Page 76 of Naga General's Mate

After her final class, she found him waiting outside in formal attire, his scales polished to a brilliant shine. Her heart skipped.Even after all this time, the sight of him still took her breath away.

“You look beautiful,” he said, helping her into a hover transport.

The restaurant sat atop the tallest crystal spire in the city. Through the transparent walls, the twin moons of Nirum painted everything in silver light. Their table overlooked the glittering expanse of the capital.

“This is incredible,” Mila whispered, taking in the view. “But what’s the occasion?”

Brivul smiled mysteriously. “Can’t I spoil my mate?”

They talked through dinner about her classes, his work with the military advisory board, and their shared dreams for the future. As they finished dessert, Brivul grew unusually quiet.

“Everything okay?” she asked.

He slithered from his chair and raised himself to his full height before her. “Mila, when I found you that day in the market, I had no idea you would change my entire world.” His voice roughened with emotion as he produced a ring of twisted gold and crystal. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife as well as my mate?”

Tears pricked at Mila’s eyes. This beautiful, brave man who had saved her, supported her, and loved her unconditionally—how could she give any answer but yes?

“Yes, of course I will,” she managed through happy tears.

The ring slid perfectly onto her finger, catching the moonlight. Brivul gathered her close, and the other diners burst into applause.

Mila’s heart fluttered as Brivul’s arms encircled her, his scales cool and smooth against her skin as he leaned down to kiss her. His lips met hers with tender reverence, and she melted into him. The applause from the other diners faded away until there was only this—only them. His scent wrapped around her, that unique mixture of leather and spice that had become her comfort.

“I love you,” she whispered when they finally parted. “Though I think you’ve made quite a scene, my warrior.”

Brivul chuckled. “Let them look. I want the whole galaxy to know you’re mine.”

“As if the mate bond wasn’t enough?” She raised an eyebrow, playing with the ring. The twisted gold felt perfect on her finger, as if it had always belonged there.

“That’s just for us.” He pressed his forehead to hers, a gesture that had become their own private sign of affection. “This is foreveryone else. Though I must admit, I was worried you might say no.”

“After everything we’ve been through?” Mila whispered. “After you helped me find my voice, my freedom? You’re stuck with me, General.”

“Former general,” he corrected automatically, making her laugh.

“Always my general,” she countered, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him again. The ring caught the light once more, sending rainbow fractals dancing across his blue scales.

The hover transport glided through the crystalline streets of Nirum, its quiet hum matching the contentment in Mila’s heart. She kept stealing glances at the ring on her finger, watching how it caught the light of the twin moons. Beside her, Brivul’s scales reflected the city’s glow, making him look almost ethereal.

“You haven’t stopped smiling since we left,” he said.

“I can’t help it.” Mila leaned into his side, savoring his familiar warmth.

The transport settled outside their home, its crystal architecture catching the starlight. As they walked through their garden, the night-blooming flowers released their sweet perfume, as if celebrating with them.

“The universe has a strange way of working things out,” Mila mused, pausing to look up at the stars. “All those years of struggling, of protecting Priscilla, of trying to survive… they were leading me to you.”

Brivul pulled her close, his scales cool against her skin. “Then I suppose I should thank the universe for bringing me my perfect mate.”

Chapter 35

Mila

Beneath the canopy oftheir favorite shade tree, the world seemed to narrow down to just the two of them. The stars above twinkled with an amusement that mirrored the joy in Mila’s heart.

“You know, I think I could spend an eternity just looking up at the stars with you,” Brivul murmured, his blue scales shimmering in the starlight.

Mila leaned into his solid form, her head resting against his arm. “I’d like that,” she said, her voice soft with contentment.

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