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Dernin

The crystal spires of Niri pierced the violet sky as Commander Thex’s ship touched down on the landing pad. Dernin’s chest swelled with pride as he watched Alaysia press her hands against the viewport, her blue eyes wide with wonder.

“Welcome to my homeland.” The word rolled off his tongue, perfect and right.

“It’s magnificent.” Alaysia’s breath fogged the glass. “The way the moons reflect off everything...”

Silver light from Niri’s twin moons bathed the crystalline architecture in an ethereal glow. The city stretched up the mountainside in graceful tiers, each level connected by shimmering bridges that caught and scattered moonbeams like scattered diamonds.

“Your new home.” Dernin wrapped his tail around her waist, pulling her close. The scent of her hair filled his senses—his mate, finally safe in his territory. “That tower there, with the spiral design? That’s where we’ll live.”

“In that beautiful place?”

“Nothing but the best for my mate.” His fingers traced the curve of her hip. Six months in that fighting ring seemed worth it now, leading him to her.

The ship’s ramp lowered with a soft hiss. Cool mountain air rushed in, carrying the sweet scent of night-blooming flowers that grew in the crystal formations.

“The air here...” Alaysia took a deep breath. “It tastes like freedom.”

Dernin guided her down the ramp, his tail maintaining its possessive hold. Other Niri warriors gave respectful nods as they passed. His mate had already impressed them with her courage in the underground ring.

The crystalline path leading to their new home sparkled with each step. Dernin watched Alaysia’s face, memorizing every detail of her wonder-struck expression. This was what he’d fought for—not just escape but giving her a real home, a place worthy of her strength and beauty.

“Those flowers growing from the crystal...” She pointed to delicate blooms sprouting from seemingly solid stone. “How is that possible?”

“The crystals here are alive in their own way. They nurture life rather than hindering it.” Like how she had brought life back to his warrior’s spirit when he’d thought it dead.

Dernin pressed his palm to the crystal door, which hummed in recognition and slid open with a musical chime. His tail curled around Alaysia’s waist as he guided her inside their new home.

“This is all... ours?” Alaysia’s voice trembled as she took in the sweeping main room. Moonlight filtered through the crystalline walls, casting rainbow patterns across the polished stone floors.

Dernin beamed as he watched her. “Every inch of it.” His golden scales caught the light as he moved deeper into the space. “The living quarters span three levels.”

Alaysia drifted toward the window wall overlooking the city below. Her red hair blazed like fire against the backdrop of Niri’s ethereal nightscape. “I never dreamed I’d live somewhere so beautiful.”

“You deserve this and more.” Dernin joined her at the window, his massive frame dwarfing her smaller one. The thought of her previous life as a slave made his jaw clench. Never again would anyone treat her as less than the treasure she was.

“Look at this.” She ran her fingers along intricate carvings in the crystal walls—ancient Niri symbols telling stories of warriors past. “What do these mean?”

“Protection. Strength. Honor.” He traced the symbols with her. “Values every Niri warrior lives by.” His voice dropped lower. “Values I’ll uphold in keeping you safe.”

Alaysia turned to face him, her blue eyes bright with unshed tears. “I still can’t believe this is real. That we’re really free.”

“Believe it.” He cupped her face in his large hands. “You’re home now. No one will ever harm you again.”

The crystal walls seemed to pulse with a soft light, responding to their presence. Dernin felt the rightness of having her here, in his territory, under his protection. The warrior in him settled, satisfied at last to have his mate safe where she belonged.

Dernin’s tail swished with satisfaction as he led Alaysia through the crystal archway into the floating gardens of Veridia the following morning.

The platforms of earth and foliage hung suspended in mid-air, defying gravity as they drifted on invisible currents.

He soared with pride at her gasp of wonder.

“How is this possible?” Alaysia’s fingers clutched his arm as she peered over the edge of their platform at the hundred-foot drop below.

“Ancient magic.” He wrapped his tail around her waist, anchoring her safely against him. The scent of her hair mingled with the garden’s exotic blooms. “The founders of Niri discovered how to harness the air currents.”

Luminous flowers in impossible shades of blue-gold and violet-silver swayed in the breeze.

Crystal vines spiraled up through empty air, creating natural archways between the floating islands.

A nearby blossom unfurled its petals, releasing a shower of rainbow-hued pollen that sparkled as it drifted past.

“I’ve never seen colors like this.” Alaysia reached out to touch a flower with petals that shifted from deep crimson to molten gold. “They’re like living jewels.”

“These gardens are one of Niri’s greatest treasures.” Dernin guided her across a bridge of woven light connecting two garden platforms. “But they pale in comparison to you.”

Her blue eyes met his, filled with a joy that made his warrior’s heart sing. “This feels like a dream. Yesterday I was a slave, and now...” She gestured at the floating paradise around them. “How can this be my life?”

“Because you’re meant to be here.” He pulled her close. “With me.”

A flock of crystal-winged birds swooped past, their ethereal songs echoing through the garden.

Alaysia’s delighted laugh as she watched them made Dernin’s chest tighten.

He’d dreamed of this in those dark days in the fighting ring—showing her the wonders of his world, keeping her safe, making her happy.

“Thank you for bringing me here.” She leaned into him, trusting and warm against his chest. “For giving me a real home.”

Later that afternoon, Dernin guided Alaysia along the crystal-lined path. The rushing sound of water grew louder with each step. He savored her small gasps of wonder as Crystal Falls came into view—a massive cascade of pure water tumbling down cliffs of translucent crystal.

“This is magnificent,” Alaysia breathed, her blue eyes wide.

“Wait until sunset,” Dernin said, leading her to a private overlook he’d scouted earlier. His scales gleamed golden in the fading light as he positioned them perfectly to catch the coming display.

The sun began its descent, and the crystal cliffs caught fire with color. Hundreds of rainbows exploded through the mist, turning the falls into a kaleidoscope of shifting light. Dernin watched Alaysia’s face, memorizing how the colors played across her features and set her red hair ablaze.

His heart thundered in his chest. This was the moment. He unwound his tail from her waist and moved to face her.

“Alaysia.” His voice was rough with emotion.

She turned to him, still caught in the wonder of the falls.

“You are my mate, my heart, my everything. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you wonders like this.” He sank down and produced a ring of pure crystal that caught and scattered the rainbow light.

“Will you be my wife, my mate for all time?”

Alaysia’s hands flew to her mouth, tears sparkling in her eyes. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, of course, yes!”

Dernin slipped the ring onto her finger and then pulled her into his arms. The crystal had cost him a small fortune when he’d ventured out at dawn to have it made, but seeing it sparkle on her hand made it worth every coin.

“I love you,” he murmured against her hair as the rainbows danced around them. “My mate, my wife-to-be.”

Alaysia responded by crashing her lips against Dernin’s with fierce passion, stealing his breath away.

His tail coiled possessively around her, pulling her closer, and deepening the kiss.

The thundering falls behind them scattered light in every direction, casting dancing rainbows across her pale skin and his golden scales.

Her fingers traced the muscled planes of his chest, making his scales ripple with pleasure. The warrior in him growled with satisfaction. His mate had accepted him, chosen him. The crystal ring on her finger caught the light, sending prismatic reflections across their faces.

“Mine,” he growled low against her lips, one large hand tangling in her flame-red hair.

The mist from the falls settled on their skin, making Alaysia’s exposed shoulders glisten. Dernin traced the droplets with his fingertips, marveling at how perfectly she fit against him.