Page 21 of Naga Warrior's Mate

Dernin’stailwriggledrestlesslyas he watched two fighters clash in the ring.His eyes tracked their every move, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses.The shorter fighter telegraphed his punches—a fatal mistake that would cost him dearly in later rounds.

“Amateur hour,” muttered a voice beside him.

Dernin’s scales bristled at Krav’s unwelcome presence.The scarred fighter had taken up position next to him in the fighters’ viewing gallery.

“You see the way the taller fighter favors his right side?Old injury that never healed right,” Krav rumbled.

“I didn’t ask for your help.”Dernin kept his gaze fixed on the match.

“Just trying to be friendly.We’re all brothers in chains here.”

The fight ended predictably—the shorter fighter face-down in the dirt.Dernin memorized how the victor moved, the slight hitch in his stride confirming Krav’s observation about the injury.

Two more matches followed.Dernin studied each fighter methodically, mapping out potential strategies.His tongue flicked out occasionally, tasting the air thick with sweat and blood.The crowds above roared with each decisive blow.

“Your pretty little prize is watching today,” Krav said with a smirk.“Up there in Fyret’s private box.”

Dernin’s muscles tensed but he kept his voice neutral.“She’s not my anything.”The lie felt bitter on his tongue.

Another fighter hit the ground hard.Poor form—he’d overextended on a kick.Amateur mistakes could get you killed here.

“My match is next,” Dernin said, effectively ending the conversation.He moved away from the railing, his muscles already loosening in preparation.

He had promises to keep—to himself and now to Alaysia.His warrior’s spirit stirred at the thought.

Time to show these arena fighters what a true Niri warrior could do.

Dernin’s scales ruffled as he circled T’zar in the blood-stained arena.Sand crunched beneath his powerful tail while the four-armed warrior tracked his movements.The crowd’s roars faded to background noise as he focused on his opponent’s stance.

T’zar struck first, two fists jabbing while the other pair swept low.Dernin’s tail whipped him backward, barely avoiding the combination.The Darzios fighter pressed forward, using his multiple limbs to cut off escape routes.

“Getting tired yet, snake?”T’zar taunted, his upper right fist grazing Dernin’s jaw.

Blood trickled from the cut, but Dernin didn’t waste breath on a response.He coiled his tail and launched forward, driving his shoulder into T’zar’s sternum.The impact sent them both crashing into the arena wall.

Two arms locked around Dernin’s torso while another caught him across the throat.He twisted, breaking one hold but catching an elbow to his ribs.Pain flared, but he channeled it into determination.

He grabbed one of T’zar’s wrists and wrenched it away from his throat.“My turn.”

Using his tail’s powerful muscles, Dernin constricted around T’zar’s legs while simultaneously driving repeated strikes to the warrior’s exposed sides.Each blow landed with precision, targeting nerve clusters he’d learned in his warrior training.

T’zar roared and brought all four fists down in a hammering motion.Dernin rolled, taking a glancing blow to his shoulder rather than the full force.His scales absorbed some impact, but fresh pain bloomed beneath them.

They separated, both fighters breathing heavily.Blood ran from cuts on both their bodies, staining the sand crimson.The crowd’s cheering reached a fever pitch as they circled again.

“Not bad for a slave,” T’zar spat.

Dernin’s eyes narrowed.“I’m not a slave.”

He launched another attack, this time feinting with his tail before driving in close.The fight continued, neither fighter willing to yield ground.

Blood trickled down Dernin’s scales as T’zar landed another crushing blow to his ribs.His muscles screamed in protest.

“Ready to yield, snake?”T’zar’s four arms whirled in a deadly pattern.

Dernin spat blood onto the sand.“A warrior never yields.”

But his words carried more conviction than his body could support.His vision blurred at the edges, his legendary stamina finally failing him.T’zar’s next combination sent him reeling backward, his tail barely keeping him upright.

---