Music: Wish You were Here - Blackmore's Night

Camnath rode his steed at full gallop to Southshore, where his guild had rooms reserved at the inn. The next day, they'd head southwest to Menethil Harbour for the mid-morning boat to Theramore in Kalimdor. From there they'd employ the services of a local mage and teleport the remaining stretch home.

His hurt and anger still burned deeply. He couldn't come to terms with the fact that Tiene hadn't so much as mentioned him to anyone. She must've had someone there whom she could have spoken with, surely? Yet, according to Brett, she didn't.

In contrast, Camnath mentioned Tiene whenever he had the opportunity - be it to his sister, Faealla, his guildmates (who usually ended up rolling their eyes as he droned on), or even his affable guild master, Belaen. For just over a year, he'd frequently spoken of her, dreamed of her, written to her - loved her.

She'd said tonight was going to be their night. Her 'gift' to him - they were going to lose themselves to intimate surrender and greet the dawn in each other's arms. Or so he'd hoped.

But now, she was betrothed to the Crimson Blades guild master; the arrogant Son-of-a-Naga, who swaggered his way through the evening and took great joy in humiliating Camnath in front of Tiene.

According to Brett, Sauren was lying. He did not believe Yathas would agree to Sauren courting his daughter. Brett had a point. Also, when he said Tiene herself would have known, if it was true. Camnath trembled with rage and disappointment. Disappointment in himself!  Because each time he replayed that agonising departure, he could see her -  tears slipping over her cheeks, genuinely distraught. 

Another consideration came to mind; the Firefurys were an extremely close family. Close enough that Yathas was unlikely to agree to such an arrangement without first speaking with his daughter. Furthermore, they were all well aware that he had strong feelings for her. Weren't they? Of course, they were.

He rode hard, thinking all the time. He concluded that he was to blame. The more he thought about it, the more he realised he should have gone to Tiene's father first, months ago! Even then Camnath was certain that Tiene was the one he wanted to be with; there was no one else.

He snorted, dragging his arm across his nose, wiping the snot on his sleeve.  And still he swayed to and fro - with all the "if this" and "if that". THEN she would've mentioned him in front of people! 

He gritted his teeth, annoyed with himself. Oh, why did that matter so much? 

Did it constitute a denial of her feelings for him? 

Worse - did she ever feel for him at all?

STOP!

Tormented though he was by conflicting emotions, he didn't want to believe her love for him had been a lie - or nothing more than foolish hope. 

But rational thinking was extremely hard when your heart was crushed into a million shards.

Her letters swirled in his mind. They always spoke of her love for him. She used to write about little butterflies swarming in her belly whenever she thought of him. He'd liked that. Precisely why he returned home to 

He choked back a sob. No need to trek back home for any more, he thought bitterly. No. No bitterness. Not where Tiene was concerned.

But anger flared. All Camnath could now envision was Tiene and Sauren - holding, touching and kissing. He couldn't seem to erase that image from his mind.

And what if he had made a terrible mistake? She tried to tell him it wasn't true - that Sauren was lying. And Brett had been adamant; it was all fabrication. What if the bastard had contrived the whole thing and was forcing himself on Tiene right now?

He yanked on the reins, pulling his horse to a skidding halt beneath a tree. 

There he sat, hands crossed on the saddle's pommel, his head hung low. 

Excruciating guilt washed over him. He'd left her to a terrible fate. Taking a deep breath, he roared at the sky, his anguish echoing throughout the night hills. 

Heartache.

Vexation. 

Despair. 

Guilt. 

He didn't know how many more emotions he could bear.

After another moment trying to gather his wits, he spurred the horse onward. It wasn't much further now. He just hoped he could hold it together when rejoining his colleagues.

*

Belaen Bloodbane's raucous laughter soon guided the young elf to the guild's chosen overnight accommodation. 

The two Sigil of Shadow delegates sat with their guild master next to the hearth downing more ale. They were recounting the evening's entertainment at the prestigious Crimson Blades headquarters. Overall, it had been enjoyable, with good food, laughter, dancing, some pretty girls and plenty of wine and ale.

One of the lads nudged Belaen when Camnath walked in looking a bit worse than merely windswept. 

The guild master turned, his broad beaming smile faltering the moment he saw Camnath's face. He got up and approached his student with a tankard of ale, to help ease the burden whatever he was so obviously carrying. "Come on, lad," he said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Let's walk."

They exited the inn, turned left, and wandered down to the small wharf where the waters lapped at the shore and the wooden supports of the pier. 

Camnath hadn't uttered a word; he didn't have to. Belaen could read his men easily enough, and this one was nursing a broken heart, going by the look of utter despondency on his youthful face. 

They stood on the pier overlooking the Great Sea, where the moon, in all her splendour, shone high above the obsidian waters, and blessed the bay with shimmering silver moonbeams. 

Far too beautiful a night for such a glum countenance, Belaen thought, chancing a glance at his top student.  

The fact that Camnath was back here, rather than lying in the arms of his young lady, told Belaen intuitively that something had gone terribly wrong.  He noted the way the lad's chin quivered and tensed. Poor sod, he was trying desperately to conceal the insurmountable pain he was feeling. "So, what happened, Cam? I thought you and young Tiene..."

The elf folded, fighting to keep some shred of dignity. His free hand was wrapped so tightly around the railing that his knuckles shone white under the moon. Camnath's eyes stared out to the horizon. Looking, but not seeing. 

Bloodbane gave him time, standing a couple of feet to his left and leaning his forearms on the railing.

It was easy to see the lad was struggling; Belaen could almost hear his heart shattering.  It wasn't hard, therefore, to guess exactly what happened. The Crimson Blades guild master had earned himself notoriety in many areas, not least his way with the ladies. 

When no answer was forthcoming, he cut to the quick. "The bastard has her, doesn't he?" 

The silence stretched, taut, broken only by an owl hooting in the distance, hunting for its prey along the grassy shore. 

Finally, Camnath responded. Barely. "Aye." His shoulders slumped, and he leaned heavily on the rail.

"I'm truly sorry, lad," Belaen offered. The man was sincere. He both empathised and understood Camnath's despair. He too had once lost someone, although the circumstances were entirely different. Less brutal."Perhaps things will somehow ..." 

Camnath's brow furrowed. The offered sympathy was hurting him even more. 

"Oh, Cam. Nothing I can say will ease your pain right now, but perhaps a little further down the line..." Belaen paused, realising the lad was being torn apart and no amount of sympathy would help put his heart back together. "I can't imagine what you're feeling right now."

"Everything!" Camnath exploded with a shuddering breath. "Anger! Hate! Pain! Guilt."

"Guilt?" Belaen cocked an eyebrow.

Camnath turned to look at him. His face was etched by remorse, and his eyes burned brightly, like wildfire. "I just left her there, Belaen! And I'm hurting like hell because..." His breath sawed from him. "Because she's never mentioned me to anyone in a year! I know that's pathetic, but It's as if... I don't exist - not really. And yet..." He shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. All to no avail.

"How stupid is that?" Camnath asked with a bark of incredulity. "I can't believe that it matters so much to me, and considering the circumstances, it now makes me feel even worse for running out. I just left her. With that... that..."

"Devious little half-breed," Belaen finished before taking a slug of ale. 

"Something like that. Yes." Camnath hung his head, defeated. Humiliated. And deeply, deeply concerned about Tiene. 

"The cold, hard fact is, though, lad, if you'd tried to do anything heroic about it, he would've killed you. Stone dead, just like that. And maybe he'd even hurt Tiene in the process."

Camnath met his master's soulful eyes. "I should have tried, though, Belaen. For her. For us..."

"No, Cam. Sometimes, no matter how hard or unethical it may seem, walking away to survive another day is the only option. You're a capable rogue, lad, don't get me wrong, but he is a superior assassin by far, and I'm sorry to say, he probably always will be. That is no aspersion against you, Cam. Merely a fact."

Camnath's ebony hair swished as he nodded, accepting the painful truth. But it still didn't excuse his utter disregard for Tiene's feelings and her well-being. "Why couldn't I see it coming? She mentions him in her letters all the time. It never even dawned on me until that... prick mentioned it!"

Belaen huffed. "Of course she does. He's her guild master; he's part of her everyday routine. From what you've told me about her, she's ambitious, fiercely competitive, but with a kind heart and a level head. Her mentioning him doesn't mean she feels anything for him - other than professional respect."

The young rogue was having a hard time believing it.

Belaen tried another approach. "Don't you mention me when you write to her?"

Camnath lowered his head. "No. Well, occasionally. Briefly. Maybe..."

"Pfft!" The guild master grunted. "Selfish little fuck. I'm wounded, Cam. Deeply!" He shot the boy a sideways look, accompanied by a little playful smirk.

Camnath grinned, taking his guild master's humour in good form. It didn't ease the sting, though- the burn. The agony. 

"My point is that Tiene mentioning him in her letters means nothing!  You told me she only ever explained the routines they were working on, the moves they perfected or adapted, and the missions they executed. But remember, her team was always there too. And quite frankly, Cam, the only person she needs to speak to about you... is you." Belaen knew his words wouldn't really comfort the boy, but sometimes it was necessary to say it how it was, for healing to start.

Silence stretched between them again, so Belaen had to resort to tack three. "There's something else you should know."

Camnath turned his head, sharp, and looked at his guild master. "What?" His azure eyes seemed to jump from his head.

"I found out from two of the guilds you applied to over here that Sauren played a part in their refusals." He watched the young elf's eyes harden. Belaen attempted to ease the tension a little. "A decision they deeply regret now, especially having met you this evening and hearing about your achievements." 

"He what?" Camnath's focus was still on the fact that Sauren had sabotaged his chances to stay in the Eastern Kingdoms. Anger surged again, but on an entirely different level. "So, he made sure Tiene and I weren't even on the same continent?"

Belaen nodded. "I can't see any other reason, so yes; I have to be honest."

"The devious bastard!" Camnath hissed, launching his tankard into the sea.

Belaen's eyes followed it as it splashed on the water's surface and sank without a trace. He sighed. "You have no argument from me on that front. However, several guilds have been questioning Sauren's ... motivation these days. They suspect he is involved in something sinister."

Camnath heard that, loud and clear. He looked at Belaen squarely. "His second in command hinted at something like that tonight."

"Brett Hornsby?" He took a step towards Camnath, moonlight glinting off his ceremonial daggers strapped at his hip.

Camnath nodded.

"Now he's a good man. You can count on Brett."

"I hope so," Camnath said. He prayed Belaen was right because he'd entrusted the man to watch over Tiene.

He told Belaen about Brett's suspicions and the rumblings of a mutiny in The Crimson Blades. Evidence and numbers were the problem. Brett had said those who still held fast to Sa'themar's ways were considerably less than the newbloods Sauren had carefully cultivated over the years. Brett reported Nightflame's involvement with a renowned mage, and strange goings on at Caer Darrow. 

As it happened, Belaen confirmed similar whisperings had rippled through a few of the other guilds present at the Blades' festive evening. This year's Gathering had been one of the largest in years. Belaen believed that was largely due to their fellow guilds using it as a fact-finding opportunity. 

It appeared the affluent Sauren Nightflame had alienated quite a few across the rogue community.

"We'll discuss this in depth once we're back in Auberdine," Belaen whispered, leaning in closer, eyes darting cautiously. "The people who own Southshore are close business associates of the Barovs - who hold Caer Darrow." 

"Ah." Camnath nodded and agreed.

"In the meantime, lad," Belaen said, turning to start the walk back to the inn. "Going by what I saw and heard of the lovely Miss Firefury tonight, I think there's much more to her than merely her purity and sweetness. She's strong, and I'm not talking about physical strength. She's wily, wise, and I reckon she'll be devising some machinations of her own. She'll cope, lad, with whatever happens to her. She is, after all, a Firefury, Cam. And perhaps it's just not your time to be together yet. Just don't give up on her."

Camnath shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other, pain still swimming in his eyes. "I fear I've given her reason to lose faith in me, though."

Bloodbane fixed him with quiet regard. "Look, Cam, unless you've suddenly become as dumb as a giant marsh frog, you can't honestly say, in your heart of hearts, that what you two shared this evening wasn't real."

The barest glimmer of a smile curled Camnath's mouth.

Belaen patted Camnath's back. "There, that's more like it! I'm confident your paths will cross in the future. When the time is right."

Belaen patted Camnath's shoulder, a little friendly reassurance. Then, he bade him goodnight and walked back towards the inn. "By the way..." he said as an afterthought.

Azure eyes looked up, expectant.

"You're paying for that bloody tankard ..." he pointed to the nearby waters. A big grin lit Belaen's entire face.

Camnath laughed and nodded. "Okay, boss."

 Leaving the young elf to lick his wounds and consider what they'd discussed, Belaen continued back to the inn. They still had a lengthy journey ahead of them in a few hours' time. Now he wanted some much-needed sleep.

Once more, Camnath leaned on the railings of the small pier and faced the moon-kissed sea. 

A flicker of fireflies crossed his line of vision, and instantly he found himself reliving the night he and Tiene stood on a beach near Windrunner Spire. His lips quivered in a winsome smile. "A' da'tad ordan dordie*... my love. Always."

"Learn to use your womanly charms, Tiene; it may, in the future, be what saves you. You are more powerful than you realise."

Tiene's eyes flickered open, the echo of Aledine's voice vanishing into the void. She lay on her belly, arm draped over the edge of the large bed. A sheet covered her from the waist down.

She fixated on a large black mass on the floor. Her eyes focused; it was her dress from last night. Her eyes moved slowly to where Sauren's silver-grey suit lay in a crumpled heap. The full horror of last night came screaming back.

Her eyes shifted lazily to the right, where she saw a naked foot. Her gaze continued upward, and her guild master and violator confronted her. With one foot poised on the seat, and forearm resting on his knee, he just sat, watching her. His eyes were still aflame, hungry, yet something else rippled in their depths. 

She held his gaze, strangely defiant.

"Good morning," he said, his gravelly voice a little hesitant.

She didn't answer. She just continued staring.

He lowered his foot, displaying himself in all his glory. He was comfortable sitting there, naked; no inhibitions whatsoever.

"Once you see him in all his magnificence, and feel him, you cannot resist." Of all the voices in her head at that moment, the last one she wanted to hear was Lexie's! Especially uttering those words.

As much as she tried to shut out the girl's voice, it nevertheless steered her gaze towards Sauren's finely toned body once more. Her eyes dropped to his chest, where she noted two parallel scars, long since healed, running beneath the serpent-and-dagger tattoo. The snake seemed to slither with each breath he took. Another deep, jagged scar traced down the left side over his ribs. That must've been deep, Tiene acknowledged, wondering also if it had been near fatal.

Her eyes met his once more, silent, evaluating. 

Lexie had been adamant that one day, Tiene would become Sauren's 'pet' and understand how she'd felt. But Sauren had forced himself on Tiene. There was nothing irresistible about that! She would not want him as Lexie did. Ever.

A small huff rumbled in Sauren's chest. "Speak to me, Tiene."

She closed her eyes and turned away, moving further onto the bed, and curling her arms around the pillow.

The bed dipped slightly as Sauren's weight perched on its edge. His long, slender fingers combed through Tiene's golden hair "I didn't mean to hurt you," he said. "I swear I didn't."

Still, she remained silent, her skin not even flinching under his touch.

Her refusal to look, let alone speak to him, brought an edge to his voice. "Speak to me." 

His tone implied he didn't know how to deal with her reaction. From what she'd learned from Lexie, Sauren was unaccustomed to women refusing to acknowledge his prowess.

He'd been used to women moaning and squealing their delight when they lay in his bed. But when Sauren had deflowered Tiene, not even a gasp fell from her lips. When he'd taken her, she'd shut down. 

No fight. 

No flight. 

Nothing. 

The lively, talkative, vibrant woman, while she'd danced in Camnath's arms, was no more.

Sauren's breathing reflected his agitation at her lack of response. She sensed rage starting to take hold again. "Do I need to beat you to make you utter something?" he said.

Clever, she thought. Try and terrify me into speaking, looking. Well, tough, it isn't working. Yet, those words unlocked a cue she could not resist. "Beat me if you must," she replied quietly, still staring at the wall. "Bruises at least heal."

He flipped her over and pinned her arms at either side of her head. Her eyes were blank. 

"By the gods, Tiene, I would never beat you - you know that. I lost control. I..." He faltered, hanging his head. 

Shame? Regret?  It mattered not; he had taken what was not his to take.

"I wish you would just..." His platinum hair rippled as he moved his head, as if trying to find the words. But Tiene suspected whatever possessed him last night could re-emerge. Still, she'd seen it now. And strangely, she didn't fear it.

"Beg?" she asked, finally locking eyes with him. "Scream, perhaps?"

"Want me," he replied in a rush. "I want you," he whispered. "More than I have ever wanted anything or anyone in my entire life."

"You had what you wanted last night." She raised her chin; the marks of his grip, still fresh on her skin.

Abruptly, he punched the pillow next to her head. She didn't even flinch. "No! I didn't, Tiene!"

She remained quiet, assessing the situation. She saw his rage, and yet there was something else. Something much deeper. Did she even want to know what, though? 

Regardless, she, too, had anger, and it was simmering, biding its time. Still, she needed to test the water. "I thought you liked a willing participant, Sauren; like Lexie. I wasn't willing! What drove you to do this?"

He faltered, momentarily stunned at her recalling that part of their library discussion. She caught him off guard - forcing him to look at what he had done from a different perspective. Confused, his voice softened. "Have you never wanted something so badly, Tiene, that you just had to take it?"

Her breath hitched. Inaris! He'd said something very similar after the weaponsmith punched his face black and blue. Her eyes squeezed shut, just for a moment. Why such memories? Vendel'o eranu*, she wished inwardly.

She swallowed and fought to keep her voice level. "No! I haven't. Moreover, how demeaning! Whatever was in that vial last night worked. It immobilised me enough for you to take what was not yours for the taking."

He gasped. Incredulous. "That was merely an elixir to prevent you from becoming impregnated, Tiene. I did not sedate you. Your lack of response was your own doing, and it was - infuriating!"

She stared at him, sceptical. "Talk about planning, then! I'm supposed to be grateful for small mercies then, is that it?"

Her words wounded him, even though they reflected the cold, harsh reality. 

She wriggled, trying to get out of his grasp, but he wasn't for letting go. His eyes drank in her nakedness.

"You hurt me last night, Sauren," she continued - a little too quickly perhaps.

Releasing one of her hands, he traced his fingers over her throat. "I'm genuinely sorry, Tiene. I didn't..."

She slapped his hand away. Instantly, her anger flared. "I don't mean that! I meant what you said to Camnath, what you implied. You knew fine how I felt about him."

"I remember you did feel for him when you started here. But you've barely mentioned him since. Your obvious envy that he was out on missions was as far as it got.... And I assumed the romance was all but over, especially as he was so far away in Kalimdor. I thought just friendship remained." He held her gaze. 

Both searching. 

"Assumed? You saw us together last night, Sauren. Did that look like it was over to you? How can you be so cruel, so unfeeling?"

His eyes widened. She'd cut him to the quick. "You think I'm unfeeling?" he asked in a heated whisper.

"You have no compassion! Lust and desire are all that you know. They drive you to get what you want - at whatever cost, it seems!"

Then the atmosphere changed. "And what of your precious Camnath?" He kept his voice low. "Where were his feelings last night, Tiene?"

"You destroyed them!" she spat.

"Did I? So easily? Perhaps they were not strong enough, then. He turned and walked away from you!" His eyes bore into her. "I, on the other hand, am willing to fight for you."

Camnath's departure sliced through her memory. The reality was not lost on her, and it was made even bleaker by Sauren's sharp reminder. 

She loved Camnath. But did he love her...really? She believed he did - once, and she desperately hoped he still did.

Focusing on the man above her, her anger bit once more. "You read my letters..."

Flummoxed, he scoffed. "I did not Tiene." He rolled his eyes. "I merely guessed that you mentioned me based on the assumption you would tell him of our missions and training together. I confess I made that up. I swear!"

Oddly, she believed him, but something still didn't fit. Her brow furrowed. Why was she even considering anything this man said could hold an ounce of truth anymore? Her eyes suddenly hardened. "Show me the letter then," she said flatly.

He inched back. "What?"

"The letter. The one you said my father sent you."

His mouth twitched, and his eyes avoided her.

"Prove to me you didn't lie about that."

He didn't move, but she'd already noted where his suit lay on the floor. 

Swiftly, without warning, she ducked under his arms and dove for his jacket.

Taken by surprise for only a moment, he grabbed her, but they both fell to the floor in a tangle of limbs and sheets. 

He wrestled the jacket from her hands, only to see she had the envelope. She fought like never before, pushing him away, kicking out, until finally, she managed to see the writing on the envelope. 

It was her father's. Her heart sank. So it had been true? Father! Why?

Sauren attempted to relieve her of it again, but she elbowed him away. No, she wasn't convinced yet. She cast the envelope aside and unfolded the letter. 

Her guild master tried once more to free it from her hands, then her heel caught him just short of somewhere rather precious. He grunted and shunted back, ensuring she could not work that little move again.

Her eyes skimmed the letter. And he knew... the truth was out.

"It's only a letter confirming a consignment of armour ready for delivery," she whispered, a mixture of disbelief and relief peppering her voice. "Nothing whatsoever to do with courting." She looked up, glaring. It had been a ruse. 

A bluff. 

A lie.

Her anger and pain erupted tenfold. Lashing out, she slapped, punched, kicked, tore and scratched him. Launching herself forward, she pushed him over and continued to beat him. "You evil fucking bastard!" she screamed.

Her fury escalated; he was smiling.  Laughing quietly - his perfect, bloody teeth flashing brilliance again. He grabbed her wrists, stopping her relentless assault. He was enjoying her tantrum, and it infuriated her even more. 

"I hate you!" she hissed.

He rolled her over, pinning her hands down on the hard floor. His raw desire surfaced once more. Lowering his weight on her, he continued grinning. "No, you don't hate me, Tiene, you know you don't."

She stopped striking out and listened.

"I was devious to get you, yes. I fabricated an agreement that your father gave me permission to court you. And yes, I lost control. Very badly, for which I'm profoundly sorry. I've no excuse for my behaviour other than telling you that my desire for you, everything about you, drives me crazy."

She blinked. Confusion hurtled towards her, along with a tangle of new unidentifiable emotions.

A twitch at the corner of his mouth. A glint in his eyes. "But carry on, bring out your fury. Embrace your rage."

And she did. Lashing out again, she continued to struggle against his grip. He was too strong, pinning her beneath him. Tears of rage pricked, but she blinked them away.

"Look at me, Tiene," Sauren said, his voice seductive, trying to tempt her.

Defiantly, she stared at the crumpled clothes on the floor beside them. She was still furious at the way he'd deceived Camnath. Deceived her. Raging did not come close to how she truly felt. But she refused to look at him.

"Look at me!" he demanded.

Slowly, she turned hateful eyes toward him, her mouth tight.

His eyes were dark, lustful, with something more lurking within. Something elusive, beyond her understanding. She dropped her eyes to his mouth and those perfect damn teeth.

"I've resisted my desire for you for a year," he said, his breath dusting her cheek. "I could've taken you the very first day you arrived, believe me, I wanted to, and I almost did. But this is about more than just satisfying my sexual needs."

She raised her eyes to his again. Really! She thought sarcastically.

His brown eyes softened; they were warm, almost tender. "I don't know what you've done to me, Tiene, but I sometimes think you've possessed me. So much so that I crossed a line doing what I did. Because I wanted you. Here. Like this," his eyes roamed over her body. "With me."

Somewhere in the distance, a voice. Lexie. She sounded almost smug.

Sauren's lips hovered over Tiene's, his warm breath ghosting on her face. "I know you think I'm a monster and maybe, I am. But Camnath left you, Tiene. He doubted you. But I..." he brushed her hair behind her ear and stared into her eyes. Searching, always searching.  "I would kill for you." 

Music: Human by Rag'n'Bone Man 

https://youtu.be/L3wKzyIN1yk

Warning: Mature content follows, namely of a sexual nature until the last 6 paragraphs

The fight left her, and she closed her eyes. Sauren had voiced the very reason that she was hurting her the most. Camnath walked away. Why? Why did he not fight for her?

Lexie: "You will succumb to his charms..."

No! Camnath walked away because he would have lost the fight, Tiene reasoned. The beast above her was a far more skilled assassin than her beloved, and if Camnath had challenged Sauren, he would be dead, therefore unable to be with Tiene, ever. 

This way, there was perhaps a chance for them in the future. She desperately had to believe that.

Lexie scoffed in the distance.

She opened her eyes again and looked at the naked man above her. When he had taken her in the night, she had closed herself down. But now she was fully conscious, fully aware of him. She was in a situation which had no quick or easy exit. 

And then...

Aledine: "Do not be ashamed of your body. It can serve you as a weapon, as good as any dagger. Under the right circumstances, of course."

Sauren moved his weight. "I will be good to you, in every way, I promise. Professionally, we will be invincible, precise, synchronised. Deadly. Emotionally... we can work on that. Hopefully."

Lexie: "When he takes you..."

Tiene: No, I will not listen.

But she knew now what was coming next. Sauren thrust forward, brutally. She almost screamed as she felt him slide inside her, but she capped her voice, biting her lip.

"I will give you unlimited pleasure," he said before his mouth crashed over hers. His kiss was deep, tongue probing.

Lexie: "You will want him..."

"Want me, Tiene!" Sauren's voice drew her attention. The heat, the fervour. "Enjoy me." He raised himself up, hands pressed to the wooden floor and above her shoulders. He watched her intently as he continued to thrust.

She was acutely aware of his body, with its serpent tattoo, and the way his muscles rippled as he moved within her. It was... Damn it! Intoxicating!

A strange sensation was building, deep down in her core. She found herself wanting to surrender, and for that feeling to amplify. A small sound escaped her lips. She knew this was wrong. A grave betrayal of her heart's desire. 

But it felt - so good.

Aledine: Never underestimate yourself or your abilities as a woman.

Tiene moaned, the sound, unbidden. A flash of shame. She felt warmth spreading through her body, rising and pulsing. 

Sweet Belore!! She was responding, even though she was trying so hard not to. Her barriers were crumbling - she was submitting. 

 And equally, she knew Sauren had noted the flush beginning to rise on her skin. He ploughed into her, deeper, faster.

Her eyes were bright, almost glowing as the wondrous feeling kept building. 

She imagined Sauren's serpent tattoo wrapping itself around them, binding her body to his, its tongue flicking her skin with a seductive hiss in her ear. Temptation.

A deep moan shuddered from her. Her body started to writhe, her hips rising to meet his. With wild abandon, she reached up, grabbed his platinum locks and pulled him down. Her mouth frantically covered his. She nipped his bottom lip with her teeth, and he drew his head back, momentarily surprised, tasting blood on his lip. His tongue lapped the red liquid, and he smiled.

Gripping her hips, he pulled her to him. Roughly, hungrily. 

The fire in her belly rose, threatening to consume her. She shuddered, unaware of what her body was experiencing, but, for some damnedable reason, she did not want it to stop.

She stared at Sauren. A thin sheen of perspiration beading his skin, eyes - darker than she'd ever seen them before. His expression -  rapturous joy.

She gasped, almost screamed. Her back arched, and she clawed at the floor.

"More! Give me more," Sauren enthused, his voice reached feral. He thrust into her harder still.

Lexie: "You will want him, again and again..."

Tiene: Yes!

Her spine and her shoulder blades burned from the friction on the floor. But she didn't care now. She watched Sauren closely, and he was magnificent, wild, insatiable, utterly erotic. The wave of euphoria swept over her again; she howled - all control abandoned.

Spurred by her reaction, Sauren closed his eyes, and with one brutal, final thrust, he called out as his release came fast and plentiful. He threw his head back in the throes of his orgasm, his platinum braids flicking over his shoulder. His rhythm slowed, body shuddering, the serpent pulsing as his chest heaved.

Then... quiet. Slowly, he lowered himself over Tiene.

She lay, panting, skin glistening. 

Sauren's hair fell forward, forming a curtain around their faces as his mouth hovered over hers. A thin film of perspiration lined his top lip. 

 Tiene licked it away along with the small amount of blood that still wept from her bite.

He smiled, his breath hot and sweet on her cheeks, and his eyes deep mahogany, burning hotly. "Now ..." he panted, "...Now, I have what I wanted, Tiene."

*****

She entered her rooms and immediately went to bathe. She scrubbed harshly, furiously, dousing her womanly parts over and over.

Her back and shoulders still burned from the contact with the wooden floor. Loading the cloth, she squeezed the soothing water over the grazes. She dabbed her throat. It still ached from last night's assault, but it didn't look as angry as she thought it might. How ironic that she was now marked as Lexie had been.

Then, it hit her - like a lightning bolt:  Shame. And it was utterly debilitating.

Her dreams lay shattered; the turn of fate had been but a consignment of leather goods, and a man whose insatiable carnal appetite had her in his sights all this time. She'd gone through a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, fear, anger, regret, guilt. Ecstasy! She crumpled, her body curled up in a tight ball, and she sobbed.

She knew not how long she'd sat in the tub, but the water was lukewarm. Gingerly, she stepped out and grabbed a towel.

She moved into her bedroom, where she sat down, facing the mirror. Staring at her reflection, she wondered who she'd become. She was someone else yesterday; a young woman eagerly looking forward to the Gathering, a night of dancing and frivolity. Love with the man of her dreams. But it had ended very differently from how she'd envisioned.

Aledine: Learn to use your womanly wiles. You are a queen. A vixen. A siren. A goddess!

Tiene shook her head, wanting the voices to cease. But the Madame refused to be silenced.

Aledine: You are more powerful than you realise. Did you know you can kill a man with your thighs in the throes of passion? Did you know that?

Tiene looked closer at her reflection. Tiene Firefury stared back at her. She was the daughter of two of the most significant rogues ever known in Azeroth.

As such, she was a fighter, a killer - beautiful and deadly. There was no way this fiend, Sauren Nightflame, was going to break her. She would match him. He could have her body, but he would not have her soul - nor her heart. She hated him. Didn't she?

For the lies and hurt he inflicted upon her beloved Camnath - she would never forgive him.

For the devious plot, he'd hatched to bed her - she would never forgive him.

For her body, surrendering, enjoying him, wanting more - she would never forgive him...

Above all, she would never forgive herself. 

Lexie had been right. "You will want him, again and again..."

She stemmed another well of tears. No more! She would not cry about this ever again.

Reaching across the dresser, she opened the little cabinet beside her bed and pulled out the box in which she kept Camnath's letters. 

She pressed them to her lips. "My love," she whispered. "He has robbed me of the gift I wanted to give to you, and although I will never be able to right this wrong, I will do whatever I need to, to make him pay. I just hope that one day, you will be able to forgive me."

                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* A' da'tad ordan dordie - You have my heart

* Vendel'o eranu - Help me forget

Thank you for reading!!! 

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