The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 68

The transformation settled into her bones like liquid fire, heat threading through her limbs as she stood fully in dragon form, her wings stretched, claws sinking slightly into the earth beneath her.

Saphira *breathed,* deep, slow and focused.

She tuned into the pulses of emotion threading through her bond with Vaelora, searching for something *clear*, something she could grasp onto... But nothing stood out.

No defined thoughts, no undeniable signals. Just *presence*. Just *existence*. She exhaled slowly, refusing to let frustration creep in.

She needed to move.

Nikolas had told her the last time, *run, jump, feel yourself in this form.*

So she did.

She walked across the clearing, every step deliberate, feeling the weight of her body, the way her muscles worked in this form. The grass shifted beneath her claws, cool and firm, while the wind skimmed down her scales like an absentminded touch.

It felt strange at first, but as she moved, she *felt it.*

How amazing this was. How natural it felt, despite everything.

She reached the far edge of the clearing and turned back, her gaze sweeping over the open space before her.

A challenge. A moment to push herself. She rolled her neck, the stretch easing something deep in her spine.

She ran.

Her wings spread behind her, catching the air, her powerful strides eating up the ground beneath her.

Halfway across the clearing, she pushed off, her body lifting, wings stretching fully.

And she *glided*, it was clumsy at first.

Her form wavered, tilting slightly left, then right, her control barely there.

But slowly, gradually, she adjusted. She corrected. She learned.

And when she landed, her claws digging into the dirt, she felt it, the rush, the exhilaration, the sheer joy curling inside her chest.

She didn’t even hesitate before turning back, before trying again.

This time she was prepared.

This time her take off was smooth, her glide controlled, effortless.

And when she landed again, breathless but alive, she felt a surge of happiness, contentment, threading through her bond with Vaelora.

A confirmation. A recognition. She was here and she was learning, and for the first time, she knew her dragon felt it too. Fully. Clearly. And something about that made her grin. Even if she wasn’t sure what came next. Even if she still had so much more to uncover. But she would. And she couldn’t wait.

Saphira felt the quiet pulse of energy threading through her, settling deeper into her bones as she moved in her dragon form. Every stretch, every movement, the strength, the power, the bond building.

Vaelora was more present now, more connected. Their emotions intertwined, a subtle rhythm passing between them, growing stronger with each moment spent in this form.

Then there was a shift. A pull. Her dragon stirred sharply inside her mind, directing her attention toward the far edge of the clearing.

Something was there.

Saphira stilled, her wings twitching slightly as she turned and froze. In front of her stood a dragon.

Just as large as her, but entirely grey, the same shade that streaked along her own scales.

Her chest tightened, she didn’t know this dragon.

Even though the dragon seemed familiar, she realised quickly that she didn’t recognize the energy, the presence.

A spike of unease shot through her, instinct curling inward, but then Vaelora pushed through her thoughts.

A pulse of calm washed over her, her dragon’s presence threading through her mind with certainty.

Saphira’s breathing evened slightly, the panic dulling just enough for her to focus.

The grey dragon approached slowly, eyes locked onto her with quiet intensity.

She remained still, uncertain but no longer afraid.

Then the dragon lowered its head.

And sniffed her.

A strange, deliberate motion, like recognition, like confirmation.

Vaelora’s voice came clearer than it ever had before, a single truth settling deep into her consciousness, undeniable, unmistakable.

*'Family... By blood.'*

Saphira’s entire body went rigid. She barely breathed.

*Because what did that mean?*

*Who was this dragon?*

Vaelora didn’t offer answers, just that word.

Just that certainty.

Saphira stilled, her dragon’s pulse thrumming beneath her skin, recognition pressing at the edges of her mind, but she couldn’t grasp it.

The grey dragon in front of her took one last step forward, then shifted.

The transformation was smooth, effortless, and as the form settled, Asher stood there, standing tall, shoulders squared, his breathing steady but his eyes locked onto her.

Saphira felt herself step back, instinctively creating space between them, her heartbeat hammering.

*Was this the feeling I had sensed before? Was this why our dragons had reacted the way they did? Because he was family?*

Vaelora pushed against her thoughts, a steady, clear pulse of insistence threading through her.

*'Shift.'*

Her dragon wanted her to respond, wanted her to acknowledge this moment fully, to see it for what it was.

Saphira inhaled deeply, then, without hesitation she shifted back. The familiar pull of transformation washed over her, bringing her back to human form, her feet steady against the earth, her breath shallow but controlled.

And she just stood there. Watching him, she didn’t dare move, anxious of what might happen next.

Asher moved first, his eyes scanning her carefully, his expression unreadable, like he was searching for something.

He took another step forward, closer, then his gaze shifted to her hair.

His fingers brushed the strands lightly, barely there, but enough for him to see.

The same exact shade.

Recognition flickered in his eyes, something hesitant, something deep.

Saphira swallowed, her voice quieter than she expected as she finally spoke.

“Who are you to me?”

Asher’s lips parted, almost responding, but then there was a presence behind her.

It was heavy, charging. She felt it before she heard it. Nikolas stepped into the clearing, his movements sharp, powerful, his entire being thrumming with undeniable anger.

Saphira turned, her breath hitching. His golden eyes were completely black.

She had never seen him like this before.

And suddenly everything felt dangerous, more than before.

More than ever.