Page 33 of Naga Healer's Mate

A few other fighters had gathered around them—both human rogues and Niri warriors drawn by the spectacle.Their whispered conversations fell silent as they watched the exchange.

The scarred man studied Nirrn’s face.“Whatever you’re fighting for must be worth dying for.”

“It is.”The image of Islae’s radiant smile burned in Nirrn’s mind.

“Count me in,” a voice called out.A heavily muscled Niri warrior with battle-scarred green scales stepped forward.“Anyone who fights like that has my respect.”

Others voiced their agreement, forming a loose circle around Nirrn.The scarred man nodded slowly.“All right.We’ll help you get into that stronghold.But first, let’s talk about strategy.”

Nirrn’s tail coiled with barely contained energy as they moved to a planning area with his map of the Jorvlen stronghold.Every second spent here was another second Islae remained in danger.He forced himself to focus on the task at hand.He would need these allies to reach her.

“The stronghold has three entry points,” the scarred man began, spreading out the crude map.

Nirrn leaned forward, his eyes scanning the layout.His healer’s precision merged with his newfound warrior’s instinct, analyzing every detail of the stronghold.He would tear that place apart piece by piece if he had to.

Hold on, Islae,he thought.I’m coming for you.

Chapter 18

Islae

Thedankundergroundcellreeked of mold and despair.Islae’s wrists throbbed where the metal cuffs bit into her flesh.She shifted her weight, trying to find a position that didn’t strain her shoulders quite so much.

“…new weapons shipment coming in tomorrow,” a guard’s voice drifted down the stone corridor.

“What about the healer?”another guard asked.

“Commander wants to break her.Says she’s too valuable to damage permanently, though.”

She closed her eyes, remembering how Nirrn would analyze a situation—methodical, leaving no detail unchecked.She needed that same clinical detachment now.

The hum in her blood pulsed stronger, like a phantom touch of Nirrn’s fingers against her skin.Her breath caught.The connection felt incredibly real, as if some part of Nirrn reached across the city to find her.At that moment, she realized it could only mean one thing.Nirrn was indeed alive.

Heavy boots scraped against stone as the guards changed shifts.Three steps to the door, pause for key check, two more steps to the end of the hall.They were clockwork in their routine—perhaps too routine.

“Hey!The prisoner needs water,” a young one called out.

“Let her thirst.Commander’s orders.”

Islae’s throat burned at the mention of water.They had given her nothing since throwing her in here.But the denial of her basic needs told her something—they feared her influence.A healer could gain trust and could manipulate through kindness.Maybe she could use that to her advantage if she got the chance.

The night dragged on.Every hour, new snippets of conversation filtered through her cell door—duty rosters, complaints about pay, and whispered fears about the growing human resistance.She filed each detail away, searching for leverage.

But the guards who had beaten her earlier showed no weakness and no sympathy.Their hatred of humans ran too deep.She flexed her fingers again, wincing as the cuffs cut too deeply.

“What would you see that I’m missing?”she murmured, picturing Nirrn’s calculating golden eyes.The phantom warmth in her blood surged, as if in answer.She held on to that feeling, letting it chase away the chill of the cell.

Dawn soon approached, marked by the changing of the guard once more.The commander would return soon enough, demanding she choose between a slave’s collar or a quick death.Neither was acceptable.There had to be a way out of here.

Her mind raced as she pieced together everything she had overheard in the past day.Her wrists ached from the chains, but the physical discomfort barely registered against the sudden sharp clarity of her thoughts.

“Weapons shipment,” she whispered to herself.“Loading dock three, east wing.”

The guards’ casual conversations had revealed more than they realized.She wiggled her fingers, keeping them nimble despite the cold and tingling sensation.If she could just get to those weapons, or any weapon…

Her attention snapped to footsteps approaching—lighter than the night guards, with a slight hesitation between steps.The young one, the one who had mentioned water before.

The strange warmth in her blood pulsated, making her catch her breath again.It felt like Nirrn was right here with her, his powerful presence giving her strength.She could almost see him—his orange-golden scales gleaming in the darkness, his golden eyes fierce with protective fury.

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