Page 34 of Naga Healer's Mate

“Focus,” she muttered.

The young guard appeared, his uniform still crisp with newness.His eyes darted to her chains and then away.

“Please,” Islae said, letting her voice crack.“Just a little water?”

He shifted his weight.“I’m not supposed to…”

“I know.But I’m so thirsty.”She let her head drop, her shoulders slumping.“I never meant to cause trouble.I just want to help people.”

The guard’s fingers twitched toward his water flask.“The commander said—”

“I’m a healer,” she interrupted softly.“Like you have in your family.Your sister, right?I heard you mention her to the other guard.”

His eyes widened slightly.Got him.

“She works in the medical wing.Right?”Islae continued.“She’s trying to make a difference, just like I was.”

The guard took a half step forward.“How did you know that about my sister?”

“The same way I know you’re different from the others.You see people for who they are, not just humans or Jorvlens.”She met his gaze.“Please.Just a few sips?”

He glanced down the corridor and then back at her.His hand moved to his keys.

The warmth in her blood surged stronger, as if Nirrn himself urged her forward.Just a little more…

The cell door soon creaked open, and Islae’s heart raced as the young guard stepped inside with his water flask.Her wrists throbbed beneath the metal cuffs, the pain giving weight to her next words.

“The cuffs… they’re cutting off my circulation.”She rotated her hands, letting him see the raw skin.“Could you maybe loosen them?Just for a minute while I drink?”

He shifted from foot to foot.“I shouldn’t…”

“Please?I promise I won’t try anything.”She met his eyes, projecting innocence.“I just want to get some feeling back in my hands.”

The guard glanced down the corridor before pulling out his keys again.The cuffs fell away with a soft click, and Islae bit back a gasp of relief as she massaged her tender wrists.The strange tingling in her blood—that connection to Nirrn—grew stronger again, as if warning her to be careful.

“Thank you,” she breathed, accepting his water flask.The cool liquid soothed her parched throat, but she forced herself to drink slowly and deliberately.Let him watch.Let him think he was being kind.

“You’re different from other humans,” the guard said, his eyes trailing over her face and then lower.“Most of them just curse at us.”

Islae lowered the flask, letting her fingers brush his as she handed it back.“Violence solves nothing.That’s why I became a healer.”She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, noting how his gaze followed the movement.“What made you join the guards?”

“My father’s position.But I…” He stepped closer.“I don’t always agree with how things are done here.”

“No?”She tilted her head, offering a small smile.“It’s nice to meet someone who thinks for himself.”

His chest puffed slightly at the praise.Another step closer, and she could smell his cologne—too strong, trying too hard to seem mature.But she kept her expression soft and interested.

“Maybe I could bring you more water later,” he suggested, his voice dropping lower.“Or some food?”

“That would be wonderful.”She let her smile widen, even as her skin crawled at his proximity.The tingling in her blood surged again—Nirrn’s presence, his strength flowing through their connection.She held on to that feeling, using it to maintain her mask of gentle flirtation.

Her stomach churned as he pressed even closer to her, his hands suddenly sliding up her sides.His breath reeked of synthetic mint—some cheap breath freshener that did nothing to mask the sour undertones.She forced herself to lean into his touch, remembering every anatomy lesson she had ever learned about the carotid arteries and blood flow to the brain.

“You’re so beautiful,” he mumbled against her neck.“Not like other humans.”

She tilted her head, giving him better access while positioning her arms.“You’re different, too,” she whispered, letting her fingers trail across his chest.The bond-warmth in her blood surged with possessive fury—Nirrn’s presence burning through her veins.She pushed the feeling down, focusing on the task at hand.

The guard’s hands grew bolder, pawing at her chest through her shirt.His inexperience showed in his clumsy groping.She bit back her revulsion and arched into his touch, using the movement to shift her weight.

---