<b>CHAPTER </b><b>38 </b>
<b>The </b>Royal Dragons <b>exist</b><b>. </b>
And Saphira was mated to one.
It <b>was </b>another piece to add to the already overwhelming events of the evening, stacking one impossible revtion on top of another. She barely had <b>time </b><b>to </b><b>process </b>it before Jed spoke again, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand.
“<b>How </b>did you manage to escape?” <b>he </b>asked, his tone sharp, cutting through the tension like a de.
Niks <b>sat </b><b>back </b>slightly; his expression unreadable as he answered. “I <b>was </b>able to break free. Then I was going to capture the Elder myself, but before <b>I </b>could, another killed him–then disappeared.” His words were calm, controlled, but Saphira could sense the weight beneath them. He had nned <b>to </b>take the Elder<b>, </b>but someone had stolen that chance from him.
<b>A </b>silence settled <b>over </b>the room, thick and uncertain.
“That seems… <b>easy</b><b>,</b>” Raven said, eyes narrowed.
The words hung in the air, charged with doubt.
“You’re not telling us something,” the warrior said, his voice edged with distrust. The same tone as before. The same challenge lurking beneath his words.
Niks straightened slightly. “Like what?” he asked, his voice carrying just the faintest note of warning.
“I don’t know.” The warrior leaned forward, his stare unwavering. “But you are hiding something.” His tone sharpened, usation deepening. “And it will get us all killed. You will doom us all.”
The air in the room shifted.
Niks‘ golden eyes darkened, his posture turning rigid.
“Excuse me?” His voice was low–deadly.
Before anything more could snap between them, Raven cut across the tension like a de. “Damon, enough.”
The name hit the room with weight.
But Damon wasn’t done.
He shot to his feet, energy sharp, unrestrained. “No! I don’t trust him! He disappears to the Matchmaker for God knows how long, then vanishes for days-es back unharmed, ming our Elders?” His voice rose, pressing into the room, demanding something–answers, proof<b>, </b>confirmation that Niks wasn’t lying.
“Sit down,” Jed ordered, voice clipped, controlled.
But Damon didn’t listen.
He repeated himself–over and over, the usations spilling from his lips like venom, too loud, too forceful.
And soon, the room cracked under the weight of it,
Voices shed, rising in tension.
The warriors, Jed, Finn, Raven–all arguing, tangled in the chaos Damon had ignited,
Saphira remained still, her pulse quick, <i>her </i>mind sharp, watching everything unfold.
Only she and Niks weren’t speaking.
CHAPTER <b>38 </b>
<b>Saphira </b>stole <b>a </b><b>nce </b>at Niks. His expression remained neutral–calm, steady. But why? Was <b>he </b>truly unfazed by all this, or <b>was </b><b>he </b>holding himsell b refusing to reveal anything to them? Either <b>way</b>, the constant back–and–forth, the arguing, was starting to wear on <b>her</b><b>. </b>
<b>A </b>slow frustration coiled in her chest<b>, </b><b>winding </b>tighter with every tense voice that filled the room.
<b>Then</b><b>–</b>snap.
<b>“</b>Enough! Saphira’s voice cut through the chaos like a de, sharp,manding.
The room stilled instantly, all eyes locking onto her.
She turned her gaze directly to Damon, the anger simmering beneath her words spilling out in full force. “He was able to escape from the strength of <b>a </b>true <b>mate </b>bond.”
Silence stretched thick and <b>heavy</b><b>. </b>
Damon stiffened, his <b>own </b>expression flickering between shock and something else–something dangerously close to fear.
Saphira wasn’t finished.
She stepped forward slightly, eyes locked onto his. <b>“</b>And you need to show some damn respect before I remove <b>you </b>from this pack myself.”
Her breath was heavy, chest rising and falling as the weight of her words settled over the room<b>. </b>
Damon sat instantly, the defiance draining from him, reced by stiff uncertainty.
Raven was the first to break the silence.
“Your true mates<b>?</b><b>” </b>she asked, voiceced with intrigue.
Jed exhaled slowly, rubbing his chin as a flicker of realization crossed his features. “But that means… hmm.”
Saphira held his gaze, watching understanding click into ce behind his eyes.
And she smiled. She knew Jed would figure it out.
When Saphira sat back down, she instinctively nced at Niks, finding his golden eyes locked on hers, filled with something that made her breath hitch- admiration. There was no teasing smirk, no yful remark. Just quiet intensity, like he had seen something in her tonight that changed everything.
Heat bloomed in her chest, but she pushed past it, offering him a small smile before turning her attention back to the room.
Niks exhaled lightly, shifting his focus. “Now that’s settled–any more questions, or can we call it a night?” His voice was steady, leaving the conversation open but firm.
Finn didn’t hesitate. “Let’s call it.” He pushed his chair back, standing. One by one, the others followed, nodding toward them before leaving the office. All except Damon–who left too quickly, his movements sharp, his energy unreadable.
Saphira caught the flicker of unease in Niks‘ expression as the warrior disappeared, but before she couldment, he reached for her,
In one fluid motion, Niks pulled her onto hisp.
Her pulse stammered at the sudden shift, the warmth of his hold settling against her skin.
“I’ve got to say, I’m impressed,” he murmured, his voice lower now, intimate in a way that sent something electric through her veins. “You’re a natural.”
Saphira felt a flush creep up her neck<b>, </b>unprepared for the praise. “I don’t know what came over me,” she admitted, letting out <i>a </i>small breath. <b>“</b><b>I </b>just—had enough.”
His grip on her tightened, not possessive, but grounding.
<b>CHAPTER </b><b>38 </b>
“Well, I liked it,” he said, fingers pressing gently against her hip. His eyes searched hers, something unspoken <b>hovering </b>between in about us–especially <b>now </b>that we’re true mates?”
Saphira held his gaze, seeing past the confidence, past the teasing remark. He wanted assurance. She could feel it.
<b>“</b>When I thought you were about to die…” she started softly, cing a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm T feeling I never want to feel that again.” Her voice wavered just slightly, but she didn’t stop. “In that moment, if you had died so would L
Niks inhaled sharply, his grip tightening for a fraction of a second, but she didn’t let him speak.
“I knew I felt something more when I couldn’t not look for you,” she continued, letting the words fall between them, real and raw<b>. </b>“I didn’t know if it was because of your mark, but–for the first time in my life–it was something I wanted. Something I needed.”
Silence stretched, charged, heavy with the weight of everything left unspoken.
Then, a breath–a shift–Niks‘ hand slid up to cup her face.
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a long time,” he murmured, <b>voice </b>rough with emotion before he gently pulled her closer.
And then–his lips imed hers.
The kiss was deep, intense, brimming with everything neither <b>of </b>them had <b>dared </b>to say aloud. Her hands tangled in his hair, his grip molding her to him. the warmth between them searing in a way that left no room for doubt.
There <b>was </b>no hesitation anymore.
She was his.
And he was hers<b>. </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>
Tracy Gordon
Damon and possibly jed are traitors. Damon for sure. Raven???
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