Page 84 of The Anointed's Paladin

“I don’t know,” he said, wrapping the cloak tighter around himself and shrinking back. “It’s not… getting worse.”

“This will work, then,” I said firmly.

“You can’t stay like that all day.”

I adjusted, clipping my wing’s talon into the rock to help it stay put. “I won’t need to stay here all day. Just until the sun moves past the cliffs. Probably afternoon.”

He shook his head.

“Kaine.” I reached down, touching his shoulder. “I’m not going to leave you.” My heart sank as I said the words. That had been the plan; stay together until we got to the island. “Not until tonight, anyway,” I finished.

He stared up at me, pale eyes glittering in the morning light.

“You Paladins,” he said weakly. “What, are you trying to prove you’re better than the rest of us by doing something stupidly difficult and heroic?”

“My whole life, baby,” I replied with a grin.

It was difficult, propping myself up by the mouth of the crevice, keeping my wing extended. I was sweating and cramping, but I stayed and pushed through.It’s only temporary, I kept reminding myself.Kaine dozed, stirring every now and then to find my hand, clutching it tightly until he drifted off again. Every time he did, it kept me going, through the pain and exhaustion. I would be there, and every time he reached for my hand, he would find it. It became my marker for the passage of time—hold on until he stirs again, keep going.

Finally, I looked up, and the sun had passed behind the cliffs, sending the beach into blessed shadows. I moved, stretching my aching muscles, then lay down on the smooth part of the rock, finally succumbing to sleep.

I woke, groggily, to Kaine’s presence by my side, his hand on my shoulder. I smiled, pulling him closer.

“I need to heal. Can I have some of your blood?” he asked.

I nodded, not opening my eyes. I needed more sleep. He lifted my arm, choosing my wrist this time, and I felt the familiar icy pricks sink into my skin. I drifted off again.

“Thank you, Talon,” I heard him whisper, and he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I promise, it’s better this way.”

I grunted, drifting back off to sleep.

38

What it takes to realise

Talon

When I woke, I was stiff as a board, every muscle in my body aching. I groaned, turning and reaching my arm out to the side, the shoulder where Kaine had been when he’d whispered to me last night. He’d probably still be asleep. Nidori and I were the early risers.

There was nothing there.

“Kaine?” I murmured, forcing my gritty eyes open. He wasn’t beside me.

I sat up, groaning. My cloak was folded neatly at my feet.

I was alone.

The sound of the waves crashing on the shore and the seagulls calling far above were the only things I heard.

“Kaine?” I said again, louder, pulling myself to my feet. I had to burn some magic to get rid of a few of the aches. He’d drunk my blood last night. I frowned, remembering.

It’s better thisway.

I sank to my knees as I realised what he had meant. Nidori was gone, and now he was, too.

Every muscle in my body froze as if, perhaps, I could stop this moment from continuing by sheer willpower. I squeezed my eyes shut, not even letting myself breathe. My mind was spinning frantically as I tried to reject the thought.

My lungs started to burn, and I finally gave in, gasping as the spell broke. Time was continuing, and I was here. Without them.

---