The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40

Saphira’s breath caught at Asher’s last words.

Another dragon

The weight of the conversation had already settled deep into her chest, but this- this added bet pax of grey or for sure she had all the edges to yet,

She glanced at Nikolas, catching the subtle shift in his posture, the tightening of his bow. He was processing, dissecting mary word, treaty papering tex whatever this meant.

Nikolas exhaled slowly, his golden eyes sharp. “Another dragon?” His tone was measured, but Saphira could feel the under

restrained, something dangerously close to anticipation.

Saphira watched Asher closely, taking in every word, every pause. There was exhaustion in his voice, but behind it buried deep–was somerking Determination.

“Yes, in the same room as my mother. They were both chained to the floor.” Asher’s voice was measured, though his breath waved by ‘bert patte have a good look though.”

Nikolas leaned forward slightly, eyes steady. “Do you think you could find where it was?

Asher hesitated, his brows furrowing in thought. “I can’t say for certain,” he admitted, frustration flickering beneath his words. “But I could pe it a gond go, for sure.”

Nikolas didn’t waste a second. “Will you show us?” The urgency in his voice was unmistakable, but then, almost as quickly, his expression softened. “Once you’re better, of course.”

Asher managed a small nod, his throat bobbing as he swallowed. “Definitely. Any chance to save my mother.” His voice faltered toward the end, heary with exhaustion, laced with something deeper, grief, maybe.

Saphira exhaled slowly, sensing how much this conversation was taking out of him. They had enough for now.

“We’ll let you get some rest,” she said gently, shifting the energy in the room. “Let us know when you’re well enough to go.”

She stood, Nikolas following suit beside her, his presence as solid and unwavering as always.

Asher gave a tired nod. “I will. Thank you.”

Saphira lingered just a second longer, watching as his eyes blinked slowly, the weight of sleep already tugging at him.

Then, with a quiet glance to Nikolas, she stepped out of the room, the door clicking shut behind them.

As Nikolas and Saphira walked back to the office, the weight of their conversation with Asher hung heavy between them. The mention of another dragon- chained down with his mother–pressed into Saphira’s thoughts like an unanswered question, one she wasn’t sure she was ready to face.

She glanced at Nikolas, catching the tension in his posture, the way his jaw clenched ever so slightly. He hadn’t spoken since they left the room, but she could feel his mind turning–breaking down possibilities, searching for the truth buried in the uncertainty.

“You’re thinking it, aren’t you?” she murmured.

Nikolas didn’t respond immediately, but his fingers twitched at his side, as if wanting to reach for something–something he thought was gone.

“It’s possible,” he admitted, though his voice was tight, strained.

Saphira exhaled slowly, keeping her gaze on him. “The Elder who kidnapped you tried to trade your life for hers, she reminded “That means he believed she was still alive

her tone softer now.

Nikolas let out a slow breath, his steps heavier, deliberate. “Or he was using her as leverage,” he muttered. “It wouldn’t be the first time they played games

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CHAPTER 40

with me.”

Saphira studied him carefully, watching the flicker of doubt, the battle between hope and fear lingering beneath his golden eyes.

“But if she is alive…” she hesitated, lowering her voice, “Wouldn’t you want to find her?”

Nikolas‘ jaw tensed, but he nodded–just barely. “Of course I do,” he admitted. “I never stopped hoping.”

Saphira felt something shift inside her at his words. He hadn’t given up–not truly.

“But if she’s been chained for a year-” His voice wavered slightly, the vulnerability flashing across his face before he steadied himself. “What are the chances that she’s okay?”

The question hit like a stone sinking into the depths of her chest.

Saphira tightened her grip on his arm, offering silent reassurance. “Slim,” she admitted. “But not impossible.”

Nikolas met her gaze fully then, and in the glow of his golden eyes, she saw it–the fear, the hope, the quiet desperation.

And in that moment, she knew.

No matter the risks, no matter what they found-

Nikolas was going to look for her.

Even if the truth shattered him in the end. Even if it was too late to save her. Because family wasn’t something he was willing to give up on. Not ever.

Saphira tightened her grip on Nikolas‘ wrist. The possibility–the hope–that his sister might still be alive clung to them, raw and unshaken, even beneath Nikolas‘ worry.

She turned to him, her expression soft but firm. “We’ll find her, Nikolas,” she said. “And we’ll help her.”

Nikolas exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face before meeting her gaze. There was something unreadable in his eyes, like he was balancing between believing and protecting himself from more disappointment.

“You don’t know that,” he muttered, though his voice lacked the sharpness of doubt. “The chance that she’s-”

“I do know,” Saphira interrupted, stepping closer. “Because you’re not alone this time. We are going to find her. And we’re not going to let the Elders stop

us.”

Nikolas hesitated, his posture rigid, as if holding himself together–but something in the way she said we made his shoulders lose some of their tension.

Still, the weight of reality settled between them.

“I don’t doubt that we can find her,” Nikolas admitted after a long pause. “But if the Elders kept her alive for this long, they have a reason. And that means they’ll do whatever it takes to keep her–or eliminate us if we get too close.”

Saphira’s chest tightened, but she didn’t let fear cloud her thoughts. “Then we plan. Properly.”

Nikolas studied her, his golden eyes flickering with something–trust, maybe.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

Saphira inhaled slowly, thinking through the steps, through the danger. “First, Asher needs to recover. He’s our only link to where they kept her. Then we scout–quietly, efficiently. No charging in headfirst.” She gave him a pointed look, knowing his instincts leaned toward action rather **

Nikolas smirked slightly but nodded.

“And if we do run into Elders,” she continued, voice unwavering, “we don’t just fight them. We outthink them.”

patience.

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CHAPTER 40

Nikolas tilted his head, considering. Then, after a moment, he gave a single nod. You surprise me, Soph

Saphira raised a brow. “Because I have a strategy?”

Nikolas‘ smirk deepened. “Because you believe we’ll win.”

Saphira held his gaze, voice steady. “We will.”

For the first time that evening, Nikolas looked at her like he truly believed it too.