Page 13 of Naga Warlord's Mate

“I want to fight.” Priscilla squared her shoulders, remembering every movement, every stance she’d learned these past weeks. “Unless you’re afraid to face someone half your size?”

The laughter died in Vren’s throat. His scales darkened with anger as he leaned down, bringing his face close to hers. “Right here. Right now. I’ll show everyone exactly where humans belong.”

Priscilla didn’t flinch. She’d faced worse than his threats, survived more than his contempt.

Vren suddenly lunged forward with a roar, his training staff whistling through the air. Priscilla’s heart jumped, but her body moved on instinct. Hours of dawn training with Andear hadtaught her to react without thinking. She rolled to the side, the staff missing her by inches as she came up in a crouch.

“Too slow,” she taunted, remembering how Andear had taught her that a warrior’s ego could be their greatest weakness.

Gasps and mutters rippled through the crowd. She caught Andear’s slight nod of approval. Her chest swelled with pride, but she kept her focus on Vren’s movements.

“Lucky dodge,” Vren snarled, his scales darkening with rage. He spun, bringing the staff around in a vicious arc.

Priscilla ducked under the blow, feeling the wind of its passage ruffle her hair. Her muscles burned from the day’s earlier training, but adrenaline kept her moving. She’d learned to read body language during her years in slavery—when to duck, when to run. Now she used those same skills to fight back.

“Stand still, you little pest!”

“Make me,” she shot back, dancing away from another strike. The watching warriors’ murmurs grew louder, impressed despite themselves.

“Enough playing,” Andear’s voice cut through the chaos. “Show him what you learned this morning.”

Priscilla’s lips curved into a fierce smile. She’d spent hours practicing the move he’d taught her, even after her arms felt like lead. As Vren charged again, she stepped into his attack instead of away from it. His eyes widened in surprise—exactly what she’d been waiting for.

She dropped low, sweeping her staff at his legs. The move forced him to jump back, breaking his rhythm. Just like Andear had promised it would.

“The human’s got teeth,” someone called out followed by scattered laughter.

Vren’s face contorted with fury. He raised his staff high and brought it down with crushing force. Priscilla moved her feet but wasn’t fast enough to get out of the way this time.

Pain exploded through Priscilla’s body as Vren’s staff connected with her ribs. The force lifted her off her feet, sending her crashing onto the sunbaked stone. Her staff clattered away, rolling just out of reach. The impact knocked the air from her lungs, leaving her gasping.

Vren’s laughter cut through the ringing in her ears. “Stay down, little human. That’s where you belong.”

The familiar taste of copper filled her mouth. Her ribs screamed in protest as she pushed herself onto her hands and knees. Sweat dripped from her face onto the cracked stone beneath her.

“Look at that. She still tries to rise.” Another warrior’s mocking voice joined the chorus of cruel laughter.

Priscilla’s arms trembled with exhaustion, but she refused to collapse. She’d spent too many years on her knees, bowing to others’ expectations. Not anymore. Never again.

Through the curtain of her disheveled hair, she caught sight of Andear. He was frozen like a statue, his golden eyes burning with that intensity that made her breath catch.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth as she forced herself to stand. Her legs shook, but she lifted her chin, meeting Vren’s surprised gaze.

“Again,” she spat, wiping blood from her lip with the back of her hand.

The laughter died. Vren’s scales darkened with rage at her defiance. He gripped his staff tighter, his knuckles white with fury.

Priscilla’s heart hammered against her bruised ribs, but she didn’t back down. She’d rather die standing than live on her knees. The silence stretched between them filled with tension.

Through the haze of her pain and determination, Priscilla caught movement at the edge of her vision. Andear’s stern expression had transformed into something entirely unexpected—a slow grin that made her heart skip.

“Enough.” His voice cut through the tension like a blade. “The fight is over.”

Vren opened his mouth to protest, but Andear’s sharp glare silenced him instantly. The gathered warriors shifted, their whispers taking on a different tone now.

“Did you see how she got back up?”

“Never seen a human with that kind of spirit.”

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