Page 5 of Naga Warlord's Mate

Andeardrewhimselftohis full height near the ancient column of the training grounds. His black scales gleamed in the sunlight as he loomed over the small human female. The same one had caught his attention at the palace gates, though he’d hoped to dismiss that moment as nothing more than idle curiosity. Now, with her standing before him, that pull intensified tenfold. Her scent—like sun-warmed honey and something uniquely feminine—threatened to cloud his judgment.

“These grounds are restricted to warriors and those in training.” His voice dropped to a dangerous rumble. “You endanger yourself and distract my warriors. Leave. Now.”

The human lifted her chin, a gesture that should have been laughable, given their size difference. Her throat worked, betraying her nervousness, but she held her ground. The defiance in those green eyes sparked something deep in him—a challenge he hadn’t faced in far too long.

Her continued silence grated against his patience. “Why are you here?” The words came out as a growl.

“Because no one else will let me do anything that matters,” she finally replied.

The raw honesty in her voice struck him like a physical force. Something unwelcome stirred in his chest—an echo of his own search for purpose in these times of peace. Their eyes locked, neither willing to look away first.

A foreign emotion—was it pity? Understanding?—twisted in his gut, making him want to snarl. He didn’t care for the way it made him feel, how it made him want to...what? Help her? Protect her? Ridiculous.

Andear circled her, his large frame casting a shadow over her small form. The sunlight caught the gold undertones of his black scales, a stark contrast to her pale skin. Her scent—that damned distracting scent—grew stronger as a bead of sweat rolled down her neck.

“Humans do not train with Niri warriors. That is not our way.” The words tasted bitter on his tongue, too close to the council’s rhetoric about tradition and proper places.

“Your way?” She spun to face him, her golden hair whipping around her shoulders. “Your way keeps humans in neat little boxes. Cook. Clean. Bear children. Is that all we’re good for?”

The challenge in her voice stirred something in him—respect, perhaps, though he’d never admit it.

His tail shifted against the ground, betraying his unease. “You mock our traditions without understanding them. These warriors train to protect our people—all our people, including humans like you.”

“Then let me protect myself.” She stepped closer, close enough that he could see the flecks of gold in her green eyes. “I won’t sit around waiting for someone to hand me a life worth living.”

Her words echoed his own restlessness. The similarity unsettled him. He wanted to dismiss her, to send her away with sharp words about knowing her place. Instead, he found himself recognizing the determination in her stance, the way she held herself like a warrior despite her size.

“You have no training, no experience in combat. You would break like a twig against even our youngest recruits.”

“Try me.”

The words hung between them, charged with defiance. His warriors watched the exchange with poorly concealed interest. Andear’s muscles twitched. This small human female dared to challenge him, to question centuries of tradition. He should have been outraged.

Instead, he felt alive for the first time in months.

Andear’s tail coiled with anticipation as he studied the human female. Her defiance awakened something in him—a desire to test, to challenge, to dominate. His warriors had stopped their drills entirely now, gathering at the edge of the training grounds like shadows.

“You want to prove yourself?” He circled her again, letting his massive presence emphasize the difference between them.

“Name your challenge.” Her quick response pleased him, though he kept his expression stern.

He gestured toward the far wall where smooth black stones lay stacked. “Those weights. You’ll carry them across the field and back.”

“That’s it?”

“Those stones have broken warriors twice your size, little human.” The endearment slipped out mockingly. “Each weighs almost as much as you do. The heat will sap your strength. The ground will burn your feet.”

Her eyes narrowed at his condescending tone. “How many trips?”

“Until you break.” He bared his teeth in what might have been a smile. “Or until you prove yourself worthy of my time.”

“And if I succeed?”

“If?” He laughed, the sound echoing across the stone courtyard. “When you fail, you’ll leave these grounds and never return. But should you somehow endure...” He paused, savoring the moment. “You may stay and watch.”

She stepped closer, craning her neck to meet his gaze. “I want to participate, not watch from the sidelines.”

His tail lashed. “Prove you can endure this task first. Then we’ll discuss what you’re worthy of.”

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