Page 31 of Naga Healer's Mate

“That’s impossible,” she breathed, but the energy pulsing through her body told a different story.She could feel him, somehow, like a phantom touch against her consciousness.

“I will protect you.”His voice resonated through her mind, stronger now.“Whatever it takes.”

The raw possession in those words sent a shiver through her.This wasn’t a hallucination.The Nirrn she knew had never spoken with such fierce dominance.This was something else entirely.

“How?”she whispered, hardly daring to hope.

“Our bond cannot be broken by distance or walls.”His words carried a growl that made her gasp.“Fight, Islae.Stay alive.I’m coming.”

The energy coursing through her veins settled into a steady hum, like a lifeline connecting her to something—someone—beyond her prison walls.Her body still ached, her situation remained dire, but something had changed.

Islae straightened against her chains, ignoring the protest of her battered body and the unconscious sensation tugging at her.If there was even a slight chance that Nirrn had managed to survive, she would not break.Not yet.

“Hurry,” she whispered into the darkness, allowing herself to believe, just for a moment, that he was alive and could hear her.

“Rest now,” Nirrn’s voice commanded in her mind.“You need to heal.”

Islae’s lips quirked despite her pain.Even in her head—or whatever this strange connection was—he held an authoritative tone that should have irritated her independent nature.Instead, warmth spread through her chest at the way he tried to take care of her even now.

“This is completely insane,” she muttered, testing the chains again.“I’m talking to voices in my head.”

“Sleep.”His voice carried both command and tenderness.“I will watch over you.”

The energy humming through her veins was a gentle rhythm, like the beating of a second heart.Her eyelids grew heavy as exhaustion crept in.The rational part of her mind screamed that she shouldn’t let her guard down in enemy territory, but something deeper, more instinctive, trusted that presence in her mind.

She drifted into uneasy sleep, haunted by fragments of memories—Nirrn’s massive form coiled protectively around her in their tiny chamber at the refuge, the way his orange-scaled chest had rumbled against her cheek, how his powerful tail had wrapped around her waist as they’d…

When consciousness returned, the cell remained as dark and damp as before.Her injuries throbbed with renewed intensity, but her mind felt clearer.The connection still hummed faintly at the edges of her awareness, though Nirrn’s voice remained silent.

Water still dripped steadily somewhere in the darkness as she assessed her situation.The Jorvlen commander would return soon, expecting an answer to his ultimatum.Her medical knowledge made her valuable—too valuable to execute immediately.But if she showed any sign of yielding, they’d sell her to the highest bidder without hesitation.

She flexed her fingers, wincing as the movement pulled at her raw wrists.The chains allowed minimal movement, but maybe that was enough.If she could just keep them talking, keep them uncertain about her true value…

“Think,” she whispered to herself.“What would Nirrn do?”The image of his golden eyes narrowing in calculation filled her mind.He’d always been methodical and strategic—even in healing.Every move had purpose.

The faint hum in her blood strengthened briefly, as if in response to her thoughts.Islae closed her eyes, drawing comfort from that impossible connection.Whether real or imagined, it gave her strength.And right now, strength was what she needed most.

Chapter 17

Nirrn

Nirrnslitheredsilentlyacrossthe grimy pavement as he and the human scout traveled through the winding alleys of Jorvla’s outer district.The stench of decay and desperation hung thick in the air, but he barely noticed it.His focus remained razor-sharp on one goal: getting to Islae.

The scout led him to a crumbling warehouse where a group of human rogues lounged against rusted shipping containers.Their eyes narrowed at his approach, their hands tightening on concealed weapons.

“A Niri seeking us out?That’s new,” a scarred man said, stepping forward.“Either brave or stupid.”

Nirrn drew himself up to his full height, his orange scales glinting off the light filtering in through the broken windows.“I have a proposition for you.Medical supplies from the government district stronghold—enough to set you up for months on the black market.All yours if you help me get inside.”

“And why would a Niri want to break into a Jorvlen stronghold?”A tall man with close-cropped hair circled him, studying his healer’s markings.“Especially a healer?”

“My reasons are my own.”His eyes tracked the human rogue’s movement, his voice lowering into a growl.“The supplies are real.That’s all you need to know.”

The human rogues exchanged glances, having a silent conversation.The scarred man stepped closer, his chin lifted in challenge.“Prove you’re not setting us up.Prove you’re a real warrior.”

Nirrn’s tail coiled tighter, his muscles tensing.He had spent his life healing, not fighting.But Islae’s face suddenly flashed in his mind, driving out all hesitation.“Whatever test you require.”

A slow smile spread across the scarred man’s face.“Follow us then, Niri.Let’s see what you’re made of.”

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