Артас: Возвышение короля-лича

           Butshewasnoicequeen,nostatue;shewaswarmandsoftandalive,hergoldenhairflowingabouthershoulders,hercheekspinkbeneathhisadmiringgaze,herblueeyesbrightwithhappiness.

           "You’relike...awhitecandle,"hesaid."Allwhiteandgold."Hereachedforalockofherhair,twirlingitabouthisfingers.

           Shegrinned."Yes,"shelaughed,reachingtotouchhisownbrightlocks,"thechildrenwillalmostcertainlybeblond."

           Hefroze.

           "Jaina—areyou—"

           Shechuckled."No.Notyet.Butthere’snoreasontothinkwewon’tbeabletohavechildren."

           Children.Again,thewordthatgalvanizedhiminshockandpeculiardistress.Shewastalkingaboutthechildrentheywouldhave.Hismindgallopedintothefuture,afuturewithJainaashiswife,theirchildreninthepalace,hisparentsgone,himselfonthethrone,theweightofthecrownonhishead.Partofhimdesperatelywantedthat.HelovedhavingJainabyhisside,lovedholdingherinhisarmsatnight,lovedthetasteandsmellofher,lovedherlaughter,pureasabellandsweetasthescentofroses.

           Heloved—

           Whatifheruinedit?

           Becausesuddenlyheknewthatuntilthismoment,ithadallbeenchild’splay.He’dthoughtofJainaasacompanion,justasshehadbeensincehisboyhood,excepttheirgameswerenowofamoreadultnature.Butsomethinghadsuddenlyshiftedinsidehim.