The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 55

CHAPTER 55

Saphira said goodbye to the girls, lingering for a moment at the doorway, soaking in the warmth that had settled in her chest. It was different–this feeling- of belonging, of having something outside of Nikolas and Finn anchoring her to this place. It wasn’t just duty or survival anymore. It was connection.

There was still so much to figure out–her calling, her dragon, the tangled mess of identity y she hadn’t yet unravelled. But for tonight, she didn’t need all the answers. She just needed to take things one step at a time.

Tomorrow, she would talk to Fi

Tonight, he would be there for Nikolas.

She made her way to her room first, rubbing at her arms as she stepped inside. The early evening air carried a chill, wrapping around her as she moved to grab fresh clothes. Even though she had showered that morning, hours of games had left her hat and sticky, and she wanted to feel fresh before heading to the hospital.

The water ran warm over her skin, soothing in its simplicity. She let the steam clear her thoughts, washing away the weight of the past few days.

Once the was done, she changed into leggings and an oversized 1–shin–nothing fancy, just comfort

She can a brush through her damp hair, pulling it into a loose braid, then stepped toward Nikolas” door, knocking lightly.

at the already knew.

She hesitated, knocking once more–but the lack of reports confirmed what

le was still at the hospital.

et left for for

Which grant fe likely hady’t left for food

(head slightly. Of course, he was still there. He probably wouldn’t leave until Zafira woke up.

Before heading out, she made a detout to the dining room, the set of freshly prepared food greeting her as she stepped inside,

She grabbed two take away be

hours from the stack, preparing to fill them when a familiar figare caught her attention

Aster stood by the buffet, staring at the variety of

front of him, usmasing, his expersion distant.

Saphira approached, offering a small smile. “Hey, Asher”

He turned, his own smile apprating–gemine, but subdued. “Oh, hey, Saphira Crabbing some fod

“Yeah.” She lifted oor of the containers sight. “Thought I’d pack up some for Nikolas and I and take it to the hospital.”

Aber nodded, glancing hack at the food before picking up a container himmelf.

“same,” he said, exhaling. “Nikolas loved me to com me and get some food.”

Saph

a short laugh. “Sounds about right”

– She started filing her container, but paused when the noticed Asher hadn’t moved–hadn’t added anything to hịp màn bạn

“You not like anything?” she asked, tilting her head..

Jaher let out a slow breath, shifting his wright. “jast…don’t know what to have, It feels wrong, eating while Mum is unconscious.”

Ha voce was quiet, beavy, and the was his fingers tightened around the edge of the box made something tot to Saphira’s chest

mudging him lightly.“1 know,” she said, voice gentle but firm. “But you need your strength at grab a bit of everything, see how you feel

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CHAPTER 55

when we get back –

Aber hesitated, his grip flexing slightly against enntajner before modding “Okay”

Saphira waited as he started picking out

to the hospital was quiet, the evening air crisp against Saphira’s skin. The sun had began its descent, casting golden hors over the trees lining the path. The silence between them in’t uncomfortable–it was thoughtful, filled with unspoken worries and lingering exhaustion.

glanced at Asher, noticing the temon in his shoulders, the way he carried himself–like his mind was elever, locked in worry.

“How are you healing?” she asked, breaking the silence gently

Asher let out a slow breath, rub bad-

hand absently over his amm as though checking for pain. “I’m good now,” he admitted. “Still a bale stiff.

Saph

odded, watching him carefully, sensing the hesitation in his tone. There was more to it.

re still worried,” she said softh

Aber’s grip flexed slightly at his side. “Yeah,” he murmured. “For

Saphira’s chest tightened.

“Wars her ranie?” thei

Auler beutated

and before replying: “Anastasia:+1

There was wright in that name–something

ng filled with history, something he didn’t need to explain for her to understand.

voce carrying that quiet vulnerability he hadn’t let slip before. “If she doesn’t pull through He swallowed

prankutance, not forcing words, just presence

Saphira reached out, Brushing her fingers against.

“She will,” she said gently. “She’s fighting, Ashen, She’s itill here.”

His jaw clenched alightly, but he nodded, as though trying to convince

fter a pause, he let out a slow ftruth. “Thanks,” he murmured.

in before she would respond; he stepped far

pulled her into a bug.

Saphira stiffened for a second, surprised–but the instant

wrapped around her, something shiftedag

pulse of energy, deep inside her chest–inside her dragon

She inhaled sharply, her grip on his back tightening briefly before she instinctively pulled away, stepping back as confusion and inside her

His experation munoted ha–wide–eyed, startled, searching

before either of them could say a

word, a vice cat through the moment,

me stood by the

cut her posture but relief in her voice

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CHAPTER 55

“She’s waking up.”

Asher froze

Then–without hesitation–he bolted past Saphira, his breath uneven, his entire focus redirected.

Saphira stood there for a second, heartbeat pounding–not from the news, but from what had just happened.

Whatever that was between her and Asher–she didn’t have time to question it.

Not for now anyway.

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