Page 42 of Naga Warrior's Mate

“After what you told me about your feelings for him?”Marcella raised an eyebrow.“It makes perfect sense.Your heart recognized something special in him—his strength, his honor, his kindness.You don’t often find those qualities in this place or anywhere, for that matter.”

“I just...”Alaysia twisted a strand of her red hair on her finger.“I never expected to feel this way about anyone.Especially not here.”

“The heart wants what it wants.”Marcella squeezed her shoulder.“And yours picked someone worthy of it.”

Alaysia smiled.“He makes me feel safe but not trapped.Protected but not owned.I’ve never experienced that before.”

“Then hold on to that feeling,” Marcella replied softly.

Alaysia soon traced her fingers over the spots where Dernin’s lips had pressed against her knuckles the night before.The memory sent shivers through her body, warming her from the inside out.She’d never felt anything like it—the gentle pressure of his kiss, the way his golden eyes had locked with hers, filled with such tenderness and protection.

“You’re doing it again,” Marcella said, interrupting her thoughts.

“What?”Alaysia dropped her hands to her lap, her cheeks flushing.

“Touching your hands and smiling like you’ve got a secret,” Marcella said.“Want to talk about it?”

“He kissed my hands last night.Just...so gentle.Like I was something precious.”

“And?”

“And I realized I love him.”The words fell from her lips.“Not just attraction or gratitude.Real love.”Her voice cracked.“The thought of him getting hurt tomorrow in that ring tears me apart inside.”

“Oh, dear.”Marcella wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“I’ve never felt this vulnerable before.”Alaysia leaned into her friend’s embrace.“Is that crazy?”

“No,” Marcella squeezed her shoulders.“That’s love.”

Alaysia closed her eyes, remembering how safe she’d felt in Dernin’s presence.“I want a future with him.A real one, where we can be together openly.Where I don’t have to watch him fight for his life.”

“Hold onto that dream,” Marcella said.“It’ll give you strength for whatever comes next.”

Chapter 21

Dernin

Dernincircledtheringafter his victory in the semifinal match.He acknowledged the crowd’s roars with a warrior’s composure.His tail swept gracefully behind him as he moved, and his muscles rippled under his golden scales.

Fyret soon strutted into the ring toward the center of it, his gaudy clothes catching the lights overhead.“Ladies and gentlemen, your finalists!”

Bariv walked out to join them, his filaments quivering with each thunderous step.The crowd’s cheers intensified.

“Tomorrow night, these two champions will battle for the ultimate prize!”Fyret gestured up toward the viewing box where Alaysia sat.

Dernin gritted his teeth as he caught the smug look Bariv and Fyret exchanged.The memory of their secret conversation made his blood burn hot in his veins.But beneath his stoic exterior, a new power thrummed through him, the growing connection to his mate strengthening his resolve.

“Who will claim victory?”Fyret worked the crowd.“Our reigning champion?”He gestured to Bariv, who raised his arms triumphantly.“Or our rising star?”

Dernin stood tall, his eyes finding Alaysia.The sight of her fueled the warrior’s spirit that coursed through his blood.Let them think they had this fixed.They didn’t understand the power of a mating bond, how it enhanced his natural abilities with each passing hour.

“Tomorrow night, we will find out!”Fyret declared.

“Looking forward to it,” Bariv growled, stepping into Dernin’s space.“Hope you’re ready to lose, snake.”

Dernin met his gaze coolly.“We’ll see who’s standing at the end.”

The threat in Bariv’s answering smile confirmed everything Dernin had overheard.But Dernin felt the surge of strength flowing through him, drawn from Alaysia.His mate filled him with purpose beyond mere victory.

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