Page 66 of Naga General's Mate

Brivul burst through the doorway at the top of the stone stairs. Three other Niri warriors followed, their movements fluid and practiced as they descended the stone stairs and engaged theguards. The clash of metal on metal soon filled the cramped space.

“Get away from her!” Brivul’s deep voice thundered through the cell.

Mila’s heart soared at the sight of him. He moved with lethal grace, his blade finding gaps in the guards’ armor. One of his companions—a female Niri with silver scales—took down two guards with precise strikes while the others handled the remaining forces.

The Draknid enforcer charged at Brivul, his cybernetic eye glowing brighter. Their weapons met in a shower of sparks. Brivul fought with controlled fury, each strike purposeful. The enforcer’s mechanical parts sparked and sputtered under Brivul’s onslaught until a final blow sent him crashing to the ground.

“Mila.” Brivul rushed to her side, his eyes scanning her injuries. His fingers were gentle as he broke her chains. “I’m so sorry I let them take you.”

The metal fell away and Mila collapsed into his arms, breathing in his familiar scent. Her bruised ribs protested, but she didn’t care.

“You came for me.”

“Always.” He cradled her face, careful of her injuries. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”

His companions secured the unconscious guards while Brivul examined her wounds. His touch was feather-light as he checked her ribs.

“Can you walk?”

“I think so.” Her legs shook as she stood, but Brivul’s arm around her waist kept her steady.

“We need to move,” one of his companions called from the doorway.

Mila planted her feet despite the pain shooting through her legs. “Wait.” Her voice cracked from disuse, but determination steadied her next words. “We can’t leave. Not yet.”

The silver-scaled female Niri peered around the corner. “More guards are coming.”

The damp stone walls of the cell seemed to close in, but Mila straightened her spine. “Kurg will hunt us down wherever we go. He has connections everywhere.” Her ribs ached with each breath. “The only way to truly be free is to expose him.”

Torchlight flickered across Brivul’s violet eyes as he supported her weight. The warmth of his scales against her side almost made her forget the chill of the dungeon.

“His private terminal.” Mila licked her cracked lips. “If we can send the evidence of his embezzlement directly from there, the Council of Seven can’t deny its authenticity.”

Shouts echoed down the corridor, growing closer. Metal scraped against stone as guards approached. The acrid smell of smoke drifted down from above—likely from whatever distraction Brivul and his soldiers had created to get in.

“The terminal’s three floors up.” She gripped Brivul’s arm tighter. “We’ll never have another chance like this while his guards are scattered and we’re already inside.”

The sound of running footsteps grew louder. One of Brivul’s companions drew his weapon. Mila’s heart beat erratically in her chest, but she held firm. This was their moment to end it all—to ensure Priscilla’s freedom, to stop Kurg from hurting anyone else.

“Listen to me,” Mila insisted. “As long as Kurg has power, we’ll never be safe.”

“You can barely stand.” Brivul’s eyes flickered with concern as he steadied her. “We need to get you medical attention.”

The distant sounds of fighting echoed through the stone corridors, but Mila refused to back down.

“If we run now, we’ll spend the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders.” Her ribs screamed in protest as she straightened.

The silver-scaled female Niri at the doorway shifted. “More guards approaching from the east wing.”

“Three floors.” Brivul’s jaw clenched as he looked up the spiral staircase. “Through who knows how many guards.”

“I know the layout.” Mila pressed her hand to his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat beneath her palm. “I’ve cleaned every inch of this place. There’s a service passage the guards don’t use. It’ll take us right to his private wing.”

His scales rippled with tension beneath her touch. She saw the battle in his eyes—the need to protect her warring with the tactical advantage of her plan.

“You’re my mate.” His voice dropped low. “I just got you back.”

“And I want a future with you where we’re truly free.” The words came from deep in her heart. “Where we can build a life together without fear.”

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