Page 111 of The Anointed's Paladin

Iwoke up, wrapped in warm blankets in a soft bed. For a second, I just lay there, surprised. The last thing I remembered was the tower. How had I got here? How long ago had that been?

I opened my eyes and blinked the sleep from them; I was in a small cosy room of what appeared to be a well-kept boarding house. Orange sunlight filtered in from one of the windows, casting a warm glow onto the bed.

I pulled off the blankets, groaning. I was stiff and achy all over. I sat up and stretched before looking around. I was alone right now, but there was a seat by my bed and fine clothes strewn on the dresser. Where were Kaine and Nidori?

I opened my mouth to call for them, but nothing came out but a croak. I was parched. I scooted over to the side of the bed, grabbing a cup of water and drinking it in one gulp. I had to find them. What if they were gone?

I heard a rustle and a smashing noise behind me and whipped around to see Kaine by the door. He was staring, a broken teacup at his foot, but he tamed the shock on his face and replaced it with a familiar smirk.

“There you are. I’ve been waiting for you to join me again.” He said. His silver curls caught the evening light as he settled in next to me. He looked different. I looked at him again- was it just because I’d never seen him in daylight? But no, it was something about the way he held himself seemed relaxed. More free.

“Nidori?” I asked.

“Asleep.” He said, waving his hand. “We’ve been taking turns to watch you. We even had a bet going on who would be there when you woke up. It was getting quite competitive. I couldn’t confirm it but Iswearshe had started pinching you.”

“Can we wake her?” I asked.

“We will. I think we should let her rest for now, though. You’ve got a lot to answer for, darling. Namely, trying to kill yourself.”

“I did what I knew was right.” I said simply. I could feel the stirrings of a deep power in the words. I had found my new purpose, and so gained my oath magic, but to be able to use it properly, I need to find the right words to capture it.

“You almost left us.” He said, his eyes darkening. “Leftme.”

“I’m sorry.” I said, winding my arm around his. “I… thought it was the only way.”

He paused for a second, looking up at me with his rich, golden eyes.

“Well it all worked out, didn’t it?” He said finally, tracing his finger on my arm, whispering to me. “Now you’re here. I hope you know I’m never letting you go again. You’re to be mine forever.”

The words set my heart pounding, and I couldn’t look away from his hooded eyes. My heart stirred.

“I want you. As long as I live.” I said again. These words were closer to my new purpose, and I could feel the buzz of power in them.

His fingers wound in my collar, tugging it straight, and eyes glinted, showing something new. Possessive.

The way he was looking at me was stirring something else, something more primal. His last words echoed in my head again, sending lighting through my core. To be his. Forever. Everything slid into place; my purpose, anewoath forming in my mind.

His fingers wound around me as he slipped his hands around my shoulders. His fingers traced my dusky skin, trailing along the bony ridges on my upper back, circling where my ruined wings joined my body. He slipped my pale hair over my shoulder.

I turned to face him, the memory of the tower coming back. My stomach flipped as I thought about what I had aligned myself with. It was beautiful and terrible; a path to restoration or to ruin. And it all hinged on him.

“I survived because I found a new purpose just in time. An oath is something that will be as natural as breathing to keep.” My hand reached out, touching his chest. His golden eyes met my blue. “The power of my oath comes from something that holds me truly. Completely.” My fingers went up, trailing his jawline. Interest sparked in his eyes as he got what I was hinting at.

“You can’t possibly… ?” he said, cocking his head. His eyebrow was raised, and it was more of a challenge than a question.

“My new oath…” my voice lowered. I was suddenly nervous to speak it out loud. “Would be an oath of fealty. To you.”

He stopped, regarding me with hunger in his eyes.

“Howdelicious.” He said, and drew me in for a deep kiss. The torrent of desire welled up within me again, and I pulled him closer, caressing the sculpted muscles in his back. He broke off the kiss abruptly, using a finger to push me back. He slipped off the bed.

“We must do thisproperly. I want you on… your… knees.” His smile was wicked as he unbuttoned his shirt.

My cock throbbed as I slid off the bed, dropping to my knees and gazing up at him. His lithe torso gleamed in the light, his silver curls framing his round face. Gods, was he beautiful. He took a step towards me, closing the distance. His cock was fully hard, and brushed my face through the fabric of his underwear.

“Take that off.” He breathed, and I obliged, tugging down the last bit of fabric that had covered his glorious figure.

Need throbbed through every inch of my being. His hand caressed my horns, my ears, tucking away a loose strand of hair. I nuzzled his cock but he grabbed one of my horns, holding me back.

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