Saphira moved carefully through the dense forst, each step caleted, each nce at their ammondings deliberate. She traced everything that stood fallen tree hete, a nate creek saking through the undergrowth there–mentally miting them all. If they needed to backtrack, the mand know emily


    ????


    The group was silent as they wolked, the weight of their mission pressing against them. Even the oral hanter between Finn and Jnd had disappeared,


    ced by brise c


    <b>Niks </b>kept close, as he had throughout the journey. Every now and thes, his fingers handed spinst hers, his am grating purposefully. A silent reminder that he was there. That they were in this together.


    ve hers –not intentionally, but


    Ahead of them, Jmper suddenly spoke, his vier stealy but Inst


    ‘reing up to the print.”


    Saphna’s bu <ul><li>breath hitched slightly, her pulse quickering </li></ul>


    This <b>was </b>it


    A few secondster, the forest opened up into a <b>break </b>in the trees, and Asher stepped forward, his movements slow, careful


    Saphir watched him closely. His bodynguage had shifted–the exhaustion still clung to him, but something else took over now Determination.


    He closed his eyes, bross knitting together, his breath controlled as he tried to focus


    allowed, forcing herself to <b>stay </b>still, stay quiet.


    Saphira swallowed,


    She allently prayed that he would remember–or at least sense which <b>way </b>to go


    I think it’s this way.”


    Asher’s voice was steady, more certain than before<b>, </b>but Saphira didn’t miss the flicker of hesitation in his expression.


    <b>Nis </b>stepped beside him, studying him carefully. “Are you sure?” he asked, bistene firm but careful. “You can take a few minutes to decide.”


    “No, I’m sure.” Asher’s reply came quicker this time, <b>his </b>voice filled with more conviction, though Saphira could still sense the weight of doubt lingering beneath his resolve.


    Saphira stepped forward, standing beside Niks. “Then let’s go and keep to our pairs<b>.</b><b>” </b>She turned to the rest of the group, scanning their faces. “<b>Are </b>we <b>all </b>happy with our pairs?”


    Everyone added in agreement.


    Jed with Asher–steady and experienced<b>, </b>keeping <b>Asher </b>grounded.


    Fan and Amara <b>natural </b><b>pair</b>, instinctive in their movements, bncing each other’s <b>energy</b>.


    Jasper and Haven–sharp, calcting, their skillplementing each other.


    And finally, Niks and Saphira. Her mate. Her parer. Her anchor. She felt the weight of that thought <b>settle </b>into her <b>chest</b>, but she posted it aside, focusing on the mission.


    Niks took charge, his voice calm butmanding. “Let’s pu. Keep an eye out and don’t let your guard dosen.” He nced toward Asher, giving him a nod, “When we’re closer, we’ll split up.”


    Without another word, they followed Asher’s leal, winding between thick bahet and trees, their steps careful, measured.


    The silence between them was heavy–not the kind of silence born from ease<b>, </b>but one filled with anticipation. Saphira could feel it in the fir, in every nowment in every dance exchanged between their tran


    It fell like they were walking for hours, the temploj moating, each step taking them closer to something <b>unknow </b>


    Then suddenly Asher stopped..


    His voice was quiet, just hood enough for them all to hear, but the weight of his sends was suffocating.


    Everyone paused, scanning their sumoundings, taking in the space, searching for sims–mything that might


    what they were stepping intu.


    They huddled together, forming a light circle,


    Niks golden gaze fckered between them, his expression uneble. “Kight. We’er been through the <b>n</b>,” he started, looking at each of them in tur “Our safety is the priority. We split up to scape the ce out rely. Then we regroup to n the next steps.”


    His voice carried an unspoken warning–un reckless moves, no unnecessary risks.


    He let the words settle before adding. “Am I clear?”


    Everyone nodded, quiet agreement passing between them.


    Niksored to Raven then, his gaze steady. “Cloak us.”


    <b>Raven </b>exhaled, rolling her shoulders, preparing herself. Her hands <b>lifted </b>slightly, fingers twitching as she summoned the energy needed to weave the spel


    The air around them shifted, a subtle hum of magic vibrating beneath the surface, wapping itself around them like an unseen veil.


    Raven’s dark eyes met Niks, then Saphira’s. This will hold,” she said, her voice serious,ced with quiet waming. “But be careful. If <b>you </b>draw too much attention, they will <b>sense </b>us.”


    Saphira nodded, feeling the weight of the moment settle fully onto her chest.


    Then–without hesitation–they split up


    Saghira’s pulse hammered in her chest, each step sending a fresh wave of adrenaline through her veins. She moved carefully beside Niks, matching his pace, her senses honed. Every rustle of leaves, every shift in the wind felt too loud, like the entire world was holding its breath alongside han.


    Then–shew then, Pirs. Fami


    Her breath hitched as she whispered, “These are simr to the ones I found before I found <b>you</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>


    <b>Niks</b>‘ gaze followed hers, his expression shifting. He could see it too–1


    the difference.


    <b>Niks </b>reached for her, the subtle pressure of his touch grounding her. His voice was quiet, firm. “Be careful from now. We must be close.”


    <b>Saphira </b>nodded, exhaling slowly, forcing herself to form


    They moved carefully, silently, climbing to <b>a </b>vantage print that overlooked the area ahead<b>. </b>Saphira scanned the space, but nothing stood qui–fi nove,


    Then–Niks nudged her. “<b>I </b>can see two guards,” he murmured, keeping his voice low. “By the opening to the far right


    Saphira followed his gaar, quinting against the dim light. It took a few <b>seconds</b>, but then–there. Two guards, pating beck and forth, stationed in front of what looked like a doorway


    “They’re grading that room,” Saphira’s volky was barely above a whisper,


    <b>Niks </b>nanowed his <b>yes</b><b>, </b>assessing, think that’s the ce. Can <b>you </b>see anymore?


    Saphira scanned again, carefully, methodically, emoting she didn’t miss anything.


    “No, It’s just them.” She concluded, a lightness settling in her chest,


    Niks nodded. “Okay. Let’s head back to the others


    He moved fast, shining from their position, then reached for her hand, trading her as she descended from the ledge


    Saphira stepped down carefully, but as she reached the final descent, her foot slipped–too fast, ton nudden–her body tipping forward.


    Before she could react, Niks caught her, swill, secure, as wrapping around her in an instant.


    Bridal style.


    “I got you.” His voice was lower <b>than </b>before–stradier, filled with something warm, something intense.


    Saphira met has gaze, feeling the shift between them–the way time seemed to pause in this small moment, despite everything else waiting just beyond


    them.


    “I know you do.” The words left her lips softly, instinctively, before she leaned in and pressed <b>a </b>quick kiss against his mouth


    <b>Niks </b>grip lingered for just a second longer, his golden eyes burning into hers. Then, he gently set her back down.


    “Right. <b>Let’s </b>go.” His voice held a smile.


    Saphira <b>took </b><b>his </b><b>hand</b>, intertwining their fingers, letting his warmth settle against her skin as they started walking back.


    Hand in hand


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