The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 173

Dinner with Finn and Amara had been full of laughter over shared memories, Saphira had felt the tension of the day slowly melt from her shoulders, replaced by something gentler. As the evening deepened, she made her way back to her room, the soft hush of night wrapping around her like a shawl.

When she reached her door, she pushed it open and stepped inside. Steam curled from the bathroom like mist from a hidden spring, and the steady sound of water running was soothing, rhythmic. She smiled to herself, a flicker of anticipation warming her chest.

Nikolas was in the shower.

Saphira slipped off her jacket and boots, moving with quiet purpose. The door to the bathroom was ajar, and through the misted glass she could see his silhouette, broad shoulders, head tilted back under the stream, muscles relaxed beneath the cascade. She crept in, shedding the rest of her clothes with practiced ease, and stepped into the shower behind him.

Nikolas turned, startled for only a second before his expression softened into a grin. “Sneaky.”

Saphira pressed a kiss to his shoulder, water cascading between them. “You love it.”

They showered together, slow and quiet, the warmth of the water mingling with the comfort of touch. Fingers traced skin, breaths mingled, and the silence between them was filled with something deeper than words. Just presence. Just them.

Afterward, they dried off and climbed into bed, limbs tangled beneath the covers, skin still warm from the steam. Saphira curled into his chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns along his skin, her breath syncing with his. The room was quiet.

“Even with everything going on,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, “I still can’t believe you’re my mate. And how different things are.”

Nikolas shifted slightly, brushing her damp hair back from her face. “Different how?”

She looked up at him, her eyes searching his. “How you were when we met. In the Matchmaker. Do you remember our first encounter?”

Nikolas chuckled, the sound low and warm. “Oh, I remember. You were all fire and defiance.”

Saphira laughed softly, her cheek brushing his chest. Then she saw his expression shift, more serious now, more vulnerable.

“I need to tell you a secret,” he said.

She tilted her head, her fingers stilling. “What secret?”

Nikolas’s gaze held hers, steady and unguarded. “The moment I met you, something stirred inside me. The way you carried yourself, even when you were terrified, you tried to be so confident. It woke something up in me.”

Saphira stayed quiet, listening, her heart thudding softly.

“Before you entered,” he continued, “I was ready to give up. I felt like a failure. I had the reputation of being the most powerful, and yet I was stuck in the Matchmaker. I hated myself for it.”

He paused, his thumb brushing her cheek with reverence. “But when you walked in, the desire to fight came back. To get out. To get revenge. And I knew I wouldn’t let you go. That was a big part of why I marked you. Even though I thought it would make me weaker… it was worth it. You gave me my will back. Plus,” he added with a grin, “it helped that you were gorgeous.”

Saphira’s breath caught, her eyes stinging with emotion. “Wow,” she whispered. “Thank you for telling me.”

She reached for his hand, lacing her fingers through his. “You did something similar for me. I went into the Matchmaker expecting to die. And then you didn’t kill me that first night. You gave me hope. And the rest… well, the rest is history. Plus, it helped that you were insanely good looking.”

Nikolas laughed, then leaned in, his forehead resting against hers. “In all seriousness, you’re the reason I’m where I am today. We have the chance to save and protect our pack. To help the rest of the supernatural world. And I can’t do it without you.”

Saphira’s voice was steady, full of quiet conviction. “You won’t have to. I’ll be by your side the whole way through. No matter what comes our way, we’ll face it together.”

Nikolas repeated the word softly, like a vow. “Together.”

Then he kissed her deeply and full of promise. The rest of the night unfolded in quiet intimacy, a moment of connection carved out from the chaos, where nothing else mattered but them.

Morning light filtered through the curtains in soft streaks, casting a golden haze across the room. Saphira lay still, her head nestled against the pillow, her body warm beneath the covers. Nikolas was beside her, one arm draped loosely across his chest, his breathing slow and steady. Peaceful.

She turned slightly, propping herself up on one elbow, and let her gaze linger on his face. The curve of his jaw, the faint crease between his brows even in sleep, the way his lips parted just slightly. How is this mine? she thought. Even with everything going on… he’s here. We’re here.

Nikolas stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He blinked once, then turned his head toward her, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. “What are you doing?”

Saphira grinned, her voice playful. “Nothing.”

He reached out suddenly, grabbing her waist and pulling her onto him with a laugh. She squealed softly, landing against his chest as he kissed her, slow and teasing, his fingers brushing her spine.

“Good morning,” he murmured against her lips.

Saphira giggled, her forehead resting against his. “Morning. What’s on the agenda today?”

Nikolas stretched beneath her, his muscles shifting under her touch. “Training. I want to work with all the dragons today. Including you.”

Her eyes lit up. “I can’t wait.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “It’ll be early afternoon. Jed and I are arranging Ruby’s accommodations first. We need to make sure it’s secure, with no chance of escape.”

Saphira nodded, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest. “Do you need help?”

Nikolas shook his head. “No, thank you. We’ve got it covered.”

“What are you thinking of doing this morning?” he asked, voice low.

Saphira hesitated, then said, “I want to try and speak to Zafira.”

Nikolas’s brows lifted slightly. “Do you think you might be able to help?”

“I’m not sure,” Saphira admitted. “But something inside me is telling me to try. I don’t know what it is… just a pull.”

Nikolas kissed her temple. “Thank you. Let me know if you need me.”

“I will,” she whispered.

She shifted slightly, starting to sit up. “We should get up.”

Nikolas grinned and rolled her over gently, hovering above her, his arms braced on either side. “Or… we could have ten more minutes.”

Saphira laughed, her hands sliding up his arms. “Ten minutes.”

He kissed her again, deeper this time, full of warmth and promise. The morning began not with strategy or tension, but with closeness. A moment carved out just for them, before the world demanded their strength again.