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Nirrn

Nirrn coiled near the base of a medical cabinet as he organized supplies with practiced efficiency.

Their teaching clinic gleamed under the soft light, every instrument in its designated place and every shelf meticulously arranged.

He looked on as a group of students clustered around Islae while she demonstrated proper suturing technique.

“The key is maintaining consistent pressure,” Islae explained, her fingers moving with precise grace. “In emergency situations, you won’t always have ideal conditions.”

Pride swelled in Nirrn’s chest as he watched his mate command the room. The students hung on her every word, their faces rapt with attention. She had brought something invaluable to their program—real-world experience that went beyond textbook theory.

“Notice how she angles the needle,” Nirrn added, his deep voice carrying across the room. “That technique reduces tissue trauma and promotes faster healing.”

A young Niri student raised her hand. “But Professor Nirrn, the standard protocol—”

“Sometimes protocol must adapt to circumstance,” he interrupted, moving closer to the demonstration table. His scales glinted as he reached around Islae to adjust the practice dummy. “Professor Islae learned that treating patients in conditions that would make most healers flee in terror.”

Islae shot him a knowing look. “And some healers are too proper for their own good.”

“Says the woman who organized my entire medicine cabinet by color code last week.” His tail brushed against her ankle, a subtle gesture of affection that made her cheeks flush.

“That was different. I was tired of watching you waste time searching for things.”

One of the human students giggled, quickly stifling it when Nirrn’s golden gaze fell on her. But his expression remained warm. This was what they had built together—a space where humans and Niri learned side by side, where Islae’s practical knowledge merged seamlessly with his clinical expertise.

“Your next practical exam will require you to handle multiple trauma scenarios,” he announced.

“You’ll need both precision and adaptability.

” His tail tightened protectively around Islae as memories of her old clinic flashed through his mind.

“The best healers know when to follow protocol—and when to break it to save a life.”

Nirrn’s tail swept across the teaching clinic’s floor as he coiled around a cabinet, watching the last students filter out. The familiar scent of antiseptic filled the air, mingling with traces of medicinal herbs. His mate moved with practiced efficiency, arranging instruments on metal trays.

“You intimidated that poor student today,” Islae said, shooting him a knowing look.

“She’ll learn.” He reached past her to straighten a row of vials. “Just like you learned to accept help.”

“I accepted help just fine.”

“Right.” His scales rippled with amusement as he remembered their first meeting. “You were ready to fight me with nothing but determination and a spray bottle.”

“You invaded my clinic.”

“I gave you supplies.” He drew her closer. “After saving you from those Jorvlen thugs.”

“Which I didn’t ask for.” But she leaned into his touch, her fingers trailing along his scaled chest.

“You never asked for anything.” He nuzzled her neck where his mark stood proud against her skin. “Too stubborn and too fierce.”

The memory of that night blazed fresh in his mind—her tiny clinic in shambles after the fight, medical supplies scattered across blood-stained floors.

She’d stood amid the chaos, chin lifted in defiance, refusing to show fear.

Even then, something in him had recognized her strength, had wanted to shelter and protect her while letting that fire burn bright.

“You’re still the most stubborn female I’ve ever met,” he rumbled against her skin.

“Says the male who tracked me across half of Jorvla and fought his way into a Jorvlen stronghold.”

His grip tightened at the memory. “They took what was mine.”

“I wasn’t yours then.”

“You were always mine.” His golden eyes met hers. “From the moment I saw you healing those humans in the shadows. I just had to wait for you to realize it.”

Nirrn slithered beside Islae as they left the teaching clinic, his tail leaving smooth tracks in Nirum’s crystalline paths.

The suns painted the sky in brilliant hues of purple and gold, casting long shadows across the temple spires that pierced the horizon.

His scales glimmered in the fading light, each movement fluid and precise as he matched his pace to her shorter strides.

“Our students are improving,” he rumbled, his golden eyes tracking a group of young Niri warriors training in a nearby courtyard. His tail curled protectively around Islae’s ankles when one of them glanced their way too long.

Islae laughed, squeezing his hand. “You’re doing it again.”

“Doing what?” But he knew exactly what she meant. Since claiming her, his protective instincts had only grown stronger.

“That thing where you try to intimidate everyone who looks at me.” She bumped her shoulder against his scaled arm. “I’m not going anywhere.”

His chest swelled as he watched her navigate the crystalline paths with familiar ease. Gone was the wary tension that had marked her first months here. She moved now with confidence, greeting passing Niri and humans alike with warm smiles.

“Can you blame me for wanting to show off my mate?” He pulled her closer, nuzzling the mark on her pale neck. “The fierce little human who tamed a healer and turned him into a warrior.”

“You were always a warrior,” she murmured, trailing her fingers along his forearm. “You just needed the right motivation.”

The memory of their escape in Jorvla flashed through his mind—the blood on his hands, the rage in his heart, and the primal need to protect his mate, driving his every movement. He had discovered parts of himself back then he never knew existed.

“Speaking of motivation,” he purred, his tail wrapping more firmly around her. “I believe you promised to help me reorganize the home clinic tonight.”

Islae’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“Among other things.” He lifted her easily, cradling her against his chest as his tail propelled them forward with powerful undulations.

Nirrn soon slithered through their home’s entrance and set Islae down gently.

His tail swept across the polished crystal floors as he followed her through their living space.

The teaching day had left him energized rather than drained—watching her work always filled him with pride.

She moved toward their balcony with that graceful sway that had only grown more pronounced with her pregnancy.

He observed her every movement as she stepped out into the early evening air.

The setting twin suns painted the sky in deep crimsons and violets, their light catching on her brown hair and making it glow like copper.

Her hands rested on her swollen belly, now clearly visible beneath her flowing tunic at six months along.

His chest tightened at the sight. Their child. His heir. The miracle he never thought possible during those lonely years at the central surrogacy clinic. Now his mate carried their future within her.

Unable to resist any longer, Nirrn glided forward, his scaled chest pressing against her back as his arms encircled her. One hand splayed protectively over her rounded stomach while the other gripped her hip. His tail coiled loosely around her ankles, anchoring her to him.

“You should rest,” he rumbled against her ear, though he made no move to pull her inside. The warmth of her body against his scales felt too perfect to disturb.

“I’m fine.” Islae leaned back into his embrace without hesitation, her head resting against his chest. “The baby likes the sunset.”

As if in response, Nirrn felt a flutter of movement beneath his palm. His breath caught, still amazed by every tiny kick and roll. “Strong, like their mother.”

Islae turned in his arms, her brown eyes meeting his golden ones.

Her fingers traced the scales along his shoulders, following their pattern down to where they disappeared at his forearms. “And like their father.” She pressed closer, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Nirrn, you are my true home.”

Her words struck deep, making his tail coil tighter around her in response. After everything—the fighting, the running, and the claiming—she was finally, truly his. His mate. His home. His future.