The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 151

Saphira stood quietly beside Nikolas and Raven, her fingers loosely laced in front of her, watching as Amara and Finn clung to each other. Tears streamed freely down their faces, their bodies pressed together in a trembling, desperate embrace. Amara’s shoulders shook as she buried her face into Finn’s chest, and Finn held her like he never intended to let go, his hands cradling her head, his cheek resting against her hair.

Saphira felt her throat tighten, her hand rising instinctively to rest over her heart. They needed this. *After everything… they deserved this.*

Raven smiled warmly, her eyes glistening with quiet joy. Even Nikolas, usually composed and reserved, had softened, his arms folded loosely, his stance relaxed, gaze steady but touched. Saphira could feel the shift in him, the way his guard had lowered just enough to let the moment in.

Amara turned first, stepping forward and wrapping Raven in a grateful hug. Raven blinked, surprised by the sudden affection, but returned it without hesitation, her arms firm around Amara’s shoulders.

Then Amara moved to Nikolas. He stiffened slightly, caught off guard, but didn’t pull away. His arms came up slowly, resting around her in a quiet, respectful embrace. Saphira saw the flicker of discomfort in his eyes, he wasn’t used to this kind of vulnerability.

Finally, Finn approached Saphira, his eyes still damp, his voice thick with emotion. “This moment is thanks to you,” he said. “You and your dragon. We’ll never forget it.”

Saphira smiled, her hand reaching out to squeeze his. “Of course. I’ll always do what I can to help.”

Amara joined him, her arms wrapping around Saphira in a tight, trembling hug. Her grip was strong, full of emotion, and Saphira held her close, her fingers brushing gently across Amara’s back. *She’s still carrying life. Still carrying hope. And now she knows it.*

After a moment, Finn stepped back, his arm around Amara again. “We need some rest. And time alone. But if anything happens with the Silvermoon pack…”

Saphira’s heart gave a quiet jolt. *Right. The threat hasn’t vanished. Joy doesn’t erase danger.*

Nikolas nodded, his voice calm. “We’ll let you know the moment we hear anything. Go enjoy this time.”

Amara and Finn gave one last nod of thanks and slipped out of the room, their steps slow but lighter than before, as if the weight they’d carried had finally begun to lift.

Raven exhaled, stretching her arms overhead with a soft groan. “I’m so happy for them. I need to get back to the others, see if there’s any movement.”

Saphira nodded. “Thank you, Raven. For everything.”

Raven smiled, her expression warm and tired. “I’ll let you know if anything changes.” Then she turned and left, her cloak trailing behind her like a whisper of smoke.

The room fell quiet again, the fire still crackling softly in the hearth. Saphira watched the flames for a moment, then turned to Nikolas, her voice low and thoughtful.

“I’m so happy that worked. That they still have their baby.” She paused, her brow furrowing. “But I keep wondering… what if the witch used a different spell than she claimed?”

Nikolas’s expression darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. “I’ve been thinking the same. We’ll question her when she wakes. Hopefully it was just a failed spell. But if it wasn’t…”

Saphira nodded, her jaw set. *We’ll be ready. Whatever it is, we’ll face it.*

Nikolas stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping around her with quiet strength. She melted into him, her cheek resting against his chest. He kissed her forehead, then her lips.

“We’ve had a bit of a morning,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “How about we go out for a fly? No training. No thinking. Just you, me, and our dragons.”

Saphira’s eyes lit up, her breath catching with excitement. “Yes. I’d love that.”

Nikolas smiled at her reaction, the tension in his shoulders easing. “Come on then,” he said, taking her hand.

And together, they walked out the door, leaving the weight of the morning behind them, just for a little while.

The clearing opened before them like a breath of freedom. The wind stirred the grass in gentle waves, and the sky above stretched endlessly blue.

Saphira didn’t wait.

She glanced at Nikolas, a grin tugging at her lips, and he nodded once. No words needed.

She stepped forward, letting the shift ripple through her. Heat surged in her chest, bones stretching, wings unfurling with a shimmer of gold and violet. Vaelora rose with a roar of joy, her scales catching the light like fire spun into armour.

Beside her, Nikolas shifted, his form expanding into Vorthar, his wings vast and powerful. The two dragons stood side by side, breath steaming in the cool air.

Then, with a shared beat of their wings, they launched into the sky.

Saphira felt the rush of wind against her scales, the thrill of altitude as the ground fell away. Vaelora moved with fluid grace, her body curving through the air like a ribbon of light. Vorthar matched her, their flight in perfect sync, circling above the pack lands in wide, sweeping arcs.

*'Let me lead,'* Vaelora murmured, her voice playful.

*'Go on,'* Saphira replied, smiling inwardly.

Vaelora surged ahead, then dipped low and nudged Vorthar’s flank with a teasing flick of her wing. Vorthar responded with a rumbling growl, not angry, but amused and twisted in the air to chase her. They danced between clouds, diving and spiralling, their movements full of joy and mischief.

Saphira laughed inside the bond, her heart light. *They needed this. We needed this.*

The banter continued, Vaelora darting ahead, Vorthar feinting left then right, their wings brushing in mock combat. The sky became their playground, the pack below a distant hum.

But as they neared the edge of the territory, something caught Saphira’s eye.

A plane.

Far off, descending slowly toward the horizon, its shape glinting in the sun.

Nikolas’s voice slid into her mind, calm but alert. *“We should head back. Land in the clearing.”*

Saphira didn’t question it. She banked smoothly, Vaelora folding her wings slightly to descend. Vorthar followed close behind, their flight now quiet, focused.

They reached the clearing and landed with practiced ease, wings flaring, claws brushing the earth. Dust stirred around them as they touched down, the wind of their descent rustling the trees.

Saphira shifted back, breath steady, heart still humming from the flight. Nikolas followed, his form folding into human shape beside her.

She glanced at him, brushing hair from her face. “That was perfect,” she murmured.

But her eyes drifted toward the horizon, where the plane had vanished behind the treeline.

*Something or someone’s coming.*