The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 59

APTER 59

Not long after Zafins had seker, she was back asleep, her breathing does and even, her body still requesting fo

ind had joined then just before the drifted off again, his relief event in the way betely let af her hand wanting term, inable to sleep, waiting for any uplate on het conditions.

The night stretched on, long and silent, with only the rational presence of a doctor coming in a check her vitals.

Saphira sat beside Zara’s best, shifting erosionally, trying to ease the stiffnen settling into her limbs, Shep came in short intervals – factored and restless. Every movement in the tours jelted her make, her mind tou alert, ton wired to fully strender to ethentic.

Nikolas was the same.

Jeden

Note of the truly slept with the weight of uncertainty preasing down on them,

T’a-

A soft click of the door opening inapped Saphira from the hate of half–sleep.

She inked, rubbing the heel of her hand against her eyes before looking toward the entrance.

Nikolas stepped inside, his posture slightly heavier than usual, but his grip steady around the three to–go coffee caps in his hands.

“Here,” he murmured, his voice lower than usual, edged with quiet exhaustion. “Thought we could all do with it.”

He handed her one of the caps, the warmth of it soothing against her cald fingers.

She curled both hands around it instantly, inhaling the familiar scent, letting it settle thing inside her

Nikolas handed the second cup to led, who had just stirred, stretching out his shoulders before taking the offered drink.

“I’ve updated everyone, Nikolas said as he sat down beside Saphira, rolling his shoulders slightly before taking a sip of his own code. Told them to go home for now. There isn’t anything they can do here.”

Saphira nodded slow, her fingers flexing against the cup, absorbing the heat.

“Good idea,” led murmured, his voice now from sleep deprivation, but carrying an edge of agreement.

Saphira kept her are on the steam curling from the surface of her drink, her mind beady circling around what cane mest.

Would Nikolay tell her to go home too?

She didn’t want to argue–didn’t want to make this about her. But she needed to stay.

She needed to be here.

She wallowed, beating herself, seating for him to say it.

But–headn’t.

He didn’t so much as hint that the should leave.

Reel washed over her, though she kept her expression neutral, taking a slow sip of her coffee, letting the warmth push way the

She wasn’t going anywhere.

CHAPTER 59

it wasn’t long before another centred then, moving with rab quiet focus

precation as he assessed Zalita, dincking far sttals, eating the monitor wits

Saphira shifted slightly in her chair, wothing lonely, sailing for any sign–any tube stuff in the door’s tight timething new

Beside her, led snaightened, his voir familiar and steady as he asked, “Any uplate?”

He asked it every time a doctor entried, the same works, the sine theral of expectation led

The docter finished filling out his forms before offering a resting nod. Her vitals are improving, but

fed exhaled slowly, his tension eaning jout slightly. “Thanks, Dec”

Once the doctor left, illence settled thick beineen them again.

It wasn’t the conforting kind—it was too heavy, the sustain, stretching its something uncomfortable

Saphira shitted again, rubbing her thumb absentmindedly against her palm the hated this waiting, hated how helgesine

Then-knock at the door.

I glanced up as Raven signaled for Nikolas and led, standing in the hallway, her experisian tight with something unreadable.

look at Saphira. “I’ll be hack in second”

Nikolas stood, casting a quick le

She nodded. “Of course.”

Jed followed him out, leaving Saphire alone with Zafita, the stillness pressing in once more.

Her gaze drifted toward the hallway, watching as Nikolas, led, and Raven spoke in hushed tones. She couldn’t hear the words–but she could see it, the tension in their postures, the sharp lines in Raven’s face.

Whatever it was it wasn’t good news,

Minute paised before Nikolas returned, stepping back into the soon, his moments slightly more rigid than before

Saphira straightened, her pulse ticking up slightly. “Everything okay??

Nikolai rim, a b

ra hand over his jave, his gaze flickering between Zafira, Jed, and Saphira bere settling on her.

“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “There’s commation at the east boeder, and itimlers Barnan.”

Saphira frowned, inhaling slowly, trying to read the tension in his voice

“They need assistance and requested me and jed

he didn’t hesitate. “Then you need to

Niklas glanced toward Zafira’s still fem, hesitation fickening across his features.

“I’ll stay with her,” Saphira continued, standing and placing a gentle hand on his am, steadying him.” can send the clather–to stay with me while you’re g

He exhaled sharply, his fingers curling slightly before releasing. “I feel bad leaving her when she might wake at any manuent.”

Saphira squeezed his agni lightly, her voice after hut firm. “on still have a pack a run.

He held her group a long moment, searching, before finally adding

CHAPTER 59

ΠΡ

arsing–he leased down, pressing a brief, firm kirs to her lips, something grateful and resolute in the proture.

see if Finn can sit with you.”

Saphir watched as he turned, moving forward the door, his pace quickening instantly as he stepped into the hallway, fed falling in stride bemade him,

Whatever was happening–whatever kat pulled him away–it was urgent.

And even though she hated watching him leam, hated the uncertainty of not knowing –

the understood

just hoped they wouldn’t be gone for long

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Tracy Gordon

I knew Damon was a traitor. little snake

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