Page 39 of The Anointed's Paladin

I cleared my throat, and glanced up at his face. The thin smirk was back as he leaned backwards.

“Um, do you want to do this part?” I asked.

“You would deny me the skilled touch of a healer? Oh Talon, you’re so mean.”

I lowered my cloth back into the dattol mix and squeezed out the excess water, bringing it to his skin. I was desperately trying to keep my mind blank. Just cleaning skin. It could be anywhere on his body,it just so happened to be close to the bulge in his underwear that I should not be thinking about. I felt like my cheeks were going to catch on fire as I hastily dried and dressed the scrape.

To my relief and disappointment, he pulled his pants back up.

“I, um, have a bit of healing left,” I said. “I used the first part to heal your heart and lungs. But now I can heal the bone breaks in your ribs. It’ll take away most of the pain while you breathe, if you want.”

He gave me a funny look. “What am I supposed to say to that?No thank you, I like my ribs being shattered?”

I glanced up at him, serious. “I’m not going to do anything to your body without you giving permission.”

“How sweet,” he said, eyes twinkling with mirth.

“For healing!” I hurriedly added, face burning. “And, I mean, anything else, of course, I wouldn’t—”

“Yes, you can heal me,” he said, mercifully cutting me off.

I lowered my eyes to his torso again and lifted my hands. My fingers brushed his shoulder, infusing my energy into his body, healing his cracked ribs. He closed his eyes, relief crossing his face. A sigh escaped his lips as I finished, and his shoulders relaxed. He looked so satisfied, and my face burned as I imagined a… different situation where he might look the same. Gods, why couldn’t I keep my thoughts pure around him? It was like he melted my brain and reduced me to nothing more than an animal. And, to my fucked-up brain, the shame of feeling like an animal made me even more aroused. I was already addicted to it.

“Gods, that’s better,” he said, rolling his shoulders and moving to stand.

I rose with him, and his hand rested on my arm, thumb stroking back and forth. His eyes met mine again, and I felt rooted to the spot.Hope stirred in my chest, that perhaps he’d move closer. That we could do something about the heat pumping through me.

“You’re so sweet, Talon. Now all I need is some energy back, and my body will fix itself.”

He started back towards camp, glancing behind him.

Energy. The thought stuck in my brain, making my tail lash behind me, my heart rate picking up. He stopped at the sound, turning, eyes glimmering in the dim light of the cave. My mind shifted to the other night—our kiss, feeling a hint of sharpness as his fangs brushed my lip. The drop of blood on his finger, slipping into his mouth. Desire stirred in me, tingling to my fingers.

“Maoferni can draw others’ strength through blood, right?” I kept my voice level.

“Yes,” he said, cocking his head to the side.

“Could I help you?”

He stepped back towards me and reached up, sweeping my braids off my shoulder. Goosebumps erupted on my skin at the thought of him tugging me down and sinking his fangs into my throat. But he didn’t, instead just running a finger down the pulsing vessel on my neck. I swallowed, mouth dry. My top button was undone on my shirt, and his hand stopped there, his cool fingers resting on my skin. I was sure he didn’treallywant me, especially after he’d pulled away last night. But he might want my blood. Fuck, if he gave me anything at all, I’d kiss his feet and thank him.

“We’ll all benefit if you’re at your best.” I wasn't sure if I was talking to him or myself. Because I definitely shouldn’t be indulging this desire. I had promised myself no more touching, but this was to help him. He needed this to get better. No big deal.

His fingers were playing with my chest hair, and as he looked up at me, I could see the hunger gleaming in his eyes. My blood was heatingagain, my balls tightening as my dick lurched to attention. My almost perfect commitment to chastity had meant I had never gone further than kissing another man. And I wanted to do so much more with Kaine than kissing.

My heart was beating in my throat. I should pull back. Just offer him my arm. Insist he didn’t touch me any more than he needed to. Perhaps this was my last chance to stop this. Or perhaps that chance had already passed, because I wasn’t strong enough to step away.

His gaze swept down my body, and my skin prickled in shame as he looked at the bulge in my pants.Horny animal.Fuck, why did that make me even more aroused? I braced myself for him to step away, to reject me. Instead, he gave me a smug smile and leaned closer, his torso brushing against my hardening erection. He… didn’t mind? Or was he just playing me again?

“Of course,” he murmured, gazing into my eyes. I struggled to remember the conversation we’d been having. “What do you suggest? What do you… want?”

There was no way he didn’t know already, but it seemed he was going to make me say it. Strip me of my dignity. Make me beg.Fuck, yes.

What had he said the other night? Enjoy it. Being alive. Being here.

I closed my eyes. “Please. I want to give you my blood.”

He hummed out a breath of pleasure. “Is that right?”

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