Page 56 of Naga Healer's Mate

“And now you’re both here.”Mila smiled.“Just like us.Safe and free.”

Islae felt Nirrn’s hand squeeze hers.Yes, she thought, watching these couples who had walked the same path.This was what freedom looked like.This was her home now.

Epilogue

Nirrn

Nirrncoilednearthebase of a medical cabinet as he organized supplies with practiced efficiency.Their teaching clinic gleamed under the soft light, every instrument in its designated place and every shelf meticulously arranged.He looked on as a group of students clustered around Islae while she demonstrated proper suturing technique.

“The key is maintaining consistent pressure,” Islae explained, her fingers moving with precise grace.“In emergency situations, you won’t always have ideal conditions.”

Pride swelled in Nirrn’s chest as he watched his mate command the room.The students hung on her every word, their faces rapt with attention.She had brought something invaluable to their program—real-world experience that went beyond textbook theory.

“Notice how she angles the needle,” Nirrn added, his deep voice carrying across the room.“That technique reduces tissue trauma and promotes faster healing.”

A young Niri student raised her hand.“But Professor Nirrn, the standard protocol—”

“Sometimes protocol must adapt to circumstance,” he interrupted, moving closer to the demonstration table.His scales glinted as he reached around Islae to adjust the practice dummy.“Professor Islae learned that treating patients in conditions that would make most healers flee in terror.”

Islae shot him a knowing look.“And some healers are too proper for their own good.”

“Says the woman who organized my entire medicine cabinet by color code last week.”His tail brushed against her ankle, a subtle gesture of affection that made her cheeks flush.

“That was different.I was tired of watching you waste time searching for things.”

One of the human students giggled, quickly stifling it when Nirrn’s golden gaze fell on her.But his expression remained warm.This was what they had built together—a space where humans and Niri learned side by side, where Islae’s practical knowledge merged seamlessly with his clinical expertise.

“Your next practical exam will require you to handle multiple trauma scenarios,” he announced.“You’ll need both precision and adaptability.”His tail tightened protectively around Islae as memories of her old clinic flashed through his mind.“The best healers know when to follow protocol—and when to break it to save a life.”

Nirrn’s tail swept across the teaching clinic’s floor as he coiled around a cabinet, watching the last students filter out.The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with traces of medicinal herbs.His mate moved with practiced efficiency, arranging instruments on metal trays.

“You intimidated that poor student today,” Islae said, shooting him a knowing look.

“She’ll learn.”He reached past her to straighten a row of vials.“Just like you learned to accept help.”

“I accepted help just fine.”

“Right.”His scales rippled with amusement as he remembered their first meeting.“You were ready to fight me with nothing but determination and a spray bottle.”

“You invaded my clinic.”

“I gave you supplies.”He drew her closer.“After saving you from those Jorvlen thugs.”

“Which I didn’t ask for.”But she leaned into his touch, her fingers trailing along his scaled chest.

“You never asked for anything.”He nuzzled her neck where his mark stood proud against her skin.“Too stubborn and too fierce.”

The memory of that night blazed fresh in his mind—her tiny clinic in shambles after the fight, medical supplies scattered across blood-stained floors.She’d stood amid the chaos, chin lifted in defiance, refusing to show fear.Even then, something in him had recognized her strength, had wanted to shelter and protect her while letting that fire burn bright.

“You’re still the most stubborn female I’ve ever met,” he rumbled against her skin.

“Says the male who tracked me across half of Jorvla and fought his way into a Jorvlen stronghold.”

His grip tightened at the memory.“They took what was mine.”

“I wasn’t yours then.”

“You were always mine.”His golden eyes met hers.“From the moment I saw you healing those humans in the shadows.I just had to wait for you to realize it.”

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