Page 28 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“So, tell me about the most ridiculous thing you’ve seen in Nirum,” she suddenly said, her blue eyes sparkling with interest.

“Well, this one time my squad mate tried to impress a female by showing off his climbing skills.”Dernin’s lips quirked.“He got stuck halfway up the crystal spires and dangled there for hours.”

Her laugh was musical.“Please tell me someone rescued him eventually.”

“Eventually.After we’d all had a good laugh.”He shifted closer, drawn to her warmth.“Your turn.What’s the craziest thing you’ve done?”

“I once convinced three guards they were being haunted by spirits.”She grinned mischievously.“All it took was some string, a few cups, and perfect timing.”

“Clever and beautiful.Dangerous combination.”The words slipped out.

A fighter limped into the infirmary, eyeing them curiously.Dernin’s golden eyes narrowed, his tail tightening its protective circle.The fighter quickly found somewhere else to be.

Alaysia’s cheeks flushed pink.“Dangerous, hmm?You’re not so safe yourself, warrior.”

“Only to those who deserve it.”His voice dropped lower as he leaned in.“Never to you.”

Another fighter entered, this one sporting a black eye.One look at Dernin’s territorial posture and he retreated without a word.

“My fierce protector,” she teased, but her eyes were soft.“Though I notice nobody dares come near when you’re around.”

“Good.”His scales rippled with satisfaction.“Let them stay away from you.”

“But what if I want them to come near me?”

His heart thundered at her words.“Then they’ll never get within ten feet of you.”

She bit her lip, looking up at him through her lashes.“Just ten feet?”

“Five?”He grinned, showing sharp teeth.“One?”

Her laugh echoed through the infirmary, drawing more curious looks that Dernin quickly discouraged with a glare.His tail twitched with pleasure at making her happy, even as his protective instincts screamed to whisk her away somewhere private.Somewhere safe.

But for now, this moment was enough—her smile, her warmth beside him, and the growing trust between them.

Alaysia soon shifted on the cot, her warmth pulling away from his scales.“I should go before someone gets suspicious.”

Dernin’s tail tightened instinctively around the cot’s base.Every primal instinct in him screamed to keep her by his side, to protect what was his.The mate bond thrummed stronger beneath his skin, demanding he tell her the truth.

“Wait—” he started, but the words died in his throat as she took his hand in both of hers.

Her soft lips pressed against his battle-scarred knuckles, sending a jolt of electricity through his entire body.His scales tingled with awareness, his muscles tensing at the intimate gesture.

Time stopped.His heart beat erratically in his chest.The mate bond surged between them, stronger than ever, screaming at him to claim her, to mark her as his own.

But before he could move, before he could tell her what she truly meant to him, she was gone.Her red hair disappeared around the corner, leaving nothing but the ghost of her kiss on his skin and the lingering scent of roses.

Dernin’s tail lashed in frustration.His fingers curled into fists, the spot where she’d kissed him burning like a brand.The warrior in him wanted to chase after her, to catch her and explain everything.To tell her she was his mate, his destiny, his everything.

But he couldn’t.Not yet.Not while Bariv and Fyret lurked like vultures.He had to win first.Had to ensure her safety before he could reveal the truth.

His chest tightened as he stared at the empty doorway where she’d vanished.Soon.Soon he would tell her everything.Soon she would know she belonged to him, just as completely as he belonged to her.

For now, though, he had a tournament to win and a mate to protect.

Dernin eased himself off the cot, his ribs protesting with each movement.The mate bond still sang through his blood, making even the pain seem distant and unimportant compared to thoughts of Alaysia.Her scent lingered on his scales where she’d touched him and kissed him, driving his protective instincts wild.

“Watch yourself, snake,” a passing fighter muttered, shouldering past him in the narrow corridor.

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