Page 29 of The Anointed's Paladin

Another story from my childhood stirred in my memory, of a s’vara—an angel of death.Its charm will lure you so deep you drown, and be grateful as the water seeps into your lungs.

I used to wonder what would make someone grateful to drown, but as I watched him approach, I was starting to understand. The mindless, irresistible lust he summoned within me—I wanted to surrender to it. Submit to it. Lose my mind. Shred my own dignity.

He sauntered close, eyes hooded. I kept his gaze, but my breaths felt shallow and fluttery as he took a seat beside me, taking a swig from a flask. He was the enemy. The monster I was trying to protect Nidori from. Yet it was hard to remember that right now, with him so close.

“She’s fast asleep, bless her,” he said.

“We worked hard tonight. Well, Nidori and I did.”

He gave a dry chuckle, smiling in a way that made my toes curl. I brought my tail around myself and sat on it, not trusting it to stay still with Kaine so close. It had a bad habit of responding before I could stop it.

He took another sip. “Want some?” he asked, lazily offering me the drink.

I took it and sniffed it; hard liquor. I hadn’t drunk before, and even though I could now, I wasn’t sure what to expect.

He sensed my hesitation. “Talon, dear, you have the unfortunate manner of someone who has denied themselvesevery fucking pleasurethey ever wanted.” He swept his arm around the peaceful clearing. “Look around. It’s a beautiful night. We’re alive and free. Enjoy it.”

I glanced sideways at him, then took a small sip and coughed as the liquid burned my throat. He laughed, a beautiful sound, and despite the burning in my nose, it was worth it to hear that. I mean, I wanted him to trust me, right? If I was going to free Nidori?

“That. Tasted like shit,”I said, handing the flask back to him, ignoring his smirk.

He took a long swig and offered it to me again. I hesitated, and he lifted my hand, placing the flask in it and patting my arm.

I took another sip, slower this time. We sat, staring at the fire, passing the flask back and forth. A pleasant buzz started to settle over me, and the tenseness in my stomach loosened. The faint sounds of the forest at night were very soothing—the chirp of crickets and the occasional flutter of wings or owl’s call.

Kaine shifted, our legs touching, and my stomach flipped. I froze, the slight contact all I could think about. The experience was like tipping a cup to find only a single drop left. The logical part of me demanded I move away, to protect myself from getting hurt, but I didn’t want to. Ugh. Why was I so filthy?

“I thought I should clear the air,” Kaine said, his shoulder nudging mine. “I didn’t want our past… dalliance affecting anything.”

I glanced at him, realising that was a bad idea too late. This close, I could see his long lashes and how perfectly smooth his skin was. My gaze dropped down to his pink lips, and I looked away quickly. Shit, what had he said? I cast my mind back, willing myself to focus.

“Is that an apology?” I managed to ask, distracted by the images “dalliance” brought to mind.

“Gods, no. I’d do it all over again, darling. But I did want you to know I’ve decided you’re more useful to me unstabbed.”He rested his hand on my leg, his thumb rubbing my knee. “For now.”

My tail tried to swish but it was too firmly trapped, thankfully, and despite the heat rushing to my dick, I was wearing enough layers to hide that. My reaction wasveryinappropriate to what was probably a very normal, casual touch. Shame filled me, magnifying my arousal. And the idea that he might have noticed, watching me with that cool gaze… fuck.

I struggled to come up with a reply, trying to act normal, to not let him see how much he was affecting me. Surely he’d move his hand soon.

“Just… my ribs would appreciate a heads up when you change your mind,” I managed to say.

He laughed and moved his hand. But instead of removing it, he slid it up to my thigh as he shifted back. My breathing sped up.

Fuck. All I could imagine was his hand moving the rest of the way up. My cock twitched, hardening to a full erection, and I wanted nothing more than his gorgeous face over mine as his slender fingers wrapped around my shaft—

The desire was so strong, it frightened me.

I coughed and shifted to the side, readjusting my wings and putting an honourable amount of space between us.Get it together, Talon, I told myself. Stop being a perv.But I wanted to feel like a perv with him. To kneel in front of him, panting, out of control. My nails dug into my leg as I tried to snap myself out of it.

Amusement touched Kaine’s smile, and he closed the distance between us. He leaned over and trailed his fingers over my chest. He stopped over the spot he’d stabbed me, tracing the scab.

My heart was pounding. This close, I could smell his scent. It reminded me of a forest coated in frost, with a hint of blood and roses. I felt frozen. Any thought of moving away was laughable. It was all I could do to stay still and keep my thoughts coherent. Or evenremotelyapproaching decent. I didn’t know what the alcohol was doing, but he seemed more magnetic than before.

Or perhaps it was just him.S’vara. My angel of death.

“I can feel it. You healed it, right? But I left a mark?” His voice was soft, his fingers brushing the fabric. He leaned forward, over me, his face close to mine. I could see the pale firelight dancing off his silver curls and the curve of his sculpted lips, the sight taking my breath away.

What had he said? He had been talking about the stab wound.

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