Page 21 of Naga Warlord’s Mate (Nagas of Nirum #3)

Andear

Andear’s tail coiled tightly beneath him as Priscilla pressed her palms against his chest. The warmth of her touch sent waves of possessive need through him, but he forced himself to focus on her words.

“You’re right. We can’t just wait on the council. We need to prove the Xirath’s real intentions before it’s too late.”

His scales bristled at the determination in her voice. She was plotting something—something that would put her in danger. He could feel it.

“Mila and I could infiltrate their ship. She knows how to hack their systems, and I know how to move unseen. We just need to get evidence of their true plans.”

Andear’s tail whipped sharply against the stone floor. “No.” The word came out as a growl. The mere thought of her anywhere near the Xirath made his blood boil.

“My sister needs to know what I’ve been doing anyway. She’ll understand why this is necessary. With her connections—”

“What you’re suggesting is not only foolish but far-reaching.” His hands gripped her shoulders, drawing her closer. The mate bond surged, making his protective instincts surge. “I will not risk you.”

Priscilla raised her chin, her green eyes flashing with that defiance that both infuriated and enthralled him. “Is it foolish, or is it necessary?”

“Both,” he snarled, sliding one hand up to cup her face. “You think I don’t see what you’re doing? Testing limits, pushing boundaries. But this isn’t training anymore. The Xirath will kill you if they catch you.”

“They won’t catch me.” Her fingers curled against his chest. “You’ve trained me. You know what I can do now.”

Andear’s tail wrapped around her legs, pulling her flush against him. “What you can do is stay here, where I can protect you.”

“You can’t keep me locked away forever.”

“Watch me.” The words came out darker than he intended, but he didn’t take them back. She was his mate. His to protect. His to keep safe.

Priscilla’s eyes narrowed. “So much for not being your prisoner.”

Andear stared down at Priscilla, his tail still wrapped possessively around her legs. Her words struck him like a punch to the gut. His prisoner. The very thought made his scales ripple with frustration. Of course she wasn’t. She was his mate, his to protect, his to... His thoughts scattered as her small hand pressed against his chest, right over his thundering heart.

The touch grounded him, even as his instincts raged. The scent of her—honey and determination—filled his senses, mixing with his own musk in his den. His territory. Their territory now.

“Mila and I know how the Xirath operate. We were once prisoners in Jorvla to a corrupt kingpin. If anyone can move unnoticed among the likes of them, it’s us.”

The reminder of her past made his muscles coil tightly. His tail squeezed slightly around her legs before he caught himself, forcing his grip to loosen. The thought of her back in chains, back under the control of creatures like the Xirath, made his blood turn to ice in his veins.

She’d transformed from that frightened slave into this fierce warrior before his eyes. Every day in training, she’d proven herself stronger than anyone expected, him included. The mate bond thrummed, reminding him of her strength, her determination, and her fire.

But the protective instincts that had awakened in him since claiming her as his mate warred against logic. His hands tightened on her shoulders, feeling the lean muscle he’d helped her build. She was right. She wasn’t helpless anymore. She’d earned her place among his warriors through blood, sweat, and sheer stubborn will.

Still, the thought of her anywhere near the Xirath made him sick to his stomach. His tail coiled restlessly against the stone floor, betraying his inner turmoil. The memory of the assassins was still fresh—the way they’d tried to take her, to harm what was his. If he hadn’t reached her in time...

Andear’s gaze locked with hers, searching those determined eyes. She wasn’t backing down. Of course she wasn’t. It was one of the things that had drawn him to her in the first place—that unbreakable spirit that refused to bend, even to him.

Andear exhaled heavily. His tail coiled restlessly beneath him as he reluctantly agreed to her plan.

The walk to her sister’s home felt like marching into enemy territory. His instincts screamed at him to take Priscilla back to his den, to keep her safe and protected. Instead, he found himself following her lead.

When Mila opened the door, her eyes widened at the sight of the imposing warlord beside her sister. Andear’s scales rippled with hesitation as they settled in Mila’s living space, his tail curling protectively around Priscilla’s chair.

“You’ve been doing what?” Mila’s voice cracked as Priscilla explained her training. Her gaze darted between them, settling on the protective way Andear positioned himself near her sister.

“I’ve been training with the warriors,” Priscilla repeated firmly. “And Andear is my mate.”

Mila’s hands clenched. “And you didn’t think to tell me? After everything we’ve been through?”

“I wanted to protect you,” Priscilla said softly.

“Like I protected you?” Mila’s voice was sharp, but Andear caught the undertone of hurt.

“You understand the mate bond,” Andear interjected, his deep voice filling the room. “You felt it with Brivul. Would you have denied it?”

Mila’s shoulders slumped slightly. “No. But this isn’t just about the mate bond. Is it? You’re planning something dangerous.”

Andear’s tail tightened around Priscilla’s chair as she outlined their plan to infiltrate the Xirath ship. Every word felt like poison in his ears, but he remained silent. His mate had made her choice, and he would rather be by her side than watch helplessly from afar.

“You want me to hack their systems?” Mila’s eyes narrowed. “Do you remember what happened the last time we tried something like this on Jorvla?”

“This is different,” Priscilla insisted. “We’re not slaves anymore. We have training, resources, and support.”

Andear watched the sisters, noting the same stubborn set to their jaws, the same fire in their eyes. His gut churned with dread. They would do this with or without his blessing, and that knowledge ate at him like acid.

“If anything happens to her...” he growled, leaving the threat unfinished.

Mila met his gaze steadily. “She’s my sister. I’ve been protecting her longer than you’ve known her.”

The silence stretched, filled with unspoken fears and determination. Finally, Mila nodded slowly. “I’ll help. But we do this my way.”

Andear’s jaw clenched tightly as he listened to Mila outline her plan. His scales rippled with tension, each word making his protective instincts surge stronger. The small living space felt suffocating, filled with the scent of his mate’s determination and her sister’s calculated precision.

“The outer encampment has weak points here and here.” Mila’s finger traced lines on the crude map she’d drawn. “Their security protocols are predictable. They expect submission, not resistance.”

Andear’s jaw clenched tighter. “And what story will you spin to gain their trust?”

“We pose as informants, dressed in clever disguises, saying we have details about the council members who oppose the Xirath presence.” Mila’s eyes gleamed with a cunning that reminded him of Priscilla. “They’ll be eager for any advantage they can get.”

His tail lashed out. The thought of Priscilla anywhere near those monsters made his blood run hot. But the mate bond sang, reminding him of her strength and her capability.

“Once inside,” Mila continued, “I can access their communication systems. Every empire keeps records of their true intentions. The Xirath won’t be any different.”

Priscilla leaned forward, her golden hair falling across her shoulder. “How long will you need?”

“Ten minutes. Maybe fifteen.” Mila’s expression hardened. “But if we’re caught—”

Andear’s hand shot out, gripping Priscilla’s chin. He turned her face toward him, his eyes burning into hers. The mate bond pulsed with his fear and his need to protect her.

“If anything goes wrong,” he growled, his thumb brushing her lower lip, “you run. You do not hesitate.”

Priscilla held his gaze, defiant even in submission. She nodded slowly, but Andear saw the lie in her eyes. His mate would never abandon him or her sister. It was one of the things he loved about her—and one of the things that terrified him most.

His tail wrapped possessively around her, pulling her closer. She was his to protect. And now she was asking him to let her walk into danger without him.

Andear suddenly rose up to his full height in the small living space, his scales rippling with barely contained fear. The discussion of this suicide mission had gone on long enough. His mate and her sister sat there, calmly plotting their own deaths while he watched.

“Enough.” His voice cut through their planning like a blade. Both women turned to look at him, Priscilla’s eyes narrowing at his tone. “I will not sit here and listen to this madness any longer.”

“Andear—” Priscilla started, but he silenced her with a look.

“If you insist on this foolish plan, I will accompany you,” he growled, leaving no room for argument. “I am a warlord, trained in stealth when needed. My presence will increase your chances of survival.”

Mila’s eyes widened slightly. “A Niri warrior of your size isn’t exactly inconspicuous.”

“Better conspicuous than dead,” he growled. “I can move silently when required, and my strength will be necessary if things go wrong.”

Priscilla placed her hand on his scaled chest, her touch both soothing and maddening. “You’re sure about this? If you’re caught—”

“Then I will die protecting my mate,” he cut her off, his eyes blazing. “As any worthy warlord would.”

The sisters exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Andear’s scales bristled at their silent communication, but he held his ground.

Finally, Mila nodded. “Having a warlord of your caliber would improve our chances significantly.”

“Then it’s settled,” Andear declared. “I will guard your backs while you gather the evidence we need.” His hand cupped Priscilla’s face, his thumb tracing her lower lip. “And no one will dare touch what is mine.”