The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 120

CHAPTER 120

The clearing had settled into stillness again, the wind threading through the tall grass like a lullaby, Saphira stood barefoot, toes curling into the earth, arms slack at her sides. Her breath came in slow, uneven pulls, the remnants of the last shift still humming beneath her skin. Her fingers twitched–residual heat, or nerves, she couldn’t tell.

Nikolas put his hands on her shoulders. “You did well,” he said, volce low and sure. He reached up, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek with the back of his knuckles. The touch was featherlight, but it calmed her. “I only stopped you because I didn’t want you hurting yourself–or me. But this time…” He stepped back, giving her space. “I won’t intervene too quickly. I want to give you the room to find control.”

Saphira swallowed hard, her throat tight. Her gaze dropped to the ground, then flicked back up to meet his. Not failure. Not success. Just the space between. “Okay,” she mured. “Let’s try again.”

Nikolas nodded, his expression unreadable but open. The distance between them felt charged–like the moment before lightning splits the sky.

Saphira closed her eyes. Her hands curled into fists, nails biting into her palms. Find the thread. Find the heat. She reached inward, calling up the memories–Ruby’s voice, sharp and cold; the betrayal that had carved hollows in her chest; the tension that had lived in her spine like a second skeleton.”

It didn’t take long.

Her breath hitched. Her ribs tightened. Heat bloomed beneath her skin, rising like a tide.

‘Vaelera,‘ she whispered. ‘Take it.‘

The shift slammed into her like a wave. Bones stretched, skin burned, fire roared through her veins. Her dragon surged forward, and Saphira felt herself pulled behind the veil, her awareness dimming at the edges.

Vaelora roared, wings flaring wide, claws digging into the earth. Nikolas was already moving, his stance firm, his presence a wall between her and the sky.

Then it hit. The block. Thick. Cold. Unyielding.

Saphira pressed against it mentally, her consciousness straining like fingers against glass. ‘Vaelora, give me control.‘

Silence.

She pushed harder. ‘Please. Let me in.‘

The block pulsed, stronger now, pressing her further out. She could still see–through Vaelora’s eyes–Nikolas bracing, ready. But she couldn’t steer. He’s holding her down. I need to act. I need to move.

She reached for the thread–the place where her will met Vaelora’s. It shimmered, just out of reach. She grabbed it, tugged

hard.

Nothing.

Frustration surged, hot and bitter. Enough.

Her voice snapped through the shared space. ‘Vaelora! Give me control. No

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CHAPTER 120

The dragon stilled mid–motion, wings half–raised.

‘We are one,‘ Saphira said, her tone sharp, commanding. ‘You cannot remain in control. Just like I always leave the connection open for you in my human form, you have to do the same.

A pause. Then a ripple.

Saphira telt it–guilt, hesitation. Vaelora’s fury dimmed, replaced by something quieter. She’s listening.

Saphira softened her mental grip. ‘We need to work together. I know it’s new. And terrifying. But if we want to be strong, we have to learn together. Not apart.‘

The block began to ease. The pressure lifted like fog burning off in sunlight. Saphira felt herself slide forward, her consciousness merging with Vaclora’s–not overtaking but joining. The dragon didn’t resist.

She welcomed her.

‘We are one,‘ Vaclora whispered.

Saphira smiled inwardly, the warmth of it blooming through her chest. ‘We are.‘

The shift back was gentle this time. Her body folded into itself, fire receding, bones settling. She knelt in the grass, palms pressed to the earth, breath steady, heart full.

Nikolas stood a few feet away, arms crossed, a grin stretched wide across his face. Admiration lit his eyes like sunrise.

“That,” he said, voice rich with pride, “was incredible.”

Saphira rose slowly, brushing dirt from her knees. Her legs trembled, but she stood tall. She hadn’t just taken control. She’d earned it. And she hadn’t done it alone.

Before Saphira could fully steady herself, Nikolas was already moving–his boots slicing through the grass, his grin wide and uncontained. He reached her in two strides, arms wrapping around her waist as he lifted her clean off the ground and spun her in a tight circle.

She let out a startled laugh, her hands flying to his shoulders for balance. The wind caught her hair, and for a moment, the world–narrowed to the warmth of his chest and the joy in his eyes.

He kissed her–firm, breathless, full of pride–and then gently set her down, his hands lingering at her waist.

“I’ve never seen a bond form so quickly,” he said, voice low with awe. “And joint control? That easily overcome? It’s rare.

Almost unheard of.”

Saphira blinked, her brows knitting. “How do you know?”

Nikolas smirked, brushing a thumb across her cheek. “Your mind link was open. Vorthar and I could hear everything.”

Her eyes widened, then softened. Of course. She hadn’t even thought to shield it. But she didn’t mind. Not with him. “It feels good,” she said, her voice quiet. “And… in a weird way, I feel stronger. It’s hard to explain, but it’s there. Like something

clicked.”

Nikolas nodded, his gaze steady. “That’s because you and Vaelora have fully bonded. From here, it only gets stronger. Every shift, every moment you work together–it’ll build.”

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CHAPTER 120

Saphira smiled, the weight in her chest lightening Tean’t wait”

But then her repression shifted, more thoughtful. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides. “Once everythings over… I need. to work through it all, Everything I’ve been through. This training–it’s opened my eyes. I’ve pushed so much down. I Raven’t truded hall of it?

Nikolas’s face softened. He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her again. “When you’re ready,” he said, I’ll help in

any way I can.

She leaned into him, her forehead resting against his. They kissed again–slower this time, more passionate. A promise.

Footsteps approached, and two warriors emerged from the treeline, heads bowed respectfully.

“Apologies for the interruption,” one said. “But Damon has requested to speak with you, Alpha.”

Nikolas straightened, his expression sharpening. “I’ll go right away.”

“I’m coming too,” Saphira said, already stepping forward.

Nikolas turned, hesitating. “Saphira-”

She met his gaze, firm but gentle. “We’re in this together.”

He exhaled, then nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Sorry. I’m still getting used to being a team.”

Saphira reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze. “We’ll get there.”

Together, they walked toward the cells, side by side, the wind at their backs and the bond between them stronger than

ever.

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