Chapter 7

           Itwasagoodfewmonths,inDalaran.Arthasfound,somewhattohissurprise,thatheactuallywaslearningthingsthatwouldbeusefulforakingtoknow.Therewerealsoplentyofopportunitiestoenjoythelingeringsummerandfirstcoolhintsofautumn,andhelovedriding,evenifhefeltapanginhischesteverytimehemountedahorsethatwasnotInvincible.

           AndtherewasJaina.

           He’dnotplannedonkissingherinitially.Butwhenhefoundhimselfwithherinhisarms,hereyesbrightwithlaughterandgoodhumor,he’ddoneso.Andshe’dresponded.Herschedulewasmoredemandingandrigorousthanhis,andtheyhadnotseeneachothernearlyasmuchastheyhadwantedto.Whentheyhad,itwasusuallyatpublicfunctions.Andbothhadagreedwithoutdiscussingitatallthatitwouldnotdotogivetherumormillanygrist.

           Itlentanextraspicetotherelationship.Theystolemomentswhentheycould—akissinanalcove,afleetinglookataformaldinner.Theirfirstoutinghadbeencompletelyinnocentattheoutset;butnowtheyavoidedsuchthingsassiduously.

           Hememorizedherschedulesoasto"bump"intoher.ShefoundexcusestowanderintothestablesorinthecourtyardthatArthasandhismenusedaspracticeareastokeeptheirbattleskillssharp.

           Arthaslovedeveryrisky,daringminuteofit.

           Nowhewaitedinalittle-usedhallway,standinginfrontofabookshelf,pretendingtoperusethetitles.