Page 62 of The Anointed's Paladin

Nidori started to cry, tears pouring down her face in earnest. “I-it’s all my fault,” she spluttered before breaking into a wail. She was moving erratically, her dagger clutched in her hand as she stood.

Kaine reappeared, slipping his dagger away. He scooped her up, plucking the blade from her hand before she accidentally stabbed something. She screamed; eyes screwed up as she beat her fists on his chest. He hesitated and handed her to me.

She’s very wet,he mouthed, looking uncomfortable. Tears were streaming out of her eyes, and snot from her nose was starting to soak into the fabric of my newly cleaned shirt, but I pulled her in close as she cried into my shoulder. She hit me as well, likely with all her might. I was lucky she was small. I patted her back with one finger, and she stopped hitting me, dissolving into tears again.

“It’s…not…fair!” she wailed between thick sobs, and for a while, as the tears came, that was all she could say. I held her, her sorrow washing over me. I could feel a lump in my throat too.

I would stay with her as long as she needed. Kaine sat down against a wall, rubbing the edge of his jacket between his fingers.

Finally, the tears slowed, replaced by hiccups. She sat up, sniffing, and used a dry part of my shirt to wipe her nose.

“Sorry,” she sniffed, eyes puffy.

“Don’t be sorry, little bean,” I said gently.

She rubbed her eyes, lip trembling. “I…was going to go back.”

I nodded.

“You don’t owe them anything,” said Kaine, standingup.

“But—” she started.

Kaine cut her off, eyes narrowing. He reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek. “No buts, Nidori. They came after you here. Theychoseto attack you. They had every chance to walk away, but didn’t.”

Nidori glanced backwards, towards where bodies of her kin lay sprawled on the floor. She hiccupped. I could imagine what she was feeling. Guilt for Laurel’s death. Relief she was free. Guilt at that relief. Anger, disappointment at the rejection, fear Laurel was right, and she was wrong. And perhaps, despite it all…a glimmer of hope.

“I understand,” I whispered. “I know what it’s like to give everything you have to people who take you for granted. And what it’s like to finally leave. To feel both grief and anger.”

She sank her head into my other, dry shoulder. “I’m so glad I have both my boys,” she said, patting my cheek. “You’re just what I need.”

“Say the word, and we’ll burn down the world for you,” I promised.

“I’m planning on doing that, anyway, but I’ll happily dedicate my desecration to you, sweetheart,” said Kaine. She giggled.

I started up the passageway again, Nidori’s small arms wrapped partially around my neck.

“Not much to burn here,” she said. “We have to wait until we’re back outside.”

“I don’t think we’ll have to wait much longer,” I said, feeling a breeze touch my face.

28

Sweet woods again

Nidori

Iwas grateful to see real moonlight again as we approached the exit to the cave. I breathed in the air; it was no longer stale and damp, but full of scents from the forest. I was warm, nestled up to Talon. Being here, this close to him, everything seemed a little better. Safe.

We exited the tunnel, and I paused as I took in the view. The forest stretched out in front of us, and past that, the dark sea glittered in the moonlight. The island we were trying to reach loomed beyond, the top peeking out of thick fog that wrapped it like a cloak.

“Oh, it’s nice to be out of there,” I said, fluttering down to the dirt.

Another small comfort—the return of all the familiar plant life around me. I dug my hands into the ground, reaching down to greet them, and they reached back with joy. Small shoots sprung from the ground, unfurling towards me in response.

“I’ll be all right,” I murmured, willing it to be true. I was out of that horrible cave. Away from the bodies.

I couldn’t change what happened.

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