Chapter 31
Mila
Mila huddled behind Brivul’s protective bulk. Her ribs screamed in protest, each breath a sharp reminder of Kurg’s cruelty. Armed guards blocked both ends of the narrow corridor, their weapons trained on their small group.
“Did you really think you would get away again?” Kurg’s silky voice echoed off the walls. “I own this stronghold. I own you.”
Brivul’s massive tail curled around her protectively. His friends formed a defensive circle around them, but Mila counted at least thirty guards. The odds turned her stomach.
“You own nothing.” Blood trickled down Mila’s chin as she spat the words.
“Stupid girl. My power and influence are far reaching. Soon, all of Jorvla will be my domain.” Kurg’s bulk rippled with arrogance. “And all of you will be dead.”
Sweat beaded on Mila’s forehead as she pressed closer to Brivul. His scales were warm against her skin, grounding her despite the terror clawing at her chest.
Kurg’s eyes fixed on Brivul. “Step aside, and I’ll make her death quick. Fight, and you’ll watch her suffer first.”
“Touch her and die.” Brivul’s voice rumbled through his chest, deep and deadly.
“So be it.” Kurg raised his hand, signaling his guards. “Kill them all.”
Suddenly, heavy boots thundered down the corridor, accompanied by the metallic clang of armor. Mila’s heart leaped as Jorvlen authorities poured in from both ends, their weapons trained on Kurg’s guards. At their head strode Kingpin Talis, her porcelain skin gleaming under the harsh lights.
“Stand down, Kurg.” Talis’s voice rang with authority.
Kurg’s lips pulled back in a snarl. “Come to steal my territory at last?”
“This isn’t about our rivalry.” Talis produced an official document bearing the council’s seal. “By order of the Council of Seven, you’re under arrest for embezzlement and treachery against Jorvla.”
The blood drained from Kurg’s face. Mila savored his expression, though her legs trembled with relief. She gripped Brivul’s arm to steady herself.
“Impossible.” Kurg growled. “You have no proof.”
“The council received quite an interesting transmission from your personal terminal.” Talis’s smile was razor-sharp. “They found your creative accounting… concerning .”
Kurg’s guards lowered their weapons, clearly unwilling to fight the authorities. Some even stepped away from their former master. The cowards who’d helped him torture slaves now couldn’t distance themselves fast enough.
“Secure him,” Talis commanded.
As the authorities moved in, Kurg thrashed and spat threats. “You’ll regret this! All of you! Especially you, slave!”
Mila straightened her spine despite her injuries. “My name is Mila.” The words tasted like freedom on her tongue. “And I’m not your slave anymore.”
A mix of relief and accomplishment flooded through Mila’s body as she watched the authorities drag Kurg away. Brivul turned to her, a wide grin spreading across his face.
“We did it.” His violet eyes sparkled with pride. “Actually, you did it.”
“Not just me.” Her gaze swept over Lors, Kev, Nia, Cantos, and Fikleo. Their weapons still drawn and faces streaked with sweat and grime. “Thank you all.”
Lors grinned. “That was some impressive strategy to take down Kurg.”
“Should’ve seen her planning it.” Brivul’s chest swelled. “Mind like a general, this one.”
Heat crept up Mila’s cheeks. Strange how a simple compliment could affect her more than facing down Kurg. The blue scales of Brivul’s arms glinted as he pulled her closer, mindful of her injuries. His warmth seeped into her tired muscles.
“My brilliant mate.” His deep voice rumbled through her.
Before she could respond, his lips met hers in a gentle kiss. Her heart fluttered.
Cantos cleared his throat. “Get a room, you two.”
Mila pulled back, laughing despite her aching ribs.
Talis strode toward them, her iridescent skin catching the harsh lights of the corridor. Mila leaned into Brivul’s supportive embrace, her body aching but her spirit soaring, as the kingpin approached.
Talis’s crystalline features softened into a smile. “You two certainly have impeccable timing,” Talis said. “I’ve spent the last few days trying to convince the council that the evidence you brought me on the data chip wasn’t fabricated. Then suddenly, a transmission from Kurg’s own terminal arrives, confirming everything.”
Mila’s chest tightened with emotion. “Thank you for believing in us enough to try.”
“You’re very welcome,” Talis replied. “Oh, and your sister asked me to tell you she’s doing well,” Talis added. “The healers at my estate say she’ll make a full recovery.”
Relief washed over Mila. “You’re keeping her safe?”
“Of course.” Talis’s sapphire eyes sparkled. “Though she’s quite worried about you. She nearly tried to sneak out and follow Brivul on his rescue mission.”
Brivul chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest where Mila rested against him. “That sounds like your sister.”
“Thank you again,” Mila said, meeting Talis’s gaze. “For everything.” Her voice cracked slightly.
“You did the hard part,” Talis replied. “Both of you. Taking down Kurg will reshape the power structure of Jorvla for the better. The council won’t forget that.”
The weight of those words settled over Mila. She’d started this journey just wanting to save herself and her sister. Somehow, she’d ended up changing so much more.
Mila’s relief soon evaporated as Talis’s guards herded slaves into the courtyard. Her muscles tensed, and she pressed closer to Brivul, her ribs protesting the movement. The familiar sight of downcast eyes and shuffling feet sent ice through her veins.
“What’s happening?” she whispered to Brivul, her fingers digging into his scales.
His tail curled protectively around her. “I don’t know.”
The slaves huddled together in the courtyard’s center. Their fear-filled eyes darted between Talis and the armed guards.
“Did we just trade one master for another?” The words slipped out. Her heart hammered against her bruised ribs as memories of similar gatherings under Kurg’s rule flooded back—inspections, punishments, sales.
Brivul’s arm tightened around her waist. “I won’t let that happen.”
Talis approached the gathered slaves, her crystalline features unreadable. Mila’s throat constricted. Had she been wrong to trust the kingpin? The evidence against Kurg had served Talis’s interests, after all. Maybe this had been her plan all along—eliminate a rival and acquire his assets, including his slaves.
“By order of the Council of Seven,” Talis’s voice rang out across the courtyard, “all slaves owned by the criminal Kurg are hereby…”
Mila’s fingers dug deeper into Brivul’s scales. She’d fought so hard for freedom, only to end up here again. Her mind raced, already planning escape routes and weighing options…
“…emancipated.”
The word hung in the air. Mila blinked, certain she’d misheard.
“What?” A slave woman’s voice cracked with disbelief.
“You’re free,” Talis said simply. “All of you. The council has determined that Kurg’s assets were acquired through illegal means. That includes his claim of ownership over you.”
The courtyard erupted in a cacophony of gasps, sobs, and incredulous laughter. Mila watched, stunned, as decades of bondage fell away in an instant.
“I told you everything would work out,” Brivul murmured against her hair.
Tears blurred Mila’s vision as she watched her fellow slaves embrace each other, their faces transformed by joy and disbelief.
Brivul’s eyes met hers, filled with pride and something deeper. His blue scales caught the light as he cupped her face in his massive hands. “You did this. You freed them all.”
“I never dreamed…” Her voice cracked. Tears spilled down her cheeks, but for once they weren’t from pain or fear. “I just wanted to save myself and Priscilla. But now…”
“Now you’ve changed everything.” His thumb brushed away her tears. The gentleness of his touch made her breath catch.
Mila rose on her tiptoes, ignoring the throbbing of her bruised ribs. Her hands found his shoulders, warm scales smooth beneath her palms. When their lips met, the celebrating crowd around them faded away. His kiss tasted of victory and promise, of a future she’d never dared imagine before.
His tail curled around her waist, supporting her weight as she melted against him. The scent of him, leather and something uniquely Brivul, filled her senses. Her mate. The word still thrilled her.
“I love you,” she whispered against his lips. The words she’d held back, afraid to voice while still bound by slavery, now flowed freely.
His answering kiss was fierce and tender all at once. “My brave mate.” His deep voice rumbled through her. “I’ve never been prouder to fight at anyone’s side.”
Mila buried her face in his chest, overwhelmed by joy, exhaustion, and love. At this moment, Mila realized she didn’t have to hold back anymore. She didn’t have to hide her feelings or guard her words. She was free to love, free to live, free to be exactly who she was.