Page 13 of Naga Warrior's Mate

From her elevated position, she could see every detail of Bariv’s triumphant posturing—the flex of his muscled form, the way his slimy skin caught the light, the predatory satisfaction in his stance.When he turned toward her viewing box, she instinctively shrank back into the shadows.Her stomach knotted as Bariv made a show of bowing in her direction before leaving the ring.

Below, slave workers dragged the broken Sytheran from the ring as announcers prepared the crowd for the next match.Alaysia hardly heard them, too focused on steadying her breathing and fighting back the wave of panic threatening to overwhelm her.

Alaysia jumped slightly as Marcella slipped into the viewing box, carrying a tray with water and fruit.“Oh, I’m sorry to startle you dear.”

The older woman’s presence brought a small measure of comfort but couldn’t entirely dispel the cold dread that had settled in her.

“I can’t let him win,” Alaysia whispered.“You didn’t see how he looked at me, Marcella.Like I was already his property.”

Marcella set the tray down and took the seat beside her.“Tell me what happened.”

“He cornered me when you were gone.The way he talked, the things he said...”Alaysia shuddered, remembering Bariv’s filaments wriggling with excitement as he’d invaded her space.“If Dernin hadn’t stepped in...”

Marcella’s eyebrows furrowed in suspicion.“That’s interesting.”

“Is it?”Alaysia’s blue eyes narrowed.“He could be just as bad as Bariv for all I know.”

“Or maybe he’s exactly who he appears to be—someone who’s just trying to protect others.”

Alaysia crossed her arms.“Since when has any male in this place done anything that wasn’t self-serving?”

“You’re not wrong to be cautious,” Marcella replied.“But I’ve watched Dernin these past months.He’s different from the others.Maybe even honorable.”

“Honor?”Alaysia’s laugh held no humor.“What good is honor in a place like this?I won’t be anyone’s prize, Marcella.Not Bariv’s, not Dernin’s, not anyone’s.”

“Of course you won’t.”Marcella’s voice was gentle.“But until we figure something out, having someone like Dernin in your corner might not be the worst thing.”

Alaysia remembered how Dernin had placed himself between her and Bariv, his presence protective rather than possessive.

Alaysia found herself leaning forward in her seat as Dernin entered the ring, his golden scales shining in the harsh arena lights.Her fingers twisted in the plum satin of her dress as Kren stomped in from the opposite entrance.The Kolgari’s stone-like skin was covered in crystalline patterns.His massive frame dwarfed Dernin’s impressive height as they stood face-to-face squaring off.

“Come on,” she whispered, surprising herself with the intensity of her investment.“Show me what you can do.”

The bell rang.Kren charged forward like an avalanche, but Dernin’s tail propelled him aside with fluid grace.The Kolgari’s fist cracked the ground where Dernin had been moments before.

“That’s it.”Alaysia’s knuckles whitened around the armrests as she tracked their movements.

Dernin landed three rapid hits to Kren’s kidney area with his fists.The Kolgari barely flinched, spinning with shocking speed for his size and catching Dernin with a backhand that sent him sliding across the ring.

“No!”The word escaped before she could stop it.She pressed her hand to her mouth, conscious of Marcella’s knowing look beside her.

Dernin recovered, using his momentum to right himself.Blood trickled from a cut above his eye, but his expression remained focused, calculating.He circled Kren, his tail leaving a trail in the sand.

“He’s studying him,” Alaysia murmured.“Looking for weaknesses.”

Kren lunged again.This time Dernin met him head-on, shocking the crowd.His tail coiled around Kren’s leg while he grappled with the bigger fighter’s arms.For a moment, they were locked in a contest of pure strength.

“Are you crazy?”Alaysia hissed through clenched teeth.“You can’t overpower him!”

But Dernin wasn’t trying to overpower Kren.As the Kolgari pushed forward, Dernin suddenly released his grip and dropped, using Kren’s own momentum against him.His tail yanked the brute’s leg out from under him, sending him crashing face-first into the arena wall.

The crowd roared.Alaysia found herself on her feet, her heart pounding.She couldn’t explain the relief flooding through her at seeing Dernin gain the upper hand or why her breath caught when his golden eyes flicked briefly toward her viewing box.

“I shouldn’t care who wins,” she whispered to herself, but her eyes remained fixed on Dernin’s powerful form.

Alaysia’s breathing got faster as she watched Dernin press his advantage.His tail whipped through the air, catching Kren’s legs again and sending the massive Kolgari stumbling.Each movement was precise, purposeful—so different from Bariv’s brute force display earlier.

“He’s actually going to do it,” she whispered, leaning forward as she stood.

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