Page 26 of Naga General's Mate

The way he said it, like her freedom was certain, made her heart skip. “You have oranges on Nirum?”

“Whole orchards. The trees reach higher than this tunnel.”

A rat scurried across their path, but Mila barely flinched. She’d seen worse in Kurg’s kitchens.

“What about you? Favorite food?”

“My mother’s spice bread.” His voice softened. “She passed when I was young, but I still remember the smell.”

The conversation flowed easier now, filling the oppressive tunnel with something warmer than shadows. Strange how she’d known him barely two days, yet talking with him felt as natural as breathing.

“Look.” She pointed ahead where the tunnel split into three paths. “We take the right fork here. My friend’s place is about six hours ahead.”

“Tell me about this friend?”

“Her name’s Ellri. She escaped Kurg years ago.” Mila touched the wall for balance as they turned the corner. “She owns a hotel now. Helps others like me when she can.”

The maintenance tunnel’s dim lighting cast long shadows across Brivul’s scales as he walked beside her. Mila caught herself studying the way they shifted, gleaming even in this murky light.

“Your sister—what’s she like?”

The question caught her off guard. Most people didn’t care enough to ask. “Priscilla’s gentle. Too gentle for a place like this. She cries when the kitchen rats get caught in traps.”

“We’ll get her out.”

The certainty in his voice made her chest tight. Hope was dangerous. She’d learned that lesson young. Yet something in the way he said it made her want to believe.

“What will you do?” His voice echoed softly. “Once your sister’s safe?”

“I’ve never let myself think that far ahead.” The admission tasted bitter. “Dreams are dangerous things to have when you’re property.”

“You’re not property anymore.”

Her heart stuttered at the fierce protectiveness in his tone. She snuck another glance at him, wondering how someone so powerful could be so gentle. The scar on his jaw caught the light, a reminder that he too had fought his own battles.

“Three more hours.” She pointed ahead where the tunnel curved. “There’s a rest stop with clean water soon.”

His tail brushed against her as they walked, and she didn’t pull away. For the first time in her life, she felt safe walking beside someone stronger than her. The feeling terrified her almost as much as it thrilled her.

The rest stop emerged from the gloom—a small alcove carved into the tunnel wall. Clean water trickled from a filtered pipe into a shallow basin. Mila’s parched throat ached at the sight.

“We should rest here.” She slid down against the cool metal wall, her bruises protesting the movement.

Brivul settled beside her, his tail curling protectively around their supplies. The protein bars crinkled as he passed one to her.

“The seal’s intact.” He’d checked the wrapper carefully.

The processed food tasted like cardboard, but Mila’s empty stomach didn’t care. She watched Brivul take measured bites of his own bar, his movements precise and controlled.

The data chip pressed against her thigh through her pocket. Its weight seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment. Here was someone who could actually help her expose Kurg’s corruption, someone with connections to legitimate authorities.

“Something on your mind?”

Mila startled at his question. “Just thinking about Priscilla.”

The lie tasted bitter, but trust was a luxury she couldn’t afford yet, no matter how safe she felt in his presence. One wrong move and everything would collapse.

“Here.” He offered her the water bottle. Their fingers brushed as she took it.

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