The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 49

Saphira took a deep breath, feeling the lingering hum of energy still vibrating beneath her scales.

But now, she was ready.

She focused, reaching for the thread of magic that connected her to her human form, letting it coil around her, shifting, reshaping, until her body began to change.

The transformation was smoother this time.

Less pain. Less resistance.

And when she opened her eyes, she was standing on two legs again, her breath steady, her senses still heightened but settling rapidly.

Saphira stood in front of Nikolas, the weight of her dragon’s name still settling deep within her. She felt the remnants of her shift lingering in her muscles, the residual hum of energy vibrating faintly beneath her skin.

She took a slow breath, rolling her shoulders, forcing her pulse to steady.

“I learned her name,” she finally said, voice quiet but firm.

Nikolas’ gaze flickered, something ancient and knowing settling into his expression. His lips tugged slightly at the corner, proud, approving.

“Good,” he murmured.

Then, with a step forward, he reached for her hand, wrapping his fingers around hers with a deliberate steadiness.

“Because we are mates,” he continued, his voice dipping lower, more intimate, “we can know each other’s dragon’s name.” His thumb brushed lightly against her knuckles, a silent reassurance. “But aside from that… no one else should ever know it.”

Saphira swallowed, the weight of his words settling deep inside her.

“It’s sacred,” Nikolas continued, his voice barely above a murmur. “It’s for you. For her. A name is a bond, an identity, a connection unlike anything else.”

Saphira nodded slowly, understanding now.

Vaelora wasn’t just her dragon’s name.

She was her dragon’s soul.

Nikolas watched her carefully, gauging the emotions shifting across her face. Slowly, he exhaled, and then, without hesitation, he spoke.

“My dragon is called Vorthar.”

Saphira blinked, feeling the name settle into her mind. She realised there were similarities.

Vaelora.

Vorthar.

Their dragons weren’t just bonded to them. They were bonded to each other.

She inhaled sharply, meeting Nikolas’ gaze with newfound understanding. He smirked slightly, catching her reaction.

“Our dragons reflect us,” he murmured. “In more ways than one.”

Saphira exhaled, the tension inside her easing just enough.

She let herself say it. “Her name is Vaelora.”

Nikolas’ smirk softened, his fingers tightening around hers briefly before his expression shifted into something warmer, something full. “I knew it would be perfect.”

His thumb brushed against her hand once more before he finally released his grip, letting her take in the moment for herself.

And just like that, Saphira felt the bond settle.

Not just with her dragon, but with Nikolas’ too.

The night had stretched long, pressing heavily into Saphira’s limbs, the weight of everything settling deep into her bones. The lingering hum of her transformation still buzzed faintly beneath her skin, a quiet reminder of what she had just embraced, but exhaustion was creeping in, slow and steady, wrapping around her like the night itself.

Nikolas rolled his shoulders, glancing up toward the sky. His eyes reflected the stars above, shimmering faintly as he exhaled.

“We should head back,” he murmured, his voice steady, carrying that quiet authority she had grown so familiar with. “It’s getting late, and we need rest.”

Saphira shifted her body, rolling her own shoulders, feeling the ache settle into her muscles. The adrenaline had faded, leaving only the pull of fatigue weaving its way through her body.

Nikolas remained still for a moment, his gaze sharpening slightly. “It’ll be my turn soon to watch over Zafira.”

His voice was calm, but she heard the weight beneath it, the quiet strain, the unspoken concern. He was protecting her, ensuring she was safe, making sure that this time, she stayed.

Saphira took a step closer, closing the space between them. “I’ll come with you.”

Nikolas hesitated, his expression unreadable as he studied her face, searching for something in her eyes.

His features softened. “You don’t have to.”

Saphira offered a small, tired smile, reaching for his hand, giving it a brief squeeze. “I want to.”

Nikolas’ lips tugged up slightly, the warmth behind his gaze breaking through the exhaustion for just a fleeting second.

His thumb brushed gently against her knuckles, lingering there for a beat longer than necessary. Then, he exhaled, nodding.

“Alright,” he murmured. “Then let’s go.”

Together, they walked back in a comfortable silence, the cool night air wrapping around them like a quiet reassurance. The exhaustion was creeping in now, heavier with each step, but Saphira still felt lighter somehow, like something had settled within her after tonight.

When they reached the house, she slowed, turning toward Nikolas.

“I’m going to go back to my room, if that’s okay,” she said, though the words felt oddly hesitant on her tongue. She wasn’t sure why she felt nervous saying it, deep down she knew he wouldn't mind.

Nikolas’ gaze flicked toward her, reading something in the slight tension of her shoulders. But instead of questioning it, he simply nodded. “Of course.” Then, after a beat, he added, “I can come get you once it’s time to head to the hospital?”

The nervous edge inside her eased slightly.

“Perfect. Thank you,” she said, offering a small, tired smile.

They walked together to the floor where both their rooms were, their steps slow, reluctance lacing the air now that they had to part.

Saphira stopped at her door, turning back to him. “Speak to you soon.”

Nikolas’ lips tugged into something softer. Then, without hesitation, he leaned in, one hand cupping her face, his touch warm.

The kiss was quick but full, a fleeting promise pressed against her lips.

“See you soon,” he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek before pulling away.

Saphira smiled as she opened her door, still smiling when she closed it behind her.

She couldn’t believe this was her life now.

After everything she endured at the Silvermoon pack, after the pain, the fear, the loss, this moment felt surreal. Like something she never allowed herself to hope for.

She stepped further into her room, her eyes catching on something familiar.

Her pack.

She inhaled sharply.

She hadn’t seen it since she found Nikolas, and with everything that had happened after, she had forgotten it even existed.

Heart hammering with unexpected nostalgia, she moved toward it, kneeling down as she carefully opened it.

Inside, she found her phone, some leftover snacks, things she barely registered before her fingers brushed against something cold.

The pendant. The dragon’s gemstone.

She lifted it slowly, turning it over in her palm remembering the engraved name. Tracing the carved name with her fingers she read the name out loud.

“Araxius.”

Her pulse quickened. Nikolas’ last name was Arrax.

That… couldn’t be coincidence.

She swallowed hard, then reached for her phone, remembering the photos she took of the pillars. Flipping through the pictures she had taken of the inscriptions she noticed something she hadn’t before.

*Are these… spells?*

She needed to talk to Nikolas about this. But not now.

For now, she needed rest. So she let the exhaustion finally take over.