Page 74 of The Anointed's Paladin

I came, settling in front, where he lounged on the bed. He sat forward, grabbing my hair and pulling me against him. His cock brushed against my chest as his hands continued to work the silky hardness. I gazed up at him, my hands reaching around and caressing his thighs, his ass.

“You could be mine, Talon,” he said, his hand twisting my hair as he climaxed. His cum spilled onto my chest, marking me. I clutched him close.

He held me for a second more, our eyes locked. We were both panting, and I tried to move away, but he didn’t let me go.

“You’re not tempted?” he asked, thumb stroking my cheek. I opened my mouth to form the obvious answer, no, but we both knew that was a lie.

“You don’t really want me,” I said, breaking his gaze. This was just a game he liked to play. As if he actually wanted me to stay with them.

I was a failure. I’d had one job my whole life, and I’d failed at it- not from lack of trying but because it wasn’t possible for me to do it. I’d even abandoned Hulm, the only other person who had cared about me. I had nothing to offer.

He gripped my chin, gazing at me. “I do.”

Unable to take the intensity of his gaze, I pulled away. He let me go, and I didn’t look at him as I went to clean up.

I stared at myself in the grungy mirror in the tiny bathroom. Blue-in-black eyes stared back. I splashed some water on my face. What was wrong with me? Why was I even consideringknowinglyhanding away my freedom to Kaine? Sure, the thought was hot. But there was more to it than that. He wanted me. Nidori wanted me. But that wasn’t a reason to sell my soul. Perhaps…they both needed me.

I snorted at the arrogance of the thought. But really…the thought of them alone together worried me. Both of them had been trapped for hundreds of years and were just figuring out what being free meant. Nidori was far too trusting, and Kaine was far too untrusting. I think they maybe did need me.

That didn’t mean I should sell my soul, though.

I left, taking the wet towels we had used for cleaning and quietly entering the main room again. I paused as Nidori stirred, turning to look at me. Her eyes were rimmed red, and she sniffed.

“Can’t sleep?” I asked, softening as I looked at her. She shook her head.

I put my laundry down, washed my hands, and scooped her up. “Come with me, bee,” I said, and she giggled sadly, leaning her head on my chest.

I returned to bed and placed her on my pillow. Kaine turned sleepily and reached up, stroking her hair.

I climbed in and pulled up the blanket, settling my head next to her. She pressed a tiny kiss to Kaine’s forehead and climbed up past my shoulder, settling into the soft folds of my wing.

“Don’t squish me,” she said, poking her head out. Kaine lifted his head, looking concerned.

“Don’t worry, Nidori. It’d be pretty uncomfortable for me to squish my wing like that. You’re safe there.”

“Good,” she grumbled. “Because I’d definitely come back as a ghost to make you suffer.”

I chuckled, laying my head down on the pillow.

-

I woke as the light was dimming and the sun was close to setting. Kaine’s arm was wrapped over my chest possessively, as if now that he’d claimed me, he didn’t want to let me go. I could feel Nidori curled up where she’d fallen asleep, tucked into my wing.

I lay there, not wanting to disturb either of them, happiness washing over me as I soaked in their presence, their closeness.

Eventually, Nidori stirred, poking her head out and giving a big stretch. “I’m never going to sleep in a nest again,” she announced. “It’ll have to be your wing from now on.”

“Sure,” I said. “Though, if you get a big form, you might have some trouble fitting.”

She sat up straight, looking worried. “We have to test this. Kaine’s a normal size, right?”

“Yes, but—” I started. Nidori had already hopped over to Kaine and was shaking his shoulder.

“Hmm?” he said, lifting his head.

“Kaine, this is important,” she hissed. He blinked, rubbing his eyes. “I need to see if you will fit in Talon’s wing.”

“Of course,” he mumbled, dragging himself upright. He yawned. “What an excellent reason to wake me up.”

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