No timeline. No 'where are you going, were you trying to hide it from me,and why do you look so good.' That would be psychotic. Stage-five clinger. This was just two mature adults respecting each other.
She had been gone for forty-five minutes and Maddox was fine with it. Completely fine. Great, even. He was in a meeting with the elders and one hundred percent focused.
Sterling was with her. She said she could use his help. Not Maddox's. That was fine too. Maddox would find out what it was and do it better. Problem solved.
Sterling also reported to him and could mindlink.
FIRST DRAFT:
Where is Guinevere? Too direct.
SECOND DRAFT:
Is everything alright? Too anxious.
FINAL DRAFT:
Maddox: Did Guinevere find Blair?
Sister-adjacent. No big deal. Because it wasn't.
Sterling: No, Commander.
The most unhelpful response possible. His dragon rumbled in irritation.
Maddox: Where is she?
Sterling: The library.
