Page 14 of Naga Healer's Mate

The voices grew closer.She held her breath, her palm pressed against Nirrn’s chest.His heartbeat thrummed steady and strong beneath her fingers.

“They went this way, I’m sure of it,” a gruff male voice called out.

“Jorvlen patrols,” Nirrn whispered, his breath warm against her ear.“We need to keep moving.”

“Those bastards destroyed all my hard work,” she murmured, the reality of her situation crashing down on her.“Everything I built…”

“Look at me.”Nirrn’s hand cupped her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze.“Your work isn’t destroyed.It’s all right here.”He tapped his finger on her temple lightly.“Your knowledge, your dedication to helping others—they couldn’t burn that away.”

The heavy footsteps grew closer.Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs, but something in Nirrn’s words steadied her.He was right.They could destroy her clinic, but they couldn’t destroy what drove her to build it in the first place.

“This way.”Nirrn’s tail unwound from around her, and he took her hand.“I know another route.”

His grip was firm and grounding.For once, she didn’t pull away.She let him guide her deeper into the darkness, away from the echoing voices of their pursuers.Maybe she didn’t need saving, but having someone at her side—someone who understood her—didn’t feel like weakness so much anymore.

Her boots splashed through shallow puddles as they reached what appeared to be a dead end.Nirrn’s long tail coiled beneath him as he pressed his palm firmly against a seemingly ordinary section of wall.A hidden door suddenly scraped open, revealing a bustling underground sanctuary city.

The cavern stretched wider than she’d imagined possible with makeshift homes carved into the rock walls.Strings of lights crisscrossed overhead, casting a warm glow over dozens of humans going about their daily lives.Children darted between market stalls while adults haggled over supplies.

“Welcome to Haven,” Nirrn said, his eyes scanning the crowd of people in front of them.His scales gleamed in the light as he moved, powerful and protective beside her.

Her chest suddenly tightened.Too many people.Too many eyes.She had spent years in the shadows, working alone, trusting no one fully.Now she stood exposed in this small hidden city.

“I work better alone,” she whispered, more to herself than to him.

Nirrn’s tail shifted closer, creating a barrier between her and the curious onlookers.“You’ve carried that burden long enough.”

“Why are you really helping me?”She turned to face him, studying the intricate patterns of his scales.“And don’t say it’s the right thing to do.”

His large form towered over her, but his expression softened.“Because from the moment I saw you treating that injured man, I knew you were different.You fight for others, consequences be damned.”His hand brushed her arm.

The touch sent electricity through her skin.She wanted to pull away, to maintain that safe distance she had always kept from others.But something about him drew her in, like a puzzle piece clicking into place.

“I don’t know how to do this,” she admitted.“Be part of something bigger.”

“Then we’ll figure it out together.”His tail curled protectively around her feet.“I’m not leaving your side.”

The certainty in his voice should have frightened her.Instead, it felt like coming home.She watched his powerful form as he guided her deeper into Haven, his scales reflecting the dim light.A group of children ran past, their laughter echoing off the stone walls.One small girl stopped and stared at Nirrn with wide eyes before scampering away.

“They’re not used to seeing Niri here,” she observed.

“They’ll adapt.”His eyes met hers.“We all will.”

A tall man with graying temples approached them, his weathered face creasing with confusion as he studied Nirrn’s imposing form.Islae shifted her weight, fighting the urge to retreat further into the shadows.

“Joseph.”The man extended his hand to Nirrn.“I run this place.”

Nirrn’s massive tail coiled as he explained, “One of my patients at the surrogacy clinic mentioned Haven.We need sanctuary.”His scaled arm caught the light as he gestured to Islae.“The Jorvlens burned down her clinic today.I saved her from the wreckage.Now, they’re hunting both of us.”

Islae’s fingers traced the rough stone wall behind her, seeking something solid to ground herself.The cavern suddenly felt too small and too crowded.Her skin prickled with awareness of every unknown face that turned their way.

Joseph stroked his chin.“I never had a Niri ask to stay before.”His eyes narrowed.“But if you helped one of our people, that counts for something.”He sighed.“I only got one room available, though.You’ll have to share.”

Nirrn’s tail shifted, creating a protective barrier between Islae and a group of passing residents.“We appreciate your generosity.”

The room Joseph led them to was barely large enough for a narrow bed and small table.A single lamp cast shadows across the stone walls.Her breath caught in her chest.The space was tight, especially with Nirrn’s massive frame taking up a lot of it.

“It’s not much,” Joseph said from the doorway, “but it’s safe.”

---