Page 29

Islae

Islae woke to the gentle warmth of Nirum’s twin suns streaming through the crystal windows of their bedroom. Her body ached in the most delicious way, memories of last night flooding back. Nirrn curled around her protectively, his orange scales glinting in the morning light.

She reached up to touch the raised mark on her neck, the slight tenderness sending a shiver through her.

His mate mark. The physical proof of their bond, of her choice to be his.

For so long, she had run from connection, from letting anyone close enough to matter.

But here, wrapped in Nirrn’s embrace, she felt something she thought died with her family—belonging.

“What are you thinking about?” Nirrn asked, his eyes opening to study her face. He tightened around her waist, drawing her close against his chest.

“Just realizing something.” Islae traced his scales. “For years after losing my family, I thought being alone meant being strong. That needing someone meant weakness.”

Nirrn’s hand came up to brush her cheek. “And now?”

“Now I know better.” She traced her finger along his jaw. “Being here, with you—it feels right. Like coming home.” The truth of it settled deep within her.

He nuzzled the raised mark on her neck. “You have given me everything,” he said softly. “A purpose beyond healing. A reason to become more than I was. A mate who matches me in every way.”

“Even when I fought you at every turn?”

“Especially then.” His lips curved against her skin. “Your inner fire drew me from the first moment I saw you. Now that fire is mine.”

The possessive growl in his voice made heat pool in her belly. This was her mate—not just a healer, but a warrior who had fought for her, changed for her, and claimed her completely.

Islae pressed closer, breathing in his scent. “I spent so long just surviving. But you showed me there was another way to live.”

Nirrn shifted, drawing her flush against him. His scaled arms caged her protectively and possessively. The way he held her spoke volumes. She was his to protect, his to cherish, and his to love.

The mate mark on her neck pulsed with their shared connection. No more running. No more hiding. No more surviving. Now, it’s time to thrive.

Islae soon padded into their kitchen, the smooth crystal floors cool beneath her bare feet. Nirum’s morning light filtered through the translucent walls, casting rainbow prisms across the countertops. Such luxury still felt foreign after years of living in Jorvla’s slums.

Nirrn moved behind her, his chest practically pressing against her back. His orange scales glinted as he reached past her for the cooking implements.

“Let me help,” he murmured, his hands settling on her hips.

“I can manage breakfast on my own,” Islae said but couldn’t help leaning into his touch.

“Perhaps.” His lips brushed her marked neck. “But I prefer watching you work while keeping you close.”

Heat bloomed in her chest at his possessive tone. Even doing something as simple as preparing breakfast, he maintained that protective dominance.

She cracked eggs into a bowl while Nirrn’s tail curled loosely around her ankles, keeping her anchored to him as he chopped fresh fruits from the garden. The domestic simplicity of it all struck her—no more scrounging for supplies and no more looking over her shoulder.

“You’re thinking too loudly,” Nirrn observed.

“Just appreciating the difference.” Islae gestured to their sun-filled kitchen. “Two weeks ago, I was hiding in dark alleys and treating wounds with whatever I could salvage.”

“Now?” His scaled arms slid around her waist.

“Now I’m making breakfast with my mate in our home.” She turned in his embrace. “It feels surreal at times.”

“You deserve this peace.” His thumb traced her cheek. “Though I must admit, I enjoy seeing you so relaxed and soft in our home.”

“Soft?” Islae raised an eyebrow. “I can still take anyone down if needed.”

Nirrn’s laugh rumbled through his chest. “My fierce little mate.”

The eggs started to sizzle, and Islae reluctantly pulled away to tend to them. Nirrn’s tail remained in contact with her legs as they moved around each other, preparing their meal together in comfortable synchronicity.

Islae soon settled into the curved crystal chair on their patio, breathing in the crisp morning air of Nirum.

Their breakfast spread before them looked like something from a dream—fresh fruits, warm bread, and perfectly cooked eggs, a far cry from the meager meals she’d scraped together in Jorvla’s slums.

Nirrn poured her a cup of steaming tea. His orange scales caught the light, making the gold undertones shimmer across his broad shoulders and chest.

“The university sent the final approval for our clinic setup,” he said, his eyes meeting her gaze. “We can start organizing the teaching space today.”

Islae’s heart quickened at the thought. “Our own clinic. Where we can actually teach others instead of hiding in shadows.” She took a sip of tea, savoring the sweet-spicy blend. “Though I admit, I’m nervous about dinner tonight.”

“With Mila and Priscilla?” Nirrn’s hand covered hers on the table. “You seemed to connect well with them at the temple.”

“I did. It’s just…” Islae pushed a piece of fruit around her plate. “They’ve adapted so well here. Priscilla advising the council, and Mila at university. Sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever feel that settled.”

Nirrn drew her closer to him. “You are already finding your place. Our students will benefit from your experience and strength.”

“And tonight?”

“Tonight, you’ll see that even fierce warrior mates like Andear and Brivul can become family.” His lips curved. “Though none are as fierce as me.”

Islae rolled her eyes, but warmth bloomed in her at his possessive tone.

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on her palm. “Now, shall we go see our clinic?”

The way he said “our” made something settle deep inside her. This was their future together. And later, they’d share a meal with others who understood the journey from survival to belonging.

“Yes,” she said, squeezing his hand. “Let’s go see our clinic.”

The university’s healing wing stretched before them, its crystal walls shimmering in the late morning light. Islae’s steps faltered as she took in the pristine corridors and state-of-the-art equipment. So different from her makeshift clinic in Jorvla’s shadows.

Nirrn’s tail brushed against her legs as he guided her forward, his powerful form towering protectively beside her. “This will be our teaching space,” he said, using his access card to open a set of ornate doors.

The room beyond took Islae’s breath away—curved walls of smoky crystal, rows of examination tables, and shelves lined with every healing tool she could imagine.

“It’s simply beautiful,” she whispered, running her fingers along one of the pristine counters.

“Not as beautiful as you.” Nirrn’s golden eyes settled on her as he coiled closer, his scaled chest pressing against her back. “Though I must admit, watching you teach will be… distracting.”

Heat crept up Islae’s neck at his possessiveness. Even here, in this professional setting, he couldn’t help marking his territory. “We’re supposed to be setting up equipment.”

“Then by all means, continue.” His hands settled on her hips, keeping her close as she organized supplies. “I enjoy watching you do your work.”

Islae tried to focus on arranging medical instruments, but Nirrn’s presence made her skin tingle. His tail wrapped loosely around her as she moved about the room, never letting her get too far.

“The students arrive tomorrow,” she said, more to distract herself than anything else. “Do you think they’ll accept a human instructor?”

Nirrn’s chest rumbled against her back. “They will respect my mate or answer to me.” His fingers traced the mate mark on her neck. “Besides, your skills speak for themselves.”

“Your protective streak is showing,” Islae teased, but warmth flooded through her chest at his words.

“Always,” he murmured, nuzzling her neck. “Now, shall we finish organizing our clinic?”

This was their shared space, their future together. Teaching, healing, and building something special—while belonging completely to each other.

Later that evening, Islae stepped into Mila and Brivul’s home, taking in the elegant crystal architecture. Nirrn’s arm wrapped possessively around her waist as they entered.

Mila rushed forward to greet them, her dark hair bouncing as she moved. Behind her, Brivul’s massive blue-scaled form towered, his warrior’s presence commanding even in casual dress.

“You made it!” Mila pulled Islae into a warm embrace. “Priscilla and Andear are already here.”

“Let them breathe, little one,” Brivul rumbled, his hand settling on Mila’s shoulder.

In the living area, Priscilla sat curled against Andear’s red-scaled chest, their easy intimacy making Islae’s chest tighten with recognition. She’d seen that same comfortable possession in Nirrn’s eyes.

“The newly mated pair arrives,” Andear’s deep voice carried across the room. “How are you finding Nirum, Islae?”

Before she could answer, Nirrn’s tail curled around her. “She’s adapting well. We’re opening our teaching clinic tomorrow.”

“Already working?” Priscilla raised an eyebrow. “I took weeks to stop jumping at every shadow after leaving Jorvla.”

“Some of us are stronger than others,” Andear teased, earning a playful swat from his mate.

They settled around the dining table, laden with traditional Niri dishes.

Islae found herself relaxing as conversation flowed, watching how the three couples interacted.

Brivul’s protective position behind Mila’s chair mirrored Nirrn’s position beside her.

Andear kept one hand on Priscilla’s thigh, his red scales gleaming as he gestured with the other.

“Remember when you first showed up at the training grounds?” Mila asked Priscilla. “You nearly took Andear’s head off during combat training.”

“He deserved it.” Priscilla grinned. “Kept telling me my form was wrong.”

“It was,” Andear growled playfully, nuzzling her neck.

“Speaking of combat,” Brivul turned to Nirrn, “I heard about your fight in the underground rings. Impressive for a healer.”

Nirrn’s chest puffed slightly. “I did what was necessary to protect what’s mine.”

His possessive tone sent heat rushing through Islae’s body. Under the table, his tail stroked along her calf, a subtle reminder of his claim.

“And now you’re both here.” Mila smiled. “Just like us. Safe and free.”

Islae felt Nirrn’s hand squeeze hers. Yes , she thought, watching these couples who had walked the same path. This was what freedom looked like. This was her home now.