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Alaysia

The fighting ring, once filled with the roars of bloodthirsty crowds, now echoed with the soft murmurs of healing. This place that had seen so much intentional harm was being used to mend those who were harmed. The sand that had soaked up blood now cushioned makeshift pallets for the injured.

Alaysia knelt beside a wounded fighter, carefully cleaning a gash on his arm.

“This might sting a little,” she warned, applying the antiseptic solution. The fighter winced but remained still.

Across the arena, Marcella organized the distribution of medical supplies. “We need more bandages over here!”

Alaysia finished wrapping the wound and moved to the next person in need. Her hands worked steadily, remembering the healing skills she’d learned from her mother.

“Get those Fyret loyalists secured in the holding cells,” Commander Thex’s voice rang out. Two Niri warriors marched past with a struggling guard between them.

“Here.” Alaysia handed a water skin to an elderly slave woman. “Small sips.”

Her muscles ached from the constant movement since the battle ended, but Alaysia felt more alive than she had in years. This was her purpose—not being used for a prize but using her hands to ease others’ suffering.

“Need help with that one?” Marcella appeared at her side, nodding toward a fighter with a deep shoulder wound.

“Yes, hold him steady while I clean it out.”

Together they worked through the afternoon, treating wounds, offering comfort, and organizing the chaos into something resembling order. Every person she helped felt like another small victory against everything Fyret stood for.

“You’re pretty good at this,” Marcella observed as they took a brief break to drink some water.

“Maybe this is what I was meant to do,” Alaysia said softly. “Help people who can’t help themselves.”

“Well, you’re certainly making a difference now.” Marcella gave her a warm smile.

The soft scrape of scales against sand made Alaysia look up from bandaging a wound. Dernin approached, his golden eyes warm as he watched her work. Her heart beat faster when she looked at him, still amazed they were both truly free now.

“I think you’ve found your calling,” he observed. “Healing suits you far better than being someone’s prize.”

Alaysia tied off the bandage. “These people need help. After everything they’ve been through...”

“And that’s what makes you extraordinary. After fighting for and getting your own freedom, your first thought is for others.”

Heat crept up her cheeks. The raw tenderness in his voice forced her to pause her work. She stood, brushing sand from her knees.

He reached out and touched her cheek, his eyes met hers. “I love you, Alaysia.” His words carried the weight of absolute certainty. “Not just because you’re my mate, but for who you are.”

“I love you, too, Dernin.” The words came easily now.

“Come to Nirum with me. We could build a life there,” Dernin urged.

Her chest tightened. The thought of leaving with him, starting fresh in a new place, called to her deepest wishes, but her gaze drifted to the wounded scattered across the arena floor. Marcella was directing care with quiet authority.

“I...” The words caught in her throat. “These people still need my help. How can I abandon them right now?”

A cry of pain drew her attention. Another wounded slave needed care. Her heart pulled her in two directions—toward the future with Dernin and toward those who still needed her here.

Alaysia dabbed at the slave’s wound with gentle hands, her fingers steady despite her inner turmoil. The cotton swab came away pink with blood, but the cut wasn’t as deep as she’d feared.

“Commander Thex requests a word with you.”

She looked up to find one of the Niri warriors hovering nearby. Rising from her crouch, she gave the wounded slave a reassuring pat. “I’ll be right back to finish that bandage.”

The commander’s scales gleamed in the arena’s harsh lighting as he pulled her aside. His expression held an unusual warmth.

“The council has just made their ruling.” He kept his voice low. “Due to Fyret’s death and his numerous criminal dealings, his property holdings are dissolved. Every slave and fighter here are now legally free.”

The words hit her like a physical force. Her knees went weak, and she grabbed the nearest pillar for support. “All of them?” Alaysia asked, her voice barely a whisper.

“All of them. And Nirum extends an invitation to any who wish to make sanctuary there.”

Tears pricked at her eyes. The solution to her dilemma had just fallen into her lap. She could have both her future with Dernin and help these people find their own fresh start. Her chest felt like it might burst with overwhelming joy.

“When can we tell them?” She fought to keep her voice steady, though her hands trembled.

“I just received confirmation that the compound is fully secured. So, I don’t see why we can’t tell them as soon as possible.”

Alaysia’s heart thundered as she stepped onto the raised platform where Fyret had once lorded over them all. The irony of using his stage to announce their freedom wasn’t lost on her. Hundreds of faces turned toward her—fighters and slaves—all waiting.

Her fingers trembled, but her voice rang clear across the arena.

“We’ve all lived under Fyret’s control. Been treated as property, as things to be bought, sold, or even stolen.

” She swept her gaze across the crowd, meeting their eyes.

“That ends today. The council has dissolved Fyret’s holdings. We are all free now.”

The silence lasted three heartbeats before someone whooped. Then another. The sound swelled until the arena echoed with cheers and sobs of joy.

“Furthermore,” she continued, raising her voice above the celebration, “Nirum offers sanctuary to any who wish to start a new life there effective immediately.”

Marcella rushed forward, tears streaming down her face. “We’re really free?”

“Yes.” Alaysia grabbed her friend’s hands. “All of us.”

The crowd surged forward. People hugged and danced. Some fell to their knees weeping. An elderly fighter who’d been there longer than anyone lifted a small slave girl onto his shoulders as she laughed.

Alaysia felt tears spill down her own cheeks as she watched families reunite and friends embrace. The joy was infectious, spreading through the arena like wildfire. Someone started singing an old freedom song, and others joined in, their voices rising to the rafters.

“You did this,” Dernin said, appearing at her side. “You helped make this happen.”

She shook her head. “We did.”

A group of young slaves rushed past, their faces glowing with possibility for the first time. Alaysia watched them go, her chest tight with emotion. This was what freedom looked like—not just the absence of chains, but the presence of hope.

The celebration continued to build around them, turning the arena that had seen so much pain into a place of joy.

The last of the wounded had been moved to proper beds, leaving the arena eerily quiet after hours of celebration. Alaysia’s muscles ached from the constant work, but satisfaction warmed her chest. She found Dernin waiting by one of the stone pillars.

Her bare feet whispered against the sand as she approached him—the same sand where he’d fought for both their freedoms, where everything had changed.

“I’ve made my decision,” she said, her heart fluttering as his eyes fixed on her. “I want to go to Nirum with you.”

His tail shifted in the sand, creating soft patterns. “You’re certain? You seemed torn earlier about leaving.”

“These people have a chance now. They’re free to choose their own paths.” She gestured to the empty arena. “And I’m choosing mine.”

Dernin’s powerful arms encircled her, pulling her close. The familiar scent of his skin filled her nose. “I’m going to show you everything.” His voice dropped lower. “Even the secret places where warriors go to be alone with their mates.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks. “I’d like that.” She traced one of the scars on his chest, remembering how close she’d come to losing him. “When can we leave?”

“Commander Thex says we can depart with the first group tomorrow if we want.” His fingers tangled in her red hair. “Though if you need more time—”

“No.” She pressed closer, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat. “I’ve spent my whole life waiting. I don’t want to wait anymore.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “Then tomorrow we’ll start our new life. Together.”