Page 55 of The Anointed's Paladin

"No, I’ve got it,” she said, trying to lift it again.

Talon stepped closer, reaching down, but she glared at him. Her tiny arm wrapped around the chunk of stone, and she heaved with all her might, but it didn’t even move an inch. I could see Talon twitching with the urge to help her, but she bared her teeth at him. I sat back, settling in to watch the show.

Talon changed tactics. He summoned a ball of fire, and it darted away from the rock. Smart.

Nidori’s head shot up, facing the flame. “Oooh,” she said, zooming into the air to get a closer look.

He picked up the rock and chucked it out of the room.

“What’s that for Talon?” she asked, starting to turn towards him.

Ooh, what would she do when she realised what he’d done? But Talon made the flame change colour, and her eyes snapped back, transfixed.

“Just for fun,” he said, reaching down to gather up some of the other rocks that were too big for her.

“Thank y—” Nidori started. They both froze as she looked at him, his arms full of debris. My stomach went giddy with glee.

“Talon!” she squeaked. “What are you doing?!”

He hurriedly picked up the last of the rocks on the floor and rushed to the door.

“No! Stop, you pile of smouldering ashes! You, you, you son of a bagworm! That’s my job!” she snarled, flying at him. He threw the rocks outside as she crashed into his back, beating her tiny fists on his wing. He turned to see her tugging her dagger free.

I leaned forward. Shit. I was proud of her.

“Woah, there,” he said, raising his hands, eyes glued on the sharp blade. His face softened as he caught her eye. “Come on, bean, there was no way you were going to lift that rock.”

She stopped trying to get out the dagger and deflated instead. “Maybe,” she relented.

“The room looks amazing, Nidori,” I said.

Talon shot me an exasperated look. “Yeah, what brought this on?”

She shrugged. “I just wanted it to be nice for my boys.”

“Well, just don't forget I’m here if you need any heavy lifting.”

She came over to Talon, giving him a big hug. “Okie dokie,” she said and peeled off, humming a tune to herself.

Talon walked over to his pack, bending down and looking for something. I sat back, closing my eyes.

I heard heavy footsteps approaching and opened one eye. Talon pointed at a pile of clothes by one of the smaller pools. “You’re going to help me wash these,” he said. He had to be joking. Menial labour? I’d done more than my fair share of that over the years.

“I don’t think so.” I closed my eyes again. “Hateit when my hands get all pruny.”

“I can help,” said Nidori.

“See? It all works out.” He didn’t leave, so I sat forward. “I’ve already toldyou I’m not doing it, so there’s no point begging.”

“Oh, I’m not here to beg.”

I opened my mouth, eyes narrowing, but was cut off. He scooped me off the floor and slung me over his shoulder.Excuse me!?

“Put. Me. Down. You. Brute,” I snarled, nails scratching his back.

Nidori was in fits of giggles as she watched him unceremoniously plop me down by the pool of clothes. I was fuming as Talon crouched down beside me. Oh no. This wasnothappening.

“This is soap,” he said slowly and deliberately, holding it up. “You put the clothes in the water and use it to get them clean.” He mimed dipping in the shirt and scrubbing it.

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