Windrunner Spire

Quel'Thalas

Alliance Territory

"What is the meaning of this?"

"What do you mean, Sylvie? No, no, I will wear the green, thank you," Alleria Windrunner instructed her servant, who promptly retrieved the desired gown. "We are to attend a ball. You like balls."

Sylvanas leaned against her older sister's floor length mirror, heedless of the way her leather jerkin scuffed dirt across its gilt edged frame. "We are hosting a ball. For a few uninvited guests—"

"For our allies," Alleria interjected with a disapproving twitch of one brow.

"—whose time and efforts would be best spent in their own lands, attending their own people, instead of ours."

"Some would argue that they are doing exactly as they ought: securing alliances and reinforcing loyalties." Alleria held up a hand when Sylvanas opened her mouth to argue. "Sister, I do understand your concerns, but I implore you to hold your tongue and refrain from giving voice to your pique—at least where our parents can hear you, or our honored guests."

"Mother has ordered me to temporarily stand down from my duties as Ranger-General," Sylvanas grumbled.

"Why don't you consider this a short holiday?" Alleria suggested as her servant cinched her into her dress. "A few balls and soirees, some routs and hunting parties… what could it hurt to enjoy yourself for a few weeks? You can certainly use the respite."

Alleria put a gentle hand against Sylvanas' cheek. "You've been training and patrolling without rest for months now and, my dear, we are all worried that you will work yourself to the bone."

Sylvanas stared at the quiet and sincere worry in her sister's eyes. It was true that she had been pushing herself very hard the past nine months since officially becoming Silvermoon's Ranger-General. There was simply so much work to be done: to train their forces, to secure their borders… to protect her family and her people.

Suddenly she felt the full weight of her new responsibilities and… she sighed.

Perhaps Alleria had a point; she really could use a bit of a holiday.

"Oh, all right."

Alleria smiled, clearly relieved. "Excellent! Now off to the baths with you," she said, prodding her to the door. "And you must wear your lavender gown tonight."

Sylvanas laughed. "Must I? Whyever for? You cannot imagine that I would wish to impress a couple of human children."

"Human princes, my dear," Alleria said, eyes twinkling. "And they are certainly not children. Young, yes, but it is said that it's better to secure them young, before any bad habits set in, and train them as you like."

"I'll be sure to tell Turalyon you said so."

"Please do," Alleria agreed easily, "I like to keep him on his toes."

Sylvanas chuckled as she was herded out of her sister's room.

"But really, Sylvie, you shouldn't dismiss them out of hand. I met them this morning when our parents received them and they're both quite handsome. Prince Menethil in particular is very charming. You might find one of them would suit you very well. And you'd certainly ease our mother's mind," Alleria added. "You know she worries about you being the only one of her daughters still unattached."

Sylvanas rolled her eyes. "Oh please Alleria, not you too. I can promise to be civil, nothing more." She turned away from her sister's frown. "Besides which, I have no time or energy for romance."

"Well you certainly won't have enough time to dress, if you don't hurry now."

"You're right," Sylvanas agreed, walking away. "Tell Mama I will be a little late. I'll join you when I can."

The baths were empty when Sylvanas arrived and she sighed at the luxury of peace and quiet as she sank into its fragrant waters. Nine months of training and patrolling, of living cheek by jowl with her rangers, have left her with very little time for herself. Now that she'd decided on a holiday, she pushed away all thoughts of obligations and responsibilities and simply relaxed and let the heat of the waters unwind her muscles.

She was sure, she thought fancifully, that no one would blame her if she didn't actually make it to the ball and instead spent the whole night soaking here. Alleria will make her excuses.

She tilted her body back until she floated, completely horizontal, in the water. She heard the susurration of the fountain and the gentle rush of water as it whirled around the cavernous bath. She closed her eyes and felt her long hair drift away from her body, felt her nipples peak—exposed as her breasts were above the water—in the slightly cool air, felt her mind grow heavy and languid…

The intruder dodged a slice of magical light that barely missed cutting his ear off.

Sylvanas stood, another bolt in hand ready to let fly, and considered the intruder with a frown. He assumed a defensive position and pointed a dagger at her, all the while bleeding from a wound on his thigh. To his credit, his eyes remained trained on her face and not her naked body.

"You," she said, "are one of the princes." He must be. A young human male, not a child yet neither a man full grown. He was whipcord fit, tall, with dark brown eyes and hair. However it was his attitude that told her who he was: not arrogance, but that unique brand of confidence that came from knowing one was descended from kings.

"Ah, yes," he said, voice an appealing tenor, "I'm Varian Wrynn." Sylvanas dispelled her weapon and he sheathed his. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit lost… I was looking for…" He looked at his injured thigh and swayed on his feet.

Sylvanas was at his side in a blink, and helped him to sit on a marble bench. "Easy now," she said, kneeling to take a better look at the wound. He had bound it with a strip of linen over his trousers but blood had seeped through, a bright red patch. "You are lucky. This would be much worse if it had nicked your artery."

"You mean I would be dead," he said drily.

Sylvanas smiled. "Yes. Give me your dagger." She cut through the field bandage and trousers until she could see the injury in its entirety. It was not too bad. The cut was clean and there was no sign of poison or infection. She stood and went to an alcove where some medicinal herbs and oils were kept.

The prince didn't flinch once as she thoroughly cleaned and tended the wound. She watched as his skin knit itself back together and tried to ignore the way his cock swelled inside his ruined pants inches away from her face.

"Thank you, my lady."

XX

…to be continued! I'm putting the first part of the next chapter up so that it will force me to finish this project. :)