The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 127

Saphira stood at the head of the table, her fingers resting lightly on the map, tracing the jagged edge of Silvermoon territory. The parchment was cool beneath her touch, but her skin buzzed with tension. The room was silent, expectant. She could feel the weight of every gaze pressing into her, like the air itself was holding its breath.

“We can’t take too many into Silvermoon,” she said, her voice steady despite the tightness in her chest. “Especially if we’re leaving with three others. We need to move fast, stay unnoticed, and get out clean.”

Zafira leaned forward, arms crossed tightly, her knuckles pale. “We hope we’re leaving with three others,” she said, voice brittle, eyes flicking to the map like it might betray her.

Saphira met her gaze, sharp and unwavering. “We will be.” *We have to be.*

Nikolas stepped beside her. “Three,” he said, his tone clipped. “No more. One for strength. One for direction. One for protection.”

Saphira straightened, her shoulders squaring, the weight of leadership settling over her like armour. “I’ll lead the group. I can use my connection to Asher to find them. It’s our best chance.”

Finn shifted in his seat, his brow furrowed, fingers drumming against the table. “Saphira, that’s too dangerous...”

Anastasia leaned forward, her voice tight with concern. “You shouldn’t be the one going in.”

Saphira raised a hand, cutting them both off before the protest could build. “It’s the best option we have,” she said, her voice firm. “I know the terrain. I know the pack. And I have a connection to Asher. I’m not sending someone else to do what I’m meant to.”

Across from her, Jasper tilted his head slightly, his gaze assessing. “Are you ready if things go south?”

Saphira opened her mouth, but Nikolas beat her to it. “She’s ready,” he said, voice firm, final. “And that’s why she needs a team she can trust. One that won’t hesitate if things turn.”

He looked around the room, his gaze sweeping each face. “Who’s willing to go? Knowing the risks. Knowing what we might face.”

A beat of silence followed. Then, slowly, hands rose, Jed, Raven, Jasper, Zafira and Anastasia. Finn and Amara remained still, already committed to their own role.

Nikolas nodded slowly. “Good. But it’s not safe for Anastasia or Zafira to go.”

The protest was immediate.

“I can still fight,” Zafira snapped, her voice sharp, eyes flashing.

“I’m not sitting this out,” Anastasia added, her voice low and fierce, fingers curling into fists against the table.

Jed leaned forward, his tone calm but resolute. “You still can’t shift. That’s not weakness, it’s reality. And it means your biggest strength is compromised.”

Zafira’s jaw clenched, her eyes burning. Anastasia looked away, her shoulders stiff, the silence between them thick with frustration. But neither argued further.

Jed turned to Nikolas. “It should be me and Raven.”

Nikolas hesitated, his gaze flicking to Saphira, then back to Jed. “Why?”

Jed didn’t blink. “Raven’s her best friend. And the most powerful witch we have. And Saphira’s like my sister now. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Jasper interjected, his voice even, calm. “I know I’m not as close to Saphira, but I’m strong. Fast. And I won’t be distracted if something happens to Raven.”

Nikolas nodded slowly, weighing the room, the risks, the bonds. “We can’t afford emotional risks. That’s also why Anastasia and Zafira can’t go. We need clarity. Control.”

Nikolas turned to Saphira, his voice low but clear, cutting through the quiet tension in the room. “Saphira, it’s your choice. Who do you want with you?”

Her breath caught for half a second. Her fingers drifted across the map spread out before her, tracing the jagged edge of Silvermoon’s border, then the winding path back to safety. Her nail paused over the narrow pass they’d have to cross. *This is mine to lead. Mine to risk. Mine to protect.*

She straightened, spine aligning with the weight of responsibility. Her gaze swept the room slowly, deliberately.

*All of them willing. All of them dangerous in their own way. But I need more than strength, I need precision. I need balance.*

She nodded once, then spoke, her voice steady but not cold. “Thank you,” she said, meeting each gaze in turn. “All of you. For volunteering.”

A pause. Her heart thudded once, hard, then settled. She turned to Jed, her voice softening. “I think Jasper and Raven are the right choice.”

Jed’s brows lifted, just slightly. His jaw flexed, but he didn’t speak.

Saphira stepped toward him, her hand brushing his arm briefly, a gesture of respect, not apology. “It’s not personal,” she said, her voice low. “But I need to make sure there’s enough protection here at the pack. You’re just as strong as Nikolas. If anything happens… they’ll need you.”

She saw the flicker in his eyes, hurt, maybe, or pride, but it passed like a shadow. Jed nodded, jaw tight, the muscle ticking once. “Understood.”

Raven stepped forward. “I’ll ensure their safety,” she said, her voice calm, resolute. Then she turned to Jed, her tone softening. “This is the best option. If you were compromised, I’d be distracted. That could affect my magic.”

Jed exhaled, a slow breath through his nose. “Fair,” he said, voice clipped but accepting.

Jasper moved next, stepping into the light with quiet certainty. His stance was firm, arms at his sides, eyes steady. “I’m not as close to Saphira as the rest of you,” he said, voice even. “But I’ll do everything in my power to protect her, and all of us. I’ll get us out safely.”

Saphira looked at him, really looked. His words weren’t warm, but they didn’t need to be. There was no embellishment. Just truth. *That’s what matters. Not closeness. Not comfort. Commitment.*

Nikolas nodded, his gaze lingering on Jasper a moment longer than necessary. “I appreciate it. And I trust you.”

Then he turned to her, his voice gentler now, like a thread pulled taut but careful not to snap. “Are you sure you’re happy with this?”

She met his eyes, and something in her chest loosened. “I am.”

Nikolas straightened, the shift in his posture signalling command. “Then it’s settled. Everyone get ready to leave. We need to be at Silvermoon by the end of the day. No more waiting.”

Raven was already moving, her cloak flaring behind her. “I’ll check if the other witches have finished the protection potions. I’ll meet you at the entrance.”

Jed stood, his chair scraping softly against the floor. “Pack light,” he said. “I’ll sort out transport while you get ready.”

One by one, they filed out, quiet nods, murmured affirmations, the soft thud of boots on stone. The room emptied, leaving only Nikolas and Saphira.

He walked to her side, his hand brushing hers, fingers curling briefly around hers before releasing. She didn’t speak. Didn’t need to. Together, they turned toward the hallway.

*This is happening. No more waiting. No more watching from the sidelines.*