Page 23 of The Anointed's Paladin

I felt my cheeks heating, making me glad my blue skin hid blushing so well. The storm of desire swirled within me, unfamiliar but intoxicating. I rustled my wings uncomfortably, trying to clear my head. I had to try and get him to trust me.

“I have to admit, you are pretty good with that blade.” I tapped my side. “Went straight in my lung.”

His dazzling smile came back, and he gave me a little bow. I wanted more of that smile, so I continued.

“I would have put it down to luck, but then I saw how well you took care of the drisands.”

“Aw. You’re too kind,” he said, amused. “Perhaps I should stab more Paladins. It seems to conjure lots of compliments.”

“I wouldn’t recommend that. I’m not exactly a good example of a Paladin.”

“Why? Which God picked you?”

“Lydes,” I replied, hesitantly.

He cocked his head, expression hardening. “Delightful. I particularly love his quote about maoferni. How did it go again?‘…A mercy to bring to them death’?”

“You forgot the first bit: ‘Perverse and lecherous corruptions,’” added Nidori, helpfully.

“An interesting choice for hellspawn to have as a patron,” Kaine slid his eyes back to me.

“He’s not my patron,” I replied, bristling.

“Then, why did your not-patron pickyouto complete his quest?”

“I honestly don’t know.” I crossed my arms. “The bastard shows up out of nowhere, demands I complete this task for him, doesn’t give me a choice, then sends me on my merry way to this cursed wilderness.”

“Typical God.” Kaine, shook his head, his earlier tenseness seeming to fade a bit.

“Who picked you?” I asked. Who would pick a maoferni as a champion? Not one aligned with Lydes, I would guess.

“Olissa,” he replied without hesitation.

I snorted in amusement.Yeah, right.

“The goddess of love and marriage?” Nidori asked, and he grinned.

“Obviously,” he said with a wink. She nodded, accepting it with a pleased expression and no further questions.

We walked onwards, and I paused as I realised Kaine had vanished.

“Where did he go?” I asked Nidori, stopping and looking around.

She pointed through the trees, but I didn’t see anything. “Oh, he’s probably invisible. I can tell where he is because of all the roots.”

“Does he go invisible a lot?”

“Sometimes.”

Kaine reappeared by my side, tucking in his shirt and making me jump.

“Where did you go?” I demanded.

He shrugged. “If you must know, I was taking a piss.”

I felt my cheeks flush a bit. “And you had to turn invisible to do that?”

“Wouldn’t you, if you could?” he said, folding his arms.

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