Page 37 of Naga General's Mate

“Of course not. Big strong Niri warriors never wince.” Her fingers traced the edge of his bandage.

Heat rushed through him at her touch. How had this tiny human wormed her way past his defenses? He’d been lost, purposeless. Now everything made sense.

Brivul grabbed her hand. Her pulse raced under his fingers, matching his own thundering heart. Time seemed to stop as she met his gaze.

“Thank you.” The words felt inadequate.

“For torturing you with pillow adjustments?”

“For giving me purpose again.”

Her cheeks reddened. “I didn’t—”

“You did.” He tugged her closer, his tail wrapping loosely around her waist. “I was just existing before. Going through the motions. Then you appeared in that market, arguing with a vendor twice your size.”

“He tried to cheat me.”

“You were magnificent.” And she had been—all fire and determination despite her lowered eyes and meek posture. “Still are.”

She ducked her head, but he caught the smile she tried to hide. His chest filled with warmth. His mate. His warrior queen disguised as a humble slave. Every protective instinct in him roared to keep her safe and close.

As the night wore on, the dark shadows under Mila’s eyes betrayed her exhaustion, though she tried to mask it with determination. Her movements had grown slower, less precise as she fussed with his bandages.

“Come here.” Brivul patted the space beside him on the bed. When she hesitated, he added, “You need rest, too.”

She bit her lip, considering. The sight made his skin tingle. Finally, she climbed onto the bed, careful of his injury. As she settled against his chest, his tail wrapped around her waist, anchoring her to him.

Her jasmine scent enveloped him, mixing with the herbal tang of healing salves. The weight of her body against his felt right, natural, like she belonged there. His muscles relaxed, tension he hadn’t realized he carried melting away.

“Is this okay?” Her voice came soft, uncertain.

“Perfect.” He stroked her hair, marveling at its silken texture.

Her breathing gradually slowed, deepened. Each exhale ghosted across his scales, sending pleasant shivers through him. Nothing compared to the contentment of this moment.

“Sleep,” he murmured.

She mumbled something unintelligible and nestled closer. His protective instincts purred with satisfaction. This was what he was meant for—not just fighting but protecting. Cherishing.

Chapter 17

Mila

Hot water cascaded downMila’s back as steam swirled around her in the small shower stall. Her fingers traced the worn tiles, but her mind drifted to that night—to strong arms wrapped around her waist and the heat of his scales against her skin.

“This is ridiculous.” The words echoed off the shower walls.

But the memory persisted. The way Brivul had pulled her close, his chest rising and falling with each breath. The subtle scent of leather that clung to him.

She ducked her head under the spray, letting water run down her face. Five days. Five days since she’d woken up in his warm, comforting embrace.

“He’s just protecting you,” she muttered, reaching for the soap. “Don’t read more into it than that.”

But her traitorous mind replayed the gentle way his fingers had traced patterns on her arm, how his tail had curled protectively around her legs.

The soap slipped from her grasp, clattering against the floor. “Perfect. Just perfect.”

She bent to retrieve it, remembering how Brivul had looked at her that morning—his violet eyes soft with something more than mere duty. The way his voice had roughened when he’d whispered good morning.

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