Chapter Text
There was chaos in the streets. Everywhere she looked, Shandris saw the tired, worn faces of civilians as the Kaldorei army marched into the city.
Alliance champions collected weapons from the captured soldiers, herding the more dangerous ones away from the area until the official surrender was issued.
King Wrynn watched from the side, the other attending faction leaders bundled around him as they issued orders to their forces, directing Champions to different parts of the city.
Suramar had fallen.
The fight for the city had been as difficult as one might expect, given the effort it took to move troops to its location.
But the actual city had been far too easy to invade. Resistance was minimal at best, since most of the Nightborne’s strongest players were currently spread out among the differing nations of the Horde.
And the First Arcanist, who by all accounts should have been here, was nowhere to be found.
Obviously, to cement their hold on the city, the Alliance would need to have Suramar’s leader in their possession.
But unfortunately that tactic would be useless if they couldn’t actually find her.
Nearly every outcome predicted by S7 had the First Arcanist appearing during the fighting. They had gone through a number of tedious reports to ensure they would time their attack at the right moment, when the city’s leadership was spread thin and the head was left vulnerable.
And yet, it seemed as if a slight miscalculation had been made.
Shandris glanced over at her parents, noting their passive faces with some worry.
Being back in Suramar must have been difficult. It had been thousands of years since the War of the Ancients, since the Sundering split the world. Her minn’da, who’s eyes were as dark as the black moon, had been back once during the Legion’s invasion to help end Elisande’s reign.
Her an’da looked almost pained. The entire city was entombed in marble and luxury. It was different from the forests that the kaldorei were so used to.
“Have you heard anything of the First Arcanist’s location?” Anduin’s voice remained steady. It had taken the beta a lot of backbone to reign in the Night Warrior’s bloodlust during the fighting, and the young king was wary of showing weakness and giving the elder alpha a reason to question him.
Shaw shook his head in response to the question, “Nothing. All reports said she was here. My spies reported she left Orgrimmar three days ago and portalled back.”
“What of the other leaders?” Jaina asked, “I doubt the First Arcanist is the only one of importance within the city.”
“Arcanist Valtrois was last reported to be with her mate, the blue dragon Stellagosa,” Shaw answered. “They are currently in Dalaran, and with news of Suramar’s siege spreading, it is unlikely she will return until an official surrender has been made.”
“Their chief telemancer is currently in Zandalar,” Valeera materialized behind Genn, who barely managed to stifle his surprise as the spy sauntered around him.
“That leaves the First Arcanist and her advisor, Ly’leth Lunastre,” Shaw nodded off towards the side, where the mentioned beta was being held by three champions. “Who we already have in custody.”
“Bring her here,” Tyrande demanded, turning to stare as the champions grabbed the advisor by her arms, dragging her over and depositing her before the Alliance leaders.
Ly’leth, with countless years of aristocratic dealings under her belt, hardly blinked at the faces glaring down at her.
“Your forces are defeated,” Anduin spoke clearly. “Your city has fallen. Suramar belongs to the Alliance now.”
“Congratulations, your majesty,” Ly’leth looked unconcerned. “You must be very proud of your army for taking a city filled with noncombatants.”
“Teldrassil was filled with noncombatants,” Malfurion’s voice held a quiet fury. “And yet you stood by while it was put to the flame.”
“Burning the tree was not the plan!” Ly’leth snapped, the point obviously hitting a sore wound, “We were told you would evacuate the civilians by the time we invaded the tree- that the goal of taking it was so we could secure Kalimdor for the Horde. It was supposed to be a vital bargaining chip.” She looked away angrily, “And then the Warchief decided to burn it.”
“Thousands of my people were lost,” The Night-Warrior’s rage swelled within the High-Priestess’s body. “You think what was ‘supposed to happen’ matters!?”
“Half of the population in Suramar had relatives living within Kaldorei borders,” Ly’leth replied, although her tone was defeated. “Or have you forgotten that our people are kin? No one in Suramar desired the burning of Teldrassil, not when the blood spilled belonged to our families too.”
Malfurion’s eyes widened at the news, while Shandris and the other Kaldorei officials exchanged uneasy looks. Tyrande remained stonily silent, her tight grip on her weapon causing her fist to shake.
Anduin licked his lips nervously, “Look, we have no reason to continue the fighting. Suramar is ours. Tell us where the First Arcanist is so we can issue the official surrender and end this.”
Ly’leth’s face went back to passive, “Thalyssra is… currently unavailable…”
“Her city has just been conquered,” Shandris raised a skeptical eyebrow. “I’m sure she can make time to appear.”
Ly’leth shook her head, opening her mouth to reply, “It’s not that si-”
“High King!” A champion broke into the moment, cutting off the nightborne advisor as he sprinted into the area, “We’ve found the First Arcanist!”
Immediately every head turned towards the voice, and panic visibly flared on the nightborne’s face.
“She’s at the healer’s ward,” the mage had to bend down, bracing their hands on their knees as they gasped for breath. “In the heat chambers!”
“The heat chambers?” Jaina looked skeptical, turning towards Shaw with confusion on her face, “I thought she was a beta?”
“Is she-” Anduin’s face felt hot, “Is she possibly tending to an omega?”
“No, my king,” the champion shook their head. “She’s alone. I mean-” The mage tugged on their collar, embarrassment clear on their face, “You can smell her. It’s- I mean- She’s definitely in heat.”
“She does not have an omega’s scent,” Tyrande scowled, turning back towards Ly’leth. “What kind of trick are you trying to pull!?”
The advisor had gone pale, “It’s not a trick. I don’t know if you’re aware, but scent suppressants are a thing.”
“So, she’s an omega,” Anduin stated. “Well, we can work with that. Hormone suppressants can partially suppress her heat long enough to clear her head, so we’ll just send other omegas or mated individuals in to speak with her after that.”
“NO!” Ly’leth nearly screeched, “Do not do that!”
Shandris furrowed her eyebrows, “But-”
“She’s not a regular omega,” the advisor ground out. “Thalyssra is a delta-variation omega . Which means anyone can be affected by her scent!”
Tyrande scoffed, “Delta’s are extinct. The Sundering’s magic caused the bloodlines to go sterile.”
“The shield cut us off from the rest of the world,” Ly’leth retorted. “Check the medical records if you don’t believe me- deltas may be rare, but they are alive and well in Suramar’s population, and Thalyssra is one of them.”
“ If she’s telling the truth…” Jaina rubbed at her temple, “We’ll need stronger suppressants than what a normal omega could handle to ensure we take the proper precautions when meeting with her.” She looked towards the king, “Or we can wait until she’s out of heat.”
Malfurion cleared his throat and turned towards Ly’leth, “How long has she...?”
“It’s only been two days,” the beta glared at the assembled. “She’ll be like this for at least another week.”
“Suppressants it is then,” Anduin turned towards the champion. “Go back and have the healers administer whatever they need to make the First Arcanist of sound mind.” He frowned, “And make sure no one but them goes near her until then.”
“Yes High-King!” The mage saluted, summoning a mount before taking off in the direction they came.
“In the meantime we should begin taking note of forces, champions, and other inventory captured. Census records of the city’s inhabitants would be a good pla-” Jaina’s voice trailed off, her eyes staring upwards.
The other leaders all followed her line of sight, gasps of surprise exhaling from them at what was occurring.
Far above them the moon loomed in a half-eclipse, a starch difference from the black moon that usually followed the Night-Warrior’s presence.
Tyrande frowned sharply, her grip tight enough for her nails to break skin.
“Deltas...” She spoke evenly, voice oddly devoid of her typical rage. “...are sacred to Elune. If any of you come across one, I would suggest treading carefully with how you react. ”
Each leader present nodded their head in understanding, although it did not escape their notice how Malfurion kept a careful eye on his wife’s sudden change in demeanor.
Whatever the case, Shandris had a feeling that the half-eclipse looming in the sky had more to it than just what her min’da explained.
Unfortunately for her, Thalyssra looked as if she was having a tough time.
Her hair stuck to the sides of her face, and her skin was coated in a thin coat of sweat. She wore loose clothes, designed to prevent the fabric from sticking to her sensitive, overheated skin, and she had a huge glass of water that she’d already drank through at least three times.
“I must apologize for pushing this meeting while you’re in such a delicate condition,” Anduin sat on the other side of the table, with Jaina and Genn on either side of him. The Kaldorei leaders all stood outside the room, staring in through the window with impassive looks on their faces.
“I doubt my condition would have altered your plans whether you all knew or not,” Thalyssra smiled thinly. “But I appreciate the thought.”
“Your forces!?” Genn wasted no time. “Where are they located!?”
The nightborne swallowed painfully, “Most are currently located in Zandalar, helping the new Queen manage the damage left by your attack.”
“Will they be an issue?” Jaina winced, but still carried on with the questions, “Will they try to free Suramar?”
“They will not try anything that puts the civilians at risk,” Thalyssra answered smoothly. “Not unless they feel you are threatening their safety.”
“We have no need for more violence,” Anduin stated. “Not if you issue an official surrender.”
“And what happens after the surrender order is signed?”
“Steps will be made to induce Suramar into the Alliance,” Anduin answered. “As a territory of the Kaldorei, that is.”
Thalyssra groaned and took a long drink of her water, discomfort shining in her eyes. She wiped at her forehead with the long sleeve of her shirt, her face a picture of unease, “And they agreed to that?”
“It was their idea,” Genn said thinly. “The Shan’do tells me this was once their home.”
“That was a long time ago,” Thalyssra chewed on her lip. She looked pained to get this over with, “Where is the surrender agreement?”
Anduin pushed the several page document across the table towards her, pulling his hand back as she grabbed at the stack.
His face was light red, and he kept covering his nose. Even with the hormone suppressants, Thalyssra’s scent was still hard to ignore.
She read over the document quickly, her eyes trailing over every line with the practiced ease that came with thousands of years of governmental service.
“Further negotiations will be held to oversee the transfer of power to Alliance leadership,” Thalyssra read the last line with pursed lips. “And what is to happen to me? The Stockades?”
Anduin shook his head, “For now, you’ll remain here. Terms of you freedom will be negotiated once the city is secured.”
“Which is likely to be within the next day or two,” Jaina added. “Given our estimates.”
Thalyssra nodded slowly, her eyes were half-lidded, her mind trying to stay focused. The suppressants could only work for so long, and they didn’t last to their normal potency if the affected individual was already experiencing the symptoms of heat.
She grabbed her pen and signed, signalling the official surrender of Suramar city to the Alliance.
Maybe, if she hadn’t been in such a state, she would have pushed back more. As it was, she was forced to deal with the cards she’d been dealt.
“I’d hate to be disrespectful to such honored guests,” Thalyssra pushed the document back to the High-King, her signature bold against the white page. “But I think it’s best I return to the chamber. Advisor Lunastre knows all procedures relating to the city. She can assist for now.”
“Very well,” Anduin rose from his seat and gestured at one of the nearby guards. “Please escort the First Arcanist back to her assigned chamber.”
The guard nodded and stepped forward.
Only to make the mistake of grabbing the nightborne by her arm.
Thalyssra’s reaction was immediate, her ears pinning back as she hissed defensively and pulled her arm back, jumping from the seat and backing into the nearest wall.
The guards startled at the sudden action, instinctively drawing their swords in response.
Genn snarled something unintelligible, while Jaina jumped to her feet, voice reverberating through the room, “STOP!” She commanded, gesturing angrily at the offending guard, “Stand down! You should know better than to touch someone when they’re in heat!”
“What she said,” Thalyssra heaved, sending the guard a royally pissed look.
Anduin held up his hands placatingly, “Please escort the First Arcanist back without contact.”
“Yes, my king,” the guard responded sheepishly, waiting respectfully for the delta to climb to her feet and sulk around them.
Anduin watched the two leave with a frown on his face, “That went well. Mostly.”
Genn scoffed, while Jaina let out an irritated sigh, “With the surrender now official, it’ll make things easier with getting the city under control. But we still need to figure out how we’ll bring Suramar under Alliance rule.”
“Treaties are worthless unless we have something binding to hold them together,” Genn said. “I think we’re all aware of that by now.”
“That’s a lesson we’ve learned quite well, Genn,” Anduin replied tiredly. Despite everything going better than they could have predicted, something felt like it was still hanging over their heads.
“There’s paperwork to be done,” Jaina turned towards the door. “I’ll look through Suramar’s current law code. Perhaps something in there might be useful for the transfer of power.”
Anduin nodded, while Genn straightened his stance, “I’m going to go check in on our troops. Make sure they aren’t acting like wild mongrels.”
The young king nodded, watching as the Gilnean king trudged out of the room after his auntie.
After a moment of silent deliberation, he followed their lead, grabbing up the surrender documents to present to the allies they had waiting outside the room.
There was still much work to be done.
“What’s the verdict then?” Valeera lounged across one of the fanciest couches she had ever seen, watching as the conquering leaders met within the Nighthold, their temporary helm of command within the city, after two days of research and deliberation.
Anduin sent her a suffering look, “Besides the venomous threats from Sylvanas and a relative calm from the other Horde leaders- it’s been unusually easy going so far.”
“Our king is right,” Wyrmbane stood off to Anduin’s back right, advising the King where necessary. “Most of the Nightborne we came into contact with offered minimal resistance, and there’s been no issues since the surrender was signed. We’ve even had instances of champions trying to get back into the city. It’s almost as if they don’t mind being under Alliance control.”
“That’s certainly one way of stating it,” Valeera got up from her spot, walking over to stand at Anduin’s other side. “I’ve been strolling around the city. Strange as it is, most of the citizens seem rather relieved that we’re here.”
“With all the discontent within the Horde, it’s not hard to see why,” Jaina rubbed at the side of her neck, feeling the scarred imprint of a mating mark that had long since faded. “Perhaps they are happy to be out of Sylvanas’s control.”
“Hmm,” Anduin rubbed at his face, before glancing over at the represented Kaldorei leadership, “What of the legality regarding the annexation?”
“Given the events that have happened since the Legion’s invasion,” Shandris flipped through several sheets of paper, eyes roaming over their contents. “It seems that the First Arcanist has had little time to change or repeal many of the laws from Elisande’s reign. All the changes that were made during the Legion’s hold on the city were repealed, however much of the legal code is either in the process of undertaking changes, or they haven’t been able to get to them yet.”
“Which includes the codes on inheritance and rulership in Suramar,” Jaina further supplied, reaching over and grabbing some of the documents as Shandris held them towards her. “I looked over them with General Feathermoon. Technically, the ruler of Suramar is supposed to be the Grand Magistrix- a position appointed by the ruling monarch of the Kaldorei’s old empire.”
“Elisande was appointed by Aszhara’s predecessor to be the next Grand Magistrix shortly before her death,” Malfurion recalled. “She was only confirmed by Aszhara prior to the Legion’s first invasion.”
“Throughout the years, Elisande remained unmarried and childless,” Shandris folded her fingers together. “Rulership thereby legally fell to Thalyssra as the highest ranking Arcanist in the city after her death.”
“How did Elisande keep sole rulership in her hands for so long?” Anduin wondered.
“If the codes are based upon the old ways,” Tyrande idly drummed a finger against the table, her dark eyes contemplating. “Then it was because she remained single and childless. A spouse would have held a claim to Suramar as her consort, and a child could have eventually challenged her as a potential heir.”
“Exactly,” Jaina pursed her lips. “If we want something legally binding in the eyes of Suramar’s population, I suggest we follow the codes they currently have and use them to our advantage.”
“Are you…” Greymane blinked, “...suggesting an arranged match?”
Shaw, who had been mostly quiet, raised his eyebrows high up his forehead, “Is that even viable?”
Jaina looked embarrassed, and Anduin had gone cherry red, “Well, it’s the best long-term solution. We could remove her from the city outright and install someone in her place, but that might only inflame the Shal’dorei’s ire.”
“A marriage would be legally binding in both Alliance and Shal’dorei law,” Shandris confirmed. “And would allow a quicker provisional period before Suramar is fully inducted into the Alliance. But, if the city is to be a territory of my people-”
“Then the match would have to be made with someone of importance to your nation,” Anduin realized, his eyes immediately going to the three Kaldorei leaders in the room.
Shandris seemed uneasy, while her parents were trading unreadable looks.
“Anyone bonded to the First Arcanist could rule, or appoint someone else, in her stead,” Jaina said. “If we decided to remove Thalyssra from the city during the provisional period, her spouse would have full authority over the territory. They could install an interim ruler or council from the Alliance to oversee Suramar until the First Arcanist is cleared to return.”
“Which likely wouldn’t be until the war is over,” Genn rubbed his temple. “Still, how can we be sure her people will follow through with this? From all we’ve learned, Thalyssra seems to be a beloved ruler to them. The Shal’dorei may take offense if it seems like we’re forcing her into a corner with this marriage idea.”
“We will have to allow considerable leeway for the city while they’re being brought into the fold in order to get her to agree,” Anduin looked over several rough drafts of proposed agreements they had. “ And we’ll have to make sure she’s given all the respect her position deserves while she’s kept away from the city. Her people will have to see that she’s being treated well.” The High-King threaded his fingers together, “We want this to be lasting. If we’re going to bring Suramar into the Alliance as a territory of the Night Elves, we’ll need to ensure the deal is good enough for them to stay in the agreement once the war ends.”
“I agree,” Shandris sighed heavily. “During our look through the codes, I came across a trove of petitions and complaints to the First Arcanist from the city’s citizens. It seems that many were becoming more and more disillusioned with the Horde’s side of the war.” She handed a long list of names over to her parents, “And it seems that Advisor Lunastre was being truthful about the number of Shal’dorei with relatives living within Darnassasian borders. They had several lists of identified family members stored away.”
Malfurion took the paper from his daughter, setting it down on the table before him as Tyrande leaned over and looked at the names alongside him.
Mostly, the names were reported as cousins and other distant relatives. But they both could see a good number of names listed as children, parents, siblings, and grandparents as well.
The Night-Warrior felt a bizarre mix of anger and sorrow broil together in her heart, “Did you cross check these names with our records?”
“Yes, min’da,” Shandris bowed her head. “Most of these souls are no longer with us. At least a third of the deceased are from the loss of Teldrassil.”
“Do they know?” Malfurion could hardly believe how many citizens of the city had relatives outside the bubble, although given that they were effectively immortal until only a short time ago, it wasn’t that far off for him to accept.
Shandris shook her head, “Thalyssra couldn’t fulfill the requests due to a blackout of information. She didn’t want Sylvanas to discover the discontent within Suramar. I found a couple messages sent of her seeking council from other notable Horde leaders. Apparently, she was fearful of what Sylvanas could do to the city if she believed the Shal’dorei to be disloyal.”
“We should make sure they find out the truth,” Malfurion looked at the list sadly. “Now that the Banshee is no longer a concern for them.”
“Agreed,” Anduin turned to look at Wyrmbane. “Make sure official reports are made up on the casualties for their relatives in the city- with all proper decorum befitting their race and manner of death as members of the Alliance.”
The man nodded once in understanding, reaching over his king’s shoulder to take the offered list from the Shan’do.
“In the meantime,” Jaina reminded them. “There’s still the issue of the First Arcanist.”
“A normal mating bond would work,” Tyrande’s voice was grudgingly accepting of the idea. “Especially since she carries the delta-variation.”
“How does that affect it?” Anduin asked curiously. Delta’s were exceptionally rare in humans, and he had heard little about the off-shoot omega dynamic.
“The delta-variation allows an omega to carry the mark of anyone, even those who are mated to another,” Malfurion explained. “Their scent is more potent as a result, and their hormone levels are naturally elevated beyond normal. It stresses the mating bond far quicker, which causes a need for the mark to be renewed at least four times more often than other omegas would require.”
“Back during the days of the Empire, delta’s would often flee to the Temples of Elune for sanctuary from arranged matches. Their families would often sell them to nobles and pleasure houses due to their high fertility and rarity. Mated couples within the nobility who were unable to have children would often arrange matches with deltas to ensure the family line survived. Most with the variation didn’t have any choice but to obey, although the ones who did flee would come to the temples for safe-haven. They are sacred to Elune and it is forbidden to force them to leave,” Tyrande added, remembering the stories from when she was young. “I imagine the First Arcanist’s scent suppressant use must be a carry over from that time. The old practices were not kind to omegas with her variation.”
“Given all that,” Anduin drummed his fingers against the table. “I agree that the match must be made with someone of notable significance from your people.” He nodded his head in their direction, “In the Alliance, you have the most historically in common with the Nightborne, and they’re more likely to accept the annexation if the First Arcanist’s match is on equal footing with her politically.”
“Anyone less than that could be taken as an insult,” Malfurion concurred on that point.
“Who then?” King Greymane asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“My presence is required across Azeroth to mobilize our forces for the war effort,” Shandris pointed out the map they had on the table. “I could do it, but then we’d have to take into consideration that her position would not be secure since she’d have to come along with me.”
“She’d be far too close to the warfronts and to her former Horde compatriots. The whole point of removing her from Suramar is to ensure she’s somewhere the Horde will be hesitant to try and get to her,” Jaina shook her head. “There’s too much risk, and it could strain the focus you need to keep on the war effort.”
“Agreed,” Malfurion clasped a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “You have a full plate already. Perhaps it’s best not to add to it.”
Shandris gave her an'da a soft smile, although there was visible relief shining in her eyes.
“What about Warden Shadowsong?” Shaw recalled the scary night elf, “Would she be good for this?”
All three present Kaldorei leaders pulled a grimacing face. The Shan’do immediately shook his head almost fearfully, “Besides the fact that she’s captain of the Wardens, who are mainly a military branch and have minimal political power, Maeiv would not agree to being matched in this manner.”
Tyrande sounded almost amused at the idea, “She prefers her freedom.”
Valeera whistled lowly, leaning over the back of Anduin’s chair, “Can’t say I blame her.”
The young lion batted at the hands coming over the back of his chair, shooting the spy a half-tired, half-amused look, “Who else fits the criteria?”
“Given the size and importance of Suramar,” Tyrande’s fingers drummed a steady beat against the table, and she shared a long searching look with her husband, who smiled softly at her in response. “There’s only one viable option left.”
Shandris blinked suddenly, recognizing the tone in her mother’s voice, “You, min’da?”
Tyrande nodded her head slowly, her face’s emotionless expression looked as if it were carved from marble, “So it seems.”
“But-” Anduin sputtered, “ Malfurion- ”
“I’m afraid I am not a viable option,” the druid said wirely. “For one, I am a beta. Any mark I left on a delta would fade far too quickly.” He pursed his lips, “As well as other reasons that you will just have to take my word for.”
“Well yes, but-” Anduin’s face was red, “Tyrande would have to take another mate. You would be ok with that?”
Malfurion smiled lightly, squeezing his wife’s fingers tenderly when she took his hand, “Believe it or not, young lion, but our relationship is rather complex with a different understanding of fidelity than what humans may see as normal. We’ve been together over ten thousand years now- you’ll just have to trust me when I say there will be no issue.”
“Of- of course,” Anduin sputtered, his voice thick with embarrassment. “I meant no disrespect.”
“And none was taken,” the druid sounded as if he were holding back laughter. “Do not worry.”
“And you Tyrande?” Genn asked, “You will be ok with this?”
“ Goddess willing ,” the Night-Warrior’s eyes seemed to darken in the light. “I will be fine.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The second time they met with Thalyssra she looked a little bit better than before.
Her hair was wet from being washed, and her skin didn’t carry as much sweat as last time.
From her scent, it was still easy to tell that she was in the height of her heat, but physically she took all the precautions needed to hide her symptoms.
Not that it mattered very much anyway.
The delta looked over the proposed document with critical eyes. Each passing second felt like an eternity, and the First Arcanist’s poker face was coming undone the more she read.
“So...” She pinched the bridge of her nose, “I have to be married and mated for the agreement to be valid.”
Anduin nodded, “It is the best option to consider in both your laws and ours for a lasting agreement.”
The First Arcanist chuckled lowly, “I knew I should have changed those damn codes.”
She pursed her lips, looking back over the proposal with a troubled look, as she steadily avoided eye contact with the Kaldorei leaders, “It says I will have to leave Suramar for the provisional period?”
“For security reasons,” Anduin pointed out. “You were a member of Horde only a few days ago. The provisional period will be to ensure everything goes smoothly for your induction into the Alliance, and for the transfer of power as a state of the Darnassian Nation. Rulership will still fall ultimately to you, but there will be an interim council overseeing Suramar until your trustworthiness can be confirmed.”
“Which could be as soon as the end of the war,” Shandris added. “Seeing that Suramar cooperates as outlined in the agreement.”
“I doubt there will be any issue with that,” Thalyssra turned another page. “Where will I be going?”
“As it stands, our people have relocated to the areas surrounding Nordrassil,” Malfurion answered. “You’ll be staying with us at the main settlement in Mount Hyjal.”
“I see.” For the first time since she’d read the document, Thalyssra made eye contact with the Night Elf leaders.
Malfurion looked oddly content and unconcerned about the situation. And oddly enough, that was comforting in a way to Thalyssra- better to know the Night-Warrior’s husband was ok with effectively having to share his wife from now on. Especially considering that the archdruid was someone she really wasn’t keen on making an enemy out of.
But Tyrande was a different issue.
The Night-Warrior kept a fixed gaze on Thalyssra, and nothing had ever unnerved the nightborne more than the alpha’s dark eyes.
Under normal circumstances, she would have felt immediately on alert, like she needed to find a hidden corner and cower out of fear.
Inwardly, her heat-addled brain was processing it differently, and she tried not to buckle under the half-appraising/half-glaring look that was coming her way.
Having had enough of the staring contest, Thalyssra turned back to the document. The political stuff had been covered in the first few pages, but the marriage portion of the agreement still had some parts that she had not yet covered.
Flipping to the final page, she balked at the contents, something akin to shock washing over her, “ Children!? Wha- What!? I dare say the bond should be enough!”
“The provision for children is only applicable if you purposely or accidentally fall pregnant,” Anduin explained. “It’s irrelevant if you’re not with child or don’t plan to be.”
“Kaldorei law calls for such clauses when marriage contracts are made,” Tyrande threaded her fingers across her stomach. “Protections for the child’s legal rights should a pregnancy occur.”
“I see,” Thalyssra closed her eyes and exhaled harshly. “What happens once the provisional period is up and I return to Suramar? How will this work then?”
“Cohabitation will be up to you,” Anduin replied. “As long as the mating bond remains healthy, and Suramar is able to thrive as a Darnassian providence, you’ll be given complete freedom of how you chose to go about this.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“We draft a new agreement,” Anduin stated. “Although Suramar would not be given the same protections afforded in this one, and you would not be allowed to remain in charge at any capacity due to the nature of the surrender proclamation.”
Thalyssra was silent for a long time, staring down at the line where her signature would go. She ran her hands through her hair, nerves running up and down her spine.
She wasn’t sure if this was the best option for her, but for Suramar? For her people?
As it was, they wouldn’t get a better offer.
It was hard to ignore the eyes drilling into her as she picked up the pen, and the First Arcanist had to fight back the urge to growl and bare her teeth as the sense of doom became near unbearable.
And yet, it is relatively easy to sign her name, her penship flawless, right on that empty line.
She stares at the table blankly as Tyrande signs her part, before the document is handed over to King Wrynn and General Feathermoon to sign respectively as the overseer and witness.
“What happens now?” Thalyssra’s throat felt dry, and her stomach was practically brimming with butterflies.
“We leave for Hyjal tomorrow,” Malfurion nodded towards his daughter. “Shandris will oversee the city until an official interim is established . There will be a ceremony within the month, and official notices will be sent out.”
“The bond will need to be made before we leave,” Tyrande rubbed at her temple. “To ensure there’s no issues once you’re in Hyjal.”
“You mean to make sure I don’t try to back out and run,” Thalyssra asked humorlessly, leaning back in her seat with a hollow smile. “I imagine it will happen today then?”
The priestess inclined her head in affirmation, while Anduin and Shandris took the opportunity to excuse themselves. Anduin preferred to respect their privacy, whereas Shandris didn’t envy hearing about what her mother’s bedroom life was about to be like.
Her gaze shifted to Malfurion, who she couldn’t believe still looked completely calm, “Are you truly ok with this, Archdruid?”
“I am,” Malfurion assented, “This would hardly be the first time my wife has taken another lover.”
“Considering the circumstances, somehow this seems a bit more permanent ,” Thalyssra points out. “I do not wish to cause any strife between you two.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, First Arcanist,” Tyrande answers for her husband, although her voice carried steel. “Malfurion and I have been together for several millennia. He will always be in my heart, just as I will always be in his. Our relationship is eternal in a way that few could understand.”
“I see,” Thalyssra stared down at the table, only looking up once the silence became too uncomfortable, “Is it too much to ask that you wait until tonight? I have about a dozen different suppressants currently in my system, and the extreme nausea they bring is not likely to go away for another few hours.” She winced, “Plus, I’ll undoubtedly be more agreeable if it happens while in the throes of my heat.”
Tyrande signals her agreement with a single nod. “I imagine I will be able to find you in the heat chamber?”
“Considering my condition, it is the safest place for me at the moment,” The delta sighed tiredly. “The entrance is enchanted to keep me inside and keep unwanted guests out while I’m vulnerable. I will add your arcane signature to allow you entry.”
“Very well,” Tyrande rose to her feet, looking every bit like a stone-faced goddess. “I will see you later tonight, First Arcanist.”
Thalyssra nodded once, watching as the Night-Warrior strolled out of the room.
Malfurion stood after her, pausing for a moment to look back at the arcanist, “We will leave early in the morning. I will take several attendants to collect your things today. Do you have anything in particular you wish to come to Hyjal?”
“Ly’leth has a list of my most precious valuables,” the delta answers. “As well as where I keep them.”
“I will approach her then,” he bowed his head in farewell. “Ande thoras ethil.”
Thalyssra sat there for several moments, an uncomfortable sensation slowly building back up between her thighs as the suppressants began to wear off.
She finally rose to her feet with a defeated groan, heading back to her heat-chamber with anxiety building in her heart.
She’s not quite sure what time she fell asleep, but Thalyssra wakes up just as the sun finishes it’s dip below the horizon, the legal paper she had been reading sticking to her face rather comically.
With an irritated sigh, she sits up and can immediately tell that her heat is back in full-swing.
Her inner thighs are uncomfortably warm, and there’s a good amount of slick at the apex. Her clit throbs almost painfully, and she can’t move without the fabric of her underwear pushing against it.
It’s maddening how weak her legs suddenly feel, how constricting her clothes feel against her heated skin, how wild her thoughts keep getting as her arousal climbs and climbs with no end in sight.
She manages to walk to the bathroom, going through her nightly routine before returning to the bed chamber.
The moment Thalyssra gets close to the exit, she scents the sweet smell of lilac and vanilla in the air.
Immediately, she knows Tyrande’s on the other side of the bathroom door.
The arcanist freezes. Logically, she knows the alpha can scent her too, so it’s not like hiding in the wash room would do any good.
Still, she’s not sure she’s ready for what is waiting for her.
Taking a deep breath, Thalyssra opens the door, walking out in her bathrobe and little else.
Tyrande sits on the edge of the bed, polishing her war-glaive with a sweet-smelling clothe.
Her attention snaps over to her as soon as she steps out, nostrils flaring as the Night-Warrior catches her heat-enhanced scent.
Her hair, wet from the shower, feels undeniably cool against her boiling skin, and Thalyssra is quite sure she’s melting under that intense gaze.
Tyrande’s eyes are undeniably scary- her sight burns along her skin, and yet, as it is, it’s hard to think of them as anything except alluring.
Tyrande appears as any alpha would- dominating and strong. She inspects her body with interest in her eyes, a twinkle of approval flashing in her dark pupils as they roam over her curves. She sets her glaive down beside the bed, her sight never leaving the other's body.
Thalyssra’s knees go weak as her scent clog her nostrils. Every cell in her body suddenly thrills at the prospect of a worthy mate, and the urge to submit pounds in her head.
She teeters, eyes blinking as her vision goes blurry. A pair of strong hands clasp around her upper arms, steadying her as the faintness passes.
Tyrande moved fast enough for Thalyssra to miss it, closing the distance between them in less than a second.
Her eyes, while not overly concerned, definitely had lost the previous indifference they held in the meeting.
“Sorry,” Thalyssra struggles to speak, her mind going hazy as the alpha’s proximity pushes her body into heat-overdrive. “I just wasn’t expecting your scent…” She took a deep breath, “...to affect me so much.”
“I see,” Tyrande leans forward, her nose pressing into the side of the delta’s neck. “Perhaps that is a good omen.”
The First Arcanist can’t even bring herself to reply. The feel of a nose against her neck is replaced by a mouth, and she tilts her head to the side on instinct as the alpha drags her teeth across the unmarked skin.
Her core is unbearably hot and her clit aches for desperately needed relief. Before the delta even realizes what she’s doing, a quiet “ Please ,” escapes her throat.
Tyrande hums, her voice a whisper in her ear, “Tell me if you desire to stop at any point.”
The arcanist nods in understanding, barely able to formulate words as she’s pulled over to her own bed.
With quick hands, the Night-Warrior removes her robe, leaving Thalyssra naked as she’s pushed onto the mattress.
There’s a low dominant growl that emanates from the High-Priestess’s chest as she looms over her, causing the arcanist to instinctively present herself as the call to mate becomes too much for her heat-affected brain to ignore.
Her thighs spread open without resistance, the wetness building at her core as her clit throbs in anticipation.
Her heat cycle ensures there’s no need for foreplay, but that doesn’t stop the kaldorei from carefully pressing two fingers into her, testing the resistance her walls give.
Truthfully, there’s not much. She clenches down against the digits, her body writhing as the need for more builds. Tyrande’s teeth bite down on her neck possessively, not hard enough to break skin and leave a bonding mark, but it still sends strikes of electricity racing down her spine.
Thalyssra whines and bucks her hips, eager for some much needed relief, and her new mate obliges.
For the First Arcanist, it is hard to tell exactly what happened after that. She’s lost in a haze of lust and pleasure, and every fiber in her body reacts to the stimulation as the possibility of finally being properly fucked moves closer and closer to reality.
Her mind reverts to its most primal omega-like state, wanting only to be touched, filled, and bred as if she were some kind of broodmare.
She wants to be claimed, wholly and completely, to a degree that she’s never desired before.
And somehow, she’s too far gone to be terrified of the implications.
Her first orgasm hits almost embarrassingly quickly, sending trembles throughout her body as her eyes roll to the back of her head.
Tyrande’s thumb rubs fast little circles onto her preening clit as the two fingers inside her curve and twist, rubbing against a rough little patch of skin that damn near has her seeing stars.
She doesn’t get a chance to recover, cumming again less than a minute later as her heart pounds away in her chest.
There’s an embarrassing amount of wetness pouring from her pulsing core, and she’s all too aware of the amount she’s dripping on the alpha’s hand.
The green-haired elf pulls her hand away after the last pulses of her second orgasm pass, “I think you’re ready.”
“I’m four days into my heat,” Thalyssra’s voice cracked. “ Of course I’m ready.”
“ Be silent ,” Tyrande’s command sends bolts of electricity straight to her core, and the delta squirms with need as the alpha begins kissing her way down the taller woman’s body. “I want to taste you first.”
She grasps the nightborne’s full breasts in her hands, lavishing attention onto them, swirling her tongue around the delta’s hardened nipples.
Thalyssra’s chest heaves, her arousal continuing to build as tiny whimpers of need escape her mouth.
Finally, the alpha continues moving south, kissing down the arcanist’s stomach and settling between her thighs with confidence.
Thalyssra can barely breath the moment she feels a warm tongue sweep through her folds, her back arching with pleasure as a strong grip holds her hips in place.
At first, Tyrande laps at her opening, delving into her inner walls and cherishing the feeling of the muscle’s clench around her tongue.
The sounds the delta makes isn’t bad either, soft whines and pants for more floating into her ears as Thalyssra tries desperately to grind her hips against the Night-Warrior’s mouth.
Finally, sensing the delta’s arousal beginning to plateau, Tyrande licks up to the arcanist’s sensitive clit, fitting her lips around the area and sucking as her tongue laps selfishly against it.
Thalyssra damn near shrieks, grabbing at the alpha’s hair as another orgasm quickly builds.
There’s a moment of hesitation where her body resists cumming, but that’s quickly canceled out by the sensation of Tyrande humming pointedly against her core, the vibrations sending her over the edge as wetness gushed out from her.
Immediately she feels her face burning, and she can barely meet Tyrande’s gaze as the alpha looks up at her, licking her lips pointedly before pulling back and removing her armor.
“You squirted,” Tyrande was grudgingly impressed.
“That…” Thalyssra clenched her eyes shut, “That doesn’t usually happen. My body- it’s rare.”
The alpha snorts, as if she doesn't quite believe her, and grabs at the arcanist's jaw, “Look at me.”
Thalyssra opens her eyes, her gaze meeting the Night-Warrior’s head on. Tyrande looks at her like she’s a piece of meat, and that’s something she isn’t quite sure she’ll ever get used to.
Thalyssra swallows dryly; no matter how many times she’d seen Tyrande’s eyes by now, the power in her stare was still enough to immediately make her want to bare her neck and submit.
It only takes a matter of seconds for the stare-off to become too much, and Thalyssra averts her gaze, turning her eyes towards the alpha’s body instead.
Only to realize how intimidating that was as well.
Tyrande had what could only be described as a total ‘goddess-body.’ She was muscular in all the right ways, while still having the famous curves that so many champions gossiped about.
And she was an alpha, a very clear and proud one if the sizable phallus hanging from her hips had anything to say about it.
Thalyssra whimpered as Tyrande once more spread the delta’s thighs apart, dragging the head of her cock through the delta’s folds, collecting her wetness on the shaft to use as lubrication.
“I thought I told you to look at me!” Tyrande’s voice is a quiet snarl, the head of her length presses against Thalyssra’s opening, and the delta goes stiff as pheromones flood the air.
Her eyes meet the Night-Warrior’s once more, and the two share a moment of stillness. Something Tyrande sees in Thalyssra’s gaze wipes away the alpha’s ire. Instead she leans down, capturing the arcanist’s lips with her own.
Their tongues seem almost hesitant to meet at first, shyly pressing against each other before the tension fades, patience thins, and Tyrande grows bold. Thalyssra relents to the advances and subjects the cavern of her mouth to exploration, her breathing heavy as the alpha’s tongue marks its new territory.
They pull away when the need for air becomes too much to ignore, their foreheads pressed together as they hang suspended in the moment.
“This isn’t how I imagined taking Suramar would end up,” Tyrande speaks softly at first, before her voice turns possessive. “But let me make one thing perfectly clear, from this second on- you’re mine.”
The moment the head of her cock sinks past the tight grip of Thalyssra’s front inner walls, Tyrande snaps her hips forward, setting a brutally fast pace that shakes the bed from its force.
And it certainly doesn’t help that Thalyssra can feel the growing swell of the alpha’s knot brushing against her opening with every thrust.
“Ah! Oh gods!” The arcanist mewls at the sensation of being filled, gasping when Tyrande grabs her wrists and pins them to the mattress.
“ By the goddess, ” the Night-Warrior moans as she leans down and presses her face into the crook of the delta’s neck. Why are you so tight !?”
Thalyssra barely has time to breathe before Tyrande’s throwing her legs over the crook of her elbows, the angle of their hips changing as the alpha savors the feeling of her cock sheathing inside the nightborne’s warmth.
The thrusts hit deeper than before, rubbing against that sensitive little spot along her front inner wall with each push in and each push out.
It leaves her teetering on the edge of oblivion, her entire body shaking as that pleasurable fire in her core builds and builds with each passing thrust.
Their hips smack together sharply, filling the chamber with vulgar sounds as the alpha ruts into her prey with lustful purpose.
This seems to go on forever; sweat drips down Tyrande’s face, and Thalyssra throws her head back against the mattress as her breasts bounce with each push of the priestess’s hips.
Moaning cries of pleasure escape her without end, making sure everyone within hearing range of the chamber knows exactly what was going on within.
“Touch yourself,” Tyrande pants, releasing her hold on her wrists, “I want to feel you cumming while I’m inside you. ”
Thalyssra obeys, licking at her fingers before reaching for the apex point between her thighs, rubbing at her clit as orgasmic energy thrums through her veins.
Tyrande moans at the feeling of her walls pulsating and squeezing around her, the sensations being enough to push the alpha into the beginnings of her own release.
Her thrusts slow, her hips pushing in until her fully engorged knot presses against the nightborne’s eager opening.
She mouths at the unmarked side of Thalyssra’s neck, and Thalyssra’s fingers stall as the feeling of teeth pressing against her skin wipes all other thought from her body.
The delta presents her neck instinctively, a scream of pleasure ripping from her throat as she feels the simultaneous sensation of teeth breaking skin and a knot pushing past her weeping opening.
Tyrande downright growls when she cums, a sound that sends bolts of arousal straight to Thalyssra’s core as it reverberates throughout her body.
Another orgasm slams into her, and her inner walls ripple and clamp down around the alpha’s knot, firmly binding them together as a rush of the Night-Warrior’s essence floods her womb.
The distinct feeling of a new bond forming sends tendrils of electricity through her veins, and Thalyssra barely has a moment to think as her vision waivers, the action a warning of her impending blackout before everything goes dark.
She comes to about a minute later, her vision immediately settling on the visage of Tyrande Whisperwind staring down at her.
“I think that might have been a bit more intense than I’d thought it would be,” Thalyssra admits, still all too aware of the knot currently stuck inside her.
“Perhaps so,” Tyrande says. She pumps her hips once, testing her knot’s hold.
The action is highly uncomfortable to Thalyssra, who involuntarily pins her ears back and hisses at her in response.
Tyrande raises an eyebrow at that, unimpressed and unamused, “Do not hiss at me.”
“Then don’t move,” Thalyssra retorts, equally unimpressed at the priestess’s gall.
“Hmph,” the alpha reaches over and grabs a sheet, pulling it over them as she leans down and presses her cheek against Thalyssra’s shoulder. It takes a moment for the two to get comfortable, especially given the way they were stuck together, but they make do.
“It’ll probably be an hour before I can pull out,” Tyrande warns.
“I’ll be fine,” Thalyssra reaches up and grabs a pillow, lifting her head just enough to move it underneath.
She listens to the even tone of Tyrande’s breathing as the priestess drifts off to sleep, the action itself being difficult for the arcanist.
The mark on her neck aches, and she tries to ignore the way it throbs as the mating bond settles.
Going into heat, she was prepared for a difficult week in which she would become innately familiar with her hand and the few toys she bought. All the worst situations she expected involved Valtrois causing her usual havoc and nothing more.
Horde intelligence had no inkling an Alliance attack was coming, and her city being conquered definitely wasn’t something she had any idea would happen during her miserable second day in the heat chamber.
And yet here they were. Suramar would now join the Alliance under the Darnassian banner, stripped of their independence as a nation, while she became a glorified plaything for the already married Tyrande Whisperwind until they found it feasible to let her return to the city.
No matter how many times she looked over the cards fate had dealt her, Thalyssra couldn’t stop pondering what a strange situation she found herself in.
The first week at Hyjal is difficult.
Thalyssra is given a room and bath on the far side of the leaders’ residence to stay in. Of course, it’s not very big, so she’s still guaranteed to run into them, but she’s undoubtedly relieved at being given an inkling of breathing room.
In the past, she’d always been very independent. There were relationships here and there, but her personal preferences always kept those instances short and sweet.
There was less risk that way. A mate would have had too much control over her work, over her very life. She valued her freedom too much to risk it.
At least that’s how it was, until the Alliance conquered Suramar and changed everything .
She’s allowed to work on some of the legal paperwork for her city, if only to keep her busy. There are few things they trust her to do in the provisional period of the agreement, and that number becomes even smaller since she is removed from the city and cannot oversee the changes as they happen.
For a while, she opts to go over the correspondences she receives from a number of her champions, advisors, and most importantly, her friends.
The champions of the Suramar are somewhat confused about exactly how they’re supposed to proceed. As it was, Horde territories were no longer technically safe for them, but the official reports showed little push-back against the champions who chose to stay. Most leaders seemed accepting of their presence, especially in Zandalar and Silvermoon, provided they did not start any trouble.
But Thalyssra knew that would change eventually. Her nation had a plethora of magically-skilled warriors, and sooner or later the Alliance would require their service.
Ly’leth wrote about the new interim council that had been set up. She was granted a seat to deal with internal matters, mostly due to her cooperation following their initial surrender.
The city had experienced an influx of Alliance citizens upon the initial announcement about Suramar’s induction into the Darnassian Nation. Night Elves in particular flocked there, many of them eager to see what had become of it. As if overnight, there was talk of gardens and forests being planted, of the scarred land of the broken isles being healed.
Admittingly it wasn’t all bad. But her people had spent far too long sealed away in a city of marble. She worried about the culture clash that the nature-minded kaldorei would surely bring to Suramar’s population.
Occuleth wrote his usual ramble, discussing the inconsistencies of the Alliance portal systems he’d been recruited to inspect and listing all the ways he plans to improve them. It was only in the last sentence that he remembered to infer about how well she was doing, offering his, admittedly limited, assistance in whatever way he could.
It was so familiar that Thalyssra couldn’t help the smile that came over her face, tears pricking at her eyes as the sudden loneliness of her situation hit her.
Stubbornly, she blinked them away, refusing to allow herself to wallow in pity. Her people had gotten a good deal out of this. That was all that mattered. Her situation was temporary. She just had to wait for the provisional period to pass, and then she’d be allowed to retake her position as leader of Suramar.
The fact that it’d be a satellite state of the Kaldorei nation didn’t even bother her as much as she thought it would.
It was better than it being a city under military rule, after all.
Valtrois was the only one who didn’t bother hiding her anger at the situation. The arcanist wasn’t as upset about the Alliance overtaking their city as she was about Tyrande claiming the First Arcanist as a mate under such circumstances.
She offered about a hundred different kinds of insults towards her, calling the priestess such vulgar names that the intelligence agents who vetted her letters actually redacted some of the more offensive phrases.
After about three pages worth of blacked-out insults and curses, and another page going on about the alpha’s sheer audacity , Valtrois seemed to remember she was supposed to be checking up on Thalyssra. She wrote about how Stellagosa was attempting to convince Kalecgos to give them clearance to go to Hyjal to see her as honorary agents of the Kirin Tor. Given that the two had been spending most of their time as residents of Dalaran, Valtrois was hopeful that the request would be granted.
Thalyssra felt a flower of hope bloom in her chest at that; the official legal ceremony wasn’t going to be for another week, and the chance to see Valtrois before then would undoubtedly help to relieve some of the tense anxiety she felt gnawing away at her heart.
Odd as it was, somehow she’d felt less nervous leading a rebellion against Elisande than she does now.
There’s a flutter at the open window behind her, and the noise causes Thalyssra to turn and look.
Dori’thur, Tyrande’s spirit companion, sits patiently and stares at her with a curious gaze. The priestess sends the owl to check on the arcanist at least twice a day when Malfurion and her are gone from the residence, no doubt making sure the arcanist hasn’t tried to run.
Truthfully, Thalyssra doesn’t mind it. The spirit is friendly with her, and allows her to pet and scratch at its feathers.
She curiously even feels the power of Elune’s presence in the creature’s body- something that the researcher in her wonders about.
Thalyssra smiles at seeing the companion, standing and approaching as the owl hooted lightly at her in greeting.
It preens its head into her hand, trilling as she scratches at the top of its crown.
She giggles as it presses its head against her stomach affectionately, nuzzling into the purple fabric of her robes before looking up at the Shal’dorei expectantly.
“Go tell your master I’m still here,” Thalyssra chuckles. “The only other place that’s seen me today is the kitchen.”
Dori’thur hoots at her in response, butting its head insistently against her stomach one more time. Then it turns, leaping from the window and into the sky in one smooth movement.
Thalyssra stares after the owl for a moment, before shaking her head and going back to her desk.
She still had letters to read after all.