Page 26 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“Please,” she whispered.

Just when it seemed Dernin couldn’t take another hit, he twisted his massive tail, sweeping the Jorvlen’s legs out from under him.The crowd roared as Dernin pinned his opponent.His muscles strained as he held the struggling fighter down with all his might until the bell rang.

Alaysia slumped in her chair, her legs weak with relief.The silk dress clung to her sweat-dampened skin as she watched Dernin bow to the judges before limping from the ring.

“Breathe,” Marcella reminded her.“He won.”

“Barely.”Alaysia’s hands still trembled.“I’ve never seen him take so much damage before.”

The walk back to their quarters felt endless.Every step reminded Alaysia of the bruises forming on Dernin’s body, the blood trickling from his wounds.She tugged at the suffocating bodice of her dress.

“I need to get out of this thing.”Her voice cracked as they entered the slaves’ sleeping area.

Marcella helped unlace the back.“You’re taking this harder than usual.”

“How can I not?”Alaysia stepped out of the silk puddle, grabbing a simple cotton shift.“He’s fighting like this because of me.Getting hurt because of me.”

“He’s fighting for his freedom, too.”

“That almost makes it worse.”Alaysia climbed onto her thin mattress, running her fingers through her tangled red hair.“What if he dies trying to protect me?I couldn’t bear—” She cut herself off, pressing her palms against her eyes.

“You care a lot for him.”It wasn’t a question.

“I shouldn’t.”The admission felt like glass in her throat.“Caring about anyone in this place only leads to pain.”

Marcella leaned in closer to her.“Sometimes caring is worth the risk.”

“Is it?”Alaysia dropped her hands, staring at the rough stone ceiling.“Every time he steps into that ring, my heart stops.Every hit he takes feels like it’s landing on me instead.I can’t… I can’t watch him die, Marcella.”

“Then we better make sure our escape plan works.”Marcella squeezed her shoulder.“Because from what I’ve seen, that warrior of yours isn’t going to stop fighting for you anytime soon.”

“He’s not my warrior,” Alaysia whispered, but her racing heart betrayed the lie.

Alaysia’s bare feet barely made a sound against the cold stone floor as she crept through the dimly lit corridors.Without her usual disguise, she felt too exposed in her simple cotton shift.But she hadn’t had time to change before slipping past the guards during shift rotation.Her heart beat faster with each step toward the fighters’ infirmary.Another slave had told her that he spotted Dernin in there.

The metallic scent of blood hit her before she reached the doorway.She paused and steadied herself against the rough wall.Through the gap in the door, she spotted Dernin stretched out on one of the low cots.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he said, spotting her in the doorway.“Especially not without your disguise.”

“Neither should you be lying here hurt.”She slipped inside, closing the door behind her.The sight of his bruised torso made her chest ache.“Let me help.”

His golden eyes fixed on her with an intensity that stole her breath.“I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”She grabbed clean cloths and a bowl of water from the nearby table.“That Jorvlen hit you hard enough to crack ribs.”

“Nothing’s broken.”He tried to sit up but winced, his jaw clenching in that familiar way.

“Stop being stubborn.”She dipped the cloth in water and approached his cot.Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for the gash above his eye.“This needs cleaning at least.”

He caught her wrist gently.“Alaysia—”

“Please.”Her voice cracked.“Let me do this.You’re getting hurt because of me.”

“Not because of you.”His thumb brushed over her pulse point.“For you.There’s a difference.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks.She pulled her hand free and focused on cleaning the cut.

“Still.”She swallowed hard.“I hate seeing you take hits like that.When he had you against the wall, I thought—” She broke off, dabbing more carefully at the wound.

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