(Ardanas' story is at http://www.reclaimingazeroth.com/RAboard/viewtopic.php?t=157)
She lay awake long after his exhausted breathing slowed to a reposing one. He had turned to face away from her, and she gazed fondly at his naked shoulders peeking out above the coverlet, adorned with a few scratches made by her own hands. A few silver strands glittered within his black tresses that were spread out upon the pillow, but she thought perhaps that a trick of Ironforge’s ever-present light filtering through the window.
That they hadn’t spoken after his late night arrival had been fortunate, as Tirasa had not yet decided how to react to his confession earlier, before he had embarked upon a dangerous mission of his own. It had obviously been a trying one, as he seemed as much in a dream state as she when they had made love. Words were unnecessary; each other’s presence had been enough.
Did he know just how much he was destroying her mission by loving her? Apparently not. His words came back through her mind in a hush. “Your mission depends on you not loving me, it doesn’t mean I can’t fall in love with you.” She grimaced. His love for her would make him careless, reckless. The demonic energies held within that artifact he carried upon his back would use it to advantage, of that she was certain. Already it directed his dreams, or so she surmised by his discussion of them.
She’d have to be doubly careful now, as he was weakened, vulnerable. And she must be stronger still. How close had she come to relating her true feelings to him? Her fist clenched upon the pillow, and a catty voice, a derivative of her own, filtered through her thoughts.
How perfectly fitting that you fall in love with a human. Your peers would be outraged, were this the Talons’ prime.
Tirasa grunted, and defended herself in her mind. I don’t like it either. But he is like Illidan in so many ways… I… it was not something I could control.
Like Illidan? The voice snorted. Imagine the sneer Illidan would save for you were he to hear that. And the throttling. This one is weak. He is powerful directing the Arcane, yes, but he is no better than an infant at close range. He doubts himself, something Illidan never did.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Illidan was the same before I taught him the ways of the sword. And yes, he doubted… perhaps he doubts still, in this timeline that makes me a stranger to him.
You must kill him. And this one must be taught the strength to stand against those who would hurt him, even if he loves them.
At last the two voices agreed. Yes.
Tirasa gazed once again upon the slumbering mage, and moved over to fit her body against his, frowning as he grabbed up her hand and brought it to his heart. How old did he say he was? Hm, forty years of age… that would leave him another four decades, six at most. Six decades, that was nothing. She could wait.
And also he’d said that he was “quietly jealous”. Perhaps she could find a way to lessen his love for her still…