The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 47

CHAPTER 47

Saphira stand there, in herr dhongres hum, bet mative frame rooted to the grond

every leaf, every ripple of movement in the distance was so detailed peady merchelmed lur. the bearing was boredible, datching

even the finest rating of costumes hidden within the tires. And her sense of andber, filling het nemes in a way she had never experienced.

she allowed, or at least tried to her throat felt different, thicker, and when the exhaled, the

led, she felt the heat of her

She forced herself to look down, adjusting to the new length of her neck, her vision following the contours of bar body.

Her legt–Mack, shimmering Exietly between each :

Her underbelly–tarting dark, then failing to a anti ging at it formelled.

She flexed her wings, spreading them out, feeling the shift in weight as they stretched fally. The jene grey lined the beer, gradually darkening fork inte black at the

A quiet sente of ave settled into her chest, but then-

She frowned

She turned her head in different angles, searching for something–anything–that might reflect her image back

Befer she could dwell on the frustration, Mikelas‘ voice eat though the allener.

“You are beautiful” His tone was filled with something quiet, something reverent,

Ste turned toward him slowly, his figure still human, standing there, admiring her with something close to awe.

“your head and face are pure white,” he murmured. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Saphir wanted to thank him–to say something-

But instead, a sudden burst of fire erupted from her mouth.

Saphira’s eyes widened as the ball of fire shot from her mouth, sorrying the ground in front of Nikolas

She had forgottes–fur |

just one flecting moment – what she was

Nikolas barely had time to react, jumping swiftly to the side, landing in a crouch before looking back at the smouldering spot where he had just been standing

Slowly, his gaze shifted to her, one row raised, amusement flickering in his golden eyes.

“Well, h

he drawled, straightening up and dusting himself ofl. “That’s one way to say thank you.”

Saphira let out a half–half embarrassment, hall whaps–but stopped herself before she accidentally torched hingala.

Nikolas chuckled, stepping forward, eyes gleaming with mischief.

“Let’s maybe work on your communication skilly before I end up extra crispy, yeah?”

Nikolas stepped closer, still grinning as the laighter faded.

“Now you need to communicate with your dragon,” he said, his voice dipping into something more serious.

Saphira tilted her head slightly, trying to

to indicate her confusion.

173

Nikolas caught on immediately

“Dragons are hander to build a bond with,” he explained, ninning a hand chebilly over the scales along bet 1 first, you’ll only communicate when there’s a stinng emilian se desire to†

Saphiru inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself, to wrap her best around eve

“To start the percess,” Nikolas continued, his golden eyes gleaming as he looked New” He tirpped back slightly, getting toward the space ammond them. “None

Saphira hesitated

(her, “pocneed to learn about

Nikolas stood with his mums crossed, watching her carefully presence ready, a quiet eravenante in the contneen of the cleaning

“Start small,” b

he instructed. “Walking, running, Jumping be here the

le time–ready to transform if needed.

Saphin nodded, exhaling tharply befine she took her first few depo..

Het new form felt heavy, but not in a thuggish way—rather in a way that made her aware of merry marie, mery shift of nimement. Her limba were pruritol, each step pressing firmly into the rath. It wasn’t like walking as a human. It was more deliberate,

She picked up the pace, transitioning into a mon

The momentum, sent a thrill through her, though it took effort to keep her footing, to balance the sheer size of herself. But the shoved natural it felt the more it felt like hers.

She circled back, finding the confidence to attempt a jump.

The moment her legs pushed off the ground, she realized

She had made a mistake.

She hadn’t expected to go so high.

For a split second, panic gripped her–her wings instinctively twitching, unsure whether to catch her mid–air or let gravity take control. But bes react, she came crashing back down, landing with a heavy thud.

She sucked in a sharp breath, feeling the slight tremor in her legs, waiting for the pounding of her heart to slow,

“Oh yeah,” Nikolas said casually from the sidelines, humour laced in his voler. “I forgot to warn you about the jumping”

Saphira tumed her head toward him slowly, animpressed.

Without thinking, she exhaled–too hard.

A fireball shot from her mouth, heading straight toward him.

Nikolas jumped out of the way with perfect precision, laughing as he landed smoothly on his feet

“Okay, sorry, sorry” He grinned; hand raised in mock surender. “My bad”

Saphira huffed, smoke curling slightly from her noluils.

“But,” Nikolas added, tilting his head, “you should try again. Now you know what to expect”

Saphira tumed back toward the clearing. She bent her legs, bearing herself property this time, feeling the weight in her males.

And when she jumped–she enjoyed it.

2/3

CHAPTER 47

Saphira exhaled deeply, letting the last remnants of adrenaline settle as she stepped toward Nikolan, waiting for his prat instructi

Naolas studied her. “That’s enough physical activity for today.” Nikolas‘ expression shifted, his voice after but firm. “Before we finish, pred 15 try and communicate with your diagon. Eram bet name *

Saphira Minked, caught off guard by the request. Her name

Howse the supposed to do that?–

She had felt her presence–felt the hum of energy beneath her skin–but actually graking to her counterpart? That felt different

Nikolas stepped closer, placing a reassur

the desire to meet her. Then simply ask ”

hand on her scaled leg, gmunding her. “Lay down,” he instructed gently: “Close your eyes: Picture your dragon —–—–

Saphira hesitated for a moment belowe finally lowering bersell onto the ground, feeling the cool earth beneath her massive frame.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, letting herself fall into the memory of her shift–the awe of her new form, the sharpness of her sees, strength humming beneath every muscle.

She embraced it. More than anything, she wanted to know the other half of herself–to understand the being who had always been there, com if she had never truly spoken to her

And so, finally, she asked.

“What shall I call you?”

The kind of silence that stretched through time, pressing against the space between worlds,

She waited, forcing herself to stay patient, to listen for something–anything

Then-

A faint murmur.

Salt. Distant.

Bat unmistakable.

Chapter Comments

POST COMMENT NOW

7