Page 13

Nirrn

Nirrn’s eyes opened to the soft morning light filtering through the underground city’s hidden ventilation shafts.

The weight against his chest made his scales tingle with satisfaction.

Islae’s small form curled perfectly against him, her breath warm on his skin.

His orange-scaled tail coiled protectively around her legs, keeping her close.

He traced his index finger along her bare shoulder, marveling at her smooth skin. The mate bond sang between them, a connection he had waited so long to feel. The fact that she had chosen him, had come to him first, filled him with fierce pride.

“Mine,” he whispered, the word rumbling deep in his chest. His arms tightened around her instinctively.

Islae stirred, her brown eyes fluttering open. “Good morning,” she murmured, her voice still rough with sleep.

“Sleep well?” His fingers threaded through her dark hair, savoring its silky texture.

“Better than I have in years.” A small smile played on her lips. “Though someone kept me up rather late.”

“I heard no complaints.” His tail squeezed her thigh gently, drawing a soft gasp from her.

“Nirrn…” She pressed closer, her hand splaying across his chest where scales met skin.

He grabbed her wrist gently, bringing it to his mouth to press a kiss to her hand. “I would have waited for you, you know. As long as it took.”

“I know.” She met his gaze. “That’s part of why I didn’t want to wait anymore.”

Joy and satisfaction coursed through him. He had found his mate—this fierce, strong woman who challenged him at every turn yet trusted him enough to let down her walls. His chest swelled with pride and possessiveness.

“You are everything I’ve been searching for,” he said, his voice raw with emotion.

The scales across his shoulders rippled with pleasure as she traced them with her gentle fingers.

His tail coiled possessively around her as she nestled closer against his chest. They lay there in comfortable silence, enjoying each other’s warmth and presence.

“You need to eat,” he rumbled after a while, though his arms tightened around her. “I’ll bring us breakfast.”

“I can come with you,” she offered, but he shook his head.

“Stay here and rest,” he said softly. “I won’t be long.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Are you going to be this protective from now on?”

“Yes.” He pressed his lips to her forehead.

Reluctantly unwinding his tail from around her, he slipped from their bed. He pulled on his clothes, the fabric settling over his scaled shoulders and lower half. His tail moved silently as he slithered through Haven’s winding pathways.

The market area buzzed with early morning activity—humans trading goods and sharing news in hushed voices.

His towering height made him stand out among them, but they had grown used to his presence over the past few days.

He selected fresh fruit and bread, along with some of the dried meat Islae preferred.

“Healer Nirrn.” A young human scout appeared at his side, his voice low. “News from the surface.”

Nirrn’s scales bristled. “Speak.”

“The Jorvlen patrols are searching every district. They’re offering rewards for information about you and the human healer.” The scout’s eyes darted around nervously. “They’re angry—saying a Niri has no right to interfere with human affairs.”

A low hiss escaped Nirrn’s throat. His tail coiled tightly with tension, the orange scales darkening with anger.

“How many patrols?”

“At least six that we’ve counted. They’re methodical, working their way through each sector.”

Nirrn’s jaw clenched. He needed to get back to Islae. His protective instincts roared to life, demanding he return to her side immediately. Without another word, he turned and moved swiftly through the tunnels, breakfast clutched in one hand while the other curled into a fist.

Nirrn soon burst into their chamber, his tail propelling him forward with urgent speed. The breakfast items scattered onto the small table as he reached for Islae, who sat cross-legged on their bed.

“Six Jorvlen patrol units are searching for us.” His eyes blazed as he pulled her against his chest. “The Jorvlen authorities have put a bounty on our heads.”

“What?” Islae pushed back, her brown eyes widening.

His scales rippled with agitation. “We need to leave Haven. My home planet Nirum would be safest—”

“No.” Islae stepped away from him, her chin lifting. “I won’t abandon my patients.”

“Your patients?” His tail lashed in frustration. “Your clinic is gone, Islae.”

“People still need me here.” She crossed her arms. “I won’t run away to another planet just because things got difficult.”

His chest rumbled with a low growl. His protective instincts screamed at him to simply wrap her in his coils and take her to safety, willingly or not. But he knew better than to try that with his mate.

“This isn’t about difficulty.” He towered over her, his scales catching the soft light. “They will harm you if they find you.”

“They haven’t caught me yet.”

“Because you hadn’t caught their full attention before.” His hands gripped her shoulders. “But now you have, and they won’t stop until they find us.”

She met his gaze steadily. “Then we’ll be more careful.”

“Islae.” His voice dropped lower. “Do not test me on this. Your safety is not negotiable.”

“My work here isn’t negotiable, either.” She pressed her palm against his chest. “These are my people, Nirrn. I can’t abandon them.”

His long tail coiled around her waist possessively, but she didn’t flinch. The fierce determination in her eyes made his chest tighten with pride even as it frustrated him.

Finally, he released a heavy breath. “Fine. We stay in Haven for now.” His tail squeezed gently. “But we do not return to the surface until the patrols have moved on. That is non-negotiable.”

“How long?”

“As long as necessary.” He pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck. “I will not risk losing you.”

Nirrn soon coiled his long tail beneath him as he settled onto their small bed, arranging the breakfast items between them. He watched Islae as she picked at a piece of bread, her usual appetite notably absent. The worry radiating from her was almost tangible.

“You need to eat more than that,” he said, selecting a ripe fruit and placing it in her hand. She reluctantly took a small bite.

“I keep thinking about Mrs. Reeves,” Islae said softly. “Her wound needs cleaning and new bandages by now.”

His tail twitched. The central surrogacy clinic would be opening soon, his absence already noted. By tomorrow, they would connect him to the bounty. Five years of dedicated service gone in an instant. The thought should have bothered him more.

“Let them wonder where I am,” he muttered aloud. “That life held nothing for me.”

She looked up, her brown eyes searching his face. “Your job?”

“It meant nothing to me.” His orange scales darkened with intensity as he leaned closer to her. “I spent years examining surrogates. Helping others build their families while feeling empty. Until I found you.”

“Nirrn…”

“No.” His tail curled around her waist, drawing her closer. “I watched countless Niri find their purpose, never thinking I would find that myself. Now I have.” His hand cupped her cheek. “You are my purpose, Islae. Everything else is secondary.”

She pressed her forehead against his scaled chest, releasing a shaky breath. “I don’t want you to regret this.”

A low rumble built in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “The only regret would be letting you face danger alone.”

His tail squeezed gently as he kissed her temple. The mate bond hummed, strengthening his resolve. He would sacrifice everything—his career, his standing, his very life—to keep her safe and fulfilled. This fierce, compassionate woman was his future now, and he would ensure she thrived.

Nirrn and Islae soon finished the last morsels of their breakfast. He watched her as she gathered the empty packages, memorizing the graceful way she moved.

“I should go check Haven’s perimeter,” he said, his scales rippling with protective instinct. “Stay here.”

Her chin lifted. “I could help—”

“No.” He wrapped his tail around her waist, pulling her close. “I won’t risk you being seen now that there’s a bounty on us.”

She pressed her palm against his scaled chest. “Be careful.”

He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her scent. “Always am.”

He moved silently through Haven’s tunnels, his long tail propelling him forward with practiced ease. The orange scales on his shoulders darkened as he focused, every sense alert for any sign of danger.

Near the eastern tunnel entrance, movement caught his eye. A human male crouched in the shadows, speaking in hushed tones into a comm device. Nirrn’s scales bristled as he caught fragments of the conversation.

“…confirmed sighting… orange Niri… the human female healer…”

Cold rage flooded Nirrn’s veins. His tail coiled tightly with tension as he watched the spy relay their location. Haven was compromised.

Without hesitation, he whipped around and surged through the tunnels, his powerful tail driving him forward at breakneck speed. His heart raced wildly. He had to get to Islae.

He burst into their chamber, finding her organizing their meager supplies.

“We need to leave. Now.” His tail wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his chest.

“What? Why?”

“They found us.” His scales darkened with fury. “A spy. He’s already alerted the patrols.”

Islae’s eyes widened. “But the other refugees—”

“Will be warned, but we must go.” His hands gripped her shoulders. “You are my priority.”

“Nirrn—”

“No arguments.” His voice dropped to a low growl. “I will not lose you.”

She met his intense gaze for a long moment before nodding. His tail unwound from her waist as she gathered their supplies, her movements swift and efficient.

His scales rippled with agitation as he listened for approaching footsteps. The mate bond thrummed with urgency, driving his need to get Islae to safety. They had minutes, perhaps less, before Haven would be swarming with Jorvlen forces.