The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 150

Saphira sat in one of the worn leather chairs in the office, her fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. The morning light slanted through the windows, casting golden stripes across the floor. Nikolas stood near the desk, arms folded, gaze fixed on the door as if willing the others to arrive faster.

*She could still be pregnant,* Saphira thought, the words looping through her mind. *Vaelora felt something. That has to mean something.*

Nikolas glanced at her, sensing the tension in her posture. “They’ll be here soon,” he said quietly.

Saphira nodded, her throat tight. “I just want answers for her.”

Footsteps echoed down the hall, and moments later Raven entered, her cloak trailing behind her like smoke. She raised a brow as she stepped inside. “Alright, what’s this meeting about?”

Saphira stood, her voice steady but urgent. “Yesterday, during the fight… Vaelora said something. She told me we had to protect Amara and the baby.”

Raven’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression sharpening. “You think she’s still pregnant?”

“I don’t know,” Saphira admitted. “But I don’t think the witch ever killed the baby. I think Amara’s still carrying, but we need to be sure.”

Nikolas stepped forward, reaching into the satchel slung over his shoulder. “I found this the other day,” he said, pulling out a thick, leather-bound book with gilded edges. “One of my mother’s old royal spell books. I meant to give it to you sooner, but…”

Saphira’s eyes widened. “You’ve had that this whole time?”

He gave her a sheepish look. “It’s been a busy few days."

Raven took the book reverently, her fingers brushing the embossed crest on the cover. “This might help,” she murmured, already flipping through the pages. Her eyes scanned quickly, lips moving as she muttered to herself, humming when she found something promising.

Saphira watched her, heart thudding. *Please let there be something. Anything.*

A knock interrupted the quiet, and Nikolas called, “Come in.”

The door opened, and Finn stepped in first, his arm around Amara, who looked pale but composed. Her eyes flicked to Saphira, then to Raven, uncertain but curious.

Saphira gestured gently toward the sofas near the fire, her voice soft but steady. “Come sit with us.”

Amara and Finn exchanged a glance, hesitation flickering between them like a shared memory. Finn gave a small nod and placed a hand on Amara’s back, guiding her forward. They moved slowly, as if afraid the moment might collapse under its own weight. The fire crackled quietly beside them, casting warm light across their faces, softening the tension that clung to their shoulders.

Raven remained near the desk, flipping through the spell book with focused intensity. Her fingers trailed over the ancient pages, lips moving in a quiet hum as she muttered to herself, pausing now and then to tilt the book closer to the light.

Nikolas sat beside Saphira, his posture composed but alert. He leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees, voice low and careful. “We have something sensitive to talk to you about. I don’t want to trigger anything, but it’s too important to ignore.”

Finn frowned, confused. “Okay… what is it?”

Saphira folded her hands in her lap, her heart thudding against her ribs. *Be gentle. Be clear.* “Don’t get your hopes up,” she said gently. “But yesterday, during the fight… my dragon said something. She told me we had to protect Amara and the baby.”

Amara froze. Her hand instinctively went to her stomach, fingers trembling as they pressed against her abdomen. “Oh my…” she whispered, voice barely audible.

Saphira saw it, the flicker of hope in her eyes, fragile but fierce, like a flame rekindled in the dark.

Finn leaned forward, his voice tight. “Are you sure?”

“I am,” Saphira said. “There was no doubt in her voice. She felt it.”

She glanced toward Raven. “Raven’s looking through Nikolas’ mother’s spell book to see if there’s anything that can confirm it. And we also want to see if Nikolas’ dragon can sense it the same way mine did.”

Amara’s voice was quiet, almost reverent. “How do we do that?”

Nikolas stood, his expression solemn. “I’ll partially shift. Just enough for my dragon to take control. Then I’ll ask him directly.”

Amara and Finn nodded, their hands clasped tightly together. Finn’s thumb brushed over Amara’s knuckles. “We’re ready,” he said.

Nikolas stepped back, giving them space. His body began to shift, bones stretching, skin shimmering, his features distorting slightly as the dragon within surfaced. His eyes glowed faintly, breath deepening, and the room seemed to still around him, as if even the fire dared not interrupt.

Saphira watched the concentration on his face, the way his jaw tightened, the way his hands flexed as if holding something delicate. *Come on, Vorthar. Show us. Let her hope be real.*

Minutes passed in silence, the only sound the fire’s soft crackle and Raven’s quiet page-turning. Even Amara’s breath seemed suspended.

Then Nikolas exhaled and shifted back fully, his shoulders relaxing as he looked up. “He can sense it too,” he said. “There’s still a baby, we’re sure.”

Amara gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over as she half-sobbed, half-laughed. Finn wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as she trembled with hope, her forehead pressed to his chest.

At the same time, Raven straightened, her eyes bright. “Aha,” she said, tapping a page. “There’s a spell. It’s old, but it’ll do two things, remove any lingering magic and reveal anything hidden.”

Saphira stood, her voice firm but gentle. “Can you perform it? And make sure nothing goes wrong?”

Raven nodded, her gaze steady. “It’s high power, but I’m confident in this one.”

Finn took Amara’s hand again, their fingers interlacing. “Do it,” he said. “Please.”

Raven stepped forward, her hands glowing softly as she began the incantation. Her voice was low, rhythmic, precise. The air around Amara shimmered, thickening with magic. Saphira felt it, like the room itself was holding its breath, suspended in possibility.

They waited.

The spell pulsed once, then again. Raven’s hands moved with care, her brow furrowed in concentration. The glow around Amara deepened, then slowly began to fade, the shimmer settling like dust.

Amara looked at Raven, her voice barely audible. “Did it work?”

Raven gave a small smile. “Ask your wolf.”

Amara closed her eyes, her hand resting on her stomach. Her breath caught. Then she gasped and tears spilled freely down her cheeks.

She turned to Finn, voice trembling. “Our baby is still alive.”

Finn pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her shoulder. Amara clung to him, her body shaking with relief and joy.

Saphira felt her own chest tighten, her throat thick. A quiet smile formed as she watched them, her hand resting over her heart.