The astromancer has been struggling with the daytime as of late. Varika, oh sweet Varika, only worked the night shifts, leaving Draenin alone for sixteen hours, with nothing but the sound of his own thoughts.

 

And Azshara, of course. There was always Azshara.

 

He'd been avoiding her since he met Varika, and she knew something was up. He could feel her pressing into his mind for invitation, and it took all of his power to not just let go .

 

But no matter - he was exhausted, more than usual this morning, and he welcomed the sweet embrace of darkness.

 

Yet it wasn't darkness that embraced him this time, but instead visions of a happier time. Of dancing and laughter, of times when the world was easier. 

 

He felt her again, even while dreaming. She was pressing him, but this time he didn't have enough control over his own mind to resist.

 

His dream shifted, and suddenly he was back at the Well of Eternity. It wasn't where he last saw it, back in Zin’Azshari, but back before, in Elun’dris, where it all began.

 

Draenin approached the well, steadily standing over to peer at his reflection in the illuminated waters. 

 

Instead of his own face looking back, it was hers.

 

He expected Azshara would be angry, but instead her eyes were turned downwards and her lips seemed to pout.

 

You've been avoiding me .

 

Her voice echoed like whispers, but her lips didn't move to speak. 

 

A shiver crawled up Draenin’s spine.

 

“Yes, I have,” he answered simply.

 

I missed you, you know? You know I hate it when you go quiet on me for so long. I start worrying about you.

 

Thousands of years ago, it may have pulled on Draenin’s heart. But he’s learned well enough now that her sweet words will always be laced in venom.

 

“Stop doing this, Azshara. You know you don't have to anymore.”

 

Her lips curved into a slight smile.

 

Perhaps not. But I did not lie, I do worry about you. You may not appreciate it, but I do. 

 

Draenin bit the inside of cheek. Damnit, Azshara.  

 

So, Varika Sorrowfall, is it not? She’s a very sweet girl, though that never really was your type.

 

He narrowed his eyes at the reflection. “You've been speaking to her.”

 

Not exactly. I usually do what I’m doing now, sneak into her dreams. She dreams about you an awful lot, by the way. It's exhausting.

 

A blush crept up on Draenin’s face. Varika Sorrowfall was his descendant . She was family, she shouldn't be thinking of him like this.

 

But Queen Azshara was a renowned liar , if nothing else. Yes. Of course. She’d lie about this too. 

 

You should let her help you. She wants to, whether she's ready to admit it or not. She wants nothing more than to aid the dark, mysterious, brooding man and fix away all of his trauma. And you should let her. Taste the happiness. It is ever so sweet.

 

“Why would you want me to be happy? ” he asked.

 

Because it won't last. You'll leave, you'll go back home, and she will stay. And you will cling to your sorrow once more.

 

Draenin turned away from the well. Of course. In the end, she wanted him to suffer, as he did her. But he didn't want to look at her when she did it.

 

“Do you think we could've been happy, all those years ago? If we made different decisions?”

 

Perhaps.

 

But it's too late for that now. 

 

That, Draenin could agree with. 

 

Sweet dreams, Draenin.