in her head. “The Thunder Forge.”

“The Thunder Forge?” Rommath breathed as he began to pace.

She nodded. “These were what he used to arm his troops, as well as himself…” she trailed off as she turned the page. “Well, now that is interesting.”

“What is it?”

She glanced up at him. “This says he was killed in a great battle against the Pandaren monks of old.”

“Well, no that cannot be correct. We wouldn’t be here if Lei Shen was dead.” Rommath frowned.

She turned another page and continued to skim. The pages had become an inventory of Lei Shen’s troops and riches that he had supposedly left behind after his death. It was an odd telling, and as she continued down the page, her brow continued to furrow.

“Can you-” she paused as she looked up at him. She had never asked him to do anything for her, but as their eyes met, he waited patiently for her next words. “Rommath, could you get me the next book in the series?”

His eyes softened as he nodded and turned to the bookshelf. She watched him bend over to search the shelf. It was such an odd sight, watching the Grand Magister do something a servant would normally do; something she would normally do. And yet, he had offered it freely and willingly.

He finally turned back to her, a large tome in his hands. She smiled at him as he placed it on the table and sat down next to her. His knee brushed hers and she felt a shiver run through her.

She opened the tome and skimmed the first few pages. “Ok, this makes sense.” She glanced at him quickly. “Lei Shen did die, but the Zandalari resurrected him on the… Isle of Reckoning.” she looked up at Rommath. “Which brings us to where we are today.”

“I do enjoy a good history lesson, Little flame, but how is this all going to help us defeat him?”

She frowned before she looked back down at the book. She turned a few pages as she skimmed the symbols on the pages.

“Hah! Here it is,” she pointed to a large series of symbols. “These symbols here talk about Lei Shen taking the power of a titan keeper for himself. It warped and twisted him beyond recognition, but it also gave him the power to rule over Pandaria for so long. When the Zandalari resurrected him, this…” she tilted her head slightly as she tried to translate the symbols. “Heart became even more twisted.”

She stood up from her chair suddenly. “Rommath, I think that’s the key to defeating him.”

Rommath frowned as he tried to follow Annaya’s train of thought. “His… heart?”

She nodded. “Yes, if we destroy his heart, we destroy him, once and for all.”

“My love, how are we supposed to destroy the heart of a Titan-God?”

She felt a flush begin to creep up her neck. She cleared her throat after a moment. “There must be something we can do? Some way to ensure it’s gone forever?”

Rommath felt his chest swell as he watched her. Annaya was so fragile, but to see her so immersed in the language and the puzzle before him… reminded him of the past. Their past. It reminded him of Dalaran.

“Perhaps we should take this to the Regent-lord? He may have some insight to offer that we are unaware of.”

She exhaled slowly through her nose before nodding. “You’re right. I got so carried away-”

Rommath suddenly reached out to touch her cheek again. She jumped slightly, but it wasn’t out of fear. She gripped his wrist gently.

“This is wonderful work, my love.” He leaned forward to kiss her.

She gripped the back of his head tightly as she was suddenly overwhelmed for a moment. He slid his hand down to lace his fingers with hers as they parted before he slid the book towards her. 

“We should probably bring this with us.”

She nodded as she grabbed it and pulled it close to her chest. She met his eyes once more before he led her out of the library.

---

Lor’themar sat quietly at his desk as Annaya recounted everything she had read to Rommath. The Grand Magister stood close behind her as he listened. The Ranger-general sat, lounged in his chair with an eyebrow raised at the two of them. Rommath shot him a pointed glare but said nothing as Annaya spoke. 

“So, we believe that once the Thunder King’s heart is destroyed – fully and completely – only then will he himself be destroyed for good.”

Lor’themar tapped his fingers on his desk as he pondered over her words. “This is wonderful work, Lady Dawnfire, and I think I may know just how we can ensure Lei Shen’s death this time around.”

“If I may ask, my lord… what do you have in mind?”

He stood up, clasping his hands behind his back. “Do you know who the Black Prince is, Annaya?”

She frowned. “The Black Prince… Wrathion? The only black dragon alive who wasn’t somehow driven to madness by Neltharion’s corruption? Of course, I have heard of him, but I fail to see how he can help us.”

Lor’themar smirked at her. “Well, my dear, Wrathion has been here in Pandaria conducting his own… research and I do believe he would be most interested in something like this heart.”

“Is he near? Can we contact him?” Annaya asked.

“My spies have already been in touch, do not worry on that front. We can coordinate our efforts to get him the heart once we have breached the citadel.”

“What would he want with the heart?”

Lor’themar cocked his head slightly. “Wrathion has been… quite busy here in Pandaria. He was instrumental in Deathwing’s destruction and while he may be young, I think he has quite a lot to offer us.”

Annaya frowned as she bowed her head. “I will defer to your judgment, of course, my lord.”

He nodded before he looked down at the book on his desk. “Yes, this is wonderful work, Annaya.”

He looked up at her and she felt a shiver run down her spine. She smiled at him as her stomach twisted. It had been a long time since she had been praised for her work and she had believed it. 

“Halduron, Rommath, prepare the troops. We will leave for the Throne of Thunder at sunrise. Annaya, I trust you will not need this tome to complete your translations?”

She shook her head quickly. “No, my lord! I have most of the language memorized, but for what I don’t I have this." She pulled a small notebook from her pocket.

He nodded. “Good. Our assault begins soon. I want everyone prepared. There’s no telling what we’ll find on the other side of those walls.”

He met Rommath’s eyes for a brief moment and the Grand Magister gave the faintest nod. Whatever was on the other side of those walls, they would be ready.

Notes:

I completely forgot about Wrathion until I was nearly done with this chapter 😅, so if he seems a little shoehorned in here, that's why, but I promise it will all work out!

Annaya and Rommath really need to sit down and have some time for their feelings... but you know how war goes sometimes! At least, they should be leaving Pandaria soon...

Chapter 22

Notes:

It's really hard to translate raid content into a coherent story...

“Are you ready to end this?”

Annaya turned to see Rommath approaching her. She had been watching the Sin’dorei forces marching down the hill toward the Throne of Thunder as they filed into neat ranks. The gates of the citadel open and destroyed before them. Bodies from earlier battles littered the field around them. Zandalari, Horde, and Alliance forces were strewn about; it was a gruesome sight, and she would be lying if she tried to deny that it made her stomach turn.

She smiled back as the Grand Magister approached her. He held his staff in one hand and it glowed softly with a red light. His robes were ornately decorated in the red and gold Sin’dorei battle regalia, but the lower half of his face was still covered by his usual cowl. As she looked up at him, his eyes scanned the field over her shoulder.

“More than ready,” she replied as she held up her palm. A ball of frostfire appeared in her hand for a moment before she closed her fist, dissipating the magic. She had changed into a long sleeved red robe with gold trim; her own battle regalia.

“It is remarkable,” he said quietly. Their eyes met and she could see the corners of his eyes tighten as he smiled. “How well your magic is healing.”

“I have you to thank for that.” she replied softly.

Rommath opened his mouth to reply but Lor’themar and Halduron walked by them down the hill. He turned to watch them take their place in front of the troops. Rommath tilted his head slightly and Annaya turned to follow him. The Regent-lord and Ranger-general made their way to the far end of the formation and the eyes of every troop seemed to follow them.

Lor’themar turned and motioned for the troops to move out when Annaya caught the purple and gold banners of Dalaran at the top of the far hill. They had been waiting for the Kirin Tor and, as it seemed their way, they arrived at the last possible moment.

Lor’themar turned to greet Jaina and her entourage as they stepped forward.

“Lady Proudmoore, so good of you to finally join us.” The Regent-lord greeted her with a smile and slight nod of his head. He held out his hands in a show of peace and she swept her eyes over him and the troops behind him.

“Lord Theron, thank you for agreeing to this joint venture. We are ready to move; let’s get this over with so that we can turn our attention to the real enemy.”

Annaya scoffed quietly. The real enemy. She knew exactly who Jaina thought that was. It was true that Hellscream was a threat to everyone but it didn’t warrant flat out ignoring Lei Shen. The Thunder King was a threat to everyone on Azeroth. If he managed to take over Pandaria, he had more than enough power to make it across the sea to Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. He would most definitely take over the world.

Rommath shifted next to her. She knew he agreed with her assessment. She had kept her notebook close to her and he had asked her about it on the trek back to the gates of the citadel earlier that day. 

 

“How much power does he truly have?” Rommath asked as their hawkstriders walked side by side.

“Immeasurable power.” She replied as she flipped to the bookmarked page of her notebook. “He stole the heart of a titan keeper. With enough energy, he could consume the entire world.”

Rommath mulled her words over quietly before he looked around at the troops. “Do we even have the forces to defeat him?”

She glanced over at him. “We have to. There is no other option. If we don’t defeat him then everything we know and love,” she met his gaze for a moment before looking away. “Will be destroyed.”

They settled into a comfortable silence as they continued to follow the troops. He looked over at her again and she glanced back at him with a smirk.

 

“Of course, Lady Proudmoore. Let us end this quickly so we may turn our attention to other matters.” Lor’themar replied before he drew his sword from its sheath. 

He turned to the Sin’dorei warriors that waited behind him. He yelled to them in Thalassian as he raised his sword over his head. The troops replied in the same tongue and Annaya felt her heart flutter. They echoed the battle cry before stepping off down the hill. The Kirin Tor waited a moment before they fell into step and melted into one large group with the blood elves.

Annaya shifted closer to Rommath. He didn’t look at her but she felt the light press of magic against her arm. A Kirin Tor soldier looked over at her and she met his eyes. She no longer used the orb to hide her true form and his eyes narrowed as he took at her red and gold robes. She could almost make out his sneer under his helmet before he turned away from her.

“Do not trouble yourself with the opinions of the ones who cast you aside, Little Flame.” Rommath whispered to her.

She looked back at him. “I’ll endeavor to try, my lord.”

He looked sideways at her and she only returned the look with a smirk.

 

Getting into the citadel was less difficult than she had anticipated. The sheer volume of soldiers between the Sindorei and Kirin Tor made quick work of the guards and ground troops stationed along the bridges and buildings. The further they went into the massive citadel, the more Jaina and Lor’themar barked orders, sending troops into buildings and down hallways to clear out Mogu and Zandalari forces. It was just past midday when they came to a fork in the path and Lor’themar turned to them.

“We’ll take a small contingent of troops and head further in while the rest of the forces continue to clear a path outside. Annaya, Rommath, I want you two with me.”

The two mages nodded before Lor’themar turned and hurried down the path. Jaina paused for a moment, and Annaya met her eyes. Jaina frowned at her after a before she turned and hurried after the Regent-lord.

“Annaya, remember what I told you.” Rommath said softly.

She clenched her jaw. “I remember.”

They both hurried after them. A sudden screeching sound shook the stone and Rommath grabbed her hand to pull her back into the shadows. She looked up at him as they waited.

“What the hell was that?” she whispered.

He shook his head. They heard the sound again followed by a yell from Lor’themar. They began to hear more shouting up ahead.

“We have to hurry!” she hissed.

They took off in the direction of the yelling. As they rounded the corner, they saw the Sin’dorei standing in the middle of a massive arena. The roar shook the ground again before the sky suddenly darkened above them. Rommath grabbed Annaya’s hand and pulled her out of the center of the area, closer to the wall. Lor’themar drew his sword and called out for the warriors to spread out and take up defensive positions around the edge of the area.

A figure began to form before them, blocking their path and the entrance to the bridge leading further into the fortress. Annaya’s eyes widened as she realized who it was.

“Light, Rommath, it’s…” she trailed off as another screech shook the ground around them.

Lei Shen laughed a loud, booming laugh as he looked down at everyone below him.

“SO, YOU HAVE MANAGED TO STOMP UPON MY DOORSTEP. PERHAPS YOU ARE WORTHY OF MY ATTENTION AFTER ALL.”

Annaya felt a ripple of fear skate down her spine. Rommath’s long fingers tightened around hers. Lei Shen’s form wavered as the wind kicked up in the arena.

“BUT YOUR TRESPASS ENDS HERE. NONE MAY ENTER MY STRONGHOLD.” 

A crack of lightning struck the middle of the arena and Lor’themar dove out of the way. Annaya tried to move toward him, but Rommath pulled her back down against the wall. She looked back at him and he frowned at her.

“Wait.” he hissed as his eyes darted back up to the image of the Thunder King.

“I WILL REBUILD THIS BRIDGE WITH YOUR BONES.” Lei Shen bellowed before he turned and threw his palm behind him at the large stone bridge. Another bolt of lightning struck the center of the bridge and it exploded in a burst of dust and rock.

Lei Shen turned back to face the group before the wind kicked up and the image dissipated. Annaya scrambled to her feet and Rommath let her go.

The dust was thick and she coughed as she tried to see where Lor’themar had ended up. Her heart hammered as she squinted into the dust. There was a cough to her right and she jumped slightly.

“Regent-lord!”

Lor’themar slowly got to his feet. He rubbed the dust from his eyes before he reached down for his sword. Annaya reached forward to help him and he took her hand after a moment. Rommath hurried over to her and she looked back at him for a moment.

“Thank you, Archmage.” The Regent-lord nodded before he re-sheathed his sword and looked around. “So, what did Lei Shen leave for us?”

He stepped toward the bridge and crossed his arms. Annaya and Rommath came to stand behind him.

“Well," he said after a moment. “This makes things… complicated." 

He turned back to the two mages and then to Halduron. “I'm open to any suggestions." 

Annaya looked past him into the now gaping hole. She couldn't see the bottom and dust still floated slowly up through the air. The opposite side of the bridge was too far to jump but as she looked back at the elves, a thought came to her mind.

"Regent-lord, if I may,” she ventured as she turned to him. “I think we might be able to make it across the bridge." 

Lor’themar looked at her before he turned to look across again. He squinted as he looked at the destruction. 

“The High Examiner is correct." Rommath chimed in. He was staring hard at the other side of the vast chasm. "With a well placed teleport, we should be able to get across to the other side." 

A well placed teleport. Annaya swallowed nervously as she eyed the rocks strewn in the gaping chasm. It would take the rest of the afternoon to get everyone across-

"Then I think we have our plan.”

Annaya looked back at the Regent-lord. He took a step toward the two mages as his voice dropped. Annaya glanced over his shoulder at the Kirin Tor forces still bustling about in the chaos and dust.

"Rommath, I want you and Annaya to cross the chasm and infiltrate the inner sanctum. Find us a back door inside.”

He looked between the two. "We'll continue on out here and hopefully meet you in the inner sanctum.”

Rommath stepped closer to Annaya and she could feel his fingers touch her lower back gently.

“Consider it done, my lord." He said.

Annaya looked at Rommath and his fel-fire eyes darted to her before looking back at Lor’themar.

"Be careful in there.” The Regent-lord said.

The Grand Magister gave a short nod before his hand slid from her lower back to her elbow. It dropped away and she turned to follow him to the edge of the bridge.

"Rommath, this is madness. Neither of us know what's on the other side." She hissed quietly.

He drew her close to him as the wind suddenly whipped across the chasm. Wisps of her hair flew free of her braid and he drew the fingers of his free hand across her forehead.

"Do you trust me?” He whispered.

She froze. As she looked into his eyes, she could almost make out the brilliant blue of his natural color beneath the bright green of the fel poisoning.

She nodded. “Always." 

He pressed his forehead against hers gently as a purple light began to slowly encompass them. It grew to engulf them slowly and Annaya closed her eyes as they were transported across the chasm to the other side. 

She felt a solid mass against her back and she opened her eyes. The space they were in was small and she shifted slightly. Rommath moved his hands around her and Annaya sank further into his chest. She made a small ‘oof’ as she looked up at him.

"I told you it would be fine,” he said.

She huffed as she began to shimmy her way out of the corner. "Could you have found us a smaller space? There's far too much wiggle room in this one." 

Rommath released a short bark of laughter before he helped her out. As they stumbled out onto the edge of the bridge they looked back at where they had come from. They could see Lor’themar and Halduron standing on the edge, watching them. Annaya waved and smiled as Halduron waved back.

"Alright, I suppose we should-”

Suddenly, the ground shook with an earth shattering roar. Rommath grabbed Annaya’s waist to pull her back from the edge and they watched as the group on the far side quickly turned away from them.

One of the wooden gates slammed open and a massive direhorn burst through. Warriors and mages leapt out of the way as it stampeded into the center of the arena.

"Rommath, that's a-”

"A direhorn, yes." 

He pulled her further back and she twisted in his grasp.

“Rommath, we have to help them-" 

"We can do nothing. We have to go.”

Her head snapped around to look at him. His gaze was still locked on the direhorn but he slowly shifted to look at her.

“They will die if we don't help." She said softly.

“We are two mages, Annaya." Rommath shot back. His face softened as he looked at her. “They are soldiers, Little Flame. They can handle themselves. We have our own mission to complete."

She met his bright fel-fire eyes and for a moment, she was transported back to Outland. Years ago, facing impossible odds against an impossible enemy, Annaya remembered the feeling in her heart. She wondered how they would defeat the Burning Legion as they marched endlessly across the shattered terrain of the broken world. Khadgar had taught her that hope was a small, fleeting thing but it was always worthy of nurturing. The Light would prevail if she continued to believe in it. 

She finally nodded as her eyes dropped. He leaned forward, touching his forehead to hers again. They faced immeasurable odds already and they hadn't even begun. The direhorn roared again and the bridge shook with the force of its bellows. 

“We should hurry before anyone too evil notices us." She finally said.

Rommath glanced over her shoulder one more time before he slotted his fingers between hers and pulled her down the path away from the massive chasm and the rest of the friendly forces.

They hurried down the path and away from the battle at the broken bridge. Rommath led the way and Annaya’s chest heaved as she tried to keep up. The sky above them was beginning to darken as clouds swirled overhead. There were staircases and pathways shooting off from the one they were on, but Rommath seemed focused on the main thoroughfare.

“Rommath, slow down.” she breathed. 

Rommath’s ears twitched slightly at her words and he turned his head towards her. He slowed to a jog and as she came up next to him, she gripped his arm to steady herself. 

“Annaya?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

She took a deep breath before she looked up. They were standing in front of a massive stone door. It was ornately decorated with Mogu symbols and a large lock in the center.

Rommath slowly stepped forward. Her fingers trailed along his battle regalia before he slowly ascended the stairs. She watched him place a hand against the door as he looked around.

“It’s locked tight. I don’t see a handle anywhere.” he said, before finally turning back to her.

Annaya worried her lower lip for a moment. The maps of the citadel were rare and the ones the Reliquary had found were old and badly damaged from time and weather. She frowned as she pulled her notebook from the pocket of her robes and began to flip through it. She paused on a page and her brow furrowed.

“Surfal, I don’t think we’re supposed to go through this door.”

She looked up at Rommath and he hurried down the steps back to her. 

“What do you mean?” he asked.

She turned around and began to slowly walk away from him as she translated the symbols in her head. She began to visualize the citadel through the words, with long winding hallways and large archways. She paused as she turned the page.

“There’s a tunnel that will lead us into the Inner Sanctum.” she said as she looked up.

“Where is it?”

She looked around before she hurried to a small opening against the far wall. She looked down at her notebook one more time before she closed it and slid it back into her pocket.

“This way.” She held her hand out for Rommath and he looked between her and the hole before he crouched down next to her.

“Just like old times, huh?” She smiled at him as she cocked her head.

Rommath felt a shiver run down his spine. This delicate, fragile woman kneeling next to him looked so absolutely beautiful in that moment. Her dark green eyes showed with a light he hadn’t seen in months. Not since… since Dalaran.

“Annaya…” he said softly as he pulled his cowl free of the neckline of his robes.

He let the fabric fall loose from his fingers before he reached forward to cup her cheek. Her eyes fluttered as he pressed his lips softly against hers for a moment. If he could have turned them around and gone back to the Promontory, he would have done so. Knowing that he was taking her right into the hands of the greatest enemy they had seen in years – possible ever – sent a stab of terror through his heart. He wanted to take her away, somewhere safe. Somewhere no one could ever hurt her… 

His thoughts were beginning to spiral and his chest tightened.

“Let’s go,” she whispered against his lips.

He brushed the back of his knuckles against her cheek before he slowly nodded. He leaned back as she shuffled forward to look into the small hole. It looked like a downspout that drained rainwater into the sewers far below them. She whispered a quiet spell and a sheen of blue energy wrapped around her body. She waited until it locked into place before she climbed the rest of the way into the hole and pushed herself down.

Rommath looked into the hole where she had just disappeared. He waited a moment before he followed her down into the darkness.

---

As his feet hit the ground, Rommath stumbled forward slightly. He hit a warm, solid mass and he tensed. Someone grabbed his forearms as they leaned into him and he tried to pull away, his hands glowing red with fire.

“It’s only me, Surfal.” Annaya’s soft voice hit his ears. He paused as the fire instantly dissipated. 

After a moment, his eyes adjusted to the dim light and he was able to make out Annaya’s red hair and soft face.

“Where are we?” He asked as he looked around.

Her hand trailed down his arm until their fingers connected and she turned to lead him away from where they had landed. The drainage pipe opened up into a large underground expanse that was dimly lit with sconces along the walls next to them. 

“If I translated everything correctly then we should be just outside the…” she pulled the notebook out of her pocket again. She flipped open to an ear marked page and frowned at the symbols as she skimmed them. "The Halls of Flesh-Shaping?”

She looked back at Rommath but he only frowned back at her.

"What infernal experiments did Lei Shen conduct down here?” Rommath began to slowly walk into the light.

Annaya held her notebook against her chest as she followed Rommath out of the tunnel. As they walked, the room finally opened into a larger open space with intricate patterns painted along the walls and floor. There was a large round ball set in the middle of the room and Annaya cocked her head as they slowly approached. It seemed to pulse with dark energy as it floated silently before them.

She was suddenly struck by a sudden realization as she eyed the patterns. “Wait, Rommath.”

She reached out, grabbing a handful of his robes to stop him.

He turned to look at her. “What is it?"

“The Sha." She replied quietly.

Rommath tensed. He remembered the last time they had encountered a sha. It had been a smaller being of pure, unfiltered negative emotion that had attacked them in Silvermoon weeks before. Their eyes met for a long moment.

“Where is it?" He finally said softly.

She shook her head. “I-I don't know, I just recognize the symbols. They're the same as on that box. They're wards to keep something in ." 

Rommath turned back to scan the room. The only thing that seemed out of the ordinary was the large ball floating in the center of the room. It didn't move as they approached but Rommath suddenly felt like he was being watched. 

He looked around. “Annaya, what-" 

Suddenly, the ball shifted. Rommath jumped, spinning around as a wreath of protective fire appeared around him. The ball seemed to pulse and shift where it floated, the paths of black essence moving faster and faster inside of it, and Annaya took a few steps back. As she did, a loud screeching noise pierced the air. She flinched as the noise continued. 

“Annaya, get back!” Rommath yelled as the far wall suddenly began to shift.

She took a step back when the wall began to give way and a stone golem appeared. It stepped out into the room behind the ball. The ball itself began to oscillate, shifting more than before as the golem slowly moved.

“What is that?” Annaya breathed as she waved her hand in front of her. The ice armor she had conjured earlier began to glow slightly as it reinforced.

Rommath shook his head as he began to step to the side, around the ball. The construct didn’t seem to notice them as it came to a halt, frozen in place. Annaya frowned as she looked between the two. Rommath tilted his head toward the construct as he brought his hands up. 

“Wait, I think I know what to do.”

She pulled out her notebook again, flipping through to one of the last pages. Rommath began to pool energy between his hands as she quietly read, translating the symbols. On the walls and floor.

“The ball is… anima?”

Rommath turned to look at her, but she shook her head quickly as she continued reading.

“It’s… emotion, like the sha we encountered before. Lei Shen put his anger into this… this sphere here.” She looked at Rommath.

She swallowed as she remembered Silvermoon. Things had been said between both of them that she still regretted but as her eyes met Rommath’s briefly, he only smiled softly at her.

“The symbols keep the energy contained to this room; to the… ball there.”

“What happens if we destroy it?”

Annaya paused as she flipped the page. She glanced up at the golem that now stood in the back of the room. It was a massive construct, with similar symbols carved into its body to the ones throughout the room.

She shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

Rommath nodded slowly. “We don’t seem to have much of a choice. There’s no doors out of here, except for where that thing came from.”

Annaya nodded before slipping the notebook back into her pocket. “You’re right.”

She took a breath before her hands began to glow blue and she stepped up next to him.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“What does it look like?” she replied as she followed him. “I’m your back up.”

The corner of Rommath’s lip quirked but he didn’t reply. He could feel the coldness of her aura press against his side as her frost magic filled the room next to his own fire magic. It was calming in a way he had never realized and he took a breath to center himself.

Rommath moved fast, and Annaya watched as a large ball of flame began to grow in the space between his hands. He murmured a few words in Thalassian before he twisted his wrists and threw the fireball at the ball of energy. 

As it hit, a buzzing sound filled the room for a moment before black energy suddenly pulsed outward from the orb. The pulse of energy hit everything in its path – them included – and Annaya took a step back. The ball exploded and the golem jolted to life, shifting toward them. Annaya brought her hand up to her chest as it tightened slightly before releasing as the emotion moved through her.

“Hostile action. Noted.”

Rommath began to conjure another fireball as the golem began to stomp toward him. 

“Rommath, move!” Annaya yelled as she scrambled backward toward the wall. As she did, it began to shift and move aside as well. She froze, slowly turning her head to watch it over her shoulder.

Rommath dove out of the way to dodge the golem’s strike. As he came up onto his knee, he threw a barrage of smaller fireballs at the construct. The golem didn’t flinch from any of them as it moved toward him. He grit his teeth as he dove away again. The golem continued to stomp after him as he continued the barrage of fireballs.

The wall behind Annaya slid completely open and her eyes widened as another golem stomped out onto the floor. It paused before turning slightly to face where Rommath was running from the first golem.

“Hostile action. Noted.”

Shit.

Annaya cursed as she began to conjure a frostfire ball into her hands. The golem began to stomp past her and she flung the magic at its back. It paused for a moment before it began to rotate back towards her slowly. 

“Annaya, what are you doing? Run!” Rommath yelled at her from across the room.

She turned to move away from the golem. As she did, she caught sight of the first one following Rommath again. The symbols on the floor had begun to glow and as she watched the golem step across them, the black energy from before pulsed outward. The first golem jerked and stumbled forward before it bent over at the waist and stopped moving. Rommath frowned as he turned to look at it.

Annaya hurried to the far side of the room to meet Rommath.

“What happened?” he asked.

She shook her head quickly as she glanced over at the second golem. It was still slowly stomping toward them and she narrowed her eyes as she looked between it, the now-defunct golem, and the symbols on the floor. Rommath gripped her elbow gently and began to pull her away. She glanced around, translating the Mogu as they moved and suddenly realized what they needed to do. 

“The symbols! Rommath, it’s the symbols!” She pointed to the intricate patterns on the floor.

He stopped to follow where she had pointed. He turned back to her and she met his gaze.

“Tell me what to do,” he stated.

“We need to get the golem to cross the symbols on the ground!”

He smirked as he began to pull heat and fire into the palms of his hands. The golem had changed paths to begin stomping towards them and Rommath waited another moment before he threw the fireball. The construct didn’t flinch as it adjusted course toward him. 

“Hostile action. Noted.”

Annaya watched the golem’s path as she stepped behind Rommath. The symbols were lit up but the golem seemed to skirt each one. It was going to be close. Rommath threw another fireball and the construct adjusted course again. The symbols on the ground seemed to glow brighter and Annaya watched the golem step onto one of them. It froze as black energy immediately began to swirl around it. She reached out for Rommath as they watched the energy coalesce back in the center of the room.

The ball began to reform and Annaya frowned. She brought her hands up as she began to draw on frost energy. “Rommath, hurry!”

He immediately began to draw a fireball to his own hands. The ball continued to form in the center, this time much larger than it had been originally. Annaya dug deep, deeper than she had in a long time to pull at the arcane tendrils inside of her. The power was still dormant and damaged but as the frostbolt grew in her hands she felt emboldened by the man next to her. 

She drew her hands back before throwing the magic toward the center of the room. The twin magic hit together and the ball exploded in a shower of black energy. Rommath turned to cover Annaya, but she felt an intense burst of anger fill her chest as the room was covered in darkness for a moment. She tried to pull away from Rommath but he grabbed her wrist to stop her. Their eyes met and her chest tightened.

“Let me go." She growled. Her world began to darken as the anger grew.

“Annaya, this isn't real." 

“Let me go." She growled again. Her chest continued to tighten as her anger grew into rage. How dare he speak to her? How dare he look at her? She was… nothing. She clenched her jaw as she tried to pull away.

"Breathe, my love.”

She closed her eyes tightly as she forced herself to lean into him. Despite everything telling her to run, she turned toward him. Her forehead met his chest and he ran his fingers into her hair as she forced the anger to pass through her. It wasn’t hers. She wasn’t angry at Rommath. She didn’t hate him.

Annaya finally released a long breath before she was able to slowly raise her head. Rommath was watching her, his fel-fire eyes soft and warm. She huffed at him.

“How are you so good at this?” She whispered as she pressed her forehead against his shoulder.

Rommath smiled as he pressed his lips to her temple. “I’ve had… practice.”

Vestiges of anger still flared inside her and she glared up at him, but it immediately softened. She knew he had been through terrible things in their time apart. Kael’thas had not been the prince either one of them had thought he was.

Rommath sighed softly. “Little Flame, I will tell you anything you want to know once we return to Silvermoon.”

She stared up at him for a long time. “Promise?”

He took her hand in his. “I give you my word.”

She finally sighed. “Okay. Let’s finish this.”

Black swaths of emotion lay soaking the ground and they made sure to give it a wide berth as they maneuvered across the room. The golems stood, unmoving on opposite sides of the room and Annaya glanced back at them before they disappeared into the passageway the wall had revealed.

The tunnel was long and dimly lit and they hurried down it. The humming noise from earlier had returned and the further they went, the louder it was becoming. Annaya tried to shake the noise out of her head, but her ears were beginning to hurt the closer they got to the light at the end.

As they neared the end, they spied an opening to the side. Rommath held up his hand to slow them. They had begun to hear voices coming from the darkness of the offshoot and Rommath’s hands began to glow softly.

“Surfal, wait.” Annaya whispered as she touched his forearm.

She tilted her head to hear better and they watched as figures began to form in the distance.

“Light, it’s Lor’themar!” she exclaimed.

“How did they find us?” he replied as the Regent-Lord and a small contingent came into view.

“Grand Magister! Archmage!” Lor’themar called out to them as they approached. “Thank the Light you made it!”

“We could say the same about you, Theron…” Rommath looked beyond him to see Jaina, Halduron, Aethas, and a few others in tow. “How did you all get across the bridge?”

“Ah, well,” Lor’themar turned to look at Jaina. “After we defeated the direhorn, Lady Proudmoore suggested we go down instead of across.”

Annaya narrowed her eyes at the other human but remained silent. 

“It was somewhat of a leap of faith, but we ended up in the sewers below the citadel. From there we began to fight our way through the bowels of this infernal place. Just a few minutes ago, something gave way and the wall near where we were slid open. We took it as a sign and came through the tunnel here.”

Rommath looked back at Annaya.

“The anima.” She said as she nodded.

“Regent-lord, we think we’re almost there. Through this tunnel.” Rommath explained.

Lor’themar waved his hand out in front of him. “Then by all means, lead on.”

He turned back to Annaya and together they led the rest of the group through the end of the tunnel. As they stepped out into the light, they saw a large platform surrounded on all sides by four conduits. The pathway sloped down toward the platform, winding around to the far side, and as they hurried around, Annaya realized where they were. All the Mogu symbols she had been translating finally made sense.

The group crested a small hump onto the massive platform when they saw a figure standing with its back to them.

Lei Shen.

The group fanned out onto the edge of the platform as the Thunder King turned to face them. He was easily over ten feet tall and as he stood to full height, he towered over every single one of them. Lightning began to crackle along the conduits at each of the corners of the platform and Annaya felt the hair on her arms begin to stand on end. Lei Shen raised his arms above him.

“You challenge me in my own sanctum? You worms will witness your folly and taste your doom!”

The lightning suddenly struck, sending a pair of the Sin'dorei soldiers diving for cover. The humming had continued and as Annaya ran to the far side of the platform, she realized it was coming from the conduits themselves.

The contingency of forces Lor’themar had brought immediately began to fight Lei Shen, but Annaya grabbed Rommath’s arm to stop him.

“The humming,” she pointed up as lightning gathered around a nearby conduit. “We have to stop the humming.

Rommath narrowed his eyes for a moment before he nodded in understanding. Annaya looked over her shoulder one more time but the Thunder King was distracted enough. This was their only shot. She watched Rommath close his eyes as he began to focus on his magic. She drew close to him, placing her hands on his wrists to pour her own magic into his. He exhaled softly as the feeling of frost began to seep into his hands and fingers. Their eyes met and then the magic in his hands began to shift.

She smiled at him. “Perhaps we both have a little frostfire in us.”

She removed her hands from his to give him space and he held the ball for a moment longer before launching it at the conduit. It exploded in a blinding flash of electricity and Lei Shen let out a bellowing cry. They spun around to watch him stumble forward. A few Sin’dorei soldiers dashed forward to strike at him but he swiped his polearm across his front to keep them away.

“We have to get the others!” Annaya said.

They hurried across the room, destroying another conduit before the Thunder King managed to turn toward them. A bolt of lightning struck the ground at their feet.

Rommath pulled Annaya to her feet and they turned to look at Lei Shen. Lor’themar jumped toward him, his sword out in front of him. Lei Shen parried the strike but the overcharged electric current sent the Regent-lord stumbling back.

“Get the other conduits!” Lor’themar yelled at them.

Rommath and Annaya looked at each other. “Time to split up?” she asked.

Rommath was loath to admit it but he nodded. “No theatrics.”

Annaya scoffed but nodded before she turned and was running down the length of the platform. He watched her before he turned to run for his conduit. He could still feel the frost magic in his wrists as he began to draw magic back between his hands. It was difficult to pull the arcane energy in two extreme directions, but as he imagined Annaya across the platform from him, the energy within him began to cooperate. The energy between his palms shifted and moved, changing from brilliant red to a deeper red-blue. It grew in size until he could barely contain it. At its apex, he pushed it forward, sending it shooting up toward his conduit.

As the conduit exploded in a shower of light, the humming instantly stopped. Lei Shen let out a massive bellow and Rommath spun around to see the Thunder King stumble back, away from the group fighting him. Lor’themar suddenly ran forward, his sword out. He leapt up before coming down, the sword slicing deep into Lei Shen’s chest. Lei Shen fell, and his back hit the ground with a loud thud before Lor’themar tore his sword free and jumped off.

Rommath slowly approached the group. He saw Annaya nearby and their eyes met briefly. He nodded to her with a smile.

“We need his heart.” Jaina spoke up. 

Lor’themar looked back at the human before looking around at the group. He nodded before he took his sword and began to slice into the Thunder King’s chest. As he did, lightning began to crackle around them.

“Regent-lord, watch out!” Jaina yelled as she raised her staff.

The tip of the staff acted as a lightning rod, pooling the crackling energy around it. Lor’themar continued to work as Jaina stood nearby, protecting him. Finally, the energy dissipated and she dropped her arm. Annaya watched the staff glow softly with blue electricity; empowered by the Titan’s energy.

Finally, Lor’themar straightened. He turned to face Annaya and Rommath before jumping down off the massive stone body. Rommath stepped forward.

“I think our High Examiner might find this interesting,” Lor’themar said with a smirk.

Rommath took the heart from him and turned back to Annaya. She looked at the stone in Rommath’s hand as he approached her.

“Is that…”

“The Heart of the Thunder King? It is.”

Her eyes were wide as she looked down at the husk in Rommath’s hands. It was blackened and shriveled but it still throbbed with a faint electric current. He held it out for her.

“Perhaps you would like to do the honors?”

She smiled as she took it from him. “I think there’s a black dragon that might like very much to have this.”

Notes:

I cannot tell you how many times I scrapped this entire chapter and started over. I had an idea for how I wanted this whole chapter to go, but then I would start writing and it would very quickly become nearly impossible to make work. Translating raids into coherent stories is so ridiculously difficult and I had to take some artistic liberties here. I do hope I did it justice for both the raid and the story.

Also, I hope to not go so long in between updates like this again! This chapter, plus real life really hit me good this past month but hopefully we're back on track now!

Chapter 23

Notes:

I removed Anduin from the Veiled Stair to make things a little easier in the long run. Having him there would have just caused a whole slew of problems down the line.

Annaya held the still beating heart close against her stomach as they made their way out of the Throne of Thunder. She watched Rommath walk with Lor’themar and Halduron at the front of the group. The rest of the soldiers were scattered loosely, intermingled with the Kirin Tor. Some were talking, while others were just silently watching each other. Whatever animosity there had been between everyone when they had first set out had all but disappeared now that Lei Shen was dead. 

Her eyes traveled up along Rommath’s muscular arms, the red tunic tattoos glowing softly with power. She could feel the warm press of his magic curling around her gently. She smiled softly. She wasn't sure he was even aware he was doing it, protecting her as he did. 

She continued to his dark hair, the long tail swishing back and forth as he looked between his two companions. She wanted to run her fingers through it, just as she had done when the two of them had been alone together. When he had whispered softly in her ear and kissed her –

“So, what does it feel like?" 

She looked up to see Aethas walking next to her. He gestured down to the heart in her hands.

“Oh!" She laughed as she followed his hands. “It's… hard to say, really. It's like a rock and yet it still beats like a heart.”

"It truly is fascinating!” 

Aethas leaned closer to her and she held the heart up for him to look at. He reached a finger out to poke at it.

"Really, Sunreaver? A bit juvenile, don’t you think?” 

Aethas jumped, barely stifling an embarrassing squeak. Both mages looked up to see Rommath watching them. One of his long, dark eyebrows was quirked and he narrowed his eyes at them.

"I-I was merely curious about the inner workings of the heart! Nothing more!” Aethas stammered as he straightened, his eyes dropping to the ground.

Rommath exhaled heavily through his nose. "I'm sure that was all.”

Aethas glanced up at Rommath before looking away quickly.

"Forgive me, Archmage, I just remembered something that I must attend to.”

She frowned as Aethas hurried toward the back of the group. She turned back to look at Rommath as he approached her.

"That was a little uncalled for, don't you think?” She asked quietly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I did nothing." Rommath replied, his voice low.

Their eyes met for a long moment.

“He's afraid of you, you know." 

Rommath scoffed quietly. “Now, why would that be?" 

They began to walk together, a short distance apart from the main group. She smiled as she looked down at the heart.

“I think you know full well why that is." 

His cowl covered his mouth but his ears twitched and she could hear the smile in his voice. “I am only hard on him because he represents the best of us. I simply wish him to realize that." 

She paused as the word echoed in her head. Us. She looked up at him. 

"I…”

He turned toward her, his fingers brushing against her forearm.

"You too, Little Flame.”

A shiver ran along her spine but before she could respond Lor’themar called out for them.

“Grand Magister; Archmage. We’re almost back at the entrance.”

Rommath looked away to acknowledge the Regent-lord with a wave of his hand and a slight bow of his head. Annaya remained quiet as her chest tightened. Rommath’s words continued to swirl in her head. He turned back to her after a moment and she looked down quickly at the still beating heart in her hands.

“Your ears twitch when you're nervous.” she murmured.

“What?” he asked as his brow furrowed.

She glanced sidelong at him. “Your ears. They twitch when you’re nervous.”

She couldn’t see his mouth but his ears twitched as the tips began to flush. “They do not.”

She brushed her fingers across the shriveled heart as she looked back down at the object in her hands again. “Whatever you say, Grand Magister. I know the cowl offers you protection from wayward magic,” she looked up at him and he paused. Her eyes seemed to burn bright as they met his own. “But you’re not as much of a blank slate as you may think.”

She continued on in front of him and he watched her goin silence. There were many things he wanted to say to her, but each sentence fell flat on his tongue as he opened his mouth. He finally exhaled sharply through his nose before he hurried after her. She didn’t look up at him until they had exited the broken gates of the citadel.

Lor’themar dismissed the majority of the army they had brought into the Throne of Thunder, opting for a much smaller detail to accompany them to meet Wrathion. Aethas had summoned a portal and as Annaya stepped through, she looked up at the shining sun. It was warm on her skin and she sighed in content. She could hear the sound of birds chirping above her as a gentle breeze blew wisps of her hair against her cheek. She clutched the heart tighter against her stomach as she looked around for Rommath.

She caught sight of him standing with Lor’themar and Halduron and she hurried over to the trio.

“Archmage, how is that thing holding up?” The Ranger-general laughed as she approached.

She smiled at him as she held the heart up for him to look at.

“It’s still beating. To be honest, General, I would prefer it if we handed it off sooner rather than later.” she laughed.

“As would I. I grow weary of this place. Mother Lam’s and a glass of bourbon is calling my name.”

“I'm sure that's all," Lor’themar chided with a laugh.

Halduron scoffed before his eyes shifted behind Annaya and she turned to see Aethas approaching them. She turned to look at the other Archmage. His eyes met her and he gave her a small smile before he looked at Halduron. His cheeks flushed slightly and Annaya had to bite her cheek to keep from giggling. Those two weren't as sneaky as they thought they were.

“Archmage, if you'll follow me, the prince is waiting for us at the tavern." Lor’themar gestured for her to follow him.

Annaya looked up at Rommath and he nodded at her. "I'll be right behind you.”

She smiled softly at him before she stepped after the Regent-lord.

The Veiled Stair was a small, secluded region high in the mountains between the Jade Forest and the Vale of the Eternal Blossoms. There was a tavern set back under the trees near the mountain and as they approached, Annaya suddenly got the sense that she was being watched. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and a shiver ran down her spine. She glanced over her shoulder, but saw only the small Sin’dorei detail.

The tavern had a few patrons at the bar and Annaya’s anxiety spiked even further as every set of eyes seemed to turn toward her. The heart still beat periodically in her hands as she followed Lor’themar further inside. 

Did these strangers know what she carried? Would they try to take it from her?

A light touch against her lower back jolted her from her spiraling thoughts. Rommath gently directed her, walking with her toward the back room of the tavern. She caught sight of Aethas, still waiting at a table in the barroom and he smiled at her. As she and Rommath approached the door to the back room, a shiver raced down her spine. 

Where was she going? Where was Rommath taking her?

She had never met Wrathion before. The mages in Dalaran had told her countless stories of a young black dragon that had broken the madness of Deathwing, but they were all merely rumors and stories. Wrathion was supposedly a child of Neltharion, but had no corruption, no taint from the Old God. He was truly free. Still, as the door closed behind her, she couldn't help but tense. She was trapped in there with all those men. They could do anything to her if they wanted. They could –

“Annaya, breathe," Rommath whispered to her.

She opened her mouth and released a shaky exhale as she looked up at him.

“I'm sorry, I…" her words failed her as her mind continued to spiral. The room was smaller than she had anticipated and she looked around quickly. She saw Lor’themar and Halduron standing across the room but she still couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched.

“I will be here the entire time. No one will harm you." Rommath said softly.

She couldn't respond to him. She didn't trust her voice and so she simply nodded. She couldn't see his lips but he tilted his head forward slightly and she knew he was smiling at her.

When he moved out of her way, she was finally able to see Wrathion. She frowned. He was… just a child? He looked human, but couldn't have been more than twelve or thirteen as he sat on the couch conversing with the Regent-lord. Annaya took a breath and then stepped forward. As she did, the boy’s red eyes snapped to her.

“Ah, Archmage! You made it! You have the heart, I presume?" 

She frowned as she looked at him. He even sounded like an adult. She shook her head slightly. This wasn’t a human boy, this was a dragon she was dealing with.

She bowed her head. “Yes, your majesty. I have the heart." 

She held it out for him and he jumped to his feet. He held out his hands and she gently dropped the object into his possession. It felt strange, no longer feeling the pulse of its electric beat through her skin and she clenched her fists as she stepped back. Rommath met her, his hand touching her lower back gently.

Wrathion stared down at the heart and his eyes seemed to glow.

“The heart of the Thunder King… with all the powers of a god.” He mused as he began to pace.

Annaya watched as he slowly raised the heart to his mouth.

“Wait, you're not going to eat that, are you?” She asked, taking a step forward.

"This heart is filled with knowledge of Titan magic. The very language of creation is within it. I must learn what I can.”

He looked back down at it before he suddenly shoved it in his mouth. Rommath grabbed Annaya’s arm to pull her back. She leaned into him and they watched the prince tear and chew at the withered heart. He made quick work of it, quickly consuming it. After a moment, Wrathion looked up at the ceiling as his eyes slid closed. 

“Oh… I see… so many things… millions of worlds… all glittering with perfection… but one sits above them all…”

Suddenly, the room was filled with a burst of light and Wrathion lifted off the ground. His voice changed, deepening as he seemed to be overcome by a strange force.

"WE HAVE FALLEN. WE MUST REBUILD THE FINAL TITAN. WE MUST NOT FAIL." 

Just as quickly as it had appeared, the light disappeared and Wrathion fell to the floor. Silence filled the room for a long moment. 

“What was that?" Lor’themar said, slowly stepping forward.

Wrathion sat up, his brow deeply furrowed. “I… do not know." 

He looked up at everyone. “Please leave me. I have much to think on." 

They were all ushered out of the room. Annaya looked back once more but Wrathion was gone, hidden behind the door.

"Well, that was a waste of time.” Rommath said once they were all outside.

"Perhaps Wrathion will uncover something still. We just have to wait.” Lor’themar replied and he nodded for Aethas to begin casting a portal for them. "For now, let us return home. I know I for one am exhausted from this place. I think we've all earned a bit of a respite.”

Annaya smiled softly as she met Rommath's eyes. She couldn't see his mouth but she was convinced he was smiling back at her.

---

Annaya took a deep breath as she stepped out of the portal room in Silvermoon City. It was like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders knowing that she was back in the safety of Quel’thalas. Dawnseeker Promontory had come to offer her enough security that she no longer used the Orb to create a blood elf visage, but there was always a voice in the back of her mind, a silent reminder that someone may notice her and report back to the orcs. The memory of the General popped into her head and she swallowed as her jaw tensed. She glanced around the portal room quickly, suddenly suspicious. 

Rommath stepped up beside her and she looked at him. She opened her mouth to say something but it was cut off when the Regent-lord spoke up.

“We have much to debrief. Halduron, Rommath; meet me in my office so we may begin. Aethas and Annaya,” his good eye scanned the group briefly. “You two are dismissed. Thank you for your hard work out there. Go get some rest.”

He smiled at the two mages before he turned and headed for his office in the Sunfury Spire. Halduron and Aethas exchanged glances before they parted ways. Rommath turned to Annaya.

“I shouldn’t be too long.” He paused and Annaya watched him as he swallowed. “Will you… wait for me?”

She felt a shiver of anticipation. “Of course I will.”

He raised a hand to reach for her own but stopped suddenly. She watched as he seemed to wrestle with something internally. He finally dropped his hand and turned to follow the Regent-lord without another word. She stood in the portal room a few moments longer before she decided to head for his office.

Rommath’s office was locked but she whispered a quiet cantrip and the lock released easily. She slipped inside, closing the door behind her. She waved a hand above her head and a series of mage lights twinkled on, illuminating the room around her. She paused as she realized she had never been in his office alone before. She glanced over her shoulder back at the door before she quickly moved to his desk.

The first thing she noticed was that it was impossibly clean. There didn’t seem to be a speck of dust out of place. There was a stack of parchment placed at the corner and she looked down at it. It was mostly mage apprenticeship training logs and she sighed before she moved on in her exploration. She eyed his chair, pushed in neatly against the desk. Annaya smirked as she pulled it out and settled into it. 

She wondered what Rommath would think if he walked through the door to his office at that moment and saw her sitting at his desk, in his chair. Would he be upset? Would he think it funny? She had only ever been in his office when he was helping her recover from the mana sickness all those weeks ago but so much had changed since then…

She began to idly pull the drawers of the desk open as she continued to look around. Each drawer was perfectly organized, with quills, pens, parchment, and various other objects that lined up with what she thought a Grand Magister would need for daily office work. She sighed as she pulled the thin middle drawer open, frowning slightly to see the drawer mostly empty. There was only a small folded stack of paper pushed near the back. She was about to close the drawer when a small symbol at the bottom corner of the papers caught her eye.

She reached into the drawer and pulled out the small stack. As she did, her brow furrowed even more. She instantly recognized the symbol. The Violet Eye. Why would Rommath have anything with their symbol on it? He had no connections to the Kirin Tor anymore. He had left Dalaran years ago.

She began to scan the pages and a shiver ran down her spine.

 

My Lord-

What is information worth to you? How much are you willing to pay?

-The Eye

 

The Violet Eye loved cryptic messages but something about these ones made her blood run cold. She frowned before she flipped to the second letter.

 

My Lord-

Your terms are acceptable. She left the city by way of hearthstone. Her last whereabouts were in Stormwind. We expect payment swiftly.

-The Eye

 

Her stomach dropped as she realized the letters were about her. Had Rommath been looking for her? What was this payment he had expected to give them? The Violet Eye brokered in information and they never did anything for free. What had he promised them in exchange for this? What had he been planning to do? She flipped to the third letter.

 

My Lord-

Your secrets run deep. We require more payment for any further information on her. We await further correspondence.

-The Eye

 

There were more letters and Annaya flipped to the next one but she jumped as she heard the lock on the door click. She threw the papers onto the desk and stood up as she watched Rommath enter the room. He closed the door and there was a moment of silence before their eyes met. 

“Annaya, what…” his eyes trailed down to the desk and he tensed.

She waited in silence as he stepped up to the other side of the desk. He gripped the edge of his cowl, pulling it free from the neckline of his robes. Her eyes were glued to his fingers as he placed the cowl on top of the stack of papers before he walked around to stand on the same side of the desk as her. She slowly turned to face him. 

“I see curiosity has gotten the better of you.” He said, his voice barely audible. There was an edge to it that she instantly recognized. An edge he only used with apprentices when his patience had run out.

She swallowed, suddenly nervous. She wanted to move, but she felt rooted to the spot. “I… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have been snooping.”

“No, you shouldn’t have been.” He grabbed the letters from where they lay on the desk and turned away from her.

“Rommath, wait,” she reached out for him and as her fingers touched his elbow, he froze. He kept his back to her and she could practically feel his magic coiled within him, ready to strike out. She set her jaw as she pushed past it. “The letters… they’re about me, aren’t they?”

He didn’t respond to her, but his ears twitched.

“You were looking for me, after you left Dalaran, weren’t you? After the Purge?”

“And if I was?” he spat back, his back still facing her.

She moved closer to him. The magic shifted around her, moving to make space for her but still poised to strike.

“I thought you had forgotten who I was.”

His head snapped around to look at her. “I could never.”

He turned to face her, his empty hand coming up to brush along her cheek. 

“Annaya, I –”

"Rommath, what did you promise them?”

He sighed heavily as he looked down at the crumpled papers in his hand. He turned away again. She watched as he made his way out onto the balcony. There was a light breeze and it rustled his robes as he leaned against the railing. She set her jaw before she followed after him.

He was silent for a long time. 

"There are things about me, about my past that I have tried for years to bury. A select few people know, but most do not.”

“What kind of things?" She asked quietly as she cocked her head.

He looked back at her. "Things that could alter the very balance of leadership here in Quel’thalas. Things I am… not proud of.”

She stepped up next to him, leaning against the balcony railing. She smirked at him. "What, did you kill someone?”

He huffed. "No, nothing like that.”

She frowned. For as long as she had known Rommath, he had been Kael’thas’ right hand. She had known he had connections to Quel’thalas, of course, but as a commoner, she had never been privy to the details. None of the mages in Dalaran had ever spoken to her about Kael’thas and his herald.

"Did Kael’thas have something to do with it?”

His ears twitched again as he looked down at the fountain in the park below. She placed her hand on top of his clenched fist.

"Rommath, you don't have to tell me anything you don't feel comfortable with, but just know that I will always listen. You saved my life and have been the brightest light in my life for months. There is nothing that will ever turn me away from you.”

His chest tightened as he clenched the railing. He didn't deserve her. He didn't deserve her.

She watched him for another minute before she turned to head back inside.

“Annaya, wait." 

She looked back to him and he turned to fully face her. The words were stuck in his throat as he opened his mouth, but as she blinked up at him, he swallowed and tried again.

“Stay with me tonight?" 

She jerked in surprise as her eyes widened. “What?" 

He stepped forward, taking her hand in his. “Just like before, back on the island. No expectations, no changes, I just…" 

I don't want to lose you.

He frowned as the words refused to move. He shook his head quickly.

“Please, stay with me." He repeated, quieter than before.

She smiled before she nodded. "Okay.”

Chapter 24

Notes:

Happy Holidays, my loves! I hope your holidays is calm and restful! I am so grateful you have chosen to spend it with me and I am so grateful for your support! ❤️

The breeze rustled the curtains as Annaya stood alone in the bedroom. Rommath had given her a spare nightrobe for her to change into and as she observed the deep black silk garment that lay on the bed, she idly rubbed her hands up and down her forearms. Her neck warmed as a flush crept up to her cheeks. This was Rommath’s robe. She was about to wear his clothes. She glanced over her shoulder at the closed door behind her. He was out there, waiting for her and she took a deep breath before she stepped toward the bed.

Her fingers began to work at the ties of her red and gold robes and they gave way easily. The robes slid from her shoulders, falling into a pool around her feet. As she stood in her underclothes, she shivered. Rommath was right on the other side of the door and she realized that she hadn’t even locked it. It would be so easy for him to just burst through it and see her like that, practically naked and defenseless –

Annaya shook her head. Rommath wouldn’t do anything to harm her. She knew that. She was safe there. She carefully picked up the silk robes and slid her arms through the sleeves. As she tightened the sash around her waist, her nose was filled with the faint smell of cinnamon and lightning and she smiled. It was the scent of fire magic; the scent of Rommath.

Annaya bent to grab her own robes from the floor and she folded and placed them neatly on a chair near the door before she looked at the doorknob. The shiver of anticipation skated down her spine again. She could always just… stay in the room. That was an option but she shook her head again to clear her thoughts. This was no different than being back on Pandaria. They had spent plenty of time together, plenty of nights in each other’s company. She could do this. She exhaled sharply through her nose and turned the handle.

As she stepped out into the room, she saw Rommath standing with his back turned to her. He turned to face her and his eyes briefly ran the length of her body as they took in her attire. Annaya felt her neck flush and she smiled nervously as she fiddled with the end of the sash around her waist.

Rommath’s eyes met hers. “Those are a little large on you.”

Annaya lifted her hands. The sleeves of the robes ran down to the tips of her fingers and she wiggled her fingers a few times. “Oh, it’s alright! It’s better than nothing.”

Rommath smirked at her before he gestured for her to sit at the table he was standing next to. As Annaya approached him, she took in his attire. He had changed out of his own red and gold robes and into a matching pair of black nightrobes. She felt her neck begin to warm again at the thought of them wearing matching clothes. His matching clothes.

“I made us some tea. I hope that is alright.”

Annaya looked down at the table to see a teapot and two mugs. She smiled softly as she looked back up at Rommath.

“You made tea?” she asked as she sat down in the offered chair.

Rommath sputtered for a moment. “I am fully capable of making something as simple as tea.”

Annaya’s eyes widened. “I never meant to imply –”

Rommath sighed as he held up his hands. “No, I didn’t mean to snap.” He leaned forward to grab the teapot.

As he did, Annaya was able to take in the features of his face. They had been close before, but as she observed him – his brow was furrowed and his lips were pulled tight as he began to pour the tea into the cups – she smiled again.

“Rommath,” she said softly.

He glanced up at her. 

“Thank you for this. For everything." 

His ears twitched as his eyes dropped back to the kettle. He was silent as he finished pouring the tea and Annaya pulled her mug closer to her. It was hot and steam wafted up slowly. She could smell the rich earthy notes of earthroot and… was that dreamfoil?

"You deserve more than this.” He replied.

Her cheeks flushed and she blinked hard a few times. Tears swelled up in the corners of her eyes but she forced them back as she played with the handle of the mug.

"So,” Rommath said softly and she looked at him from across the table. He frowned before he cleared his throat. "How have you been, Annaya?”

She smiled for a moment. She had spent nearly all of her time with Rommath back in Pandaria but he was asking her how she was? Surely he already knew the answer?

"How are you… feeling?” He continued. Their eyes met and she felt the shiver from before skate down her spine.

"I…” she huffed. "I don't really know. Things have been moving so fast, it's hard to keep up." 

Rommath hummed as he fingered the rim of his own mug. Annaya took a sip of her tea in an attempt to calm her nerves.

“How has your magic been feeling?" He asked.

Annaya frowned for a moment before she smirked. “What's with all the questions?" 

Rommath’s gaze remained locked on his mug but he frowned. “Am I not allowed to ask questions?" 

She heard the edge in his voice as he became defensive but she simply smiled at him. It sounded different from before. His ears twitched and Annaya had to bite her cheek to stifle a laugh.

“I care about you, Annaya, that is all." He huffed before he took a drink from his mug.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Rommath, can I ask you a question?”

"Of course.”

She turned the words over in her head for another moment. "What was it like in the Sunwell?”

His eyes darted back up to hers quickly. "The Sunwell? Why do you ask?”

Annaya shrugged. "Because I dream about it. Mostly it's nightmares of… before but sometimes there's this - this bright light and I feel myself falling." 

Rommath nodded. “That is about right. I could never get used to it." 

“You'd been there before?" 

Their eyes met. He hadn't told anyone about his own time in the Sunwell but as he looked across the table at Annaya, he felt something finally begin to shift in his chest. He wanted to tell his secrets. He wanted to tell her his secrets.

“I have. With Kael’thas. Only I was in your position." 

It was silent for a moment as Annaya mulled over his words.

“What happened?" She finally asked, taking another sip of her tea.

“I let him get too close." 

Their eyes met for a long moment and she shook her head.

“You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." She said.

His ears twitched again. Annaya’s eyes darted to them before she refocused on his face. She opened her mouth to change the subject when a yawn suddenly overtook her. Her jaw cracked as her hands flew to her mouth and she heard a small chuckle from across the table.

“Oh forgive me, I suppose I'm more tired than I thought I was." She said.

Rommath glanced back at the open bedroom door. “The bed is yours for the night." 

“Mine? What does that mean? Where are you sleeping?” Annaya's brow furrowed.

Rommath waved a hand at her. "I have the divan. I will be fine –”

"No!” Annaya interrupted as she jumped to her feet.

Their eyes met for a long moment as she felt her neck flush again.

“I mean, I…” she clenched her fists before she pushed away from the table and turned toward the open door that led out onto the balcony.

She heard the scuff of a chair and then there was a hand on her elbow. She turned back to Rommath.

“I just…" she reached up to fiddle with the hem of his black night robes. She could make out the edge of red against his chest and she realized it was another runic tattoo. "I just don't want to be alone again.”

Rommath carded his fingers into her hair as he tilted her head back. His lips met hers and she grabbed handfuls of his robes as she clung to him. The kiss was soft and warm, just as she remembered back on the island and she tilted her head slightly. Rommath pushed against her gently and she stepped back until her back hit the wall next to the open door. His fingers tightened in her hair as he pressed closer and Annaya’s breath caught suddenly.

She tore her lips away as her body tensed and she inhaled sharply. Rommath frowned as he looked at her.

"Annaya, what –”

 

… He tightened his fingers against her scalp as he pressed her head down between his legs.

“That's a good little whore." He laughed as he tilted his head back and let out a long growl…

 

Annaya pushed against his chest and Rommath stepped back immediately. 

“I… I’m sorry. I'm sorry, I just –” she sputtered quietly.

Rommath frowned before he slipped back in close to her. He cupped her face with both hands, his long fingers reaching around the back of her neck.

"It's okay. Tell me what it was,” he whispered as he pressed his forehead against hers.

She wrapped her hands around his wrists as her eyes fluttered.

"He held me… by my hair, whenever he would...”

She felt Rommath tense for a moment before he relaxed and shifted to pull her against him. She pressed her face into his neck as she shuddered.

"I'm sorry,” she repeated.

Rommath shook his head. “No apologies.” He trailed his hand down the length of her back. "Never apologize to me.”

She laughed as she sniffled. “You're too good for me." 

Rommath’s ears twitched. “I will have none of that. I am exactly right for you, Annaya.”

She looked up at him and he brushed his thumb across her cheek gently. 

“Confident, are we?" She asked with a smile.

He narrowed his eyes before he slowly drew her in for another kiss. He continued to run his thumb across her cheekbones before he pulled back.

“Come, it's getting late.”

Annaya nodded and he took her hand in his to lead her into the bedroom. As she heard the door shut behind them, the shiver from before skated down her spine. He released her hand so she could sit on the edge of the bed.

“What's wrong?” He asked softly and Annaya felt her neck flush again.

She looked up at him as she tried to find the right words. "It's just… it feels different this time, I don't know –" 

“Hush, Little Flame." She frowned at him but he smirked. "Nothing has changed between us. I expect nothing from you that you are not willing to give me.”

She made a small noise as she grabbed his wrists to pull him into her. Their lips collided as they fell back on the bed.

"I want to,” she breathed as they broke apart. "Light, I want to give you everything but I'm… I'm so scared.”

Rommath lifted himself up onto his elbows to look down at her. Her fingers were tangled in the lapels of his robes as she looked up at him with wide eyes.

He wanted her just as badly. He wanted to hold her, to kiss her, to make love to her in every way he could imagine but as he looked into her bright green eyes, he frowned. He couldn't do that to her, at least not yet. Not when the memories of Orgrimmar still hung so low over her head.

Rommath leaned forward to kiss her gently. Annaya made a small noise as she clung to him, pulling him close. He shifted to settle between her legs before he gently gripped her hips and slid her further up onto the bed. Her robes had fallen open to reveal her delicate collarbone and the fair skin of her shoulders. Rommath’s fingers tightened against her hips as he pressed his tongue against her lips.

“Rommath, please…” Annaya whispered against his lips. Rommath felt heat pool in his belly at the sound of her desperate voice and he pressed himself against her.

He exhaled slowly as he forced himself to pull back before. Her fingers tightened to hold him close but he rolled onto the side to settle next to her. She turned to follow him, tucking her face into the crook of his neck.

“It will be okay, Surfal.” He whispered against her hair. "You are safe here.”

He felt her breath against the bare skin of his neck as she relaxed in his arms. 

"You are safe here.” Rommath repeated as he pressed his lips against her hair.

---

Year 26, Tempest Keep, The Netherstorm, Outland

 

Rommath stepped into the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Kael’thas sat with his back to the door but he shifted slightly as he heard his herald approach.

“Ah, there you are, my heart." Kael’thas exclaimed as he stood to fully face Rommath. “I was beginning to worry." 

Rommath gave a small smile as Kael pulled him in for a kiss. Rommath tensed for a moment before he relaxed against him. Almost as quickly as the prince had leaned in, he pulled away.

"Forgive me, I was being debriefed by the latest contingent of sorcerers to return from the front. I came as soon as I was able." Rommath replied as he looked up at Kael.

Kael’thas hummed as he trailed his fingers down the lapels of Rommath’s dark crimson robes. His eyes traveled down to where his hands had settled before he pursed his lips and turned away.

“Surfal? Is something troubling you?" Rommath asked as he followed after the prince.

Kael stepped out onto the balcony that looked out over Tempest Keep and the dark swirling void of the Netherstorm. Rommath watched as he leaned against the railing, his fingers methodically tapping against it.

"Kael?”

"Where is it?” The prince interrupted, his back still turned towards him.

Rommath frowned. “Where is what?" 

The tapping continued. "I must admit, I am a bit disappointed that you do not display it." Kael turned back to him. “After you begged so hard for a token of my affection." 

Rommath’s ears twitched at Kael's words. He knew the prince was referring to the pendant he had given him years prior, before they had left Silvermoon for Dalaran. It was the only gift of love Kael had ever been willing to give him and his hand shot to his neck as he realized he had been caught without it.

“I…” he was rarely at a loss for words but as he felt his bare neck, he couldn't think of an adequate excuse. 

He had been in such a rush to leave Dalaran and return to save Quel’thalas that he hadn't realized it was missing until days later. He had been in a panic to find it, but when he realized it was probably lost in Dalaran, he was doused in a sheer frozen panic. If Kael ever found out he didn’t have the pendant —

"Tell me, Rommath. Who was the last person you saw in the city?” Kael asked.

"In Silvermoon? It was the Grand Magister, of cou –”

"In Dalaran.”

Their eyes met for a long moment and Rommath swallowed as he thought back.

"It would not have happened to be that girl, now would it?” Kael’s voice was low.

That girl. Rommath frowned. 

"Kael, what are you implying?”

Kael'thas barked a sharp laugh. "I think you know exactly what I am implying. You've had your eye on that little human commoner for months, and now I find out my gift to you has gone missing?”

"You think I gave it to her?”

"What evidence do I have to the contrary?” Kael scoffed as he turned back to look out across the Netherstorm.

“Kael, I lost it in the chaos as I was returning to save Silvermoon. That girl means nothing to me, I swear it." Rommath said as he felt a wave of panic wash over him. Kael’thas had been acting different lately, especially since he had begun to spend more time with Illidan Stormrage. Something seemed… crueler about him.

“Perhaps I was mistaken," Kael mused as he continued to tap on the railing.

"Kael, what are you talking about? You're not making any sense." 

Kael spun back to face Rommath. “I am making perfect sense.” His eyes fell to Rommath’s neck again for a moment. “I trusted you, Rommath. I relied on you to be my most trusted advisor, and it seems that trust was ill placed." 

Rommath's eyes widened. “No, of course not! Kael, please, I don’t understand!" 

There was another moment of silence as Kael’thas observed him. He brought his fingers to his lips as he tilted his head in thought.

"Tell me, Rommath. Do you wish to prove your loyalty to me?”

Rommath nodded quickly. "Of course I do! Please, tell me what I must do.”

Kael smirked. "Return to Silvermoon. Spread word of my success here and continue what we have started here back there." 

Romanth’s chest tightened at the thought of being sent away. “Don't make me leave, Kael. Please, I will do anything."

Kael’thas reached out his hand and Rommath quickly stepped in close to the prince. 

Kael chuckled as he cupped Rommath’s cheek. “Do this and prove your love for me. Then we will be together again." 

I swear, Kael. I will do this. I will prove myself." 

Rommath nodded as he leaned forward for Kael to kiss him.

---

Present Day

 

Rommath awoke with a start. The room was dark around him and he moved to sit up when someone shifted in his arms. He looked down to see Annaya fast asleep, her fingers gently wrapped in the lapels of his robes. Her head rested against his shoulder and he smiled softly as he leaned over to brush a strand of her dark red hair from her face.  

The nightmare was the same one he always had and he had to take a breath to calm his nerves. It had been days since he had last dreamt of Kael’thas, not since Annaya had begun to spend her nights with him.

As Rommath gently brushed his fingers through Annaya’s hair, he suddenly felt angry. Why now? Why was Kael’thas still haunting him now of all times?

The moonlight filtered in through the large windows and the partially open door to the balcony and Rommath shifted out from under the red head. He placed a gentle kiss to her temple before he slipped out of the bed and stepped onto the balcony.

He tilted his head up as his eyes slid closed. The breeze gently rustled his robes and he nearly shivered as he stood in the cool moonlight. After a moment, he reached into his pocket to pull out the pendant. As it rested in the palm of his hand, the moonlight glinted off gold inlays and ruby and emeralds. Rommath sighed as he looked down at it.

“Rommath?" 

He spun around at the sound of Annaya’s soft voice. She stood in the doorway, her long red hair loose down her back. Her eyes were bright as they met his. 

“Annaya, I didn’t mean to wake you,” Rommath replied as he turned to face her.

She joined him out on the balcony, stepping up to the railing next to him. He wanted to reach out and touch her, but the pendant rested heavy in his palm and he clenched his fist around it.

"I woke up and you were missing. I thought something had happened.” She said as she looked down at the fountain in the garden below.

"I am sorry,” Rommath replied.

Annaya looked over at him, searching his face for a long moment before she reached over to place her hand atop his. Atop the pendant.

“What's troubling you, my love?" She asked as she stepped closer to him.

Rommath frowned. His secrets had always been his alone, his burden had always been his to bear. The thought of telling anyone had always been out of the question. No one would understand; no one would care. He had sworn himself to Kael’thas out of love for his prince, but also love for the man he had been, and it had nearly doomed his entire people. 

He opened his mouth to speak but his words failed him, as they often did and so he turned his fist over to reveal the pendant instead. He waited as Annaya looked down at it. What would she say? What would she do?

“Will you tell me about it?" She finally asked, looking up at him.

"No more secrets,” he replied as he released a deep sigh.

She drew her hand up his arm as she stepped in to cup his cheek. His chest tightened as she pressed her forehead against his. 

"I was weak.” Rommath finally said.

Annaya frowned but before she could ask for clarification, he continued.

"Kael'thas promised me, promised us all so much. And I fell for it all. Every word of it.”

"Rommath –”

He shook his head. “His addiction ran deep long before Outland and I was so blinded by him that I gave him anything he asked for.”

Annaya reached up to draw her fingers along Rommath’s jaw. He tilted his head into her hand.

"I followed him to the end of it all and I would have walked off the edge if he had asked me.” he looked down at the pendant. He didn’t want to think about it, didn’t want to feel it, but as Annaya stood there with him, he felt warmth in his chest. Warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.

“I would have sold my people to the Burning Legion for him.” He continued, quietly. 

The words were like glass in his mouth. A betrayal two-fold. One, of his people, whom he loved more than anything, and two, of Kael’thas, whom he thought he loved more than anything. 

“You did what you thought was right-“ 

“I was blind!” He snapped, pulling away from her. She flinched slightly but her fingers trailed down his arm to keep him close. 

“You were in love.” She said.

He scoffed, his eyes falling to his closed fist. “Love,” he scoffed again. “Love makes us weak. Love makes us powerless.”

They fell into a long silence.

“I don’t believe that.”

He looked up to see her staring hard at him, her brow furrowed deep and her jaw set.

“I don’t believe that.” She repeated. She tilted her chin up as their eyes met. “You… don’t believe that.”

The edges of the pendant cut into his palm. He wanted to believe it so badly. It would have made things so easy, but as he stood there, something bubbled in his chest. Something he hadn’t felt in a long time. 

“Tell me you don’t believe that.” She pleaded quietly. 

Their eyes met. Her wide, bright, beautiful green eyes were wet with unshed tears and he moved without thinking. As he wrapped his arms around her, she made a small noise of surprise before she clutched handfuls of his robes, pulling him closer to her. 

He pressed his lips against her hair as she exhaled into his neck. They stood together in each other’s arms as Rommath fought the bubble of emotion in his chest. It threatened to overpower him, to press up his throat and out his mouth, but he forced it down.

To feel wanted, to feel desired. He had always given himself so freely but had never received anything in return. Annaya so desperately wanted him, so desperately desired him. So desperately loved him. 

The pendant cut into his palm and he frowned. Kael was always following him, like a cloud overhead. He had wanted to give Annaya the pendant as a token of his own devotion to her, but as she clung to him, he realized giving her the pendant would only keep Kael’thas in his life longer. No, he would show her his devotion in his own way, without the prince. 

He finally pulled away from her and she slowly blinked up at him. 

“I don’t believe it,” he said after a long moment. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

She smiled softly and he ducked his head to place a gentle kiss to her lips. She returned it eagerly. He pressed his fingers into her hair as he tilted her face up.

“Annaya, I…” he wanted so badly to say the words, but they were locked in his chest. He had spoken them to Kael’thas once, and the prince had laughed. He had never spoken the words again.

“I know,” she replied, softly. 

He kissed her again. He was jagged, sharp edges and stone walls, but Annaya was so soft and so incredibly gentle. He truly didn’t deserve her. 

As he pulled back, the pendant rested heavy on his palm and he looked down at it.

“He'll always be with you," Annaya said softly as she drew her fingers across the inside of his wrist.

“I want to be rid of him. The nightmares, the thoughts, all of it." Their eyes met. “I want to move on from it all." 

She reached up to cup his face in her hands. “We can move on together." 

He drew his free hand around her lower back to keep her close to him. Her body was warm against his own. As she pressed her forehead against his, he nodded and breathed out a small laugh.

“Together." 

Notes:

I've had the outline of this chapter ready since the very beginning of this fic. It feels good to finally get it out, even if it still managed to take on a life of its own.

Chapter 25

Notes:

Hello, my loves! I have been mulling over this chapter for the longest time! I had so many things I wanted to get into it and of course, it didn't work out exactly how I planned. That's ok because I finally got it figured out. I'm back on the wagon with these two goobers and I hope you enjoy!

Part 3: Entwined

Rommath woke to the sound of the birds chirping. As he slowly came to, he frowned. He was certain that he had closed the balcony doors before they had finally retired to bed, so why did he hear sounds from outside?

Rommath rolled over, sliding his arm out next to him. He was met with only cold, empty space and his eyes shot open. Annaya had been there with him last night. She had been in his arms; he remembered holding her as she curled around him on the bed. A shiver ran down his spine as his mind began to race. Had he scared her away somehow? Was she having second thoughts about them, even after everything they had told each other?

Rommath threw the covers off and stood up. He grabbed his night robe, tying the sash around his waist tightly before he hurried out into the other room. He paused as he was met with the sight of Annaya standing at the table, a tea kettle in her hands. Her dark red hair was loose down her back and it blew gently in the morning breeze as she turned to face him.

“Oh, good morning!" She smiled as she set the teapot down on the table. “How did you sleep?" 

Rommath frowned before he stepped up to her, sliding his fingers up along her cheeks and back into her hair. He tilted her head back gently before he pressed his lips to hers. She made a small noise in her throat and she tensed for a moment before grabbing the lapels of his robes to hold him close.

Rommath’s eyes slid closed as he felt himself sinking into the kiss. It was so easy with Annaya, so perfect. He didn’t have to ask for permission to be with her. He didn’t have to ask for permission to desire her. He never wanted it to end and his frown deepened as she gently pulled away.

Annaya huffed quietly when they parted. “That well, hmm?" 

Rommath studied her face for a long moment. “I awoke and you were gone. I did not know if…" he took a breath to ease the tightness in his chest. “If you had left me." 

She shook her head quickly. “I'm sorry. The sun woke me up this morning. It was such a beautiful morning so I decided to repay you for what you've done for me." She huffed quietly. “It isn't much but I made us some tea." 

Rommath looked at the table quietly, his fingers still curled gently against Annaya’s scalp. His thoughts raced as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. She hadn't been there when he had awoken. She had been gone from him… she had left…

"Rommath?” Annaya’s voice was soft as she wrapped her fingers gently around his wrist.

Her touch jerked him from his swirling thoughts and he looked back to her. Rommath sighed as he pressed his forehead against hers.

"Are you sure you're alright?” She asked as she laughed, pressing her forehead back against him.

Rommath finally forced himself to release her. He opened his eyes to look at her. "Yes, I'm… I'm fine.”

He released her to slide into the seat at the table, taking the teacup in hand. Annaya sat across from him.

"One of the servants stopped by while you were still sleeping.” Annaya said as she took a sip from her cup.

Rommath looked at her, his fingers tightening around his cup for a moment. If Annaya had spoken to the servant, it was only a matter of time before the rumors about them would spread. It had been years since Rommath had looked at another in that way, let alone even thought about bringing them to his bedchamber. His ears twitched as he frowned again.

"I'm sure there are already rumors, Surfal.” Annaya said softly as her eyes caught the small movement. "You have the Ranger-general to thank for that.”

"That damned Farstrider,” Rommath grumbled.

Annaya laughed into her cup. Rommath's ears twitched again as he watched her smile. He remembered her bright laugh in the park in Dalaran Square. He remembered her open smile as they stood together in the mage tower. She was so young, and innocent, and beautiful and as he looked at her in the morning light, he saw that beauty under the layer of hurt she still carried.

"Annaya –”

"So what is the plan for today, Grand Magister?” She cut him off as she set her cup down. Her smile was still there but her voice was steady as their eyes met.

Rommath took a breath before he replied. "The Regent-lord would like to meet with us all to debrief properly. You most of all." 

“Me? Why me?" Annaya’s eyes widened slightly.

“Well, you are our Mogu expert. After Lei Shen’s death, we are all quite interested to learn what you discovered about the Thunder King and his dark hidden secrets." 

“I…” Annaya frowned as she looked down at her cup again. There had been so much that had happened on the island, she still wasn't sure if she even understood it all. “I'll need to stop by the Reliquary first, to cross reference a few things." 

Rommath nodded. “Of course, I'll inform the Regent-lord that you'll be a bit late." 

She smiled softly at him before she picked up her cup to take another sip. Before they had gone to Pandaria, Annaya had spent her mornings alone, dreaming of happier times when she didn't have such dark thoughts. Now though, as she looked across the table at the man sitting across from her, she dared to think that she could get used to waking up like this.

---

They stepped out of Rommath’s apartment together a short time later. Annaya moved to step away from Rommath, but he grabbed her wrist to gently pull her back to him. She turned into him and he slid his free arm around her waist.

“Grand Magister, what is this?" Annaya asked, her voice low as she looked up at him.

Rommath felt a thrill run through him as he stood in the hallway with Annaya in his arms. Kael’thas would have never allowed that kind of affection in public but Annaya laughed quietly as she placed her hands against his chest. Rommath was quickly finding that he yearned for her affection, for her attention. To be so young and carefree again and to cast off the chains of nobility. It was a feeling Rommath hadn’t felt in years.

“Just one more." He said quietly before he kissed her again.

Annaya’s eyes slid closed as she cupped his cheek to keep him close. The kiss was slow and gentle and it wasn't until they heard the distant sounds of servants in the hall that they parted.

“I should go.” She whispered as they parted.

Rommath nodded, his fingers flexing against her lower back. He didn't want to release her, and his chest tightened again. The feeling was different than before but he couldn't quite place his finger on it. Annaya slipped from his grasp and he watched her walk away. He stood, frowning at the spot she had just been standing before she turned and headed for the Regent-lord’s office. He could address that feeling later.

---

The Reliquary was as Annaya had left it. It still smelled faintly of book glue and dust and she smiled as she hurried inside. She wondered briefly if the High Examiner was there, and what he thought of her recent promotion to the same rank. 

Would he be angry with her? Would he accept her? Annaya was an outsider. She was not Sin’dorei, and yet, Lor’themar had bestowed the title upon her as if she was just like any other archeologist among the order. Her head still spun at how only a few months ago, she had barely been accepted as an Archmage of the Kirin Tor – a mostly human organization – but now the Sin'dorei welcomed her with open arms. As one of them. 

Annaya hurried to one of the many bookshelves along the far wall of her small office. She scanned the spines of the countless books for a moment before she found the one she wanted, pulling it free and transferring it to the table. As she began to skim the pages, she began to work through the Mogu translations in her head. The language came as naturally to her as Common did, despite its somewhat convoluted conjugation system and she pulled her small journal from her pocket to begin scribbling down notes.

She frowned as she skimmed the final pages of the book. Something was still missing and she looked back over at the bookshelf. She had spent weeks transcribing the Mogu language into the many books there, she just had to find the correct one. Annaya sighed before she stood up to grab another book from the shelf. She found the one and as she turned back, she saw Aethas standing in the doorway. Their eyes met and he offered her a nervous smile.

“Hello, Annaya," he said, clearing his throat as he shifted back and forth where he stood. “I hope I'm not interrupting?" 

Annaya blinked at him a few times before she flung the large book on the table and threw herself into his arms. He caught her with a laugh, wrapping his arms around her back as she buried her face into his neck.

“Light, Aethas, I missed you." She said when she finally pulled back.

Aethas chuckled. “We saw each other yesterday." 

Annaya frowned and opened her mouth to argue.

“But I missed you too." He continued.

Her frown turned into a smile. “What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with the Regent-lord already.”

"I was on my way there when I saw you coming this way. I… thought it best if we talked.” Aethas’ eyes dropped as he confessed.

Annaya tilted her head slightly. “We haven't had a chance to really talk. Not since the island" 

He shook his head. “No, we haven't. I was hoping we could before the meeting?" 

She frowned. “What did you want to talk about?" 

Aethas shrugged. “I don't really know. I didn't really think this far ahead.”

Annaya huffed before she took his hand to pull him into the room. “Of course not. Come sit." 

He followed after her and sat on a stool next to where she had been working. Annaya reached for the new book she had retrieved from the shelf, opening it in the center before she began to flip through it.

“I was…” Aethas' paused for a moment. "Hoping we could talk about you and Rommath again?”

Annaya glanced over at Aethas before she continued to scribble in her notebook. "What do you want to know? I remember you were quite adamant that I stay away from him back in Pandaria." 

Aethas sighed. “I know and I wanted to apologize. I… Annaya, I was worried about you. I've only ever known the Grand Magister to be cold and uncaring. I didn't think he was capable of showing a shred of…" 

Aethas paused again and Annaya looked over at him. “A shred of what?" She asked.

“Of love." 

Annaya felt her neck begin to warm at the thought of Rommath loving her. No one could love her, she was broken and used and dirty and –

"I've seen the way he looks at you, Annaya. Like you are the most important thing in his world. The only thing in his world. I can't say I don't still worry about you but…”

"But what?”

Aethas smiled. "I think he might worry more than I do.”

Annaya blinked rapidly as she felt her eyes begin to water. She would not cry, no matter how tight her chest felt.

“I… I don't know what to say." She said as she sniffled.

Aethas leaned toward her, brushing a few unruly wisps of her hair away from her temple and cheek. 

“Don't say anything. Just know that you are loved here in Silvermoon. I promised you I would do whatever I could to prove our friendship mattered to me. To prove that I was sorry. I still mean that.”

Annaya frowned as she stared down at the book. She clenched her fists before she turned and wrapped her arms around Aethas’ neck. He flailed for a moment before his hands settled gently against her back.

"I promise, Annaya.”

She could only nod against his neck.

---

They walked together toward Sunfury Spire. Annaya held the Mogu textbook against her chest as she chewed idly at her lower lip.

She finally looked over at Aethas walking beside her. “Aethas, can I ask you a question?” 

The archmage looked back at her. “Of course.”

“Back at the Reliquary, you were very interested in talking about me, but I want to know something about you.”

Aethas’ eyes widened. “W-what about me?”

Annaya smiled. “You and a certain… Ranger-general? You both seemed quite friendly back in Pandaria.” She shrugged. “I was just curious as to… the depth of that friendship.”

She watched as Aethas’ neck and cheeks turned nearly the same color as his hair. He sputtered for a moment as he tried to think of a response to her. Annaya simply stopped walking, her eyebrow quirked as she waited for him to collect himself.

“We’re…” 

Annaya tilted her head as she smiled at Aethas and he finally sighed in defeat. 

“I don’t really know what we are, Annaya, but I do know that I’m happy with him.”

Annaya paused. Aethas was still incredibly red in the face as he wrung his hands together.

“He never judged me for what happened in Dalaran and he seems to really like me.”

“That is one way to put it.” Annaya laughed before she cocked her head to the side. “I’m happy for you, Aethas. To see you happy again. It makes me happy.”

She reached out for him and he smiled at her before he took her hand and they walked up the steps together. As they crossed the threshold of Sunfury Spire, Aethas glanced around.

“Someone may think something of us,” he remarked, tugging gently on their intertwined fingers.

Annaya snorted quietly. “Doubtful. There are enough rumors about the two of us and our respective…” she glanced over at him. “Suitors that I highly doubt anyone will think we’re also doing anything untoward.”

Aethas smiled at her despite the flush creeping further up his neck. He had only just managed to get his complexion under control by the time they had arrived at the Regent-lord’s office. Annaya dropped their hands to adjust the book in her arms. She waited quietly as Aethas knocked on the door. There was a moment of silence before he pushed it open. 

The triumvirate turned to look at them as they stepped into the room and Annaya couldn’t stop the shiver that ran down her spine. She remembered the first time she had stepped into Lor’themar’s office, all those months ago. Her body had still been beaten and bruised, despite days spent in the Sunwell. She could still remember the ghost of the intense magic as it healed her body just mere breaths from death.

She glanced around the room and her gaze settled on Rommath, seated stiffly in his chair. Halduron lounged across from him and Lor’themar stood behind his desk. All three watched the two archmages silently as they approached.

“Ah finally, our special guests have arrived.” Lor’themar announced, lifting his tumbler toward them slightly.

Aethas bowed his head slightly. “Forgive our tardiness, my lord. The archmage and I had to take a quick detour at the Reliquary to cross-reference a few items.”

“Of course, the Grand Magister already informed me.” Lor’themar replied, gesturing to Rommath.

Aethas glanced over at the Grand Magister, who simply narrowed his eyes in response. Aethas quickly looked down as he nodded his head. 

“Right, o-of course.” Aethas mumbled.

Annaya quirked a brow as she caught Rommath’s eyes and she smirked before she gently elbowed Aethas. The archmage looked up at her but she had already shifted her gaze to the Regent-lord.

“I have some notes that might be of interest to you, my lord." Annaya stepped forward and placed the book down on Lor’themar’s desk gently.

The Regent-lord looked down at the book before looking back up at her. "The floor is yours, Archmage.”

Annaya smiled at him before she flipped the book open to one of the many pages she had earmarked earlier.

"The Reliquary was able to gather quite a bit of information while we were in Pandaria. Thanks to our foothold on the Isle of Thunder, we had a sizable head start against Garrosh and even against the Alliance and the Explorers’ League." 

She turned back to look at the others. “Still though there are a few unanswered questions. I was hoping Wrathion would be of more assistance with the Dark Heart but that proved to be a dead end -" 

“For now." Lor’themar interjected.

Annaya smiled. “For now.”

"So then, what do we know?” Rommath asked.

Annaya looked over at him. His eyes were sharp as he watched her and she felt a shiver skate down her spine. She nodded slightly as she turned back to the book.

“I’ve been trying to do more research on the Dark Heart on my own. Garrosh never seemed interested in Lei Shen or the Titan he had imprisoned beneath the Throne of Thunder. I’m beginning to suspect Garrosh was looking for something else.”

Annaya looked up at Lor’themar. “I’m curious, Regent-lord, if you have had any correspondence with him since returning from Pandaria?”

“Garrosh is still in Pandaria. He did not return after word of the Thunder King’s death reached him.” Lor’themar explained.

Annaya frowned. She opened her mouth to speak but Halduron spoke first. “Why is he still there?" 

Lor’themar shook his head. “That is a good question. We’ve intercepted a number of missives between him and his Kor’kron but none of them have been very helpful.”

Annaya chewed her lower lip as she looked down at the textbook again. "Garrosh was always blinded by a lust for power." 

Lor’themar chuckled. “You are quite right about that." 

“Well, at least while he's gone, we can still move forces against him. Vol’jin is shifting…”

Annaya heard Halduron speaking but her mind was already racing as she thought back. Lei Shen had been consumed by a deep desire for ultimate power. If the Warchief hadn’t been interested in Lei Shen’s version of ultimate power, what had he been looking for? Without the heart of a Titan, what other options were there?

Her eyes widened as she suddenly remembered a Mogu entry she had translated. She began to flip through the pages of the tome, her eyes scanning the words quickly.

"The Kor’kron are our biggest threat. They hold the city even when Hellscream is gone.” Halduron continued.

"I was wrong!” Annaya suddenly burst out.

Lor’themar turned to Annaya and she straightened as everyone’s eyes turned towards her.

“Regent-lord, do you have a map of Pandaria?” Annaya asked.

Lor’themar nodded as he gestured to the large table behind them. “Of course.”

Annaya hurried over to it. The rest of the group followed, spreading out around the table. She leaned over the large map as her eyes darted back and forth across it.

“What are you looking for?" Lor’themar asked.

She chewed her lower lip as she scanned the map quickly.

“Archmage –” Lor’themar repeated.

“Apologies, I –” Annaya shook her head as she looked up briefly. She looked back down at the map. “Pandaria is old. The Pandarens and the Mogu had access to great swaths of technology and knowledge we had barely even scratched the surface of.”

She moved around the side of the table as she continued to look at the map. "Lei Shen stole the heart of a Titan but…”

Her eyes widened suddenly. “Light save us. There’s an Old God in Pandaria.”

“Are you certain?” Lor’themar asked as he took a step closer to the table.

She nodded. “I’m never wrong about the Mogu.”

Halduron snorted quietly as he took a sip from his bourbon glass and glanced at Rommath. The Grand Magister narrowed his eyes as he returned the look briefly.

"I kept seeing references to a ‘Dark Heart' but I had originally thought that it was referring to Lei Shen.” Annaya shook her head as she met Lor’themar’s eyes. "I was wrong. It was referring to the Old God.”

"Forgive me, my dear, but which Old God is this?" Lor’themar asked.

Annaya frowned as she tried to remember the name. “It was called Y’shaarj. It was killed by the Titans long before we ever came to Azeroth. Garrosh must have stumbled across the heart during one of his own expeditions beneath the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.”

Lor’themar brought his fingers to his lips as he began to pace. "That could explain why he hasn't returned to Orgrimmar yet. Perhaps he's still trying to figure out what to do with the heart.”

"Regent-lord, we have to stop him from using that heart." Annaya said as she turned toward him. "You saw what the Titan’s heart did to Lei Shen. Imagine what an Old God’s heart could do to the Warchief." 

Lor’themar’s frown deepened. “You are quite right." He turned to his Halduron and Rommath. “We should send word to Vol’jin. Inform him that Garrosh is playing with dangerous magic and to be on high alert. The moment he returns to Orgrimmar, we strike back.”

Annaya took a step forward. "I want to help." 

Four sets of eyes turned towards her. She swallowed as her own words rang in her head. What was she doing?

“You've done quite enough already –” Lor’themar began.

"Whatever move is made on Orgrimmar, I… I want to be there.” Annaya clenched her fist as she forced her way forward.

Her eyes darted to Rommath as a shiver skated down her spine. The thought of returning to the Horde capital sent ice through her veins and she clenched her jaw against the growing fear.

"Annaya, I don't think that's a good idea.” Lor’themar said quietly. 

She realized suddenly that the entire room was silent. “I need to be there, Regent-lord. I need to see him fall." 

Lor’themar turned to walk back to his desk. Annaya watched him move, her eyes trained on the tiny movement of his fingers as he dragged them across his desk. 

"I will consider it. You are correct, you do deserve to be there." 

Annaya jumped slightly as there was a knock on the office door. Aethas hurried to open it and Annaya watched him as he spoke with the young blood elf standing in the hallway. He returned after a moment with an envelope in his hands.

"What is it?” Rommath asked, frowning at Aethas.

Aethas was quiet as he approached the Regent-lord. "It's a missive from Vol’jin." 

Lor’themar nodded silently as he took the envelope from Aethas. He quickly split open the back of the envelope and pulled out the parchment within. As he scanned the words scrawled across it, Annaya felt her chest tighten even more. 

"The Darkspear tribe has sent word. Hellscream has returned to Orgrimmar.” He lifted his gaze to Annaya.

“Regent-lord –”

"I said I would consider it, Archmage.” He looked between her and Aethas. "If you two would excuse us, I have much to discuss with my advisors." 

Annaya wanted to argue but as she glanced at Rommath again, she paused. His eyes were sharp; sharper than she had ever seen them before and they were directed at her.

“Of course, my lord." She nodded before she stepped over to his desk to collect her book.

As she brought it up to her chest, a memory filled her mind. A memory of her as an apprentice back in Dalaran, being dismissed from the mage tower. She glanced over at Rommath again but he wasn't looking at her and so she clenched her jaw and hurried out of the office.

Chapter 26

Notes:

This got a little more sappy than I had originally intended, but I think I needed that. I hit a weird mental block with a lot of my writing this past month. Work got really crazy and a bit overwhelming... yeah it was just a lot to get back into the swing of things. It's also kind of a scary thought to think that I'll be wrapping this up in a few chapters😭 I do already have thoughts for a sequel but I absolutely worry about sticking the landing. So many thoughts and still so much to do in this!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy and I am forever grateful for your continued support of me and these two lovebirds.

Annaya drummed her fingers across Rommath’s desk as she waited for the Grand Magister to return. She heard the mage wards that protected the door disengage and she looked up. She watched as Rommath entered the office, his brow furrowed. Annaya stood from her chair and moved to meet him.

“Rommath, thank the Light you’re back. I was hoping you could speak to the Regent-lord for me.” 

Rommath was silent as he watched her, his lips pulled tight into a thin line. Annaya paused as she looked up at him. She reached out for him, her fingers pushing past his cowl to touch his cheek. Rommath’s eyes fluttered slightly and he resisted the urge to lean into her touch.

“Annaya,” Rommath wrapped his fingers around her wrist to pull her away from his face. “Why do you insist on doing this?" 

Annaya frowned. “Doing what?" 

Rommath couldn't help the sigh that escaped him. “Throwing yourself into danger at every turn." 

“Rommath, I –" 

“You just got back here and already you want to run back into danger. Why are you doing this?”

Annaya took a step back but Rommath stepped with her, his grip held fast around her wrist.

“I-I don't understand." She stammered.

Rommath opened his mouth to speak as fury filled his head but he quickly caught himself. This was not an apprentice unable to cast a simple mage hand cantrip. This was not a magister caught sleeping while on watch. This was Annaya, the woman who refused to shrink away from him whenever he bristled and spat fire at the smallest inconvenience. This was Annaya, the frost to his fire.

Their eyes met and the furrow of his brow loosened.

"I can't lose you…” his throat tightened suddenly and he swallowed. "Again.”

She took a breath as the tension in her body deflated and her eyes dropped. She turned away and Rommath let her go. He watched her wrap her arms around herself as she stepped toward the balcony. She walked out into the open air and the gentle breeze blew wisps of her red hair loose from her braid.

Rommath waited a moment and then he followed after her. Annaya settled her elbows on the railing as she leaned forward. Rommath stood nearby, his entire body tense as he watched her. 

"Annaya –" 

She turned her head slightly. “This is my chance to end this. To finally be free." 

Rommath frowned before his eyes widened slightly. “This isn't about Hellscream, is it?" 

Annaya swallowed as their eyes met briefly. She shook her head before she turned back to look out across the garden below them.

Rommath sighed before he stepped forward. He brushed against her shoulder before he trailed his fingers down her side to settle against her lower back. Annaya turned to lean into him and he pressed his nose into her hair.

Citrus and cold ocean air. He smiled softly as he remembered the first time he had smelled it; the first time he had smelled her all those years ago. The breeze continued to blow.

“Will you come with me?" He said after a moment.

Annaya pulled back to look up at him. She frowned as she tilted her head. “Come with you where?" 

Rommath smirked before he slid his fingers between hers. “Do you trust me?" 

She nodded quickly. “Always." 

Rommath’s chest tightened. “Then come with me. Please. I have something I want to show you." 

---

The hallway outside his office was thankfully empty. The sun was setting outside and it cast a long orange and yellow glow along the crimson carpet as they walked toward the portal room. Rommath’s fingers tightened around Annaya’s. He hadn't been back to the Isle since… since he had brought her there.

"Wait, Rommath. Where are we going?”

He looked back at her but she was focused on the portal in front of them. 

"It will be alright, Little flame. We're going together.” He replied as he tried to pull her closer.

She tensed, her eyes darting to his. "We're going to the Sunwell? Why?”

Rommath sighed. “Not exactly. I have something I want to show you. Something I need to tell you." 

He held her gaze for a long moment before she finally nodded and stepped close to him. He placed a gentle kiss against her temple before he turned and led her through the portal.

 

 

As she stepped through the portal onto the Isle of Quel’Danas, Annaya took a deep breath. The ground beneath her feet radiated with power, pulsing up to meet her like a gentle heartbeat. She blinked quickly as tears suddenly welled up at the corners of her eyes and she looked at Rommath.

He huffed a quiet laugh before he brought his thumb up to wipe away an errant tear. “It's okay." 

“I don’t – what's – I –”

He shushed her softly. "It will be alright. Let's go.”

Annaya nodded before she followed Rommath down the path out of the portal room. The walk across the Isle was quiet as the sun continued to set across the Great Sea.

"Did you know,” Rommath said suddenly. Annaya looked up at him to see him looking out across the water. "I was assigned here, to the Isle.” He glanced over at her. "During the attack.”

Annaya frowned as she mulled over his words. She knew he could only be talking about one thing. The attack on Silvermoon. When Arthas had attacked Quel’thalas with the sole intent of crippling the elves, destroying the Sunwell, and bringing Kel’thuzad back to life. She had been in Dalaran but had evacuated to Light’s Hope Chapel to wait out what she found out later was the near complete annihilation of the city. She had heard later that Arthas had also nearly annihilated Silvermoon as well before turning his attention to her own home.

"We had evacuated the women and children here to the Isle, thinking it would be safe… but we didn’t realize that we had a traitor in our midst.”

Annaya remembered reading the report. She remembered learning about the magister, Dar’Khan Drathir, and how he had fallen prey to Arthas’ corruption. He had turned on his people at the very hour of Twilight, when they had been most vulnerable.

Annaya reached out to touch Rommath’s elbow gently. “You couldn't have known." 

He shook his head as he stared out at the water. “I should have known." 

She grabbed his elbow suddenly, pulling him back to face her. He frowned at her abrupt force but she grabbed his robes with her other hand to hold him steady.

“You couldn't have known. Rommath… do you blame yourself?” She asked, searching his face.

He tried to pull away but she tightened her grip further. 

"I was entrusted to get them to safety.” He said, his voice barely a whisper.

Annaya opened her mouth to reply when she realized what he meant. "The women and children.”

“I sent them off on the ships and then I had to watch them burn in the harbor.” His throat was tight and he shook his head. "There was nothing I could do.”

She drew her fingers up along the line of his jaw. “Surfal… you couldn't have known." 

She pulled him toward her to press her forehead against his gently. Rommath’s eyes drifted shut as he breathed in the faint citrus smell of frost magic. As he exhaled, he felt the tightness in his chest loosen slightly and his shoulders deflate. He couldn't have saved them, but he could save the woman standing in front of him.

He slid his hand down her side to touch where she still gripped his robes. Her eyes opened to meet his and she smiled softly at him. 

“Come on." He finally said, straightening. He took her hand and they began to walk again.

The entrance to the Sunwell sat on their right as they walked along the path. Annaya eyed the doorway to the Shrine of the Eclipse as a shiver danced down her spine. Her memory was still foggy and clouded but she remembered Rommath carrying her through those doors months ago. She had gripped his robes tight between her fingers as he raced down the ramp toward the massive pool of arcane and holy energies. She still had dreams of his voice in her ear and the Naaru that had given them both a second chance at life.

A pair of guards stood in front of the door, protecting the entrance from any who would seek the Sunwell. Rommath continued on past the doorway and Annaya frowned as she followed after him.

“We’re not going to the Sunwell?” She asked, looking over her shoulder at the entrance to the Shrine of the Eclipse.

Rommath shook his head. “No, not this time.”

“Then, where are we going?” She asked as he began to lead her up the gentle incline.

Rommath’s ears twitched slightly as he turned to look back at her. He held his hand out for her and she slid her fingers between his.

“Some place special to me.” Rommath said quietly.

The breeze rustled their robes as they walked up the small hill to another building overlooking the Great Sea. Annaya felt the shiver dance along her spine again as she recognized it almost immediately.

“Magister’s Terrace?” she asked, looking back at him.

Rommath didn’t reply as he looked up at the archway over the entrance. There were no guards protecting the entrance, and the building looked as if it hadn’t been used in some time.

“Come on, we’re almost there.”

Annaya felt Rommath’s fingers tighten around hers as he led her inside the main hall. Even dark and empty, Magister’s Terrace was ornately decorated. As Annaya looked around them, she saw remnants of the brilliance the building had once held.

“Kael and I used to come here together.” Rommath said, finally breaking the silence.

Annaya’s eyes settled on the Grand Magister as he spoke.

“There were places here only we had access to. Places only we were allowed.” Their eyes met briefly before he dropped her hand and took a few steps away from her. He walked to the edge of the balcony and leaned forward against the railing. 

“He would often ask me to meet him here at the end of the day. We would… enjoy each other’s company.” Rommath scoffed as he shook his head. “I was so naive.”

Annaya frowned as she stepped up behind him. She reached out to place her hand against his back gently. Rommath tensed for a moment before he looked over at Annaya. “You weren’t naive.”

Rommath frowned at Annaya’s words. He wanted to argue with her. He wanted to bite back and tell her she was wrong, but as she looked up at him, every ounce of fight drained out of him. He touched her hip gently, pulling her closer to him as he cupped her jaw. “I do not deserve you.”

Annaya huffed a quiet laugh before she pressed her forehead against his again. “Thank you.” She said suddenly.

Rommath’s eyes widened slightly before his brow furrowed.

She smiled softly at him. “Thank you,” she repeated. “For saving my life.”

Rommath shook his head. “It was the easiest decision I have ever had to make.” He replied.

Annaya huffed quietly. “No one's ever done anything like that for me." 

Rommath shook his head. “I… I would do anything for you, Annaya." 

She leaned forward to press her lips against his. As Rommath kissed her, the tightness in his chest loosened a bit more. He took a breath as he tightened his grip on her.

“I need to tell you the truth." He said when they finally parted.

Annaya frowned slightly as she looked up at him. He sighed before he turned away from her to look back out over the balcony. The Sunwell’s courtyard stretched out before them.

“I am…" he swallowed and took a breath. “Annaya, I am a fraud." 

Annaya’s frown deepened. “What do you mean?" 

Rommath’s eyes dropped to the railing between them. He could feel the tips of his ears begin to warm as shame filled him but he pressed on. He could do this. Annaya deserved to know who he truly was. He gripped the railing tightly between his hands.

"I was… I was not born of nobility. I ascended to this position because of my… relationship with Kael’thas. He… chose me to be his second because of what… what I could give to him." 

Annaya didn't respond and Rommath waited in the silence until he could take no more of it. He looked away from her as he let out a long, deep sigh.

"We entered into a mutual agreement wherein he would help me rise amongst the ranks of the Magisterium to one day become the Grand Magister and I would provide him counsel and…” Rommath clenched his jaw for a moment. "Companionship.”

"Did he blackmail you?” Annaya finally asked. Her voice was barely audible and Rommath’s ears twitched. He glanced over at her for a moment before looking back out over the courtyard.

He shook his head. "I knew what I was getting into, at least at first. I cast off all ties to my previous life; to my family to be with him. I left my old life behind on the promise that I would become something far greater than I could have ever hoped to be.”

"Did you love him?”

Rommath glanced up to see Annaya’s face. It was unreadable and for a moment and emotion he hadn't felt in years shot through him. Fear.

Rommath nodded slowly. “I thought I did. He weaved a web to entangle me so… perfectly.” He grit his teeth at his own words. He had been so utterly stupid –

Annaya reached forward to cup Rommath’s cheek.

“I would have loved him too." She replied softly.

Rommath’s eyes snapped to hers.

“Annaya, I swore my entire being to him. He was everything to me. Not just my prince but –" 

Annaya nodded with a smile. “I know." 

Rommath felt his heart beat quicker in chest. She knew? How could she have known? Was she angry? Did she have questions? Did she hate him?

"So then, what changed?” She asked quietly

Rommath wet his lips. He longed to reach for her, to hold her in his arms as he spoke but that fear held him frozen.

"He became jealous.”

Annaya raised a brow. "Jealous?”

Rommath nodded. "Of you.”

Her eyes widened. "Of me? But… what did I do?”

He finally did reach forward. She allowed herself to be pulled closer, her arms snaking up around Rommath’s neck as he wrapped his arms around her lower back. Their noses bumped against each other and Rommath’s breath ghosted across her cheek as they shifted.

"I've told you already, Annaya.” His eyes were bright as they met hers. "You saw me.”

He watched her cheeks flush as she looked down but he reached up to cup her cheek and coax her back. "He saw it before I did. I was so blinded by him, so desperate for his affection, I failed to see it was in front of me the entire time.”

Annaya pressed her forehead against Rommath’s again. Her eyes slid closed as they stood together.

"So, who are you then? If you are not nobility then who am I standing with in the Grand Magister’s Terrace?” She opened her eyes as she smirked at him.

Rommath shook his head slightly, pulling back to look out at the courtyard again. "My family died in the attack. Our name has been lost to the ages and…" he sighed before meeting her gaze again. “I do not deserve to carry it. I failed them long ago, when I cast them off in misplaced shame." 

Annaya cupped Rommath’s face in both of her hands. “Rommath, there were so many times in my life I wanted to be someone else. The Dawnfire’s fell from grace during the Second War but I was forced to carry on in. No matter where I went, I was branded as a failure, even before I could prove I wasn’t. I was only allowed in Dalaran because of a favor from a family friend. I wanted nothing more than to be someone – anyone else. I was never good enough, no matter how good I knew I was.”

Annaya swallowed. "It took me so long to realize that I was good enough as I was – who I was. I didn't need to be anyone else.”

She shifted closer to Rommath as she forced him to meet her eyes. “You showed me that, Rommath. You showed me that I was good enough.”

"You are good enough. More than good enough. You are perfect.” Rommath replied.

Annaya scoffed as she shook her head. "And so are you. You are the leader of Silvermoon’s Magisters. You are my Grand Magister. No matter where you came from. No matter what name you were born with.”

Rommath turned them to push Annaya back against the railing. Their lips crashed together, hot and consuming. He pressed his tongue against her lips and she parted them to allow him to press into her mouth, seeking out her own. Their mouths moved together, seeking each other as he kissed her again and again. His fingers shifted up to card into her hair and hold her tight against him. Never, in a million moons had he felt such a desire for anyone, not even Kael’thas and as he opened his eyes, he saw Annaya looking back at him.

“Annaya, I…” He tried to say the words, but they remained lodged in his throat. He swallowed, hoping to loosen the tightness that had gripped him.

Annaya smiled before she pressed forward. Her lips brushed against his own as her eyes slid shut. “I know.”

---

They walked together back to the portal to Sunfury Spire. The stars twinkled above them quietly and night creatures moved in the forest on the edge of Sunwell Plateau. Annaya’s fingers were intertwined with Rommath’s and she glanced over at him periodically.

“What are you thinking about?” She finally asked, breaking the silence that had settled between them.

He glanced over at her briefly before looking away. After another moment of silence, he huffed.

“I had resigned myself to a life of solitude. It was as if…” He sighed before turning to face Annaya. “As if I was being punished for being unfaithful.”

“Rommath –”

Rommath’s grip tightened on Annaya’s hand. “I told you I had sworn everything to him, but he believed I had strayed.”

He pulled on Annaya’s hand to coax her closer to him. “And, in a way, I had.”

Annaya placed her free hand against Rommath’s chest. He placed his own free hand over it to cover it.

“I just did not know it at the time.”

Annaya smiled up at him and they stood together for another moment before Rommath turned and they began walking toward the portal. They fell into a comfortable silence, before –

“Rommath, can we go to Orgrimmar?”

Rommath’s head snapped back to look at Annaya. He opened his mouth to respond to her when he remembered what she had told him before. 

“Annaya, you are asking to run directly into the arms of the monster that nearly killed you. That is still hunting you.” He shook his head. “Why do you want to?”

Annaya sighed before she pressed forward to wrap her arms around Rommath’s middle. She pressed her head against his chest, her eyes sliding shut as she listened to the steady sound of Rommath’s heartbeat. Rommath pressed his lips against her soft hair.

“Tell me, Little flame.” Rommath said softly.

“I still have nightmares.” Annaya said, her voice muffled by Rommath’s robes. “I dream of him finding me again, even in Silvermoon.”

Rommath tightened his grip on Annaya as he held her.

“That will never happen –”

“Not if we go there and kill him.” Annaya looked up at Rommath. “Not if we take this fight to him. I want…” She shook her head. “I need to do this.”

It was quiet for a long moment before Rommath smiled softly. Just as Rommath had taken his power back, Annaya could take hers back too. She didn’t want to run anymore, she wanted to take back what the General had stolen from her.

“Ok. I’ll talk to the Regent-lord. We will figure out a plan.”

Annaya smiled. “And you’ll be with me.”

Rommath nodded. “Of course I will. I won’t leave your side.”

Chapter 27

Summary:

Annaya and Rommath finally have a night together before the Siege of Orgrimmar.

Notes:

Hello, my loves! I am so happy to finally be back! I had a small crisis when I realized just how close I was to finishing this fic! I really wanted to make sure I did this right. We've come so far, and I had so many ideas left to finish. At first, I wanted to push this chapter's content off a little further but finally decided it was time. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it and I can't wait to see this all the way through!

Annaya fiddled with the hem of her sleeve as she waited. Rommath had been inside the Regent-lord's office for nearly an hour and try as she might, she could not make out what was being said on the other side of the door. Rommath had promised to convince Lor'themar to let her go to Orgrimmar but the longer the two elves were in that office, the less confident Annaya became. 

She knew it was a terrible decision. She had only been safe on the Isle of Thunder because she had been confined to Dawnseeker Promontory but now… she'd be walking straight into enemy territory. She'd be walking straight back to him. Her thoughts drifted to the Kor'kron general and she shuddered. He was out there somewhere. Waiting for her to return to him.

Pretty little thing. You'll always be mine…

A rustle of noise at the door jolted Annaya from her thoughts. She stood up quickly as it opened and Rommath appeared in the doorway.

"Of course. Thank you, my Lord." Rommath bowed his head slightly. 

Annaya's fingers tightened in the hem of her sleeve. Rommath turned, stepping into the hallway, and closed the door behind him. It was silent as Annaya waited for the Grand Magister to move. Finally, he looked over at her.

"Well, what did he say?" she asked, dropping her hands to her sides.

Rommath shook his head. "Not here."

Annaya felt a shiver of anxiety skate down her spine. She opened her mouth to respond but Rommath was already walking away. She turned to hurry along after him. The hallway was mostly empty as most everyone was preparing for the assault on Orgrimmar but the few elves that passed by them paid them no mind. The Grand Magister and High Examiner were a normal sight together in Sunfury Spire. 

"Rommath, what did he say?" Annaya asked as she tried to catch up with him.

He didn't reply as his robes swirled around him. Annaya could see the angle of his face, his brow furrowed as he hurried down the hallway. Annaya frowned and reached for his hand to stop him. Their fingers slid together effortlessly – perfectly – as he spun back to face her.

"Surfal –"

"Not here." He repeated. His voice was sharp and his entire body was tense. As their eyes met, he immediately relaxed. "Please, Annaya. I will tell you everything, but only once we are alone." His eyes shifted over her shoulder for a moment. "There are too many listening ears out here. Too many watchful eyes."

Annaya frowned but then nodded. "Of course, my lord." 

She let his fingers slip from hers but their eyes remained locked on each other for a moment longer. Rommath tilted his head forward slightly in acknowledgement before he turned and began walking toward his office again. Annaya took a breath to calm herself and then hurried after.

 

Rommath held the door open for Annaya to enter his office and she hurried past him. She turned to watch him close the door and then she watched as he waved his hand between them. There was a quiet ping! as the security wards activated and it was only then that Rommath's entire body seemed to relax.

Annaya frowned as she watched him. "Rommath, what's wrong?"

He shook his head as he slowly made his way toward her. As he stepped into her space, he ghosted his fingers up her cheek to card back into her hair. Annaya's eyes fluttered shut as she tilted her head into his hand.

"Why do you wish to go to Orgrimmar so much?" He finally said, his voice low enough for only them to hear.

Annaya's brow furrowed. She lifted her hand to wrap her fingers around Rommath's wrist as she looked up at him. "You don't get it, do you?"

"Please tell me." Rommath breathed out. He raised his other hand to cup her face with both of them. "Why do you insist on going there? There is only death in that infernal city."

Anger flooded Annaya's chest as her frown deepened. Her grip on Rommath's wrists tightened as her eyes began to burn. She blinked quickly to chase her tears away but she knew it was no use. Not in front of Rommath.

"I have to go there, Rommath. I –" Her throat suddenly tightened and she clenched her jaw shut.

Rommath's fingers pressed against her scalp. "Tell me, Annaya. Please do not hide from me."

"He's there, Rommath. I have to kill him. I have to end this somehow. I don't want to live in…" she took a breath as a tear slipped down her cheek. "In fear anymore."

Rommath sighed before he pulled her forward to press their foreheads together. Annaya slipped her hands from Rommath's wrists to pull the cowl from his face. As his lower face became exposed to her, Rommath pressed his lips against her hairline. Annaya slipped her hands down into his robes as she pulled herself against his body. He wrapped his arms around her and she sunk into the warmth that radiated from him.

They stood together in the center of the office. Rommath breathed into Annaya's hair as she clung to him. Finally, he lifted his head.

"You deserve peace, Annaya," he said softly.

She looked up at him with wide eyes.

"You deserve your vengeance." He continued.

Rommath's lips held the ghost of a smile and Annaya cocked her head to the side.

"The Regent-lord agreed to let you come with us to Orgrimmar."

"He did?" Annaya asked, as her eyes widened.

Rommath nodded. "On one condition."

Annaya frowned.

"That we kill the bastard who ever thought hurting you was a good idea."

"We?" 

"I will be at your side the entire time. I will be there when you kill him." 

Annaya surged forward to press her lips to Rommath's. He released a quiet umph before he chuckled low in his throat. Annaya sighed into Rommath's embrace. Being close to him, being held in his arms, knowing that he wanted to be close to her. It was something she had only ever dreamed of. Even standing there at that moment felt like a dream to her and she twisted her fingers in Rommath's robes.

"Don't leave me." She whispered against Rommath's neck. A flutter of anxiety crawled up her throat but she swallowed it down.

Rommath shook his head. "I would not dare."

They stood together a while longer until finally Rommath pulled away. "We should get some rest. The Regent-lord wishes to brief the troops in the morning and then head for Orgrimmar shortly after. "Vol'jin is already on his way to the city and Theron wishes to meet him there." 

Annaya nodded in agreement before a sudden yawn overtook her. Rommath chuckled softly as he watched her.

"You're right. We should get some rest." As she said the words, a thought crossed her mind. Her fingers tightened in Rommath's robes and she glanced up at him.

He caught her look and frowned. "What is it?" 

Annaya shook her head as she looked away quickly. There was no way Rommath would…

"It's nothing. Just a silly thought." 

He cupped her cheek to coax her to look at him. "Tell me, little flame."

The anxiety crawled up her throat again as she looked into his eyes. It was impossible, there was no way he would want to. She was dirty, and broken, and –

"I…" she began. She swallowed, her tongue darting out to wet her suddenly dry lips. She opened her mouth to speak but her throat tightened and she looked away.

Annaya pulled away from him as she made her way into the large bedroom. As her eyes fell on the bed, she froze. Just the night before she had slept next to Rommath but now her mind was spiraling. She heard the door shut behind her and she swallowed. There was a rustle of fabric as Rommath moved to step behind her. A flicker of fear danced up her spine and she turned her head slightly. He touched her elbow gently and she looked up to meet his eyes.

"Your mind speaks loudly, my little flame. It expressed its desires plain as day." Rommath's voice was quiet as he pressed his lips into her hair.

Rommath slid a hand around her waist to pull her back against him. She could feel his hardness against her as he did, and her breath caught in her throat. "I also have desire."

Her eyes snapped open to focus on the bed in front of them. The black silk sheets seemed to shimmer in the waning sunlight. Her core tightened as her mind began to race.

"Is this okay?" He asked, his voice low.

Annaya nodded in response, not trusting her voice. Rommath's free hand shifted to run up her arm slowly. His fingers brushed across the top of her shoulder and ghosted up her neck. Annaya tilted her head up as he gently pressed his fingers to her jawline. As he bent his head to meet her lips, Annaya's eyes slid closed. Their lips met and she felt herself melt back into his embrace. He held her steady around her waist as he kissed her. It was warm and slow, unhurried by any sense of impending battle. Rommath's fingers shifted to cup her cheek as he held her against him. He pulled back slightly before pressing his lips against her again, this time more insistent. His tongue swiped gently across the seam of her mouth and she parted her lips to allow him entry. 

As he pressed his tongue into her mouth, Annaya made a small noise in the back of her throat. Her hand came up to tangle in his sleeve, grounding her. Rommath pressed his lips harder against hers as his tongue swiped against her teeth and his fingers flexed on her hip. Annaya felt her core tighten and she pulled back slightly. Rommath let her go. He kept his fingers pressed against her cheek as their eyes met and their breath mingled on each exhale. 

"Tell me what you want." Rommath murmured.

"I…" The words died in her throat as heat began to build within her at the thoughts that raced through her head. So many fantasies, so many desires, but she was afraid of each and every one of them. She was broken, dirty, used. She forced herself to meet Rommath's eyes again.

"Please…" she whispered before she pressed forward again.

Rommath chuckled as he kissed her. He smiled against her lips as he pressed on her hip, coaxing her to turn toward him. She moved easily, turning until she fully faced him. He kept his fingers on her cheek, shifting them slightly to card back around her ear. He tilted his head up to place a soft kiss to her forehead.

"It will be alright, Surfal. You are safe here." He murmured as he tilted her head up.

Annaya hiccuped as she tangled her fingers into his robes. "Rommath, I…"

"Tell me." He whispered, brushing his lips against hers.

Annaya frowned. She wanted to tell him everything. She wanted to beg him to take her, to make love to her, to love her, but the words sat, trapped in her throat. She frowned, closing her eyes tightly against a sudden onslaught of emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.

"I'm afraid." She finally whispered.

Rommath placed a gentle kiss to the space between her eyes. "Afraid of what?"

Her fingers tightened in his robes. Her eyes burned beneath her eyelids as the wave of emotion crashed against her and she buried her head in Rommath's chest. 

"Of ruining things." she said.

Rommath gently pulled her face back. He frowned as he looked into her eyes. "Little flame, what could you possibly ruin?" 

She shook her head. "I-I don't know." 

Rommath huffed a quiet laugh. "Annaya, there is nothing that you could possibly do that could ever ruin anything between us." He placed another gentle kiss to her forehead. "Even if you wanted to simply sit together under the stars and talk, I would be content."

Annaya smiled as she looked up at him. Rommath brushed an errant tear away that had tracked down her cheek.

"I don't deserve you." She whispered.

"You deserve so much more, Surfal." 

He pulled her in to kiss her lips softly. Annaya wrapped her fingers around his wrists to hold him close. She tilted her head and he pressed his tongue into her mouth again. Annaya felt her core tighten as her thoughts began to dance. She wanted more and she was determined to have it.

She pulled back and turned towards the bed. Rommath watched her move, waiting for her to give him direction. Annaya released a slow breath as she began to undo the ties of her robes. Her anxiety spiked with each tie that came loose but she pushed through it. She could feel Rommath's eyes on her, watching her intently but she did not turn around. Finally, after what felt like ages, the last knot came loose and she raised her hands to push the robes off her shoulders. Before she could, however, Rommath's hands came to rest on her shoulders. Annaya turned her head to look at him.. 

"Allow me." He murmured.

Annaya released a shaky breath as she nodded. He pulled her robes down off her arms, leaving her standing in only her underclothes. Annaya shivered in the cool night air. Rommath set her robes on the divan next to the bed before he gently gripped her upper arms. He pressed his nose into the hair behind her ear, breathing in her citrus and ocean air scent before he dragged his lips down her neck and shoulder. Annaya tilted her head away, releasing a quiet moan as Rommath pressed soft kisses to her skin.

"Will you lay on the bed for me?" Rommath whispered against the shell of her ear.

Annaya nodded before she stepped forward. Rommath let her go, his fel-fire eyes glowing in the dim light as he watched her. When she reached the bed, Annaya turned and sat gingerly on the edge. Their eyes met. She slowly leaned back on her hands as her chest and neck began to heat up. Rommath smirked as he finally stepped toward her. She shifted her legs apart and he moved between them. Annaya straightened up to meet him. He cupped her face in his hands, as he leaned down to kiss her. Annaya placed her hands against his chest, tangling her fingers in his robes. Her eyes slid closed as he pressed his tongue against hers, heavy, hot, and searching. 

She traced her fingers down the center of Rommath's robes as she began to pick at the ties holding them closed. As each knot came loose, Annaya pressed her fingers inside to touch his bare skin. She gasped as touched hot skin and she pulled back slightly. It was like the flames of his magic were held just barely under the surface, licking at her fingertips. Annaya looked up at Rommath as he leaned back. He shrugged his shoulders and his robes slid down his arms.

Annaya's eyes widened as she traced the tattoos on Rommath's chest and stomach. They were the same as the ones in his arms and they pulsed gently with barely contained power. She could feel each vibration of the intense magic against her fingertips, sending small shocks up her hands and wrists. She flexed her fingers, splaying them out over his chest to feel more of it. Rommath trailed his hands back into Annaya's hair.

"I half thought your robes would have been conjured." She huffed a laugh.

Rommath narrowed his eyes for a moment before he leaned forward. He placed his knee onto the bed next to Annaya's thigh as he gently guided her back. Annaya tightened her hands around his wrists as she let herself be led. Her heart thumped rapidly in her chest as she forced her breath to remain steady. 

Her back hit the bed and Rommath placed his other thigh on the bed to settle over her. "While that would be much more convenient, I do partake in… mundane activities on occasion." 

"Like putting your robes on one arm at a time?" 

Rommath's fingers pressed against her scalp and she tilted her head back slightly. Annaya watched him through hooded eyes as he shifted his weight over her.

"And taking them off too."

Rommath leaned down to kiss her again. Annaya made a small noise as she felt his weight fully settle over her. Any other time it would have been smothering but not now. Not with Rommath. She felt safe with Rommath.

He began to trail his lips down her jaw. Annaya's eyes fluttered as she tilted her head back against the bed. They were soft against her skin, feather light as he moved, placing light kisses against her skin. Rommath's fingers moved as well, brushing down her arms before he lifted himself up to reach under her.

Annaya looked up into his lightly glowing eyes. 

"Is this okay?" He asked softly.

Annaya nodded. Rommath slid his hand against the bed along her back and Annaya felt a prick of magic against her spine. Then he was pulling her bra away from her. Annaya shivered as she resisted the urge to cover herself but Rommath tossed the garment onto the divan and quickly returned to cover her with his body.

Annaya groaned quietly as his warm chest brushed hers. Rommath's lips returned to her chest as he continued to place soft kisses down her sternum. He lifted a hand to gently cup one of her breasts, brushing the pad of his thumb over her hardened nipple. Annaya jerked, her fingers flexing against Rommath's back. His eyes flicked up to hers as he brushed his thumb over her nipple again.

She shifted under him. Her fingers traced the edges of Rommath's runic tattoos as she drew her hands up into his long, dark hair. Rommath dipped his head down to take her unattended nipple between his lips and Annaya threw her head back against the soft bed. She arched her back under him as he laved the bud with his tongue. It was more than she had expected and she moaned softly into the room.

"Tell me, my little flame," Rommath breathed against her skin as he pulled back, releasing her breast from his mouth. "What would you ask of me tonight?"

Annaya forced her head up to meet Rommath's gaze. "Rommath, I…"

She wanted to tell him everything. All the thoughts, and desires she'd had over the past months that she'd spent at his side. She wanted to stay with him, next to him, beneath him, forever. Annaya drew her hand up his arm to cup Rommath's cheek. She pulled him gently, coaxing him back up to seal their lips together briefly. As Rommath's warmth covered her bare skin again, she released a quiet moan.

"Take me, Rommath." She breathed against his lips. "Make love to me, please."

Rommath drew back just enough to meet her wide eyes. Annaya's grip tightened on him. She wanted him back, wanted him closer. "Please, Rommath. I…" her tongue darted out to wet her lips as she looked up at him. "I don't want to go to Orgrimmar without you… without this." 

Annaya pulled him closer to brush her lips across the line of his jaw. "I don't want to go to Orgrimmar never knowing what you feel like." 

"Annaya…" Rommath's grip shifted on her body.

He dipped his head to run his lips down the center of her chest again. Her fingers shifted in his hair and she pulled at the tie to release his long, dark locks. As they spilled down over his shoulders, Annaya released a quiet moan. Rommath murmured a chuckle as his eyes darted up to her face.

"You do not know what you do to me, Annaya," Rommath breathed against her stomach.

He placed a kiss to her navel before he continued lower. Annaya's core tightened as she flexed her fingers against his scalp.

"Since the day I first laid eyes on you, I knew…" Rommath continued as he shifted to kiss at her hip. "I had to have you."

Annaya shifted her legs around Rommath's shoulders. "Please…" she breathed as she tried to pull at the locks of his hair. 

Finally, he relented, settling between her thighs. He placed a kissed to the apex of her thighs before he darted the flat of his tongue out. As he licked up, Annaya's entire body tensed. She jerked, pulling at the strands of his hair. She didn't know what she wanted, whether to pull him closer or to push him away but Rommath decided for her as he brushed his long fingers down the outside of her thighs. Sparks of electricity jumped between them to dance along her skin and she groaned. 

"R-rommath, wha… what…" Annaya tried to speak but the words were lost to the sensations in her lower body. Her core tightened as he dipped his head to press his tongue lower.

Rommath moved his hand to follow his tongue and then there was a finger at her entrance. Annaya's eyes shot open as she pulled harder at Rommath's hair. She looked down to see him watching her, waiting for her command.

A sudden thought crossed her mind. She was in control. Rommath, the Grand Magister, the highest ranking mage in all of Quel'thalas, was deferring to her command in this moment. She held all semblance of power, all control of her pleasure. Her core tightened again and she bit her lip to hold back her moan of pleasure.

"Rommath, please," she whispered, gently pressing her fingers against his head to guide him closer.

Rommath pressed his finger into her. It went easily and Annaya's eyes fluttered at the sensation. He began to slowly pump his finger, adding a second one as he licked at her apex. Annaya shifted her hips, moving to meet him each time he pressed his fingers into her. It felt divine. His fingers thrummed with magic and Annaya quickly felt heat begin to build in her core. Rommath turned his head to kiss her inner thigh as he twisted his fingers to curl them up inside of her. Annaya groaned, tightening around him for a moment.

"Rommath, I… I'm getting close," she groaned, gently pulling at her hold on his hair to coax him away from her.

He looked up at her before sliding up the length of her body. His fingers remained inside of her a moment longer before he slowly pulled them free. Rommath pressed his lips to hers and Annaya moaned into his mouth. She could taste herself on his tongue and the thought of the Grand Magister drinking of her nearly sent her over alone.

As his hips settled between her legs, she could feel his hard length rest against her. Annaya moaned against Rommath's lips as she shifted, sliding her legs up the outside of his lower body to wrap around his waist. Rommath gripped Annaya's hips before he suddenly rolled them over. Annaya let out a squeak of surprise as she sprawled out on his chest.

Rommath's chest rumbled as he laughed and Annaya pushed herself up to sit up. Her fingers traced down his chest, past the runic tattoos to brush against his pectorals.

"Is this okay?" He asked as his hands settled on her hips. 

Annaya shivered as she nodded quickly. Her mind suddenly flashed to the prison cell – of hands holding her down and large bodies looking over her – but as Rommath gently shifted her back to press his length against her, the memory vanished. He had chosen to be under her. He had chosen to give her all control. There would be no one holding her down. There would be no one looming ever again.

She groaned at the thought of taking Rommath into her. She had dreamed of it for months and now… he was there. She reached her hand behind her to grip Rommath's length in her hand and she heard his sharp intake of breath below him. Her eyes met his as she ran her fingers along his length a few times, feeling the weight and heft of him.

Annaya flexed her thighs to sit up slightly. As she guided him to her entrance, Rommath's fingers pressed harder into her hips to help steady her. There was a moment of pause and then she was sinking down.

Annaya's head fell back as she took him. It was slowly and measured and she felt every heavy, solid inch of him. Rommath was big and Annaya exhaled slowly as he filled her completely. She had to pause but finally, she settled down on his lap. She released a breath. It was like he was everywhere, and as he shifted again, Annaya's eyelids fluttered.

Her fingers flexed against his chest as she groaned. 

"Wait," she murmured. Rommath paused, tense and poised to move but waiting.

"Tell me, Annaya," he replied after a long moment.

It was nearly too much. Annaya felt like any movement would send her over the edge. She was already pulled so tight, every inch of her body taut along a bow string but she refused to give in. She did not wait this long to feel Rommath beneath her just to have it end immediately. She took a slow breath as she slowly rotated her hips.

Small jolts of pleasure shot through her lower body and out to her limbs. She released a groan. It was better than she could have ever imagined and she tilted her hips to adjust the angle. Rommath's fingers tightened on her hips and Annaya's eyes cracked open.

He was watching her and she flexed her fingers into his chest again. Suddenly, Rommath sat up. Annaya tightened around him, her breath caught in her throat as the movement jostled his length inside of her. Annaya wrapped her arms around his neck to hold herself close to him and he pressed his lips against hers.

"Tell me how you feel," he murmured when they parted. He had begun to shift his hips, rotating them in small circles to move inside of her.

Annaya groaned as she held on to him. "It feels… I feel…" her tongue darted out to wet her lips. "Amazing." 

"Good." He replied as he snaked his hand down between them.

He continued to shift his hips as he pressed his fingers against her. Annaya tightened around his length as her breath caught. Her eyes shot open as he began to press his fingers against the sensitive nub. Annaya moaned against Rommath's lips. He lifted his other hand to card into her hair, holding her close to him. A sudden spark of magic shot from his fingers and she jerked in his lap. Annaya's brow furrowed as she whimpered under his ministrations. It was too much and she knew she wasn't going to last much longer.

"Rom… Rommath, please," she breathed against his mouth.

"Yes, my little flame?" He replied, his voice gravelly and low.

"I'm… I'm so close."

"Then let yourself go. Let me feel you let go." he trailed his lips down her jawline to suck on the pulsepoint on her neck. Annaya's eyes rolled back in her head as her core tightened impossibly tight. 

The heat in her core had built to a fever pitch and as Rommath pressed his lips against her neck, the tension finally snapped. Annaya cried out as her orgasm rolled through her, sending electricity throughout her entire body. Her brain short-circuited as all semblance of thought left her. She cried out Rommath's name into the room as she came, her arms tightening around him. Rommath continued to shift his hips throughout her orgasm, only pausing once Annaya heaved a sigh against his ear. He coaxed Annaya to turn her head toward him and they shared a long, slow, languid kiss.

As Annaya breathed against Rommath's lips, he shifted her back. As her back touched the silk comforter, he began to move within her again. Annaya moaned against Rommath's ear as she clung to him. Her body was oversensitive to any small movement and as he thrust, Annaya could only hold on to him. Rommath only had to move a few times before he paused and moved to pull out of her. Annaya suddenly tightened her arms around his neck.

"No," she breathed against his ear. "Stay."

Rommath groaned against her neck as he thrust once, twice and then stilled within her. His breath was hot against Annaya's collarbone as he lay over her. Annaya felt like she was floating adrift on a cloud of pure elation. Rommath was warm, he was safe, she was home. As her eyes drifted closed, she found never wanted to leave.

---

The gentle breeze woke Annaya. She shifted against the solid mass next to her. It was warm and she slowly cracked her eyes open. Rommath was lying next to her, his arm wrapped around her. His chest rose and fell and she looked up to see him watching her through hooded eyes. The gentle breeze blew again and Annaya shivered.

"Are you cold?" He asked quietly.

Annaya shook her head before she shifted to lay her head against his shoulder. "No, not cold."

They fell into silence. Annaya's eyes slid closed as Rommath ran his fingers up her arm. 

"How are you feeling?" Rommath asked after a long moment.

Annaya smiled softly. "Good."

Rommath hummed. Annaya looked up at him. He was staring out the open balcony doors into the night. Annaya shifted to lift herself up over Rommath's chest. His eyes shifted to focus on her.

"What is it?" He asked with a frown.

Annaya smirked as she watched him. Finally, she leaned forward to press her lips to his. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek. The kiss was slow and unhurried and when Annaya pulled back, she pressed her forehead against Rommath's.

"Thank you." Annaya murmured.

"For what?" Rommath asked.

Annaya huffed a laugh. "For giving me this. No matter what happens in Orgrimmar tomorrow, I will always have this."

"I would give it to you again and again, my little flame."

Their eyes met for a long, quiet moment.

"No matter what happens in Orgrimmar, we will have this again." Rommath finally said.

Annaya swallowed as she took a shaky breath. Her eyes dropped as she nodded. Rommath pressed a kiss to her forehead. "No matter what happens in Orgrimmar."