lifelines (they may not always meet, but for now let's love each other)

the golden cord

TSR spoilers (the third book in the series)

Set during the period of Paige's capture, we see what Warden and the gang have been up to ft angst cause I'm Warden x Paige trash. Also this is my first TBS fic so please be nice, I haven't really gotten Samantha's style down yet.

***

The golden cord had been silent for five days.

Warden paced back and forth on the soft rug of their current safehouse. The Ranthen had many scattered across London but this one had always been his favourite, as far as safehouses went. The dimming firelight of candles that had been placed about the room deepened the shadows on his face and the ones under his eyes. It reminded him of a time best left forgotten. It would do him no good to have his fellow Ranthen see him like this, but Warden knew attempting to mask his anxiety from them would prove fruitless.

Something flickered to his left--not flame, but an aura.

Warden stopped. And then inclined his head.

"Arcturus, I did not realize you would be up so late," Terebell spoke in Gloss and Warden was thankful. He did not wish to spend additional energy on translation. She set something on the table, but he chose to instead focus on her.

"I find the silence pleasant," he replied.

Her usual chartreuse eyes were a bright yellow indicating a recent feed. Warden did not need to glance at a mirror to tell that his own were dim.

She gave him a glance. "I suppose it is."

Terebell made her way over to him and placed her finger under his chin. Her grip was gentle, her fingers warm. They belonged to hands Warden once kissed with reverence and admired for their strength. Now they belonged to his sovereign-elect and friend, no more.

She tilted his head to the side and back again before staring into his eyes. Her own gaze was disapproving. "You really ought to feed, you'll be no use to the dreamwalker if you starve yourself."

The mention of Paige quickened his heartbeat. He dropped his eyes from hers and turned his back, electing to stare out their small window.

Terebell understood that he cared for her, in a way an amaurotic might care for a treasured pet. She may not like it but it was easier for her to grasp than the truth of what Paige meant to him, and less dangerous.

Her voice went low as she asked, "The cord?"

Warden shook his head.

She made no move to join him, sensing his frustration. Though he could not see her face, he could picture her thoughtful expression.

"She's proven to be quite an exceptional survivalist. If she were dead, Nashira would make sure all of Scion knew, the anchor cannot tolerate a threat to their reign. Or her reign rather." Softer now. "Alsafi cannot contact us, nor us him. He sent me a final message, he is being watched, but he will relay messages through an ally of his. Nashira must suspect something."

Warden's jaw clenched. "Is that all?"

Terebell went silent for a moment. "I know that this is difficult for you," she began quietly, "but we need to remain as a united front. Division within our ranks is not something we can afford right now, not with so much at stake. I trust that you understand this."

"I understand." His tone was flat. She had been patient for long enough but she was still his superior and disrespect would not be welcomed.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Terebell dip her head. She left without another word. When he was sure that she had gone far enough, Warden sank into the bed, fists clenched. He wanted to smash something, to bound into the Archon like a reckless fool and scour the dungeons to find her though he knew it was not possible.