Page 67 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“And found her freedom doing it.”Marcella stepped back to survey her work.“There.Perfect.”

Alaysia turned to the mirror.The white dress hugged her curves before flowing out like water.Tiny crystals caught the light with every movement, making her sparkle like the sacred walls around them.Her hair fell in loose curls down her back, woven through with beads that matched the ones adorning the sanctuary’s pillars.

“Do you think Dernin will like it?”

“That warrior would think you were beautiful in rags.”Marcella squeezed her shoulder.

A knock echoed through the chamber, causing Alaysia’s heart to leap into her throat.

“Not yet,” Marcella called out.“The bride isn’t ready.”

“Take your time.”The deep voice belonged to the temple priest.“We have all day for this sacred union.”

Alaysia closed her eyes, breathing in the sweet incense that filled the air.After years of having no control over her life, this choice—this love—was entirely hers.The thought steadied her trembling hands.

“Ready?”Marcella asked.

“I’ve been ready since the moment he stood up for me in that corridor.”

The crystal chimes tinkled overhead as Alaysia took her first step down the aisle.Her heart pounded in her chest, but her steps remained steady.The gathered crowd faded away until only Dernin remained in focus at the altar.

Golden scales gleamed across his broad chest where ceremonial armor had been fitted.His tail coiled with restrained power, yet his hands trembled at his sides.When their eyes met, a small tear slipped down his cheek.

The sight nearly stole her breath.This fierce warrior who’d fought through brutal matches now crying at the sight of her.Heat bloomed in her chest, and her own vision blurred.

“You’re beautiful,” he mouthed silently.

A crystal hanging caught the light, sending rainbow fragments dancing across his scales.The effect transformed him from a warrior to something ethereal—a being of light and power who’d chosen her, a former slave who’d once been nothing more than a prize.

“I love you,” she whispered back, though the space between them was still too great for him to hear.

His smile widened as if he’d heard anyway.His tail swayed, betraying his eagerness to close the distance between them.The gesture was so endearingly him that Alaysia had to press her lips together to keep from grinning like a fool.

The aisle felt endless.Each step brought fresh details into focus—the way his ceremonial braids caught the light, how his chest rose and fell with quickened breaths, the tender vulnerability in his golden eyes that he showed to her alone.

This was real—this moment, this choice, this love, all of it real and freely given.No more chains.No more fighting rings.No more being displayed as a prize.Just her warrior, looking at her like she’d hung the moons themselves.

Alaysia reached the altar where Dernin waited.His tail curled around her protectively as the priest raised his hands.

“In the sacred tongue of our ancestors,” the priest intoned in Niri, the melodic language washing over her like water, “we bind these two souls as one.”

The ancient words floated through the chamber.Though Alaysia couldn’t understand them all, their power resonated in her chest.She caught fragments—“eternal bond,” “sacred union,” “two hearts joined.”Dernin’s hand found hers, his warm scales brushing against her palm.

“Speak your vows,” the priest said in common tongue.

Dernin’s golden eyes locked with hers.“Alaysia, my warrior heart recognized you from the moment I saw you.Not as something to be won, but as the other half of my soul.I vow to protect you, cherish you, and fight beside you until my last breath.”

Her throat tightened.They’d practiced the traditional responses, but looking into those eyes that had captivated her that first day in that corridor, different words spilled forth.

“Dernin, you saw me when I was invisible.Defended me when I was helpless.Loved me when I was afraid to love myself.I vow to stand with you, fight for you, and cherish every moment of freedom by your side.”

Another tear slipped down his cheek.

The priest spoke again in Niri, his voice rising and falling in the rhythmic cadence of the ancient blessing.Rainbow light danced across their joined hands as he wound a crystal-studded cord around their wrists.

“Two souls,” he said, “now bound as one.”

Alaysia’s heart swelled.The cord around their wrists sparkled—not a chain of slavery, but a bond freely chosen.She’d never felt more powerful, more whole, than in this moment with her warrior.

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