It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss, and the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?

~Glitter In The Air-Pink~

Cordana was furious. She had awoken to find Khadgar gone, and none of the tower mages had a clue where he had gotten off to. She took Khadgar's permanent portal to the garrison and sought the Commander, a massive Draenei warrior named Jaaral, who was also devoid of information. It irked her that the Archmage would use her sleeping time to escape and do Light knew what, making her duty impossible to carry out. She had paced around the garrison from one end to the other in irritation, creating an angry, bladed obstacle that passersby gave wide berth to.

"Cordana?" a female voice called out to her and she turned.

The Commander's wife, a human mage named Toriona, stood behind her holding a market basket.

"Jaaral said you were upset earlier, that you couldn't find the Archmage?"

Cordana removed her helmet. "Yes, do you know where he is?"

Toriona smiled and nodded. "You needn't worry. He has gone to Frostwall to see Thrall."

"And he didn't wish me to accompany him?"

"He said you were sleeping and needed your rest. The Frostwall garrison is not a dangerous place and the Archmage is well known and liked by the Horde there. He will be back this afternoon, but until then perhaps you would like to go to the market with me?"

Cordana studied her for a moment. She often puzzled over the dynamics between the massive Draenei and the humans who were often their mates. The Lady Toriona was so tiny by comparison, even though by human female standards she was considered tall. Perhaps such a relationship had differing standards of intimacy, although there were half human and half Draenei children to be found. The logistics of this would always be lost on her, but what sort of relationship could be properly balanced without lying with one's mate?

Cordana had not reached the point in her mind where she felt ready to lie with Khadgar. He had asked her to forgo her usual nightly post several times and stay with him, but she had always refused and he had not pressed the issue. The truth was, she felt insecure with her lack of knowledge and experience in matters of intimacy. Well, in matters of relationships in general. She did not know what to expect, and that unknown began to magnify in her own mind, becoming a larger issue than it truly needed to be. Cordana, having kept the world at arm's length, now saw the self defeating result of that lifestyle choice. She had no friends to share her fears with, nor her joys, no one to question when she felt lost or confused by her feelings. The closest thing she had was Jarrod, and she saw him primarily as her superior, and as reserved and guarded as she was, she could not imagine reaching out to him on a personal level. Cordana wished that she knew what it was like to make love to someone, what to say and do and how to behave, but she didn't and there was no one to confide in.

Toriona touched the night elf gently on her arm. "Cordana? Are you alright?"

Shaken from her reverie, the Warden looked down and nodded.

"Would you like to come with me?" asked the Commander's wife once more. "I know you are worried about the Archmage and perhaps I can distract you until he returns. Market time can be a lot of fun!"

Cordana nodded absentmindedly and followed her to the market. It was chaotic and noisy and Cordana did not care for it one bit. She wanted to disappear in the solitude of the forest, or the quiet reflective space of the Tower library although she had no interest in human tomes. Lady Toriona happily bartered with the merchants, filling her baskets with fruits and vegetables, a freshly caught fish, several lengths of fabric, and a rather interesting ring for her husband's tail. She talked and asked questions which Cordana politely answered, albeit awkwardly, as she did not have much experience with social situations. She had always believed that battle was much less complicated. You didn't need to make small talk. The Lady Toriona, although an accomplished mage, had chosen a diplomatic path instead, and was very good at it. Small talk was apparently a diplomatic specialty!

However, after an hour of the market, Cordana's nerves were frayed, and she politely excused herself. She replaced her helmet, and stealthed quietly away, back to the Tower. She was growing angrier at Khadgar as the hours passed. He knew better than to leave her behind when he travelled, even if it was only via portal to Frostwall. The fact that he loved her should have made leaving her even harder shouldn't it? Did one not wish to be with the person they professed to love, no matter where they went?

Cordana paced the floor. She did not want to admit that she missed Khadgar on a personal level, it was easier though to hide behind the protocol of her duty as a reason for her anger.

When the Archmage finally returned, he was greeted by a very prickly Cordana.

"How could you leave without communicating your intentions to me?" she railed at him. "I was worried to death when I could not find you, the Commander did not know where you were, and if I had not bumped into his Lady wife, I would have had to go off into the wilds searching for your maimed or dead body, you horrible, insensitive human!"

Surprised, then amused, Khadgar began the arduous task, without Cordana's assistance this time, of removing his battle gear's many buckles and clasps and removing the wards. "My dear Cordana, I travel to Frostwall quite frequently to visit with Thrall and Liadrin. It is a safe place, and I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself should the need arise!" He tried not to let her see the amusement on his face. Cordana, when annoyed, could be a force of nature and although he found it comical, he was sure she would not.

The Archmage never raised his voice or showed any anger. He was gentle of demeanor and radiated calmness. He was always in control of both his magic and his emotions, his voice soft and soothing, but Cordana was not having any of it this time.

"That is NOT the point and you know it, Khadgar! It is hardly fair of you to compromise my duty to you! Not to mention that Frostwall is part of the Horde, and they are never completely trustworthy! While Thrall and Liadrin might be cut from a different cloth so to speak, can you truly say that every other resident of that camp feels the same way as they do? I am sure you cannot! And THAT is why I must be allowed to accompany you whenever you travel anywhere outside the Tower!"

He turned to her with a smile. "You are truly magnificent when you are angry, Cordana Felsong," he said. "I am deeply flattered that you care for me such a great deal, and I am sorry for leaving you behind. I felt it was more important that you get some rest."

She felt her anger diffusing as he approached her slowly, drew her close to him and kissed her. "Can you forgive me, Cordana?" he asked, softly stroking her back. "I did miss you a great deal, and concluded my meeting with Thrall and Liadrin as quickly as I could."

"Khadgar...sometimes you infuriate me!" she said, trying desperately to hang onto the anger she was not quite ready to let go of yet, but at the same time putting her arms around his waist, and laying her head on his shoulder, her lips against his neck. His skin smelled faintly of smoke, no doubt from the great fire that burned in the council hall at Frostwall, but beneath that she could still detect the faint fragrance of the herbal soap she had given him.

He held her tightly against him, and she became aware of his growing desire for her.

This is so not going to happen right now, she thought to herself. I'm not ready yet!

Pulling away from him and walking backwards a few steps despite his obvious resistance, Cordana narrowed her eyes. "I am still upset with you, Archmage," she said, her softer tone a complete mismatch to her words.

He clasped his hands in front of him and looked down in a caricature of contriteness. "I can see that and I fear I may never be able to attain your forgiveness."

She ran a hand through her hair, letting the silken waves strain through her fingers. She sighed sensually, knowing how it would affect him, and it did. She ran her tongue slowly along her teeth, then smiled. Khadgar closed his eyes and shook his head.

"You are a cruel temptress, Cordana Felsong," he said.

The Warden gazed at him through half closed eyes, enjoying his obvious discomfort. "Maybe next time you will think twice about leaving me behind, yes?"