Page 25 of Naga Warrior's Mate

Alaysiashiftedinherplush seat.The green silk dress clung uncomfortably to her skin in the stuffy arena air.The private viewing box offered the best vantage point of the fighting ring as always, but it felt more like a gilded cage today than a privilege.

“Stop fidgeting,” Marcella whispered.“You’ll wrinkle that gorgeous dress.”

“I can hardly breathe in this thing.”Alaysia tugged at the tight bodice.“Was the plunging neckline really necessary again?”

“You know how Fyret likes to display his prize.”Marcella’s eyes darted to the arena entrance.“Though I noticed you didn’t complain this much until you knew who was fighting next.”

Alaysia’s cheeks reddened.“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Of course not.”Marcella’s knowing smile made Alaysia’s cheeks burn hotter.

The crowd’s roar drew their attention as Dernin entered the ring.Alaysia’s breath caught in her chest.His golden scales gleamed brighter than ever under the arena lights, rippling across his powerful muscles as he moved.The memory of last night—his gentle voice describing his past, the warmth of his presence—made her heart flutter.

“Oh my,” she muttered, pressing her hands to her heated cheeks.

“He sure is something to look at,” Marcella said.“Especially when he moves like that.”

Dernin’s opponent charged at him.But he dodged with fluid grace, his tail sweeping in a devastating counterattack.Alaysia’s fingers dug into the armrests.

“I’ve never seen someone so big move so...”She trailed off, mesmerized by the deadly dance below.

“Gracefully?”Marcella supplied.“Though I suspect you’re noticing more than just his fighting style today.”

“Marcella!”

“What?I saw how you two looked at each other yesterday.And now you’re practically glowing whenever he’s around.”

“He’s just...”Alaysia swallowed hard as Dernin executed a particularly impressive maneuver.“He’s different.He sees me as a person.”

“And it doesn’t hurt that he’s absolutely gorgeous.”

“That’s not—” Alaysia’s protest died as Dernin glanced up at their box.Their eyes met across the distance, and for a moment the rest of the arena seemed to fade away.Her heart thundered erratically in her chest.

“Not what?”Marcella asked innocently.

Alaysia sank deeper into her chair, unable to tear her gaze from the warrior below.“Oh, hush.”

The match suddenly took a brutal turn as Dernin’s opponent, a massive Jorvlen with arms like tree trunks, landed a devastating blow to Dernin’s ribs.The crack echoed through the arena.

“No!”Alaysia’s gasp seemed to cut through the crowd’s roar.Her fingers dug further into the armrests, her knuckles turning white with tension.Every muscle in her body screamed to rush down there, to help him somehow.

Dernin staggered, his golden scales dulled with sweat and blood.His jaw clenched in that way she’d come to recognize, fighting through the pain.The sight of him hurting made her chest constrict.

“He’ll be fine,” Marcella whispered, patting her arm.“He’s taken worse hits.”

“That’s not helping.”Alaysia’s voice cracked.She couldn’t tear her eyes away as Dernin barely dodged another punch.When had she started caring so much?When had his pain become her pain?

The Jorvlen fighter took the advantage, forcing Dernin against the arena wall.Each impact made Alaysia flinch.Her heart threatened to burst from her chest.

“Come on,” she whispered, leaning forward in her seat.“Please move.”

“You really care about him.Don’t you?”Marcella’s voice was gentle.

Alaysia wrapped her arms around herself, trying to stop shaking.“I just...I can’t watch him get hurt like this.He doesn’t deserve it.None of us do.”

But it was more than that.The thought of Dernin being seriously injured made her feel sick.The way he looked at her like she mattered, how he spoke of honor even after everything he’d been through, his gentle strength when they talked in secret—it all meant more to her than she wanted to admit.

Another brutal hit landed.Blood ran from a cut above Dernin’s eye.Alaysia’s breath caught in her throat, tears threatening to spill.

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