The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 172

Nikolas’s brows lifted, then drew together in quiet concern. “Good idea. He deserves to hear it from you.” He paused, studying her face. “Just… good luck. I’m not sure he’ll take it well.”

Saphira exhaled through her nose, her jaw tightening. “I don’t think he will either. But I need to. And I need to do it now.”

She hesitated, then glanced toward the office door. “Can I use the office?”

Nikolas nodded without question. “Of course. I was heading to speak with the warriors anyway.”

“Thank you.”

They stood together, and he leaned in, brushing a kiss against her temple. She turned into it, letting the warmth of his presence settle her nerves. Their lips met briefly, soft, a moment of quiet strength exchanged between them.

“See you later,” she murmured.

“Soon,” he replied, and then he was gone.

Saphira stepped into the corridor, her boots tapping against the stone floor with more urgency than usual. Her eyes scanned the hallway until she spotted Finn just ahead, heading toward the dining hall with Amara beside him. Her heart kicked up, a flutter of nerves and determination.

“Finn!” she called, her voice echoing slightly off the walls.

He stopped mid-step and turned, brows raised. “Hey, what’s up?”

She caught up to him, breath quickening. “I need to speak to you. It’s urgent.”

Finn’s expression shifted, concern flickering in his eyes. He glanced at Amara, who gave a small nod of understanding.

“I’ll save us a table,” Amara said gently. “Take your time.”

“Thanks,” Finn said, then turned back to Saphira. “Where do you want to go?”

“The office is free,” she said. “Let’s go there.”

“Ok, lead the way.” Finn said, gesturing for Saphira to go first.

They walked in silence, the tension between them growing with each step. Saphira could feel it in the way Finn’s shoulders squared, in the way her own pulse thudded against her ribs. Once inside, she gestured to the sofa instead of the table. Finn followed her lead, sitting beside her, posture open but alert, his gaze steady.

“What’s going on?” he asked, voice calm but edged with curiosity.

Saphira took a deep breath, her fingers curling into her lap. “I need to tell you something. But I don’t want you to freak out or get angry. I’ll agree to whatever you say. I mean that.”

Finn frowned, confusion settling in his features. “Saphira… what is it?”

She took another breath, slower this time, readying herself. “We made a deal with Ruby. To get the information we discussed. We promised her better conditions. A proper room. A bathroom. Comfort. If you’re not okay with it, I’ll go back on it. I’ll keep her where she is.”

Finn didn’t respond. He stood, walking to the window, his back to her. His shoulders were tense, hands resting on the sill as he stared out at the fading light. Saphira waited, giving him space, but the silence stretched too long. Her chest tightened.

“Finn?” she said softly, her voice edged with nerves.

He turned slowly and came back to the sofa, sitting down again. His eyes met hers, full of restrained emotion.

“I get why you did it,” he said. “The information is valuable. But I’m not happy about it. She shouldn’t get luxuries while being held here.”

Saphira nodded, her voice quiet. “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t want to bargain with her, but it felt like the only way.”

Finn’s jaw clenched. His voice dropped. “She tried to kill me, Saphira. Blamed it on you. That was the fuel they needed to send you to the Matchmaker.”

“I know,” Saphira said again, her voice barely above a whisper. “We don’t have to give her what we said.”

Finn shook his head, sighing. “Yes, we do. We’re not the kind of pack that goes back on a deal. Even with someone like her.”

Saphira’s chest tightened, but she nodded slowly. *He’s right. We’re better than that. Even when it hurts. Even when it’s her.*

The silence between them lingered thick with thought. Saphira glanced sideways at Finn, watching the tension still etched into his jaw, the way his fingers curled slightly against his knees.

She shifted slightly on the sofa, her voice quiet but steady, though her chest felt tight. “If we’re going to honour the deal,” she said, “what do you need from me to help make that easier?”

Finn didn’t answer right away. He leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, staring at the floor as if the answer might be carved into the grain. Saphira waited, her hands resting lightly in her lap, her heart thudding with quiet anticipation. She could feel the weight of his thoughts pressing against the room.

Finally, he sat back and looked at her. His eyes were steady, unreadable. “I want to talk to her.”

Saphira blinked, her breath catching. “You… want to talk to her?”

He nodded, his voice calm but edged. “I need to see how she genuinely feels about all of this. Not through second-hand words. I want to ask her myself, was it worth it, everything she did. Everything she lost.”

Saphira’s breath caught again, this time deeper. She studied his face, the quiet storm behind his eyes, and nodded slowly. “Do you want me there too?”

Finn shook his head. “No, thank you. But I’d like you nearby. So I can speak to you right after.”

Saphira reached out, placing a hand gently on his arm. Her touch was light. “I’ll be there.”

Finn gave her a small, grateful smile, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly. “Thank you. For bringing this to me. For giving me the choice. As much as I hate it… I understand. The information she gave us, it’s too valuable to have passed up.”

Saphira nodded, her voice low and steady. “I know. But no matter how much she gives us… even if she gives more once we make good on the deal… she’ll never make up for what she did.”

Finn’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. “Agreed.”

They sat in silence for a moment longer, the air between them filled with quiet understanding. Then Finn stood, stretching slightly, and offered her his hand.

“Come on,” he said, voice softer now. “Let’s go get some food. Amara’s probably waiting and she’ll be annoyed if we show up late.”

Saphira laughed softly, the sound easing the tension in her chest. She took his hand, rising to her feet. “I wouldn’t miss it.”

Together, they left the office, their footsteps echoing down the quiet hallway. The weight of the conversation lingered, but so did something else, the quiet promise of facing what came next.