Page 185 of The Bone Season

I could almost see it.

‘Zeus, the ruler of the gods, heard Aphrodite lamenting her lover,’ Warden said. ‘Out of pity for her, he agreed to let Adonis spend half the year in life, and half in death.’

Kraz had looked as if he was half in death, at least.

‘To my knowledge, it is the only plant that harms my kind,’ Warden said. ‘It is illegal to either grow or possess it across the Republic of Scion.’

‘If it’s illegal, how do you have it?’

‘I grow the flowers in a glasshouse in the Fields of Mercy.’ Warden reached for the wine. ‘I wanted you to have the pollen for your own protection. I did not expect you to have to use it so quickly.’

‘Do you have more?’

‘A modest supply. The flowers will not bloom again until April, and even that is no guarantee, given the unseasonal cold in this city.’

At least we had a weapon that worked against Rephs.

‘The cartomancer must be a good friend to you,’ Warden said. ‘You took a great risk for her tonight, Paige.’

‘She deserves to live.’ I breathed out. ‘Warden, I … didn’t mean to drag you all into another mess. I’m sorry. Thank you for helping me get back.’

‘I owed you that much.’

Warden drank from his goblet. I watched his face, narrowing my eyes a little.

‘I didn’t tell you where I was going,’ I said. ‘How did you know I was there?’

‘That is a grave matter I wanted to discuss with you.’

‘Graver than the fact that I’m after killing a Reph?’

‘Yes. May I stay?’

‘It’s your tower.’

‘And it is still for your private use until July.’

‘Then I give you my gracious permission to stay.’

‘Thank you.’ Warden sought my gaze. ‘There has been a complication, Paige.’

‘You say that like every single thing that’s happened to me since March hasn’t been a massive and horrificcomplication. You personally, by yourself, have permanently complicated my life.’

‘I fear I may be about to do it again.’

‘Fire away. I doubt anything can surprise me at this point.’

Warden stood again, taking his goblet with him. He rested an arm on the mantelpiece, staring into the flames.

‘I do not know how it happened,’ he said, ‘but in the aftermath of London, the æther has bound our spirits. I felt it for the first time while you had your fever, and saw it in my dreamscape. It is … a golden cord.’

‘Right.’ I paused, waiting. ‘Has it got anything to do with the silver cord?’

‘The silver cord binds the spirit to the dreamscape. This one appears to bind us to each other.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘I cannot say that I do, either.’ Warden looked at me. ‘I did hear of the golden cord in the Netherworld. It was a myth, a mystery – a powerful bond atwixt two spirits. From what I can tell, it gives us a seventh sense, keeping us aware of each other. Even when I left you just now, I could feel you from the Broad. I even shared your lingering fear.’

---