Page 29

Dernin

Dernin traced the curve of Alaysia’s shoulder as sunlight streamed through the high windows. Her red hair spread across the pillow, and the sight of her peaceful face made his chest tighten.

“Good morning, champion.” Her blue eyes fluttered open.

“The only prize worth winning.” He pulled her closer, breathing in the sweet rose scent of her hair.

A knock at the door interrupted their moment. Two servants entered with silver trays laden with fresh fruit, pastries, and steaming tea.

“The champion’s breakfast, as requested by Kingpin Fyret.” The servants set down the trays and scurried out.

“Quite the upgrade from your fighter’s quarters.” Alaysia sat up, wrapping the silk sheet around herself.

“The food might actually be edible.” Dernin selected a ripe peach and offered it to her.

His fingers brushed against hers as she took the fruit. The simple touch sent electricity through his scales. Every instinct screamed to let her know she was his mate, but the timing wasn’t right.

“Three more days,” Alaysia reminded him. “Then the warriors come.”

“Three days too many.” His tail coiled protectively around her. “I should take you far from here now.”

“We discussed this. We need to be patient.”

The warrior in him bristled at waiting, at leaving his mate in danger for even one more moment. But she was right. They needed the backup of his fellow warriors to ensure their escape.

“At least now we don’t have to hide.” She leaned against his chest, and his arms encircled her automatically.

The morning sun caught the copper highlights in her hair, and Dernin’s heart swelled. Soon he would take her home to Nirum, and soon she would know everything—that she was his mate, his perfect match, his future.

But for now, he simply savored this moment as they feasted like royalty in the champion’s suite.

He watched with satisfaction as Alaysia popped the last grape into her mouth. The empty breakfast trays littered the bed around them, and the silk sheets draped loosely across their bodies. Her bare shoulder pressed against his scales sent waves of contentment through him.

“We should really get dressed,” she said, though she made no move to leave his side.

“Mmm.” He nuzzled her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. The urge to confess to her that she was his mate nearly overwhelmed him, but he held back. Not yet.

Finally, they reluctantly separated to dress. Dernin’s muscles flexed as he pulled on his ceremonial garments. He couldn’t keep his eyes off Alaysia as she slipped back into her elaborate gown from the night before.

“Let’s get you something more comfortable to wear,” he said, offering his arm.

The underground corridors parted before them as they made their way to the slave quarters. Where before leers and whistles had been directed at Alaysia, now she only received respectful nods. Everyone knew she belonged to the champion now.

At the slave quarters, he stood guard while she changed, his imposing presence ensuring privacy. When she emerged in a simple dress, her red hair falling loose around her shoulders, his breath caught. She was beautiful in anything.

“Much better,” she said, twirling once. “Though I’ll miss some of those fancy dresses.”

“When we’re free, I’ll get you all the dresses you want.” He pulled her close, not caring who saw. Let them look.

She laughed and placed her hands on his chest. “I don’t need dresses. Just you.”

His heart almost burst at her words. Three more days.

Dernin soon guided Alaysia through the underground’s winding corridors. The champion’s privileges meant they could roam freely, and he intended to show her every corner that wasn’t completely miserable.

“Look at this.” He led her to an often-overlooked alcove where crystal formations caught the light from above, sending rainbow refractions dancing across the walls.

“It’s beautiful.” Alaysia reached out to touch one of the crystals, her delicate fingers tracing its facets. “How did you find this place?”

“I explored every inch of this prison while planning escape routes.” He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, pulling her against his chest. “Now I get to share the few beautiful things I found with you.”

She leaned back into his embrace. “Even in the darkest places, there’s always something beautiful worth seeing.”

The scent of her hair filled his senses, making his warrior’s heart race. The urge to say she was his mate burned in his throat, but he swallowed it down. Soon.

Later that night, Dernin settled beside Alaysia near the fireplace of the champion’s suite. Her head rested against his shoulder, her red hair spilling like silk across his golden scales. The peaceful moment made his chest tight with longing.

“Can I ask you something?” Her fingers traced the scales on his arm.

“Anything.”

“This feeling between us... are you sure it’s real? That it will last?”

The hesitation in her voice pierced his heart. He shifted to face her, taking her delicate hands in his. “What I feel for you is more real than anything I’ve ever known.”

“But how can you be so certain? It’s barely been a week.”

This was it—the moment to tell her. His warrior’s heart thundered. “Because you’re my mate, Alaysia. My true mate.”

Her blue eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

“Among my people, we’re blessed with the ability to recognize our perfect match—our destined mate through the mate bond.

The moment I first saw you, something inside me changed.

Every instinct screamed that you were mine.

” He brushed his thumb across her cheek.

“That’s why I had to protect you. Why being near you feels like coming home. ”

“Mate bond?” Her voice trembled.

“It’s a sacred bond, deeper than marriage or love alone. You’re the other half of my soul.”

Tears sparkled in her eyes as she smiled. “That’s why everything felt so intense so quickly. Why I trusted you when I’ve never trusted anyone.”

“Yes.” He pulled her into his arms, breathing in her sweet scent. “You’re mine, Alaysia. And I’m yours. Forever.”

She pressed closer, her joy radiating through him. “I love you, Dernin.”

The words made his heart soar. He’d been right to wait for this perfect moment to tell her. Now nothing could tear them apart.

“I love you, too, Alaysia.”

Dernin leaned in, claiming Alaysia’s lips in a searing kiss. It was a promise, a declaration, a bond that transcended the physical realm, sealing their fates together as true mates. Her response was fervent, her hands fisting in his tunic, pulling him closer as if she couldn’t get enough of him.

The world around them faded into insignificance, the only reality the two of them and the passion that ignited between them. His tail wrapped around her, a silent testament to his unwavering commitment and the alpha within that would protect her at all costs.

Suddenly, the tender moment was shattered by the sound of a door crashing open. A flood of guards stormed into the room, their armor clanking.

“What’s going on?” Dernin’s voice thundered, his body shifting instinctively to shield Alaysia from the intruders. His muscles tensed, ready to defend his mate with every ounce of his being.

“You’re coming with us,” the lead guard snarled, his hand reaching for Dernin.

“Touch her and you die,” Dernin growled, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light. His warrior instincts kicked into overdrive, his senses heightened, ready to strike.

But the guards were relentless. They swarmed, their hands grabbing, pulling, trying to pry Alaysia from his embrace.

Dernin’s tail lashed out, a powerful weapon that sent one guard flying across the room.

His fists connected with another, the satisfying crunch of bone beneath his knuckles fueling his resolve.

“Dernin!” Alaysia’s voice pierced through the chaos, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.

“I’ll protect you,” he assured her. He would not let them take her, not after they had just found each other.

Yet, for every guard he took down, another took its place. They were like a neverending tide, and despite his strength and training, the odds were insurmountable. A sharp pain exploded at the back of his head, stars bursting across his vision as he staggered forward.

Through the haze, he saw Alaysia being dragged away, her screams echoing in his ears. His heart clenched, a primal roar tearing from his throat as he fought against the darkness that threatened to consume him.

“Alaysia!” Her name was a plea, a vow, a battle cry on his lips as the world faded to black.