Page 72 of Naga General's Mate

The scent of her—jasmine and something uniquely her—made his scales ripple with pleasure. “They should. You helped expose one of the biggest corruption scandals in Jorvlen history.”

“We did it together.”

His tail curled possessively around her chair. A year ago, he’d been drowning in guilt and shame, convinced he’d never be worthy of a good life or happiness ever again. Now, watching Mila charm the dignitaries around them with her quick wit and warm smile, he felt whole. Happy.

“What are you thinking about?” Mila’s fingers brushed his arm.

“How lucky I am.” He grabbed her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “A few months ago, I was just a security guard going through the motions. Then you walked into my life.”

“And caused nothing but trouble.”

“The best kind.” His violet eyes met her green ones. “You gave me my purpose again. A reason to fight.”

The first course soon arrived—some exotic Jorvlen delicacy that probably cost more than his old security job paid in a month. But Brivul barely noticed the food. His attention kept drifting to Mila and the way she carried herself with such quiet strength. She’d gone from slave to honored guest, yet she handled it all with natural grace.

At this moment, Brivul realized that his future stretched bright and clear before him. No more hiding. No more letting life pass him by. With Mila at his side, he felt ready to take on the entire universe.

After the dinner celebration ended, Brivul guided Mila through the ornate palace corridors to their chambers. The silk of her gown whispered against his scales with each step.

Inside their room, moonlight spilled through towering windows onto marble floors. Brivul helped Mila out of her formal gown, his breath catching at the sight of the bandages wrapped around her ribs. His jaw clenched, remembering Kurg’s cruelty.

“Let me check these.” His fingers traced the edge of a bandage.

“They don’t hurt anymore.” Mila’s skin flushed under his touch.

Brivul unwound the bandages with careful movements. The bruises had faded to nothing, leaving her skin smooth and unmarked. Relief flooded through him. He’d failed to protect her once—never again.

They changed into the silk robes provided by the palace staff. The fabric was impossibly soft against his scales, but his attention stayed fixed on Mila. The way the midnight blue silk draped her curves made his blood heat.

“Come.” He took her hand, leading her onto the balcony.

Three moons hung in the velvet sky, casting silver light across the palace gardens below. Stars sparkled like scattered diamonds, and a warm breeze carried the scent of night-blooming flowers.

Mila leaned against the balcony rail. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes. But not as beautiful as you.” He watched how the moonlight painted silver highlights in her dark hair, how it made her green eyes luminous.

His tail wound around her waist, drawing her closer. She fit perfectly against him. Like she was meant to stand by his side. The sweet scent of her skin mixed with jasmine from the gardens below.

“I never thought I’d see a view like this.” Mila’s voice was soft. “A slave dreaming of the stars.”

“You’re not a slave anymore,” Brivul said in a low voice. “You’re my mate. My warrior queen.”

She turned in his arms, pressing closer. The silk of their robes whispered together as her fingers traced his jaw. His scales rippled at her touch.

Above them, a shooting star streaked across the sky, leaving a trail of silver in its wake. But Brivul barely noticed, lost in the depths of Mila’s eyes.

His protective instincts surged at her proximity, wanting to shelter her from everything that had hurt her before.

“Come to Nirum with me,” he said in a low voice. The words had been building inside him all evening. “You and Priscilla both.”

Mila’s green eyes widened. “Nirum?”

“I have a home there.” He drew himself up to his full height, wanting her to understand what he could provide. “The universities there are the finest in the system. You could study anything you wanted.”

Her fingers traced patterns on his scales, sending electricity through his blood. “You’d do that? For both of us?”

“I’d give you the stars themselves if you asked.” The fierce possessiveness in his voice surprised even him. “You’ll want for nothing. Neither will your sister.”

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