Page 24 of Naga General's Mate

“Not yet.” The warrior in him assessed their situation with brutal clarity. “We’re being hunted. No resources. No allies. Walking back into Kurg’s stronghold now would be suicide.”

“So, I just abandon her?”

“No.” Brivul’s tail swept across the floor in agitation. “We get safe. Get stronger. Then we strike back—smart.”

Mila’s fingers clutched the thin blanket. “What if it’s too late by then?”

“Kurg’s too smart to harm her.” The words tasted bitter, but Brivul forced them out. “She’s valuable property to him. He’ll keep her safe to maintain control over you.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know how men like him think.” Brivul shifted closer. “Trust me. We’ll free her, but we do it right.”

The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken fears. Mila nodded, though her shoulders remained tense.

Her voice cut through the tension, soft but clear. “I had it all planned out, you know. Every detail.”

Brivul’s scales rippled with interest as he watched her silhouette in the dim light.

“A freight ship makes supply runs to the outer colonies. The security’s minimal.” Her fingers traced patterns on the thin blanket. “I memorized their schedule, their routes.”

“Smart.” His tail shifted closer to her bed, his protective instincts urging him to guard her as she revealed her vulnerabilities.

“I wanted to study xenobiology. Learn about different species and their cultures.” A wistful note entered her voice. “One university on Nirum accepts refugee students.”

The thought of his mate achieving her dreams made his chest swell with pride. Her intelligence and determination only confirmed what his instincts already knew. She was perfect for him.

“But every time I got close…” Her voice cracked. “Kurg would parade Priscilla in front of me. Remind me what he could do to her.”

Brivul’s jaw clenched, rage burning through his veins at Kurg’s manipulation. “He won’t control you anymore.”

“I used to hide books under my mattress. Technical manuals, star charts.” She let out a bitter laugh. “Stupid, really. As if reading about freedom would somehow make it real.”

“Not stupid,” Brivul said in a low voice. “You were preparing. Building strength here.” He tapped his temple.

The mattress creaked as she shifted. In the dim light, he caught the shine of unshed tears in her eyes. His protective instincts roared to life, demanding he eliminate every threat to her happiness.

“I just wanted…” She swallowed hard. “I wanted to be more than someone’s property.”

“You are.” The words came out as a growl.

Mila’s jaw suddenly cracked with a wide yawn, her eyelids drooping despite her obvious attempts to stay alert.

“Sleep. I’ll keep watch.” Brivul’s tail shifted closer, creating a protective barrier between her and the door.

“But—”

“That wasn’t a suggestion.” His voice carried the same commanding tone he’d used with his soldiers, though gentler.

She settled back against the thin pillow, her breathing gradually evening out. Brivul studied her face in the dim light filtering through the grimy window. Even bruised, she radiated a quiet strength that called to something primal within him.

The way she’d planned her potential escape showed remarkable intelligence—memorizing schedules, mapping routes, studying technical manuals. Yet she’d stayed, enduring slavery to protect her sister. That level of loyalty and sacrifice struck a chord deep in his warrior’s heart.

His mind drifted to his own soldiers: Cantos, Lors, Nia, Kev, Fikleo. They’d trusted him with their lives, followed hiscommands without question—the bond between warriors who’d faced death together. Mila possessed that same fierce devotion, that willingness to sacrifice everything for those she protected.

She mumbled something in her sleep, her face pinching with worry, even in rest. His tail twitched with the urge to comfort her, to wrap around her protectively until those lines of stress smoothed away.

Most slaves would have seized freedom the moment it appeared, yet here she was, already planning how to save her sister. The tactical part of his mind admired her strategic thinking while his protective instincts surged at her vulnerability.

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