Page 48 of Naga Healer's Mate

“I feel like I’m in a dream,” she whispered, watching a pair of crystal-winged birds soar past, their songs echoing like wind chimes.“Yesterday I was on Jorvla, and now…” She gestured at the floating paradise around them.“How can this be my life?”

“Because you were destined to be here.”His voice rumbled through her body.“With me.”

Islae leaned into his embrace, feeling truly safe for the first time in years.“Thank you for bringing me to Nirum.”She pressed closer, savoring his strength.“For giving me a real home and future.”

The suns continued their descent, painting everything in deep golds and purples.Islae felt Nirrn’s chest rise and fall against her back, his presence both protective and possessive.Here, surrounded by floating gardens, impossible beauty, and Nirrn, she finally felt truly happy.

Chapter 26

Nirrn

Nirrnslidthroughhiskitchen with practiced ease.The familiar scent of spiced meats and aromatic herbs filled the air as he prepared a traditional Niri feast for Islae.His eyes kept drifting to her, perched on a crystal bar stool, watching him work.

“You’re staring,” he said, a smirk playing on his lips as he chopped vegetables with precise movements.

“I’ve never seen a Niri cook before.”Islae leaned forward, her brown eyes sparkling with interest.“The ones I knew had servants for that.”

“I prefer to do things myself.”His orange scales glimmered in the soft light as he reached for seasonings.“Especially for my mate.”

The word still sent a thrill through him.After a lifetime of emptiness, his home finally felt complete with her presence.The way she had moved through his space earlier, touching crystal walls and examining the intricate carvings—it felt right.

“The patio is ready,” he said, arranging the dishes on a floating tray.“Unless you’d prefer to eat inside?”

“Outside.I want to see your moons again.”

He led her through the glass doors to his backyard patio where he had arranged cushions around a low table.Candles floated in crystal bowls, their light dancing across the carved stone.Above them, Nirum’s twin moons painted everything in silver and gold.

“This is really beautiful,” Islae whispered, settling onto the cushions.

Nirrn positioned himself close to her.“Not as beautiful as you.”

She rolled her eyes, but he noticed her slight blush.“Smooth talker.”

“Only for you.”He served her a portion of spiced meat.“Tomorrow, we’ll review the healing curriculum together.The university is eager for your perspective on human anatomy.”

“Working together.”She smiled, taking a bite of the meat.“I never thought I would end up teaching, let alone alongside a Niri.”

“The universe has strange ways of bringing mates together.”His tail brushed against her leg.“Though I must admit, I’m looking forward to having you in my teaching clinic.”

“Your teaching clinic.Is it?”

“Our teaching clinic.”He reached across the table, taking her hand.“Everything I have is yours, Islae.My home, my work, and my heart.”

The candlelight caught tears in her eyes, but her smile was radiant.Under the twin moons, sharing a meal in the home that was now theirs, he felt a completeness he’d never known before.His warrior spirit had found its purpose, and his healer’s heart had found its match.

Nirrn cleared the dinner plates with a sweep of his tail, his eyes captivated by Islae’s delicate features in the moonlight.The twin moons cast an ethereal glow across his gardens, illuminating the crystalline flowers that dotted the landscape.

“I have something else to show you,” he said, his voice deep and resonant.His orange scales shimmered in the moonlight as he extended his hand to her.

He led her down a winding crystal path, his tail moving silently across the ground.Steam rose from hidden vents, creating an otherworldly mist that swirled around their feet.The path opened to reveal a natural hot spring, its waters a deep azure that reflected the starlight.

Crystal formations jutted from the rocks surrounding the spring, their facets catching and splitting moonlight into rainbow prisms.Bioluminescent plants lined the water’s edge, their soft purple glow adding to the dreamlike atmosphere.

“This is incredible,” Islae breathed, her fingers trailing through the mist.

Nirrn drew her closer.“This spring has been in my family for generations.”His hand cupped her face.“Now it’s yours, too.”

The way she looked at him, wonder in her brown eyes, made his blood surge.Gone was the hesitation that had plagued him in their early days.She was his mate now, and he would never let her doubt that again.

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