The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 166

Anastasia’s breathing had evened out, her chest rising and falling in a slow, natural rhythm. Her eyes were closed again, not from danger this time, but from sheer exhaustion.

The lead doctor approached with quiet steps, her voice gentle but firm. “She needs rest now. Her body’s stabilizing, but she’s been through too much. No stimulation for a few hours.”

Saphira nodded, brushing a strand of hair from Anastasia’s forehead, tucking it gently behind her ear. “We’ll take turns visiting,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Asher leaned in, his hand wrapping around their mothers with care. “You rest, okay? We’ll be nearby.”

Anastasia’s lips curved faintly, her voice a soft murmur. “You both need rest too. It’s been a long day.”

Saphira smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We’ll rest. Promise.”

Asher stepped back, stretching his shoulders slightly, and Saphira turned to him, her brow furrowing. “Where’s Zafira? I haven’t seen her since… before the illusion broke.”

Asher’s expression shifted, subtle, but unmistakable. His shoulders tensed, and he looked away for a moment, jaw tight. “She’s in our room.”

Saphira tilted her head, concern rising. “Is she okay?”

He hesitated, then exhaled. “She had a… moment. When the fight started again after the illusion shattered, she struggled to shift. It hit her harder than we expected. She had a small wobble and retreated.”

Nikolas, who had been quietly listening nearby, stepped forward, his voice calm but attentive. “Is she alright now?”

Asher nodded. “Yeah. She’s resting. It was just a little too much too soon.”

Saphira’s gaze softened. *Poor Zafira. I should have known.* “Tell her if she needs anything, I’m here. Go be with her. I’ll stay on stand-by for Anastasia.”

Asher’s eyes glistened with gratitude. “Thank you. Both of you.”

He gave them a final nod and slipped out of the room, the weight of the day still heavy on his shoulders.

Saphira turned back toward Anastasia, her heart still heavy but steadier now. Nikolas stood beside her, his hand brushing hers.

Before they could leave, the doctor returned, flanked by Jed and Raven. Jed’s eyes scanned the room, taking in the monitors, the lingering tension, then landed on Saphira and Nikolas. “What’s happening?”

Nikolas stepped forward, his voice clipped and controlled. “The dagger Cassandra threw, it was laced with a special blend of poison. From the elders. One of the ingredients was Dragonbane.”

Jed’s expression darkened instantly. “That’s… not good.”

The doctor nodded grimly. “We only just got Anastasia back. If the wound had been in a more critical place, her throat, her heart, any main part of her body, it might not have worked. Even with the antidote.”

Nikolas’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “We need to look into it. Immediately. If the elders already have something that lethal for dragons, who knows what they’ve developed for vampires, wolves, witches…”

Raven crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and calculating. “How do we prepare for that?”

Saphira looked at each of them, her mind already racing. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

*We survived today. But tomorrow might be worse if we don’t figure this out.*

Nikolas’ voice was low but resolute, cutting through the quiet hum of healers still moving around them.

“We need to make more of the antidote,” he said. “The one that worked on Anastasia. Even if it’s not as effective on other areas… it might slow the poison. Buy us time.”

Saphira nodded, her mind already spinning with logistics, possibilities, and the weight of what they didn’t yet know. *That’s a start.* “That’s good for dragons,” she said, her voice steady despite the exhaustion tugging at her bones. “But what about wolves, vampires, and the witches?” Her eyes flicked to Raven.

Raven’s brow furrowed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “I’m not sure. That blend was tailored for dragons. The elders wouldn’t just focus on one poison, there would be one for all kinds.”

Nikolas exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck, his shoulders tense. “Then we work from the assumption that the strongest ingredient in the blend is the most lethal to that species. We isolate it, test it, and build countermeasures.”

Jed stepped forward, his tone practical, his gaze scanning the room. “I’ll ask the doctors to start working on it. As soon as everyone’s been tended to from the fight.”

Nikolas nodded, his expression grim. “Thank you. Maybe we’ll get more information when we question Lupus.”

Jed’s jaw tightened. “Let’s hope he talks.”

Raven tilted her head, her gaze sharp. “When are we questioning him?”

Nikolas glanced toward the corridor, his eyes shadowed with fatigue. “Tomorrow. We all need rest. And I want him to sit with what happened today. Let it stew. It might make him open up more.”

Raven’s lips curled faintly. “I like it. Let me know when you need me.”

Nikolas gave a nod of thanks, then turned to Saphira, his voice softer now. “Let’s go.”

They excused themselves quietly, slipping out of the triage room and into the corridor. The moment the door closed behind them, the weight of the day hit Saphira like a wave. Her legs felt heavy, her shoulders sore, her mind fogged with exhaustion. The adrenaline had finally run dry, leaving only the ache.

*It really has been a long day.*

The hallway was dim, quiet. They walked side by side, their hands brushing occasionally but not quite clasping. Saphira didn’t speak, she didn’t need to. Nikolas’s presence was enough.

By the time they reached their room, she didn’t bother with grace. She flopped face-first onto the bed with a groan, limbs sprawled like a fallen warrior. The mattress was cool against her cheek, and for a moment, she considered staying there forever.

Nikolas laughed, the sound warm and teasing. “Oh no. You’re not getting into our nice clean bed in that state.”

Saphira turned her head, eyes half-lidded, her voice muffled by the pillow. “I’m too tired to care.”

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a playful glint in his eyes. “You need a shower. So do I. We’re both a mess.”

Saphira propped herself up on her elbows, her hair falling around her face. A slow smile tugged at her lips. “Then you better carry me. I haven’t got the strength.”

She didn’t expect him to move.

But he did.

In two strides, he was beside her, scooping her up effortlessly. Saphira let out a surprised laugh, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist, her arms sliding around his neck.

“You’re serious?” she murmured, breath catching as he kissed her cheek.

“Dead serious,” he said, voice low and warm. “You were powerful today. Fierce. You deserve to be nurtured. Taken care of.”

He kissed her again, slower this time, and carried her into the bathroom, still fully clothed, the steam already rising around them, curling like mist around their bodies.

And for the first time since the battle began, Saphira let herself melt, into warmth, into safety, into him.