**Author’s Note!!** Well, I have a poem written go with this section, how psychotic is that? Check it out here.
Then you can see why I’m not an aspiring poet, lol.
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Illidan woke and found himself on a soft pillow. It took him a moment to realize that the pillow was actually covered in purple skin and breathing deeply, rhythmically underneath him. He moved his bulk off his lover and lightly traced her jawbone with a finger. Her body emitted a soft glow in his vision. He smiled; it must’ve been good for her too.
His smile wavered as potential consequences of his actions began to flow into his head. He had just had Maiev, of all creatures - his jailor and a nasty, bitter woman with a sharp wit and caustic tongue. There was the possibility that she would use this against him somehow, make it into an object of his shame, simply to torture him. This was the most immediate threat.
Another possibility was that someone had walked in on them during their lovemaking (could it be called that?), or even when they had fallen asleep afterward, though this seemed much less feasible than his first idea. Maiev kept a firm hand on visitors and had let pretty much everyone know her policy. Only his brother or a messenger with an urgent message would have been allowed past her guards.
His lips pursed as he chewed on the bottom one. It must just be the idea of it being Maiev that disturbed him so much. If Tyrande ever found out...
Illidan restrained himself from violently shoving his sleeping lover away. The thought of Tyrande made him completely revile the session he had just had. She could not know. He could not bear to think of how her opinion of him would change.
My heart...
A stirring beside him dragged his attention back to the matter at hand. The radiance enveloping Maiev’s body brightened as her eyes opened, fluttering for a second, catching up to what had happened. Illidan could feel himself being devoured in her fond gaze and, with slight difficulty, turned away from her.
Waking up to find the figure beside her was like a dream. She could almost swear she was dreaming. Maiev could feel her body still tingling but she felt as fresh and happy as she had ever been. The sex had been so good for her. She had felt such a weight lift off her shoulders as they fucked and she felt so free now. She could see the glow from her eyes on the cavern walls, they were so bright. She directed them up towards Illidan, half closed and slightly blurry; if she were a cat, she would be purring right now.
She saw Illidan’s eyebrows rise beneath his blindfold before he turned away. Frowning, she reached for his arm, hauling herself up to a sitting position. “Are you okay, love?”
She saw him shudder slightly as she spoke that last word and bit her lip. Oh no, please no...
Latching herself to his arm, squeezing it between her breasts unconsciously, she rested her chin on his shoulder, her eyes closed as she savored the moment. Judging by the stony look on his face, it might be the last she ever got.
She barely heard him mutter, “Tyrande” under his breath.
A sudden flash of rage and jealousy overtook her. She pushed him away, baring her teeth savagely as she almost snarled at him. “How dare you!” she hissed. “How dare you allow yourself to me but only in body? I’ll bet you were even thinking of her as I sucked your cock. As swollen as your head!” She threw a swift, hard punch at his shoulder.
He winced as it connected; she certainly wasn’t out of shape. Still, he refused to acknowledge her, his head down and shoulders slumped. The issue with Tyrande was the biggest; he now wanted to deny what had happened, even go back in time to stop Maiev as she seduced him, to erase the sex from record. He had to turn Maiev off, get her away from him. He did not want to see her long legs sprawled on the floor in the most appealing way, her full breasts swaying and trembling as she shook in her rage. Lastly, he did not want to see her eyes as they watered and hear the slight shake in her voice. So she wasn’t out to get him. She wouldn’t have tortured him endlessly with his deed. The need had been mutual.
Now he was unknowingly using it against her.
Maiev refused to show him how weak she could be. She would not cry like a wench denied her money for sport. She hoped he mistook the tremble in her voice for rage instead of the breaking inside she was feeling. What a bastard! He completely just took everything that happened for granted, like it was something he expected. And then he put another name to her! She wanted to slit his throat and be comforted in his arms at the same time.
She sat, her lips quivering, staring at him, spilling venomous thoughts from her mind, wishing either she could voice them or he could pick them up with his mind. She couldn’t put her feelings to words. Her head was so full of so much...
He turned to her. “I’m sorry,” he said in a low, stiff voice.
She slapped his face hard. “You are not,” she said accusingly. “You are not sorry at all.” She stared into his face, hoping her eyes hurt him with their glare.
A hurt expression blowing momentarily across his face, he rose and shuffled to the other side of his cell, then sat cross-legged, facing away from her.
She immediately Blinked into his lap, her nose touching his. “Don’t run away, Illidan,” she whispered fiercely. “You cannot run away from me. Did that really mean absolutely nothing to you?” Her hands squeezed his still naked thighs, nails burrowing into the flesh, prompting a response.
He had to get her away. He could not live with this. She was so beautiful and soft, perched in his lap, her eyes glowing with a cruel fervor as she shook her bangs out of her face.
Tyrande.
“Nothing,” he said quietly but firmly, forcing his arms to push her out of his lap. “Thank you for the stress relief. I can repay you later if you wish.”
As she was about to burst out at him in a white-hot rage, her words melted in her mouth as complete mental agony washed over her. She collapsed in his lap and began sobbing loudly, her hands clawing for his stomach. A muffled statement marked by intermittent gasps and sniffs about love and bastards reached his ears. She looked up at him, her eyes beginning to grow a tinge of red, her face stained with tears. “This ordeal does not leave this cell,” she snarled at him. “Promise it does not, or I will make your term unbearably miserable.”
Not able to help himself, he laughed softly. “If you and my brother get your way, I’ll not be leaving this cell, remember?” His affection for her broke his defenses and his hand touched her cheek softly, wiping at her tears. “Do not cry.” He pulled her up and cradled her head against his chest, kissing her dusty hair soundly. She looked so like the girl he had met so many years ago; he could not resist.
After a few moments, she pulled back from his chest. “Do not forget I am your jailor, Betrayer.” She added a little emphasis on his title with her voice and the nails on his chest. He froze suddenly at the authoritative tone she took on, hoping she was not turning back into her ceremonious bitchy self, before relaxing back into stroking her hair. “Why did you say ‘nothing’ if you didn’t mean it?”
He cleared his throat. “I don’t have to answer you, do I?” he said quietly, hoping for a specific answer.
She laughed. “Of course you do, Illidan. And if you refuse, I’ll force you into it. And you know I will.” She looked up at him with an innocent- seeming face. He chuckled, knowing the real expression she was giving him beneath her feigned calm.
“You’re like a parasite, Maiev.” She snorted indignantly, interrupting him before he shushed her and continued. “You are always there and I can’t get rid of you. Mind you, you’ve been one of the most pleasant parasites I’ve heard of but there is still Tyrande.” He stroked her face soothingly to silence as she tried to bristle at that comment. “You mustn’t be jealous, love. She has held my heart for thousands of years but has never returned it. As often as she rejects me, I will keep trying.” He sighed heavily. “And then there is you. I remember you from before. You acted as you are now, almost like a sweet child but a mature, beautiful woman at the same time. You’re irresistible, even when you turn into the commanding Warden wench. But I am not sure if it is just lust or not. That’s why you are a parasite. You plague my mind and I have no idea what to do with you.”
She poked at his nose. “Since you’re going to be here for a few thousand years, I think you should just get used to having me... around,” she added after a purposeful pause, her finger sliding down his face and chest. He laughed and caught her lips in a short but powerful kiss.
“Well, I’m glad to see that there is a little warmth and coziness in this dark place.”
Their heads shot around to this new but familiar voice in their territory and found Furion standing in the entranceway to the cavern. His tone was soft but his eyes and face were stone hard, boring right into the both of them.
Like two teenagers caught in the act, Illidan and Maiev scrambled for their clothes. Maiev disappeared into her room as Illidan pulled his dusty pants on. “Nice to see you too, brother,” he said quietly, embarrassed.
“Maiev,” Shan’do called, her eyes burning as he stared at his brother. She raced out of her niche, fully clothed and armored.
“Yes, Shan’do,” she replied formally, bowing slightly.
Illidan could hear his brother grounding his teeth slightly, an old habit he had never let go. “I need to speak with you.” Two Watchers walked past him and stationed themselves by Illidan’s cell. They looked disdainfully at Maiev, but turned their heads quickly when she returned the look with her authoritative edge.
Furion grabbed Maiev by the arm and dragged her out of the chamber, though she went willingly. He almost threw her against the stone wall as soon as the cell was out of sight and sighed repeatedly, shaking his head each time, before he spoke.
“I saw what happened earlier this afternoon.” She gaped at him and began trying to explain before he held a hand up and cut her off. “Maiev, I don’t know what sort of games you play with your prisoners but this is not a good one. Especially with him.” He turned and began pacing. “I remember who you were and I know you are not proud of it, especially with your position now, so I was hoping that by giving you your rank, that you would forget it and move on. I see you still have that spark in you.” His tone was sad and scornful all at the same time. “I can’t have you doing things like this, so I have no choice.” He stopped and faced her, clearing his throat slightly. “From now on, you are not to be anywhere near Illidan. I trusted you with this job and you’ve completely gone beyond the boundaries of decency and duty. You will be reassigned to lesser tasks and be temporarily stripped of your rank, until you prove to me that you are the Maiev Shadowsong I hired so long ago.”
Maiev’s mouth was hanging open, trying to move as inaudible sounds came from her throat, but unable. She wanted to tell him to fuck off and mind his own business while at the same time she wanted to cry and scream for this horrible, unfair treatment. She wanted to fling her arms about and kick her legs and pace in circles.
Her hands shook slightly. “Yes, Shan’do,” she managed tightly.
“Good.” He nodded. “Gather your things from the cavern and follow me. I already have an assignment ready for you above.”
Maiev stormed away as inconspicuously as a rage-driven fiend could. Illidan’s “eyes” followed her; she could feel the remorse coming from him. He didn’t want her to leave – they had just made their peace again. She entered her niche and picked up the most important possessions, placing what fit into a neat bag, then slung it over her shoulder and walked out. She stood nose-to-nose with one of the Watchers and narrowed her eyes. “Treat him like shit,” she hissed.
Her screaming inner self was covered by an icy glare in her eyes as they dropped back to Illidan, but she knew he was no fool. She would be back for him. She turned on her heel and followed Furion out, her head held high despite the slight tremble in her lips. She would certainly come back for him.
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Maiev’s fingers drummed on her cheek as she stifled a yawn. She was Watching some wretched human they had taken prisoner, and he had spent every second under her watch trembling like a field mouse, stuck to one corner of his makeshift pen. This was exceedingly boring. She hadn’t had a job like this in centuries.
She had tried to get the human to speak, but he just looked at her with wide eyes. Probably just some nomad who wanted nothing more than to look after his land, though what he was doing this far from it was beyond her. The Sentinels had ambushed him during the night, but they had had Tyrande with them as commander; she had a kind heart and did not let her troops kill on sight.
Tyrande’s name left a bitter taste in Maiev’s mouth. A fine warrior and leader, but with her downfalls. Her mercy was certainly negative; dead enemies were better than enemies taken prisoner. Prisoners required care and feeding. And Watching, she grumbled inwardly. They had kept the man for questioning but hadn’t been able to get anything from him yet. He was so frightened.
Smirking, she whirled and stared at him, her eyes burning a bright green then narrowing as a cruel smile played on her lips. The man actually yelped and tried to melt through the wall of his enclosure. He closed his eyes and began muttering under his breath as Maiev laughed. Humans were such foolish creatures.
Foolish creatures. The thought brought her back to Illidan. That was one foolish creature there, but she loved him. She was going to attempt to sneak into his cell tonight, to pay him a visit before she got her position back and could spend eternity with him. She hoped no one had learned about her illusionary “blocked” passageway, as she intended to make real use of it tonight.
The thought of Illidan made her giddy. She snarled at her praying prisoner for effect before laughing again. Let the man think that her race was brutal and primal; it made her job easier. And more boring. She sighed and returned her face to her knuckles. All she had to do was wait for tonight.
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Illidan picked idly at a scab on his shoulder as he hummed in a low voice. The new Watchers he had been assigned hadn’t said one word to him, not in the few years they had been here. They conversed among themselves, of course, but to them, he might as well have been air. He had yelled at them, tried to get them to regard him verbally at least once, but had only received one or two empty stares and whatever he was yelling for. He missed Maiev and her scathing remarks and intelligent conversations; she had abused him verbally (and physically, for that matter) a number of times, but at least she was fun. Now he actually felt like he was rotting away in this Elune-forsaken hole. He was fed well and kept healthy but he felt uncared for.
His brother had visited him once since Maiev had been sent away.
“This is a prison term, brother,” Furion had said. “That act was highly uncalled for. She’s lucky I didn’t strip her down completely and cast her out. That is just something you don’t do.” He shook his head.
“It was as much my fault as hers.” Illidan had surprised himself by defending her. “She kept me well and as happy as it is possible to be in this hole. Your new agents regard me as a rock they have to feed.” He made the angry disgust on his face very plain.
Furion chuckled, which fueled the demon hunter’s anger. “Again, you’re a prisoner. They’ve no reason to treat you otherwise. You’re supposed to be miserable so you learn your lesson.”
“You’re not going to change me, brother,” Illidan said bitterly. “You tried when we were younger, when we had to choose our life paths. You tried to steer me your way and I would not budge. What makes this any different?”
“Your stubbornness is legendary,” Furion agreed slowly. “But perhaps someday, you will see it my way and learn that what you’re doing and have done are wrong.”
“Wrong by your standards,” he retorted. “Your standards and the standards of our twisted society. The truth is, you all are wrong. You’ll see. You’ll want my help someday.” His voice quieted. “You’ll be lucky if I’m willing to give it to those who long to throw me away.”
The druid shook his head. “We’ll see, Illidan. Anyway, Maiev will not be returning to you for quite some time, if ever. So learn to get comfortable with your current surroundings – they are quite permanent.” He nodded and turned to leave.
He felt something hit his back. Whirling at his brother, he sighed and looked down at the pale figure sitting on the floor before bending to pick up the roasted rabbit haunch that had just struck him. “Please don’t act childish, Illidan,” he said sadly, then exited.
Snarling, Illidan threw everything out of his cell, including a bowl of water and a full platter of food. Everything flew, save for the pillow Maiev had given, which he slumped over to and collapsed on. He wished she were here so they could yell and scream at each other, then comfort one another after everything had blown over.
His guards cleaned up his mess without a word to him, though they chatted amongst themselves and eyed him numerous times. He wished they could see the glare he was returning to them, the flames of hatred in his eyes, but his blindfold masked it. “Sluts,” he muttered before dragging himself to the back of cell and leaning on the cold wall. Still not a word to him. He wondered whether it was by choice or by order; he knew that it was going to be a problem soon. He thought about Maiev and how sure he was she would come back.
The thought made him chuckle. She would never leave him be, not now. Crazy woman.
“Hey, you,” he called, pointing at one of his Watchers. He motioned at her and rose. “Come here.”
She froze and looked questioningly at her partner before walking slowly towards him. “Closer, closer, girl,” he demanded impatiently, beckoning to her from behind his bars. “I need to tell you something.”
She looked at him, curious but not trusting. She put her ear up to his face as he whispered something in her ear.
Suddenly, she backed away, her hand over her mouth as a gasp escaped. Illidan laughed at the shocked look on her face and grabbed her other hand before she could pull it away, yanking her toward him. “So you’d best be careful around me and do as I say or you’ll find yourself in that position.” He smirked at his joke as he released her, avoiding the other Watcher’s strike as she lunged for him.
His laugh continued as he drifted away from the two, back into the depths of his cell. They stared down their noses at him, eyes angry, but he didn’t care. They would not come in; he believed it was because he was intimidating, they were afraid. He was not too far off.
Oh, Maiev, where are you... He laid his head into her pillow and stared at the ceiling, thinking about the woman he loved and hated.
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The moonlight reflected gently off Maiev’s face as she stalked to the opening of her passageway. She had been given leave for the night after the human had been taken away and she would use it to go see Illidan. The passage had been hidden from so many eyes for so long that most had forgotten it was there; her illusion of a rock barrier kept those who remembered out. She had left her armor in her room back in the grove and slipped through the darkness in a light nightdress. She was almost as famous for her stealth work as for her dedication to justice; no one in the Watchers or Sentinels would be able to catch her at night. The only problem would be getting him alone in the cavern below.
She could always let him out...
She shook her head, dismissing that notion. She loved him but it would be against her duty. She would have to find a way to see him while he was caged.
The gape of the passageway was at her feet. She paused and looked down into it. Her artistry was still there. With a purse of her lips, she carefully climbed in, watching for any loose rocks and roots that could trip her or set someone below off. Goosebumps appeared on her skin and she shivered as a draft of cold air blew up at her, but she went on, ignoring the strands of hair partially blocking her view.
She made it to the end without any sort of missteps and stared into the cavern from behind a corner after shadowmelding into invisibility. She could hear the two guards murmuring amongst themselves and spotted them rather near to her, a game of stones set between them. Her breath caught in her throat as she swung her gaze to Illidan.
He was slumped on the ground against the back wall of his practically empty cell, the pillow she had given him cradled in his arms as he rested his head heavily on it. She smiled. He did care, no matter what he said. Fool.
She forced her attention back to the Watchers. She had only one choice and would pay dearly for it if caught, but she had confidence that she could pull it off.
Slowly crouching, she began to creep towards the women, her shadowy footsteps making no sound on the stone floor. She saw Illidan’s head rise slightly out of the corner of her eye; he knew she was there. No one could fool a demon hunter in this sort of business.
Deftly and quickly, she leaped at the back of the nearest guard and knocked her into unconsciousness. The other guard yelped and rose but had no time; Maiev launched herself at her and felt the woman go limp as she struck. Not dead (she could never bring herself to kill another Watcher) but unconscious, and for a few hours. They would most likely wake up groggy with a splitting headache. Uncaring, she turned to the prize of her hunt.
She had never seen such a stupid grin on Illidan’s face. She Blinked quickly into his lap, and attached herself to his chest. “Hello, Illidan,” she said softly, resting her head on him.
“Hello, my dearest,” came the murmured reply, and she felt lips touch the top of her head. “You look beautiful tonight.” His hand went down and traced her bare thigh, his fingertips leaving a tingling sensation wherever they touched.
She almost giggled. “What’s on your mind?”
His hands moved up to her breasts and began kneading them gently. “Take a wild guess.”
She purred softly and began kissing and licking his chest, pulling on his nipples with her teeth. Her hands wandered down to his thighs and caressed them gently while her lips moved up his neck to his chin. “I’ve missed you.”
She felt his arms tighten around her as their lips met for a long kiss. He grunted when she began digging her nails into his chest, but was so happy to feel it that he let her claw at him. The bit of pain was actually comforting, and he welcomed it with open arms. Their kiss broke and their cheeks slid against each other as she began to nibble on his ears.
“You have no idea what I want to do to you,” he whispered in her ear, sighing at her nibbling. He heard her snort as she rose in his lap to kiss the tips of his ears, shoving his face into her cleavage. He left marks on her dark skin with his teeth as he bit at her breasts, pulling the fabric of her nightdress down to loose them. His hands played on her inner thighs, brushing here and there ever so slightly, though he knew she would eventually yell at him for teasing.
He had the dress hitched up around her chest to take it off when a patter of footfalls crept into the cavern. Turning sharply, Illidan covered her again. “Be still,” he said. She nodded and, getting off his lap, disappeared into the shadows, though Illidan could still feel her presence glowing beside him.
A runner came into view, huffing. She took one look at the unconscious guards and took time to stare at Illidan with wide eyes. “Master Stormrage,” she said meekly, approaching his cell slowly and bowing. “Shan’do Stormrage wishes to speak with Warden Maiev Shadowsong. He said I’d find her here.” She looked around and was somewhat confused; there seemed to be no one here but the Demon Hunter, minus the guards.
He sighed and motioned slightly to Maiev, who appeared seemingly out of thin air beside him. “I am Maiev Shadowsong,” she said, looking the girl straight in the eye with her authoritative edge on her voice.
“Mistress,” she said, bowing. “Please come with me.”
Maiev looked at Illidan, who shrugged. “You might as well go, because for some reason there is no such thing as privacy for us.”
She laughed bitterly. “Everytime we try something, someone interrupts. Damn your brother.” She planted a long kiss on his lips and Blinked out to the runner. “I will be back, love.” Turning to the girl, she said, “Please do not report the guards to Shan’do at this time. They will surely report to him later but by that time, I’ll be doing something boring and wanting a little excitement in my life.” She knew this girl, Lina, as one of the Sentinels in training, one who respected her even after she had been stripped of rank.
Smiling, Lina nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so happy, Mistress. I won’t tell a soul.”
Maiev shot her a mischievous look of appreciation. “Bold girl,” she murmured, then laughed. They began up the passage leisurely, Maiev turning to give Illidan a wink before she disappeared from his “sight.”
The night outside was beautiful. The full moon once again touched Maiev’s face and she closed her eyes a moment to appreciate it. “What does Shan’do want with me, Lina?”
“I’m just the messenger, Mistress,” she replied, shaking her head. “I don’t ever get told the important things.”
Maiev laughed. “I’m sure you’ll be of a rank to carry more important messages than the summoning of a Warden someday soon.”
“This is an honor to me, Mistress,” Lina said shyly. “I am a devout fan of your work.”
“I’ve done nothing to be proud of lately.” Maiev frowned.
“If you are referring to the earlier incident between you and Illidan-“
Maiev whirled on her. “You know about that?” she gaped.
Startled, Lina replied, “Of course, everyone knows what happened. But, Mistress, please don’t be worried. It didn’t have any effect on my opinion of you, nor any of the Watchers, save for a few over-conservatives. In fact, most found it rather amusing. Some were even like me and were happy that you finally found something to make you happy. And you didn’t let anything come in the way of your happiness.” She shook her head. “Shan’do, as a man, can’t see this. And somehow he knew you were down there tonight, so I can only assume with your meeting with him will be about.”
Maiev’s stomach was in knots. As if her punishment wasn’t enough, then Shan’do had make it public that she had been Illidan? She gritted her teeth; that would be something they discussed in this meeting.
They neared the temple. Maiev suddenly felt a fury of old emotions, ranging from anger to hate to bitter anxiety. Her feeling was amplified as Tyrande stepped out from the doors leading in, and looked at her kindly. “Maiev,” she said softly, “please, come in.”
The Warden nodded slightly to Lina in thanks and saw the girl bow slightly back before scampering off. She began up the stairs toward the Sentinel leader, an image of Illidan’s face in her mind.
Tyrande’s warm smile encompassed her as she put an arm around the Watcher’s shoulder. “I do not remember seeing without any armor on, child. You are beautiful. Please, Shan’do is waiting inside.”
“Your pardon, Priestess, but I am no child.” The bitterness in her voice was plain.
“Of course, Maiev,” the older woman replied before leading her inside.
The richly decorated temple interior seemed drab to Maiev. She had been here so many times in her lifetime. The only thing that had changed over the centuries was Furion, but only in where he sat.
“Shan’do,” she said formally, bowing.
“Ah, Maiev,” he said in an unidentifiable tone. His face was also unreadable. “I just seem to be running into you at the worst possible times.”
Maiev’s face hardened. “I suppose so.”
Tyrande interjected. “I have been speaking with Lina and she has told me some things. I have also spoken to Furion and I believe he may see something your way.”
Furion shot her a look. “Love,” he said gently.
She smiled back at him. “You know what is right, my love.”
Furion sighed and turned to regard Maiev. “Although what you’ve done is wrong, you are still the best Watcher in the entire bunch. You’ve proven your worth countless times, and although the crime you committed was major, I believe that I can let you off your punishment as a sort of reward for the centuries of excellent service that you’ve given us, as a jailor, a warrior, and spy. You are well-respected in the night elf community, and the news of your, let’s say, ‘act’ only lowered your respect from others in the ones who already didn’t like you.” He sighed again. “I am asking you if you would please return to your position as Illidan’s Watcher.”
Maiev suppressed her sudden urge to jump up and down like a child. “I will accept your offer with honor, Shan’do.” The corner of her mouth trembled uncontrollably as she tried to bite back her excitement.
He saw her mouth twitching and smiled. “So it is true then. You please each other.”
“Yes.”
He shook his head. “I have been speaking to numerous sources over the years. You can thank Tyrande for my concern. Somehow, she knew that Illidan was finally happy, even in his prison. It is her belief that he will change himself more willingly if his wants are satisfied.” He glanced at her. “This is a valid argument that I’ve been mulling over for months. I’ve finally come to acknowledge that she is right. I think my other jailors are beginning to tire of him anyways.” He shot her a piercing look. “I’m not sure what to do yet about the condition you left them in down there. Luckily, I sent another guard down to Watch Illidan while this discussion took place. So then, you are dismissed, and can send her back up when you wish.”
Maiev bowed deeply. “Thank you, Shan’do.” He nodded, but as she turned to leave, she stopped and gave him a look of question. “Shan’do, if I may ask, why was my ‘act’ made public?” She tried to keep the edge out of her voice but couldn’t.
Furion chuckled. “Well, to be honest, it started as a rumor and grew until everyone took it for truth. And, for once, they were right. I had nothing to do with it.” He shook his head.
She sighed heavily. Figures. She bowed once more to both of them and then swiftly made her leave. She said a silent thank you to Tyrande in her head, to avoid having the Priestess’ name touch her tongue. She was surprised the woman had been on her side, but was still grateful, despite her dislike.
She suddenly became aware of how naked she was, walking through the grove in only a nightdress that clung to her ample breasts and hips, and snapped into a state of self-consciousness, wrapping her arms around her as she began to run to her tree. Furion had seen her like this! Not that he hadn’t before (hell, he had seen her naked when she was with Illidan), but the thought of going to a meeting with him dressed in nothing but a small, curve-hugging dress made her cheeks darken. She hoped he didn’t think anything less of her.
She launched herself into the entrance of her dwelling and ran to her room to grab some clothes. She glanced at her armor and paused. Why did she have that silly mask anyway? It’s not like she was ashamed anymore, especially not after this whole incident with Illidan. Considering, she turned the eyes away from her. Although it symbolized her authority and position, she also felt it exemplified her cowardice and hatred.
She rummaged through her drawers. She would have to inquire about a new helmet. She slipped on the normal Watchers uniform, minus the mask and thighguards, and grabbed her chakram from the corner. She smiled. Time to go back to work.
-----------------
Illidan chuckled as an unfamiliar face entered the chamber, twisting into a look of horror when its eyes fell upon the two unconscious women on the floor. The eyes traveled to him and he shrugged at the question in them. The new Watcher (whom he suspected might be a replacement) retrieved 2 pillows from the adjacent chamber and propped the bodies on them, checking their pulses and breathing to make sure they were alive. Satisfied, she turned her icy eyes back to the Demon Hunter. He rose nonchalantly and began doing exercises, seeming to ignore the new guard completely.
She mouthed the charm to open his pen and stepped in, closing it quickly behind her and walking over to him, staring. He analyzed her quickly: shorter than Maiev but with almost equal arrogance, dressed in the normal uniform of the Watchers with a crescent-shaped blade for a weapon. She let her long hair flow out behind her, down to her waist, caught under a helmet that masked most of her face except for her glowing yellow eyes and strong chin. He smirked. They could at least send him someone attractive.
He yelped with surprise as she forcefully grabbed his wrists and slapped them into his long-unused chains, locking them with words. He strained against her but was too late; she backed away as he lunged then was whiplashed back against the wall, his teeth bared.
“How dare you, wench!” he snarled angrily.
“Settle down, Betrayer,” she replied coolly. “Or I will cut your tongue out of your mouth.” With a few more incoherent words, the chains to Illidan’s ankles and neck found their homes. “This is how it is supposed to be; you have not been tended to very well. I will see that you are treated as the criminal you are. You will call me Mistress Felgrove when I refer to you.”
“So you are Anaya Felgrove. Hear me, for I will not be treated with such disrespect from a sniveling, insignificant wretch such as you!” he spat, his muscles bulging as he continued struggling against his bonds.
She laughed in his face. “You deserve no respect, you old fool! Now settle down or else I’ll keep the next three meals from you. I’m going to attend to this job the way it should be attended, and that is with you feeling no comfort. If you are miserable, then good - that is how you should be. I’ll expect no comments of disrespect from YOU. Now settle down before I change my mind from three meals to five.” She turned on her heel and exited the cell.
Illidan’s mouth opened but he could not force anything out, his words choked up in his throat by his anger. This wench reminded him of Maiev in the fact that she was willing to be cruel, but he sensed that she was also just, if you behaved like the animal she thought you were. That was something Maiev was lacking. Not just the fact that she regarded her prisoners as intelligent, opinionated beings and treated them thusly, but that her sense of justice was just a little skewed. She had a good side and a bad side, and what you got from her depended on which side you were on. She let her emotions work into her job, no matter how vehemently she denied it; usually her most famous jobs were those in which she had a strong opinion or sense of feeling about. That’s why he believed she wouldn’t give up on rejoining him as his Watcher.
He paused amid his struggling to smirk, amused. Such a crazy woman.
He slumped against the wall, chains jingling as he slid to the floor. He wished everyone who slammed another in shackles could feel the cold metal on their skin themselves. It was an unpleasant sensation. This would certainly not cause him to want to “reform,” as Furion called it. No, in fact, Illidan now wanted only to destroy something, starting with this new bitch of a Watcher. He bit into his arm to distract himself, drawing blood, wishing Maiev would sweep into the cave and shoo the lesser bitch away. Maybe he could bleed himself to death. It would certainly be a better fate than rotting down here without any decent companionship.
A sudden groan from the mouth of one of the knocked out Watchers drew his attention. She was sitting up slowly, hands cradling and rubbing her head, a pained expression on her face. He grinned. Maiev must have really hit them. What a skillful woman, that one.
The hurting woman glanced at him and shuddered as she saw the trickle of blood dripping from his nasty smirk. She looked over to her partner and shook her; she in turn groaned as she woke up. Anaya strode over to them and he could hear them speaking in whispers before the two rose to their feet and quickly left the cavern. Well, he had gotten rid of them, at least.
A strained yelp from the adjacent passageway startled him. His new Watcher shot a look at the entranceway and then glared at him. “What mischief have you done, Demon Hunter?”
He grumbled in her direction as a response. The patter of footfalls echoed in his ears; someone very proud was walking quickly through the dungeon, and the thought excited him. He knew only one person who would bother to walk like that.
Illidan was startled as an unmasked Maiev strutted into the chamber, garbed in the standard Watcher uniform and without her trademark helmet and cape. Her chakram still gleamed at her side, her bare thighs reflecting off the polished metal. Watching them flex and quiver as she walked made him want stroke and lick her legs roughly. He fought to keep his composure, battling his sudden extreme want for her and the anger he was still feeling from Anaya’s flagrant mistreatment. He was glad he was sitting down.
“Intruder!” Anaya hissed. “State your business quickly and make it good; otherwise, you will die in the next ten seconds.”
Maiev stared at her with the most condescending look of authority Illidan had ever seen on her face, which was quite an accomplishment. She suddenly seemed taller, much more imposing, almost reeking of arrogant confidence. He could almost feel the sparks developing between the two women. “I am Maiev Shadowsong, the Watcher of Illidan Stormrage, appointed by Shan’do Stormrage himself.” Illidan wanted to touch those pouty lips as the words flew past them. “He has ordered me to send you away, Anaya, as I have regained my position.”
Illidan suspected that there had been a little bad blood between these two in the past; they both looked ready to leap at each other’s throats. That would certainly be an interesting spectacle...
“You slut,” he heard the shorter woman mutter.
Chapter 3 -- Chapter 5