The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 90

The morning light stretched in soft bands across the crumpled sheets, casting a warm gold across the room’s stillness. Saphira stirred, her fingers absently brushing the mattress beside her, empty. The lack of his presence hit her with an odd ache, gentle but present, like missing the last note in a familiar song.

She sat up slowly, sheets tangled around her legs, and pushed a hand through her hair, wincing as her fingers caught a knot. Her gaze drifted to Nikolas’s side of the bed, still faintly warm, but silent.

Then she saw the folded note, set carefully on the pillow.

She reached for it, fingertips grazing the edges before unfolding it.

*Went to meet with Jed. I’ll fill you in later. Meet me at our spot at noon, your first fighting lesson. Love you. N x*

Her lips curved, soft and unguarded. Of course he left a note. That quiet, thoughtful care was stitched into everything he did, like he never wanted her to feel alone, even in moments he wasn’t there.

Saphira stretched with a groan, spine cracking as she lifted her arms overhead. She peeled out of bed and padded barefoot across the room, choosing comfortable clothes with easy movement, leggings, a loose top. Something she could breathe in. Something she could fight in.

As she wandered the halls, the early quiet hummed gently around her. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and followed muscle memory until she stood outside Finn and Amara’s room. Laughter leaked through the door, bright and familiar.

She knocked once.

Finn swung it open with his usual grin, eyes sparkling. “Morning. You look half asleep.”

Saphira smirked, arms crossed. “Long night. Want to get breakfast?”

Amara appeared behind him, tugging her hair into a quick braid. “Yes, please. I’m starving.”

Saphira laughed lightly. “That answers that, then.”

They made their way to the dining hall together, the path familiar, the comfort growing. She kept her words light, no talk of Elders or recordings. That time would come. For now, she wanted this.

They settled into seats and began eating, steam rising from the plates.

“So…” Amara started, fork halfway to her mouth. “How are things with Anastasia?”

Saphira blinked, then smiled slowly. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Complicated. But… I want to try. We talked. I think we’re open to something. It’s just going to be slow.”

Finn nodded, chewing thoughtfully. “That’s good. You deserve the chance to know her, like you should’ve all along.”

Saphira looked down at her food, the steam curling up into the silence. “It’s just… a lot. So much, all at once.”

“I know,” Finn said gently. “But you’re home now. And right where you belong. With family.”

She glanced at him, really glanced and smiled. “Now that I agree with.”

After a beat, she added, “I’m starting fighting lessons today.”

Amara froze mid-bite. “Wait... Really?”

“In my dragon form,” Saphira said. “Nikolas says it’s time.”

Finn smirked, reaching for an apple. “Good. You need to learn.”

Saphira narrowed her eyes as she sipped her drink. “You sound suspiciously prepared. What do you know?”

Finn lifted both hands innocently. “Nothing. Just… good to be ready.”

She rolled her eyes playfully, then leaned her elbows on the table. “Alright, enough about me. How are you guys doing? Amara, settling in okay?”

Amara’s features softened as she glanced at Finn. “Yeah. Honestly… it feels like home.” Her hand brushed his, knuckles lightly touching.

Saphira’s heart swelled. That kind of peace, it was rare. But not impossible.

“I’m happy for you,” she said warmly. “Even if you do have to put up with him.” She nodded toward Finn with mock severity.

“Hey,” Finn said, feigning outrage.

Amara grinned. “He’s perfect for me.”

“Well, if that ever changes,” Saphira said with a teasing glint in her eye, “just let me know. I’ll sort him out.”

Finn shot her a playful glare. “You’re all heart.”

They laughed, and Saphira relaxed into the rhythm of the morning.

Saphira stepped out of the pack house, the midday sun slipping through wind-tossed leaves like scattered gold. The clearing spread before her, dappled with light and shadow, familiar and intimidating all at once. She tugged once at the hem of her fitted top, adjusted the tight braid at the nape of her neck, and rolled her shoulders, boots laced for movement, heart drumming with quiet resolve.

This is happening. Her fingers flexed at her sides. First step toward fighting back, for real.

The grass gave a muted crunch beneath her as she approached the edge of the clearing, the air thick with something she couldn’t quite name. Her breath hitched slightly when she spotted two figures already waiting.

Zafira stood with her arms loosely crossed, feet shoulder-width apart, the kind of calm that came with clarity etched in her expression. Beside her, Anastasia paced in a small circle, a weighted stone flipping through the air and caught with practiced ease, her movements quick but tight—controlled. The restraint was clear. Like they were testing the feel of their own skin again.

Both were in human form. Their bodies ready, but not loose. Not free. Still learning to trust the transformation that once betrayed them.

Zafira turned first, her smirk tugging just enough at one corner of her mouth. “Hey, look who decided to show up.”

Saphira scoffed softly, a genuine smile lifting her face as she closed the distance. “Didn’t expect company.”

Anastasia shrugged, stopping her pacing. “We wanted to train in human form first. Shifting’s still...” She hesitated, flipping the stone once more. “Complicated.”

“But we’ll get there,” Zafira added, her eyes meeting Saphira’s with quiet determination.

Saphira nodded, the corners of her smile softening. “You will. I get it.”

And she did, deeply. The mistrust, the hesitation. She felt it tug beneath her own ribs every time her body began to shift. They didn’t have the whole story yet. No one did. But the charge in the air, the weight behind each glance, it wasn’t paranoia. It was instinct. Something big was coming.

Movement caught her attention, Jed and Finn arrived from the eastern trail, geared up and carrying training blades. Finn wore his usual grin; Jed’s eyes scanned the space with quiet assessment before he dropped the weapons onto a cloth square near a fallen log.

“You three are with us,” Jed said, voice calm but clipped. “We’ll build on what you know. And dig into where you’re still hesitating.”

Saphira raised a brow and pointed at Finn, narrowing her eyes. “You never mentioned you were joining us this morning.”

Finn grinned, reaching out to pat her shoulder. “Surprise?”

“Hmm,” she muttered, eyeing him sideways. “Classic Finn logic.”

Her gaze flicked around the group. “Okay, so where am I heading?”

Nikolas’s voice rolled in behind her like warm thunder. “You’re with me.”