Page 89 of The Anointed's Paladin

“Your blood.” I said, my mouth dry. He reached up and offered me his forearm. I yanked it, tugging him closer and he stepped towards me.

“I want this mark to be where everyone can see.” I whispered, pushing his hair behind his head and exposing his throat. I could see him gulp but he leaned down more, baring his neck to me.

I sank my teeth in, drawing a gasp from his lips as his blood hit my tongue. I closed my eyes, relief coursing through me. He was mine, now, as long as he lived. And yet, as I’d just found out with Nidori, he could still be taken from me in a split second. My hands dug into his tunic as I swallowed his thick, hot blood and then pulled away, licking my tongue over the marks. I couldn't lose him. I had to be better.

He looked down at me, his big eyes full of warmth and a grin on his face.

I felt a laugh bubble to my lips as I looked at him.

“Hey. I know why you really came back,” I said, letting him go.

Hmm.

I took his hand.

Much better.

“Why is that?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. I felt a wave of giddiness.

“You just need someone to help you with directions.”

His brow furrowed, getting that little crease he got when I teased him. “What do you mean?”

I smirked. “Don’t try and pretend. I saw you in the woods the first day. Wandering in circles like a lost puppy.”

Purple sprang onto his cheeks; his version of blushing. “You were watching me?”

“Yes. I distinctly remember thinking how adorable you looked, trying to decide which way to go. I think you kicked a log too.”

“That’s slander!” he insisted. “I have theutmostrespect for all trees, dead or alive.”

“I wonder what Nidori would say to that?”

Talon squeezed my hand. “We’ll have to ask when Leihandra heals her.”

I nodded. When. Not if.

“We need to go,” he said, face falling as he glanced around. “I blinded Cassandra and ran, and I lost her, but she’s still close. We need to get you to that tower before she finds you.”

“Yes,” I said. This was not a small island, and the tower was hours away. Cassandra couldn’t magically find me on her own, but she could get there fast.

“She’ll probably be waiting for us at the tower,” I said, hesitantly. “She’ll go there and wait for me to come.”

“We’ll make sure she won’t get you.”

40

She’s back, bitches

Nidori

“Wake up, my child.”

My eyes fluttered open in response to the voice. I squinted in the bright sunlight, trying to make everything come into view. The air was wet and salty, and the caws of sea birds came from high above.

Where was I?

I blinked, and my vision cleared. I was on a beach. My stomach clenched as my memory returned. Our boat splintered amongst writhing tentacles. Flying up, desperately trying to escape the chaos, but losing sight of my boys. I’d tried to find them, then there had been searing pain, and then coldness.

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