The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 50

A few hours later, Saphira pulled on a fitted black long-sleeve top, the fabric soft against her skin, comfortably snug. She paired it with dark jeans, sliding her phone and the dragon’s gemstone into her pocket before grabbing her worn leather jacket from the chair. It smelled faintly of pine and firewood, a reminder of the places she had been, the battles she had fought.

Just as she adjusted the collar, a knock sounded at her door.

She exhaled, steadying herself, then opened it.

Nikolas stood on the other side, looking refreshed, brighter. He had clearly rested, though she could still see traces of tension in his shoulders, a lingering weight that hadn’t fully left.

His outfit was simple but unmistakably him, dark jeans, a fitted charcoal T-shirt that did nothing to hide the sharp definition of his frame, and a black leather jacket that suited him far too well.

Saphira eyed him for a second, scanning him openly, unable to stop herself.

“Looking good,” she said, clearly checking him out.

Nikolas let out a laugh, his golden eyes gleaming as he mirrored her action, scanning her just as obviously. “Why thank you,” he mused, grinning. “So do you.”

Saphira rolled her eyes but smirked nonetheless.

“Ready to go?” Nikolas asked, adjusting his jacket.

She nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go see your sister.”

As they stepped into the hallway, Nikolas reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers effortlessly, his thumb brushing against her skin in a slow, absent gesture.

He exhaled softly, his voice dipping lower. “Thank you for doing this with me.”

Saphira squeezed his hand lightly. “Of course. She’s family.”

She hesitated before adding, “I just hope she wakes up soon.”

Nikolas’ grip tightened slightly, a quiet tension flickering through him. “Me too,” he admitted. Then, with a small smirk, he nudged her lightly with his shoulder. “I want her to meet you.”

Saphira shook her head, smiling but knowing his focus wasn’t on her, it was on Zafira.

“I think she’ll just be happy to see you,” she murmured. “And to know she’s home.”

Nikolas was silent for a moment, his gaze flickering, thoughtful.

“Maybe,” he murmured.

But Saphira knew better.

He was waiting. For her to wake up.

For the moment he could finally talk to her again. And until then, she would stay by his side.

They reached the hospital after a short walk, the crisp night air fading as the artificial brightness inside swallowed them whole.

The familiar sterile scent hit Saphira the moment they stepped through the doors, sharp, clinical, and unchanged from when they had first brought Zafira in. A quiet wave of unease settled in her chest, but she forced herself to exhale, immersing herself in the present.

As they walked through the corridors, staff members greeted them with nods of respect, some offering quiet hello's to Nikolas, their leader.

Saphira made sure to return the gestures, a small, polite smile curling her lips as she passed. These people had been here, helping, when they needed it most. Even though tension still lingered in the air, she was grateful for their presence.

When they finally reached Zafira and Asher’s mother’s room, Jasper stood waiting, arms crossed, his expression unreadable, but Saphira knew better.

There was worry in his stance.

Nikolas wasted no time. “Any update?”

Jasper glanced toward Zafira’s bed before responding. “Nothing on Zafira, I’m afraid,” he admitted, his voice holding the weight of frustration. Then, shifting his focus, he added, “Asher’s mother’s vitals are improving, though. They think she’ll wake soon.”

Relief flickered through Saphira, but it was dampened by the sight of Zafira, still unmoving, still trapped in this state of recovery.

“That’s some good news, then,” Nikolas murmured, nodding slowly. “Thanks, Jasper. I’ll see you later.”

Jasper gave a curt nod, then turned to leave. “Let me know if she wakes.”

Nikolas responded with a short nod, and as Jasper passed Saphira, he met her gaze briefly, acknowledging her presence with a silent nod before disappearing down the hall.

Once Jasper had left, the room felt quieter.

Heavier.

Saphira and Nikolas sat between the two beds, their presence settling into the space.

Nikolas instinctively reached for Zafira’s hand, holding it gently, his thumb brushing faintly over her skin.

Saphira observed her carefully, the faint colour returning to her face, the way her breathing was steady, controlled.

“She looks better than yesterday,” she said softly, watching Nikolas’ reaction.

He tilted his head, studying his sister with that same quiet intensity, as though he could will her to wake up with just his presence alone.

“She does,” he murmured.

Nikolas sat rigidly beside Zafira’s bed, his fingers loosely curled around hers, tracing faint patterns against her skin. Saphira knew he wasn’t really seeing anything, his mind was elsewhere, stuck in the waiting.

Then, unexpectedly, he turned to her.

“I know about your past,” he murmured, voice low but sincere. “But what about you? What do you like to do?”

Saphira blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

She hesitated, considering, tilting her head slightly. “What, like hobbies?”

Nikolas smirked faintly. “Yes. You must do something just for yourself.”

Saphira exhaled, leaning back against her chair, crossing her arms. She thought about it, tapping her fingers lightly against her arm.

“I like the stars,” she said finally. “Not in an astronomer way, just… watching them. Being under them.” She shrugged slightly. “It’s calming.”

Nikolas studied her for a moment, then nodded. “I get that.”

His voice was quieter now, something softer beneath it.

Before he could say more, the door opened, and the doctor stepped in.

Saphira straightened slightly, watching as the older woman entered and inspected both patients, clipboard in hand, her presence calm and reassuring.

Nikolas was watching her every move, the moment she was finished he asked. “How are they?”

The doctor smiled gently. “Better than expected, actually.” She shifted her gaze toward Zafira, then Asher’s mother. “Zafira’s recovery has been progressing quicker than we anticipated. If she continues at this rate, she should wake soon, the same with Asher’s mother.”

Relief flickered through Nikolas, barely noticeable except for the way his shoulders eased ever so slightly.

Saphira felt it too, that quiet shift in the air, the hope.

Nikolas exhaled slowly. “Thank you,” he murmured, voice steadier than before.

The doctor nodded, giving them both an approving look. “They’re strong. And so are the people looking after them.”

With that, she checked their vitals once more, then left the room, giving them space.

Saphira stole a glance at Nikolas, the tension in him not gone, but lighter.

“She’s coming back,” she said softly, watching the way his fingers tightened ever so slightly around Zafira’s hand.

Nikolas nodded, his gaze locked on his sister.

“Yes,” he murmured.

And this time she could see it clearly, he believed it.