12. Unlikely allies
12
Unlikely allies
Talon
N idori was a bundle of surprises. Sprites rarely left their groves, but here she was, and wearing a tiny dress of all things. Catching me, then happily letting me go. She had made me smile for the first time since the nagai incident. I’d planned to go with her for a bit and then part ways.
But as I looked at the maoferni regarding me with beautiful, cold eyes, something stirred in me. Losing my oath had made me feel untethered, like a leaf blowing in a storm. It wasn’t right for a Paladin to be without something to drive them. Purpose. Blessed duty. Lydes’ stupid quest I’d been forced into wasn’t it, but this situation was like a breath of fresh air. This sprite was in danger every second she spent with this demon, and right now, it seemed I was the only one who could save her from it. If he hadn’t bonded with her yet, I could stop that from happening, and if he had, I may have to kill him.
The initial tense moment had passed, and it seemed he wasn’t going to try and kill me again. For now. He sheathed his dagger and climbed out of his shelter, moving further into the light cast by my orbs. His movements were graceful, almost hypnotic. I stared at him, my heart pounding, and clenched my jaw. Shit, why did he have to be so beautiful? It wasn’t just his looks; it was the predatory way he moved, the sneering smile and confidence. His presence was commanding, and… parts of me wanted to obey.
“I don’t think I introduced myself properly in our meeting earlier. You can call me Kaine.”
Kaine. It suited him.
“Well? Your name?” His voice was sharp, expecting an answer.
“Talon,” I said suddenly. “I’m, uh, Talon.”
“Good boy,” he said, eyes gleaming, and I suddenly found myself very interested in adjusting my pack. And sword. And boots. And just double-checking my cloak was fastened at the front and still covering my pants.
Nidori buzzed down and started gathering her belongings from a tiny nest within the tree root. Kaine was rolling up a thin blanket, pulling out a set of clothes from his pack. He slipped off the thin shirt he was wearing, and I got a beautiful view of his chiselled back muscles shifting on his slender frame. My eyes were drawn to him like a magnet. I had it bad. Jeez, how long had it been since I’d had sex? Sylphia was the one and only, and that had ended years ago.
I forced my eyes down, face burning. Yes, I had been hoping to get laid. But this was definitely not the right person. He was the enemy. A stupidly attractive monster I was supposed to be saving the damsel from. Unfortunately, I’d always had a tumultuous relationship with shame, and right now, it was only stoking the desire I felt for him.
“Okay, boys, let’s go!” sang Nidori, who buzzed up again, her pack secured to her side.
Kaine shouldered his bag and yawned, and we started to follow her through the woods. I kept him in my periphery. Partly because of the stabbing incident, partly because I just wanted to watch him. I couldn’t think of anything to say that I thought he’d be interested in, so I stayed quiet. I had to figure out what interest he had in Nidori.
“You’re a cleric?” he asked, sounding bored.
“Paladin!” interjected Nidori happily.
“Whatever. One of the types to rush to the rescue,” he said.
“You still haven’t thanked me for that,” I added.
He was amused, giving me a dazzling smile. “Nor will I… Although, I should thank you for being very satisfying to stab. Not everyone is so…solid. Mm.” His eyes wandered to the muscles on my arms.
I felt my cheeks heating, making me glad my blue skin hid blushing so well. The storm of desire swirled within me, unfamiliar but intoxicating. I rustled my wings uncomfortably, trying to clear my head. I had to try and get him to trust me.
“I have to admit, you are pretty good with that blade.” I tapped my side. “Went straight in my lung.”
His dazzling smile came back, and he gave me a little bow. I wanted more of that smile, so I continued.
“I would have put it down to luck, but then I saw how well you took care of the drisands.”
“Aw. You’re too kind,” he said, amused. “Perhaps I should stab more Paladins. It seems to conjure lots of compliments.”
“I wouldn’t recommend that. I’m not exactly a good example of a Paladin.”
“Why? Which God picked you?”
“Lydes,” I replied, hesitantly.
He cocked his head, expression hardening. “Delightful. I particularly love his quote about maoferni. How did it go again? ‘…A mercy to bring to them death’?”
“You forgot the first bit: ‘Perverse and lecherous corruptions,’” added Nidori, helpfully .
“An interesting choice for hellspawn to have as a patron,” Kaine slid his eyes back to me.
“He’s not my patron,” I replied, bristling.
“Then, why did your not-patron pick you to complete his quest?”
“I honestly don’t know.” I crossed my arms. “The bastard shows up out of nowhere, demands I complete this task for him, doesn’t give me a choice, then sends me on my merry way to this cursed wilderness.”
“Typical God.” Kaine, shook his head, his earlier tenseness seeming to fade a bit.
“Who picked you?” I asked. Who would pick a maoferni as a champion? Not one aligned with Lydes, I would guess.
“Olissa,” he replied without hesitation.
I snorted in amusement. Yeah, right.
“The goddess of love and marriage?” Nidori asked, and he grinned.
“Obviously,” he said with a wink. She nodded, accepting it with a pleased expression and no further questions.
We walked onwards, and I paused as I realised Kaine had vanished.
“Where did he go?” I asked Nidori, stopping and looking around.
She pointed through the trees, but I didn’t see anything. “Oh, he’s probably invisible. I can tell where he is because of all the roots.”
“Does he go invisible a lot?”
“Sometimes.”
Kaine reappeared by my side, tucking in his shirt and making me jump.
“Where did you go?” I demanded.
He shrugged. “If you must know, I was taking a piss.”
I felt my cheeks flush a bit. “And you had to turn invisible to do that?”
“Wouldn’t you, if you could?” he said, folding his arms .
“Just…give us a heads-up when you do that.” It was very unnerving to have him disappear like that.
“You want me to let you know every time I have to shit or piss?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
“No—that’s—it’s the invisible part I’d like a heads-up on.” Asshole , I added to myself.