Page 54 of Naga Healer's Mate

Islae pressed closer, breathing in his scent.“I spent so long just surviving.But you showed me there was another way to live.”

Nirrn shifted, drawing her flush against him.His scaled arms caged her protectively and possessively.The way he held her spoke volumes.She was his to protect, his to cherish, and his to love.

The mate mark on her neck pulsed with their shared connection.No more running.No more hiding.No more surviving.Now, it’s time to thrive.

Islae soon padded into their kitchen, the smooth crystal floors cool beneath her bare feet.Nirum’s morning light filtered through the translucent walls, casting rainbow prisms across the countertops.Such luxury still felt foreign after years of living in Jorvla’s slums.

Nirrn moved behind her, his chest practically pressing against her back.His orange scales glinted as he reached past her for the cooking implements.

“Let me help,” he murmured, his hands settling on her hips.

“I can manage breakfast on my own,” Islae said but couldn’t help leaning into his touch.

“Perhaps.”His lips brushed her marked neck.“But I prefer watching you work while keeping you close.”

Heat bloomed in her chest at his possessive tone.Even doing something as simple as preparing breakfast, he maintained that protective dominance.

She cracked eggs into a bowl while Nirrn’s tail curled loosely around her ankles, keeping her anchored to him as he chopped fresh fruits from the garden.The domestic simplicity of it all struck her—no more scrounging for supplies and no more looking over her shoulder.

“You’re thinking too loudly,” Nirrn observed.

“Just appreciating the difference.”Islae gestured to their sun-filled kitchen.“Two weeks ago, I was hiding in dark alleys and treating wounds with whatever I could salvage.”

“Now?”His scaled arms slid around her waist.

“Now I’m making breakfast with my mate in our home.”She turned in his embrace.“It feels surreal at times.”

“You deserve this peace.”His thumb traced her cheek.“Though I must admit, I enjoy seeing you so relaxed and soft in our home.”

“Soft?”Islae raised an eyebrow.“I can still take anyone down if needed.”

Nirrn’s laugh rumbled through his chest.“My fierce little mate.”

The eggs started to sizzle, and Islae reluctantly pulled away to tend to them.Nirrn’s tail remained in contact with her legs as they moved around each other, preparing their meal together in comfortable synchronicity.

Islae soon settled into the curved crystal chair on their patio, breathing in the crisp morning air of Nirum.Their breakfast spread before them looked like something from a dream—fresh fruits, warm bread, and perfectly cooked eggs, a far cry from the meager meals she’d scraped together in Jorvla’s slums.

Nirrn poured her a cup of steaming tea.His orange scales caught the light, making the gold undertones shimmer across his broad shoulders and chest.

“The university sent the final approval for our clinic setup,” he said, his eyes meeting her gaze.“We can start organizing the teaching space today.”

Islae’s heart quickened at the thought.“Our own clinic.Where we can actually teach others instead of hiding in shadows.”She took a sip of tea, savoring the sweet-spicy blend.“Though I admit, I’m nervous about dinner tonight.”

“With Mila and Priscilla?”Nirrn’s hand covered hers on the table.“You seemed to connect well with them at the temple.”

“I did.It’s just…” Islae pushed a piece of fruit around her plate.“They’ve adapted so well here.Priscilla advising the council, and Mila at university.Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever feel that settled.”

Nirrn drew her closer to him.“You are already finding your place.Our students will benefit from your experience and strength.”

“And tonight?”

“Tonight, you’ll see that even fierce warrior mates like Andear and Brivul can become family.”His lips curved.“Though none are as fierce as me.”

Islae rolled her eyes, but warmth bloomed in her at his possessive tone.

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on her palm.“Now, shall we go see our clinic?”

The way he said “our” made something settle deep inside her.This was their future together.And later, they’d share a meal with others who understood the journey from survival to belonging.

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