Page 47 of The Anointed's Paladin

I tried the handle, but the door didn’t move.

Kaine peered at it, frowning. “There’s no lock,” he said. “Maybe it’s just a bit jammed. Try again? Do me a favour, though, darling, and roll your sleeves up this time.” He winked.

I raised an eyebrow but complied, earning me an approving look. I was starting to believe him when he said he enjoyed looking at me. He had been so utterly unfazed by my body last night. The memory of his cool skin touching mine made my cock lurch, and I quickly turned my attention back to the door. I couldn’t stop my tail from twitching, though.

I heaved on the door, and it shifted a bit, releasing a terrible groan.

“Ohh! Do it again!” said Nidori. “Maybe more sleeve rolling will help?”

Gritting my teeth, I widened my stance. I shifted, hooking the talons of my wings in the crack and giving the door another pull. It opened a bit further, and one more tug gave us enough room that we could enter. Nidori landed on my shoulder and planted a light kiss on my cheek. I found myself blushing.

I peered inside. The room was massive and divided into strangely angular sections. Nidori flew in, and I flinched as movement appeared everywhere. My hand flew to my sword, but I stopped. It was just her reflection. The room was full of mirrors. I stepped inside, watching carefully, but the only movement was my many reflections cautiously watching me.

“Oh, hells,” groaned Kaine as he slipped in beside me. “A mirror maze.This will be fun.”

“There are so many of us!” said Nidori, darting down.

Kaine came up behind me and reached up to my face. His finger moved my lip as he spoke in a low voice. “I’m Talon, and my biggest fear is a muddy puddle.”

I pushed him off as Nidori let out a peel of laughter. I managed a brief smile, glancing at my reflection quickly before looking away.

“Hang on. Oh.”Kaine clicked his tongue, sympathy edging into his gaze. He looked at my reflection and then back at me. “Oh, darling.” He patted my cheek, studying me. “Really?”

“Hey,” I muttered, pushing him off again. I didn’t like how he was looking at meorthat I didn’t know what he was talking about.

“What?” Nidori said, buzzing over.

“He doesn’t know how attractive he is,” he said, cocking his head to the side.

“Talon? Is that true?” Nidori asked sharply.

I shrugged. “Look at me,” I said, glancing at my reflection again.

The figure of a monster stared back. My dark horns crowned my limp white hair. My skin was a dusky blue, and my piercing blue eyes had black where they should have white. From here, you couldn’t see the pattern of bony ridges that lined my body. I could hide my fangs and forked tongue. But I couldn’t conceal my shredded wings and long, hooked tail. I was the villain in children’s stories, the one used to frighten them to stay in their beds.

It was even more obvious seeing the others next to me. Nidori was the picture of cuteness. Large, sparkling green eyes and soft, floppy ears. Her thick, pouty lips and smooth nose rounded off her face. Her short, puffy dress on her tiny, curvy frame. She was enchanting.

And beside me, Kaine’s perfection contrasted my every flaw. Tall, but not towering like me. Slender wrists and a lithe, sculpted figure. Beautiful blue eyes glowed under his silver curls. How on earth could he think I was attractive?

He turned to me, rolling his eyes. “We see you, idiot. Gods, living among all these humanoids has really scrambled your brain. Worse than I initially thought.”

I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Talon, pet, you’re gorgeous,” he said, folding his arms. “You really think I’d let you touch me if you weren’t?”

I opened my mouth, and then closed it, face burning.Yes…?

“Of course you’re gorgeous, silly,” said Nidori, setting down on my shoulder. “You and Kainewouldmake nice babies.”

“We should press on,” I said flatly, walking towards the entrance to the maze. I glanced at my reflection again, wondering if I could see what they did. I looked away, disappointed.

Nidori flew up, looking over the top. “It’s not really a maze,” she said. “There are lots of exits and ways through.”

“Good,” said Kaine, and walked right into a mirror. He swore.

“Here.” I caught his hand with my tail. “Need a guide?”

“Don’t mind if I do,” he murmured, sliding his hand up until his arms were wrapped around my waist. He peered up at me, his sly smile making my heart flutter. Well, shit. Not what I was going for, but I’d take it.

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