Page 110 of The Anointed's Paladin

52

Let me go

Talon

Kaine turned to me, his skin glowing. His golden eyes shone, making him look more angelic than he’d ever been. His shoulders were relaxed, an easy smile on his face.

The moment Cirae had left with the baby, the coldness had intensified, washing over me in waves. All the warmth that had been seeping into me was gone.

I sheathed my sword, hand shaking. Kaine wrapped his arms around me and Nidori in a hug, jumping up in excitement. His scent had changed; the blood and roses were there still, but now woven through the smell of a warm summer grove.

“We did it,” he said breathlessly. “We fucking did it. Saved a baby, fought a God, beat Cassandra! We played their stupid game andwon.”

He smiled widely, his joy infectious. It was worth it. I had completed my goal—to see him be free. That suited him. He could have the world. Find out what kind of person he was.

I slid out of his grip, onto my knees. My legs felt like numb jelly and didn’t want to obey me anymore. It was happening sofast. A lump formed in my throat. I wanted Kaine and Nidori to have a few more moments of happiness before I shattered it.

“Talon?” Kaine peered at me. I must have looked bad, because his newly flushed cheeks paled again. “What’s going on?” he asked sharply, and it hurt me to see the pain in his eyes.

“Talon, the necklace.” Nidori knelt beside me, fishing it out from under my shirt.

I pushed it away, focusing on Kaine. “I’m only alive because of borrowed time. Borrowed from that infant while it was trapped here. Setting it free meant giving that life back.”

“What?” he snarled, grabbing me and forcing me to look up at him.

I reached up and cupped his cheek. My arm felt impossibly heavy. He was so beautiful. I remembered the first time I met him, how he had sucked me under his spell. My s’vara.

“But the necklace! You can fix it, right, Talon? Tell him. Use your oath magic,” said Nidori, clutching my hand tight.

I smiled at her. Sweet Nidori. Who had curled up in my lap, who had braided my hair. Who soothed my soul.

“Sorry, Nidori.” It hurt to talk. “No oath. Go with Kaine. Go. Be free.”

“Talon?” she said, her voice breaking. Her large green eyes swam with tears. “Talon?”

“No,” Kaine snarled, fingers digging into my arm. He swam in my vision, eyes glinting. “No. Not without you, you gods-damned asshole!”

It was all right.

I felt complete.

Satisfied.

He had been so broken by the world. It just felt… right to do this for him, give myself to him completely. To behis.

Something clicked into place, and power exploded within me as I connected with my new purpose.

I gasped, feeling the healing within me begin, a small light in a dark room. My hand shot up, and I grasped the glowing green stone, infusing it with my oath magic.

This wasn’t the end, after all.

END*1

1. *Ironic, I know.

Epilogue

Talon

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