BEYOND THE STARS [2]

LONE MARTIAN

QUEST OBJECTIVE: Don't fuck a king. (Failed. Please return to Quest Giver.)

— E L W Y N N   F O R E S T —

They chose a small clearing in the mountains, far from gryphon riders and the marble walls of Stormwind Keep. The dying rays of the sunset turned the canopy of leaves above them into molten gold, and set Anduin's hair aflame as he stood before Eona.

Eona held a wooden sword in each hand. She offered one to him, "I know it's not the real thing, but swords are heavy. I think it might be worth your while to try strength training before going near a sword with Genn."

Anduin left his royal blue robes behind, dressed in a faded linen shirt and trousers. Eona's eyes flitted over him, trying to unravel the puzzlement of seeing him without the refinery. The chiseled cheekbones and jawline stolen from sculptures were still present. Everything was perfectly proportionate; from his thin, soft lips to the golden bangs that framed his face.

Eona chewed her bottom lip. Anduin was stunning. It seemed to show even more without the distraction of elaborate robes.

Anduin took up one of the wooden swords, a new seriousness shrouding his features. Parts of Eona's body lurched, recognizing that look of fierce determination from when his head was between her legs —

"How would you like to start?" said Anduin.

Eona's fantasy fizzled as reality returned. Her face felt hot. "Um, posture I — I think."

Eona stepped back a few paces and shrugged off her olive green coat. She tossed it upon the grass, the crystals clinking in the pockets. She lay her steel swords on top of them, and slipped the wooden one under her belt.

When Eona faced Anduin, his gaze trickled over her. "What is it?" she asked.

Anduin shook his head. "Your clothes are...tight."

Eona glanced down. She always wore a faded collared shirt underneath. Straps held her pistol, potions, and other oddities in place. It didn't seem as eye-catching to her as it did to Anduin.

"It's sexy," Anduin admitted, not meeting her gaze. His grip tightened on the sword as he focused, holding the wooden stick between them. The veins along his arms pulsed.

Eona studied his form, setting her admiration (and overenthusiastic imagination) aside. His feet weren't planted securely.

"Do you mind if we...?" Eona stepped forward, guiding Anduin's foot farther out with hers. She reinforced his grip on his sword, rearranging his long fingers.

Eona's heart raced as she stood so close to Anduin, every brush of his body against hers a little static pulse that made her dizzy.

When Eona retreated, she forced air through her nose and blew it out of her mouth. It helped her ignore the heat building between her legs. He needs to learn self-defense first. I can push him against the nearest tree after he learns all the basics.

"That looks good. You'll want to be mindful of your feet. It's one of the hardest details to remember, but everything else comes easier with it," said Eona.

Eona continued her inspection, circling Anduin. Their shadows danced across the grass. His shoulders hunched a little too much for her liking.

Anduin jumped as Eona caressed his shoulders from behind. She rubbed softly at the tension, no doubt caused from months of anxieties bearing Stormwind's crown.

"Relax," Eona whispered in his ear. She stepped back. Anduin's shoulders straightened.

Eona kept walking until she stood before Anduin once more. He kept glancing down, noting the position of his feet.