BEYOND THE STARS [2]

SUPERNOVA

QUEST OBJECTIVE: Win Anduin's hearthsteed (0.5% drop rate).

— D A L A R A N —

Eona fidgeted on the park bench beneath a floating statue of Archmage Antonidas. Stars blinked at her between the canopy of leaves above. Every time she glanced at the gems in the sky, her gut twisted with pain. A dragon's agonized shrieks filled her ears.

Eona's fingers clenched into fists, accidentally crumpling a note. She grimaced, looking down at Anduin's penmanship.

I don't know if I can do this.

"Eona!"

The familiar exhilaration sang in her veins from Anduin's voice. Eona clutched at her stomach as her insides ached a little afterward.

A dark hood hid Anduin's identity as he approached her. The night bled his stained, brown disguise black. Eona couldn't look away from what he held in his hands. "Andy...what — ?"

Anduin kneeled before Eona. He offered her a fancy pitcher filled with lilies of the valley, swinging from their swan-like necks. A box of her favorite chocolates was in his other hand.

Anduin was so close, the box of chocolates brushed against Eona. Her knees pressed together.

This can't be real...it's an apology. Because he's so nice — even if he refused to keep seeing me, he would break the truth in a kind way.

Eona glanced around them. The only other logical explanation was that Love Is In The Air had returned to Azeroth. There were no red hearts and pink lace hanging from the buildings. Goblins weren't dressed up in white, trying to shoot people with arrows in the streets.

Eona looked back at the flowers, frowning as hope dwindled.

"I'm so sorry about Ysera, Eona," said Anduin. "I know this means next to nothing in comparison, but I had to do something..."

Anduin still held the pitcher and chocolates between them. Eona didn't move to accept them. She was frozen in place, studying the objects and his face.

Anduin's plea to meet was the end of...everything, wasn't it? Assuming it wasn't already implied.

"I am..." Eona swallowed. "Confused."

Anduin's head tilted to the side. He rose from the ground to sit beside her. The arcane lamp posts bathed Anduin in a soft blue glow, making everything warm and golden about him silvery and cold.

Eona bit back a grimace. It was hard to look at him, now that he was before her. It made the truth so obvious. She couldn't even feel angry at Anduin for his choice to end it. Even if he doesn't...after learning of my father, I'm still pretty crazy about him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" said Anduin. The concern in his tone was so genuine.

Eona glanced down at the lilies. They didn't have any thorns, but she felt them curling around her insides.

"You didn't have to do this," she said softly.
"It's the least I can do. I can't imagine how you feel — I was hoping you'd give me the opportunity to spoil you, even though you'll probably refuse," Anduin shifted closer to her. His leg brushed up against hers. Eona ignored the electric tingle spreading across her thigh from such a small movement.

Eona shook her head. "You're being too nice about this."

"About what?"

Eona bit her lip. She would have to say it, then. "I heard your conversation with Khadgar in Karazhan. About my father. But it's fine, you don't have to pretend. If you think it's best we part ways —"