Page 92 of The Anointed's Paladin

We arrived back at the shack, entering the space and showing her the camp we had made. It was a pale substitute for the cabin, but it would keep out the sunlight.

She settled in, summoning moss to make a soft seat for herself. Then her gaze settled on me.

“Hang on,” she said, cocking her head to the side. “I thought you and Kaine were all done working together.”

I shrugged. “I’ve kind of given up on the quest.”

She looked at me sharply, her lips twisting in thought. Then a smile slipped back onto her face. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. Wouldn’t be the same withoutbothmy boys.”

“I’m sure it would have been fine.”

“Nonsense.” Kaine scoffed. “Who would ruin all our fun? Remind us to do boring things, like get dressed or do the dishes?”

“Cleaning is an essential part of—” I started but was cut off as Kaine and Nidori both burst into laughter. I folded my arms. “I see. I’m essential as a wet blanket.”

“No!” said Nidori, wiping her eyes. “You’re so much more than that. You’re also a nice heat source.”

They dissolved into giggles again.

“Fuck you both,” I said mildly, standing and crossing to my sleeping space, lamenting the loss of my bedroll. “Neither of you deserve any cuddles tonight.”

“He says that, Nidori, but he’ll cuddle us, anyway. He can’t resist,” whispered Kaine.

“See, that’s why you’re special, Talon,” she said, and I smiled at her.

I pulled off my shirt, stretched, and dimmed the firelight. It was almost dawn.

42

Time to learn a thing or two about people

Nidori

It was so nice to be back with my boys. I had been a bit afraid things would be different now I had changed, but I had worried for nothing. It was just as easy to talk to them. And even easier to hug them, now I could wrap my arms around more than just half their necks.

But while looking at Talon as he pulled off his shirt, I realised there were absolutely parts that were different now. I couldn’t look away. He shifted, and I watched his muscles ripple as he turned. I’d always thought he was beautiful, but this appreciation was different. It was morepersonalthan before. I wanted to go and run my fingers along the wide, thick muscles on his chest. There was a hot, tingling feeling starting in me as I imagined coming closer to him and sitting down on his lap. My eyes were drawn to his pants, where his reproductive organswere. Flowers had reproductive parts, too. Ovaries and stigma, which was me now. And stamen for the male parts. I’d seen what was under there. A long, thick stamen. My cheeks flushed. Was this normal? They had both seen my bare skin earlier, but they hadn’t seemed to react like I was now. Was there something wrong with me?

Kaine glanced at me, eyebrow raised. I blinked at him, my face heating as he caught me staring. Oh, no. Did he know about the strange reaction my body was having to Talon? But now I was looking at him, the feeling spread. I found myself drawn to the soft curve of his lips, his slender fingers. I remembered what he looked like without a shirt on, and I let out a squeak as the heat inside me intensified.

Kaine walked over to Talon and gave me a wink before wrapping his hands around Talon’s neck and pulling him into a kiss. My core throbbed, sending tingles up my body, and I took a sharp intake of breath. Talon’s arms moved around Kaine in surprise, and Kaine pulled him closer, his hand trailing up his chest. Before, I had watched them as an outsider; curious but removed. But now I could feel the draw, the need, thelustthat swirled within me.

Oh, gods. Should I be here for this? Did they even want me here?

I stood up abruptly. They broke apart and looked at me. Talon looked slightly dazed, and Kaine had a glint in his eye.

I twisted my hands together. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll just go outside.” I took a step backwards, a lump building in my throat.

“Don’t go.” Talon scrambled up and towards me. He took my hands in his large ones. His eyes roamed over my body before catching my eye, and he gave me a shy smile. “I mean, if you want to, you can. But I don’t. Want you to go, I mean.”

Kaine stepped up beside me. He was still taller than me by a few inches. He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. “I wantyou, Nidori. My little wife. I want to show you everything you’ve been missing.”

He leaned down and pulled me into a kiss. I had dreamed about this for so long, wondering what it would feel like. His lips were soft and warm and glided over mine. I felt myself melting against him as I leaned forward, exploring this new experience. His hands slid down, resting on my waist and sending another rush of arousal through me. He pulled back, gazing at me through hooded eyes.

“I, um, I think I’ll stay, then?” I asked. I wanted more.

“Of course, my princess,” murmured Kaine, tucking a stray curl behind my ear. I hesitated, biting my lip. Kaine gazed down at me.

“What if… I’m not good at… kissing or any of it? What if you don’t like me?” I whispered, pulling him close. My cheeks burned.

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