Page 72 of The Anointed's Paladin

“Thanks.” Standing up, I stretched. I ran my fingers over the side of my head, feeling the strangely smooth texture of the shorn sides. A smile broke onto my face.

I crossed over to Nidori, and she held up her basket of berries.

“It looks great. Why on earth did the Guild not want your hair like that?” she asked. “Does having different lengths make you a worse fighter?”

“No,” I said, taking some blueberries. “They…like to look a certain way. They say it helps to build faith in us.”

“Well? Did it?”

I snorted. “Maybe if you have a more common look. I don’t think it did anything for me. People look at me and see an enferni. I practically have to shove the Guild insignia into their faces for them to accept me as a Paladin.”

32

Finally, cuddles

Talon

Nidori had built a little nest on the bedside table and settled down to sleep. She was out in seconds, tiny squeaks of snores rising from her bed. Small cracks of sunlight filtered through tiny holes in the door, but apart from that, it was well-sheltered in here.

Kaine pulled off his shirt and climbed into the bed. I started pulling out my bedroll from my pack.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Kaine asked as I spread it out on the floor.

“Trying to sleep.”

“We have a bed, Talon. Unless you prefer to sleep on the hard floor. Alone.” He patted the mattress beside him. A warm feeling fluttered in my chest. He wanted me there?

“Oh,” I said, the bedroll hanging limply in my arms. “I don’t think—”

“Talon, come here this instant,” he said. It was a welcome invite, but I eyed the bed doubtfully. I’d never shared a bed with anyone before. I took up a lot of space. He crossed his arms, and I walked over.

“Shirt off,” he said. “Or no deal.”

I rolled my eyes but complied, sitting down next to him and pulling off my shirt. I glanced down at him—he was settling under the cover. I shifted backwards, trying to figure out how to lie without taking over the whole bed.

I cautiously lay down next to him, folding my wings tight. There actually did seem to be enough room. He pulled me closer, and I flinched as his freezing feet touched my legs.

“You’re so cold!” I protested.

“Nonsense.” He surprised me by arranging my arms around him, as if we did this every night. Warmth fluttered in my chest as I breathed in his crisp scent and felt his head nuzzle into my neck. I couldn’t believe, a week ago, I hadn’t known he even existed; right now, it felt like I’d known him forever.

His skin was soft, smooth, and definitely cool, no matter what he said. Being pressed against him this close summoned memories of the other times we’d touched. The way our bodies had tangled together. My blood was heating at the thought. His fingers were resting on my chest, gently moving in a rhythmic pattern.

For a moment, it was just us. No impending death. No unhappy ending. I clung to that moment, desperate to remain in it.

“Everything must feel cold to you,” Kaine said after a moment, looking up at me. His long lashes framed his pale blue eyes, and I stared, getting lost for a moment before I realised I should respond.

“Yup. I think I can count on my hands the number of times I’ve actually felt warm. But you”—I poked his chest, narrowing my eyes— “are particularly frigid.”

“Oh?” He raised his eyebrows. “In that case, I better stop torturing you.” He turned over, moving away.

I pulled him back with a growl before I could stop myself.

“Oh, youdolike it?” he said, feigning surprise. His smirk gave him away, though.

In response, I leaned forward and kissed him, drawing him closer to me. I took his lower lip, sucking on it gently before he shifted. The kiss became more intense, passionate, our mouths parting, and I felt his sharp fangs brush my tongue. I opened my mouth more, and our tongues glided together, mine aching to unsheathe. My hands found his body, tracing down the side of his torso, soaking in every sculpted line and perfect muscle. My cock throbbed, fully hardening and demanding more.

He broke off, glancing down, his long lashes brushing his cheeks. His gaze lingered on my neck.

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