Page 90 of The Naga Lord's Pretty Little Mouse

"I have nothing left to prove today."

That should not bother me.

Yet it does.

Before I can demand an explanation, a soft laugh cuts through the thick tension.

Talyra.

She moves with calculated ease, her emerald scales glinting in the dim light, golden eyes flickering with amusement.

Of course, she would pick now to appear.

She has never bothered to set foot in the training pits before. Politics interest her more than violence. So why is she here?

Talyra smiles like she knows the exact answer.

She shifts her gaze between me and Seren, tilting her head as if she sees something I don’t.

"You're distracted today, Xirath."

The words are lazy, teasing.

Before I can stop her, she touches me.

Fingers glide against my forearm, soft, measured, too familiar.

The movement is calculated.

Talyra is never careless.

She knows exactly what she is doing.

The other naga see it.

Seren sees it.

She does not react, not the way I expect.

No tensing. No sharp remark. No burning glare.

Just emptiness.

The reaction unnerves me more than any insult ever could.

Talyra’s golden eyes flick toward Seren, her voice mocking. "Is this the human everyone whispers about?"

A challenge.

Seren does not answer.

She steps back, her expression unreadable. "I’ve had enough for today."

And she walks away.

Walks away from me.

I should let her go.

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