Page 51 of Naga Warrior's Mate

But Bariv barely seemed to notice.Whatever concoction Fyret had given him worked.The Jorvlen’s strikes became faster and stronger, though increasingly erratic.

A glancing blow caught Dernin’s shoulder.The impact reverberated through his body, but he maintained his stance.

“Getting tired?”Bariv taunted, though his words slurred slightly more.“Your pretty little pet is watching.”

Dernin’s scales rose at the mention of Alaysia.He channeled his anger into precision, ducking under another wild swing and countering with a powerful strike to Bariv’s solar plexus.

The crowd’s roars faded as Dernin focused on the fight, watching Bariv’s increasingly uncoordinated movements.The drug made him stronger, yes, but it also affected his judgment.Dernin could use that.

“What’s wrong, champion?”Dernin’s voice carried across the ring as he deflected another attack.“Don’t know which way you’re swinging?”

Bariv’s response was an incoherent growl as he charged again, his enhanced strength making the ground shake with each step.

Suddenly, the world shifted sideways as Dernin’s vision blurred.His tail, usually a perfect counterbalance, wavered beneath him.The drug he suspected was in his wine somehow seeped through his scales, spreading like poison through his bloodstream.

“What’s wrong, snake?Not so graceful anymore?”Bariv’s massive fist connected with Dernin’s jaw.

The impact sent him reeling.His warrior instincts screamed at him to maintain form, but his body refused to comply.The arena lights stretched into long, disorienting streaks.

“Damn it,” Dernin muttered, trying to shake off the fog.He tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth.“Should’ve known they’d find a way through my scales.”

Bariv’s filaments whipped across Dernin’s chest, leaving stinging welts.“Getting sloppy!Maybe your little human will enjoy watching you fall.”

The mention of Alaysia sparked rage through Dernin’s drugged haze.He managed to dodge Bariv’s next swing, but his movements felt sluggish, like fighting underwater.

“Keep her name out of your filthy mouth,” Dernin snarled, attempting to strike back.His fist barely grazed Bariv’s shoulder.

“Look at the mighty warrior now!”Bariv’s enhanced strength drove another punch into Dernin’s ribs.“Can’t even stand straight!”

Dernin’s tail lashed out instinctively, but the usually precise movement went wide.The drug spread faster, making his muscles feel like lead.He tried to focus on Bariv’s form but saw three overlapping images instead.

“Cowards,” Dernin spat, blocking another hit with his forearm.“Need drugs to win your fights.”

Bariv grabbed Dernin’s arm, using his drug-enhanced strength to throw him across the ring.

Dernin’s back slammed against the arena wall, knocking the air from his lungs.He struggled to rise, his warrior’s pride refusing to stay down.But his body betrayed him, moving in slow motion while Bariv advanced.

“I’m going to enjoy this,” Bariv sneered, cracking his knuckles as he approached.“And then I’m going to enjoy my prize even more.”

Dernin’s vision swam as Bariv’s vile words about Alaysia cut through the drug-induced haze.Dernin’s muscles felt like lead, his reactions sluggish.The ground beneath his tail seemed to shift and roll.

“After I win, she’ll experience what a real champion feels like inside of her.”Bariv snickered.

Dernin’s hand brushed against his wrist, feeling the silken strands of Alaysia’s red hair wound there.Her scent, still lingering on the strands, filled his senses—sweet roses.It sparked something deeply primal within him.

Last night flooded back to him—her trust, her touch, her declaration of love.The memory ignited his warrior’s blood.Heat surged through his veins, burning away the drug’s fog.

His vision snapped into crystal clarity.His muscles pulsed with a newfound power beyond measure, every scale electrified with an energy he’d never felt before.The warrior teachings spoke of this—the moment when a Niri warrior claimed his true mate, unlocking power beyond normal limits.

“You will never touch her.”Dernin’s voice resonated with authority as he straightened to his full height.

Bariv faltered, sensing the change.“What the—”

“She’s mine to protect.”Dernin’s eyes blazed.“My mate.”

The drug that had clouded his mind moments ago evaporated completely, replaced by razor-sharp focus.Every movement felt charged with lightning as he squared off against his opponent.

“Impossible,” Bariv growled.“The drug—”

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