Page 36 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“Dernin has beaten tough odds before.”

“But Bariv...”Alaysia’s voice dropped lower.“Something about him feels wrong.The way he moves, how he fights—it’s like he knows he can’t lose.”

Down in the ring, Fyret clasped Bariv’s shoulder with familiar ease.The gesture sent a chill down Alaysia’s spine.

“Did you see that?”She leaned closer to Marcella.“The way Fyret touched him?Like they’re friends?”

“Hush.”Marcella’s eyes darted around.“Those kinds of observations could get you in trouble.”

Alaysia forced herself to sit straighter, adopting the demure pose expected of her.But her mind raced.The other two fighters looked formidable, yes, but Bariv was the real threat.The way he kept glancing up at her viewing box made her skin crawl.

“I hope our message reached someone,” she murmured.“If Dernin has to face Bariv in the finals...”

“Have faith,” Marcella said.“Your warrior’s stronger than you think.”

Alaysia’s cheeks warmed at “your warrior,” but she couldn’t deny how her heart leaped when Dernin’s golden eyes found hers across the arena.He gave her the slightest nod, and somehow that small gesture steadied her racing pulse.

Alaysia’s high heels clicked against the stone floor as she and Marcella made their way through the dim corridors.The flickering torches seemed to mock her growing anxiety.

“What if he loses?”Alaysia blurted out.

Marcella glanced around before responding.“Don’t think like that.”

“I have to, though.”Alaysia hugged herself, fighting a shiver that had nothing to do with the underground chill.“Bariv’s connection to Fyret, the way the matches are going...something’s not right.”

They passed a group of guards who leered at them.Alaysia’s skin crawled as she remembered Bariv’s hungry stares.

“If Dernin loses...”Her voice cracked.“You know what happens to women like me in places like this.The things they do—”

“Stop.”Marcella grabbed her arm, pulling her into an alcove.“Listen to me.That Niri warrior of yours is fighting like a man possessed.I’ve never seen anyone move like that.”

“But what if it’s not enough?”Alaysia pulled at her dress.“And the message...What if that worker just took my jewels and ran?Fyret will notice they’re missing soon enough.”

“Kira’s worked with me before.She can be greedy, but she keeps her word when she’s paid.”

The sound of approaching footsteps made them both tense.They waited until the corridor cleared before continuing their walk back to their quarters.

“Two more days,” Alaysia whispered.“That’s all we have before the finals.The Niri warriors would have come by now if they got the message.Wouldn’t they?”

“Unless they’re planning carefully.A rescue isn’t something you rush.”

Alaysia just about threw up in her mouth at the thought of Bariv’s hands on her if he won.The way he’d looked at her earlier, like she was already his property...She’d rather die than submit to that.

“I won’t let them have me,” she said, her voice steel.“One way or another, I’m not becoming anyone’s plaything.”

Marcella squeezed her hand.“Then we better make sure Plan B is ready, just in case.”

The worn stone floors echoed with their footsteps as Alaysia and Marcella continued toward the corridor that led to the slave quarters.Alaysia’s silk dress rustled with each step, the sound making her increasingly aware of how trapped she felt in the fancy garment.

“You know, maybe we should really think about other options,” Alaysia whispered.

“Like what?”Marcella kept her voice low.“The kitchens have a delivery entrance.”

“Too many guards,” Alaysia countered.“The laundry carts?”

“They check those now.After that escape attempt last month.”

“The sewers?”Alaysia suggested half-heartedly.

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