Page 23 of Naga Warrior's Mate

Dernin’s massive form filled the small space, his scales catching the faint torch light.Dark bruises marked his torso, and he held himself stiffly despite his attempt to appear relaxed.

“Are you all right?That last hit looked terrible.”Her fingers twitched with the urge to check his injuries.

“Nothing serious.”His jaw clenched, betraying the lie.

“That’s not what I asked.”She crossed her arms.The musty smell of the underground tunnels mixed with the metallic scent of blood.“I saw how that brute caught you in the ribs.”

“A few bruises.They’ll heal.”

“You’re a terrible liar for a warrior.”The words came out sharper than intended.Her heart had nearly stopped when she’d watched him take that brutal hit.“But you fought amazingly.I’m proud of you for winning.”

His golden eyes widened slightly at her praise.The surprise in his expression made her chest ache—as if no one had shown him genuine concern in far too long.

“Thank you.”His voice dropped lower.“It helps, having someone to fight for.”

Heat crept up her neck.She looked away, studying the rough-hewn wall.“Just...be careful.You won’t do anyone any good if you get yourself seriously injured.”

“I’ve survived worse.”

“That’s not as reassuring as you think it is.”She risked another glance at him.In the dim light, with his guard slightly lowered, he looked less like the fearsome warrior and more like someone who carried too many burdens alone.“Promise me you’ll be more careful?”

“I promise to try.”

She shook her head.“I suppose that’s the best I’ll get from you.”

She then drew a deep breath.Dernin’s golden scales gleamed in the torchlight as she stepped closer to him.“I think I found a way to get us both out of here.”

His tail shifted restlessly.“Tell me.”

“Marcella knows a food vendor who travels through Jorvla.She can get a message to your warriors.”

“The Niri would come.”His golden eyes blazed with newfound hope.“My commander wouldn’t abandon one of his own.”

The conviction in his tone made her heart skip.“Two days from now, the vendor will be outside by the kitchens.If we time it right, I can slip her the message while pretending to help with deliveries.”

“It’s dangerous.”

“Everything here is dangerous.”The borrowed kitchen dress scratched at her neck.“But it’s our best shot.”

“The warriors will come in force once they know where I am.”His massive frame straightened, some of the weariness falling away.“They’ll shut this whole operation down.”

“Then we both get what we want.You get your freedom back, and I don’t end up as someone’s prize.”

“You were never meant to be a prize.”The fierce protectiveness in his voice sent warmth spreading through her chest.

“Neither were you meant to be their champion fighter.”She touched his arm briefly, the scales smooth and warm beneath her fingers.

Alaysia shifted her weight as she removed her fingers from his arm.She was reluctant to leave him and the relative safety of their hidden alcove.She suddenly blurted out, “What’s it like?Nirum, I mean.I’ve never been there.”

Dernin’s expression softened.“It’s beautiful.The cities are built into living crystal mountains that catch the sunlight.At dawn, everything glows pink and gold.”

The way his eyes lit up made her lean closer.“You grew up there?”

“In the warrior district.”His tail coiled more comfortably behind him.“My first memories are of climbing the crystal spires with my clutch-mates, much to our teachers’ dismay.”

Alaysia smiled, picturing a young Dernin scaling glittering peaks.“Were you always meant to be a warrior?”

“It’s in our blood.But we train from childhood—combat, strategy, honor codes.”He gestured to a thin scar along his biceps.“Got this during my first real sparring match.My opponent was twice my size.”

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