Page 41 of Naga Healer's Mate

“I knew you’d come for me,” she whispered, her voice hoarse but steady.“I felt you.In my blood.In my mind.”

Nirrn’s hands stilled on her bandages.His tail tightened reflexively around the cot.

“When I was in that cell,” Islae continued, reaching up to touch his forearm, “I swore I could hear your voice inside my head.Telling me to hold on.To fight.”

A deep primal instinct stirred in Nirrn’s chest.A human shouldn’t be able to sense the mate bond without being made aware of it.And his mate, human or Niri, definitely shouldn’t be able to hear his mental calls.Yet she had.His scales darkened as the implications washed over him.A true mate bond—pure and rare even among his own kind.

“Rest now,” he rumbled, his large hand engulfing hers.“You’re safe.”

“You’re different somehow,” she observed, studying his face.“Stronger.Deadlier.”

“I became what you needed me to be.”

Her fingers traced the scales along his shoulder, and Nirrn had to suppress a shudder.Later, he would explain everything—the mate bond, what it meant, and why she could sense him.But for now, he simply watched over her, his tail wrapped securely around them both as she drifted back to sleep.

The bond hummed between them, stronger than he’d ever dared to hope possible.

Chapter 22

Islae

Thebroth’swarmthseepedthrough the clay bowl into Islae’s palms.She watched as Nirrn coiled attentively beside her, his orange scales shining in the soft lamplight.Four days of his constant attention had changed something fundamental between them.The strange heat in her blood that began in that prison cell now thrummed steadily, a connection she couldn’t explain but didn’t want to fight anymore.

“You’re staring again,” Nirrn said, meeting her gaze.

“I’m not used to being the patient.”Islae touched the healing gash on her temple.His skilled hands had stitched it with such gentleness, despite those same hands having torn through Jorvlen guards to reach her.“Usually, I’m the one hovering and fussing.”

“I do not hover.”His tail twitched, betraying his words.He hadn’t left her side for more than minutes at a time since their escape from the stronghold.

“Right.”She hid her smile behind another spoonful of broth.“And I suppose you didn’t threaten that scout yesterday for speaking too loudly near my room?”

“He was being disruptive to your recovery.”Nirrn’s broad shoulders tensed.“Your concussion required rest.”

“Required rest, not complete silence in a three-room radius.”But warmth bloomed in her chest at his protectiveness.She had spent so long taking care of others and fighting alone for what was right.Having someone care for her with such fierce dedication felt foreign but addictive.

Nirrn moved closer, his bare torso rippling with muscle as he reached for her empty bowl.His fingers brushed hers, sending that familiar spark through her body.“How does your rib feel?”

“Completely better.”She pressed a hand to her side, assessing the area.“The binding really helped.Though I still say you didn’t need to carry me to the washroom yesterday.”

“You seemed unsteady.”His voice dropped lower, more possessive.“I will not risk you falling.”

“I’ve handled much worse on my own before.”

“Well, you are not alone anymore.”His hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing her jaw.“Accept it.”

The heat in her blood surged at his touch.She leaned into his palm, finally letting herself acknowledge the truth.“I know.I just… I’ve never had anyone take care of me like this before.”

“Then it’s time you learned how to be taken care of.”His tail curled around her cot protectively as he leaned in, his presence both commanding and gentle.“Because I am not going anywhere, ever, Islae.”His voice was low and firm, the kind of certainty that made her chest tighten.

For a moment, she just stared at him, tracing the hard lines of his face, the orange scales that shimmered faintly along his shoulders and upper arms.His presence was overwhelming, a mix of power and gentleness that she still couldn’t reconcile.

Without thinking, she leaned forward, closing the gap between them, and kissed him.

It started soft and tentative, her lips brushing against his in a quiet acknowledgment of all he’d done for her.But the moment their mouths met fully, something primal surged between them.Nirrn’s hand slid to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling in her hair as he deepened the kiss.His tail, coiled around her cot, tightened its grip, pulling her closer until she was practically in his lap.

Islae’s hands roamed over his chest, her fingers skimming the smooth, warm skin of his abdomen before moving up to the rough texture of his scales.She could feel the wild thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palms, a rhythm that matched the frantic pace of her own.Her mind raced, but not with fear or doubt—this time, it was pure, unrelenting need.

“Nirrn,” she breathed against his mouth, her voice barely a whisper.

---