Page 45 of Naga Healer's Mate

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Then trust in that.”He pressed his forehead to hers.“Trust in us.”

Islae stepped into the safe house’s main chamber, her fingers intertwined with Nirrn’s.The room smelled of earth and metal, illuminated by strips of artificial lighting that cast long shadows across the worn concrete floors.Nirrn’s tail whispered against the concrete as he moved beside her, his powerful body coiled protectively near her.

A man emerged from the shadows—tall and lean, with a jagged scar running from his left temple to his jaw.His eyes held a familiar determination that made her chest tighten with recognition.

“Islae Raelle,” he said, extending his hand.“I’m Tyrus.Your work in the slums… it gave our people hope.”

Nirrn’s scales rippled with tension, but Islae squeezed his hand reassuringly.“You knew of my clinic?”

“Knew of it?Your father started that tradition over twenty years ago, before the Jorvlens…” Tyrus’s voice trailed off, his scarred face tightening.“Before they took him from us.You carried on his legacy well.Every human in the underground knows the name Raelle.”

Tears pricked at Islae’s eyes.She hadn’t heard anyone speak of her father in years.Nirrn’s arm slid around her waist, steadying her.

“The Jorvlens may have burned your clinic,” Tyrus continued, “but they can’t destroy what you built.What you taught us.”He straightened his shoulders.“We have healers, supplies, and safe houses.We’ll continue what you and your father started.”

“You’ll need to be careful,” Islae said, her voice thick with emotion.“The Jorvlens—”

“Can go to hell,” Tyrus interrupted with a fierce grin.“We learned from the best how to stay hidden and how to help our people.Your father showed us the way, and you proved it could be done.”

Nirrn’s deep voice rumbled.“You understand the risks?”

“Better than most.”Tyrus gestured to his scar.“Some things are worth dying for.”

The weight that had been pressing on Islae’s chest since her clinic burned down began to lift.Her father’s dream, her mission—it wouldn’t die with her departure from Jorvla.The human underground network would ensure their people weren’t forgotten.

She looked up at Nirrn, seeing the fierce pride in his golden eyes.This powerful Niri male had changed everything about himself to protect her, to love her, and to give her the life she truly deserved.Her true mate.And now she could leave with him for Nirum, knowing her father’s legacy would live on.

“Thank you,” she whispered to Tyrus, meaning it with every fiber of her being.

Tyrus’s weathered face broke into a knowing smile.“Kackjin’s ship leaves in two hours.He’s agreed to take you both to Nirum.”

Relief suddenly flooded through Islae’s body.They soon would be off this corrupt planet and on Nirrn’s peaceful planet.Beside her, Nirrn shifted.

“You risked everything to help us,” Nirrn said, his deep voice resonating through the small space.“We owe you.”

Tyrus waved off the gratitude.“Just keep her safe on Nirum.That’s payment enough.”

The journey to the spaceport passed in tense silence.Islae’s heart raced as they approached Kackjin’s ship—a sleek vessel with worn edges that spoke of countless missions.

The green-scaled warrior waited at the boarding ramp, his scarred face impassive.He nodded once at Nirrn, a gesture of respect between males who had fought together.

Inside the ship, Nirrn guided Islae to the viewport, his powerful body coiling protectively around her.His scaled chest pressed against her back as the engines rumbled to life.

“Having second thoughts?”he murmured, his breath hot against her ear.

Islae watched as Jorvla’s grimy surface fell away beneath them.The sprawling planet where she had spent her entire life fighting and healing and surviving grew smaller with each passing second.

“No,” she whispered, surprising herself with the truth of it.“For the first time, I’m not running away from something.I’m running toward something instead.”

Nirrn’s arms tightened around her waist, his scales smooth against her skin.“Toward what?”

She turned in his embrace, meeting those intense golden eyes that had captured her from the start.“Toward you.Toward us.Toward a life where I don’t have to hide or fight just to exist.”

His hands cupped her face, his thumbs tracing her cheekbones with surprising gentleness.“You will never have to hide again.On Nirum, you will be my mate, my equal.”

His possessive growl sent shivers down her spine.Her mate and her equal, who now promised her a future she had never dared to dream of—a future filled with peace and happiness.

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