CHAPTER <b>45 </b>


    The group moved silily theright the forest, their proe ingest but careful as they everted Asher i medher back to the park. Sephire kept elude to her. supporting her weight at lest the but she could feel the woman’s exhaustion in morry slow, measured stap.


    Nbas walked beside them, his expression hard, unreadable. She karse his mind was already ahead – already thinking about Zafira, already catering the nest move, abrade binding for whatever awaited them in that hospital anom.


    When they finally reached the pack’s tritory, the tention in the air shifted. No longer i filled with anticipation.


    They stepped into the hospital, the sterile scent filling Saphira’s lungs as they entered


    And then they save bet.


    suffocating weight of


    Jasper stood beside the bed where they, his sharp, watchful gaze flicking toward them as they approached. She looked on Bail, her skin pale, het breath shallow


    Saphira felt a pang in


    in her chest, but she forced herself to stay steady


    Niks didn’t move for a second.


    Then he stepped forward, his polden eyes locked on his sister.


    “She’s alive.” Jasper murmured, voice low but firm. “Barely. But she’s <b>alive</b>.”


    Niks exhaled, slow, controlled, but Saphira could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands clenched at his sides.


    Asher helped his mother into the second bed, his movements careful, protective. She was weak–too weak–but she was here. She was safe.


    The doctor approached, immediately assessing them both. “They need time,” she said. “Rest. Hydration. But they will rec


    Niks let out a sharp breath, like some of the weight <b>had </b>finally cracked.


    Saphire reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly.


    They had done it. Against the odds. Against everything. They had found them.


    Niks stood frozen, his gaze locked an <b>Zafira’s </b>fragile form. The relief of finding her alive should have been meerwhelming, <b>but </b>instead, all he could feel was fear.


    “I don’t want | to leave her again,” he marined, his voice barely above <b>a </b>whisper.


    Saphira could see it the worry in his golden <b>eyes</b>, the same tightness in led’s posture as he stared at their ster. This ain’t just exhaustion or suc was the deep, unshakable fear of losing her again.


    The doctor stepped forstand, her expression calm but firm. “<b>It’s </b>going to take a few days before she’ll be well enough to wake. There’s nothing you can de here


    Saphira shihed her focus <b>back </b>to Niks. She could see the hesitation in him–the silent battle between staying ang himself to <b>walk </b><b>away</b>.


    <b>She </b>reached for his arm, grounding him, keeping him steady. “Why don’t you arrange a team for take shifts watching her?” she suggested. “ou and led can


    Niks blinked, processing her words. Slowh, his expression <b>softened</b>, the tension in <b>his </b>shoulders easing just slightly.


    “Yes,” he agreed<b>, </b>nodding. “We’ll do that.” His voice had steadied, the resolve settling back into ce. He gave her a small, tired smile–a silent thank you for grounding him when he needed it


    CHAPTER <b>45 </b>


    Algpested between them before she finally led charged


    this and


    “Fine” he muttered, stepping back from the bed. His mother was fast asleep, her body etterly drained fine everything the hat on endured “but it ne


    Ind nodded oner. “Of eest!


    Niks nced at the grop, man


    “After jed, it’ll go Finn, Karen, Jesper, then


    when the wake”


    Then wat


    Saphira stile onest nce at Zafina before stepping forward the door


    they would fight for her recovery.


    Saphira followed Niks into his room, her body aching from exhaustion–Both physical and deep into her bones, but she knew it was nothing stumpared to what Niks was carrying.


    ead, silent, tense, before finally sinking onto the edge of the bed, dropping his head into his hands.


    I can’t believe we found her,” he murmured, voice thick with disbelief. “her everything after so long the’s als


    Saphira moved toward him, kneeling in front of him, resting a gentle hand on his line


    “We did it,” she said softly. “And now we do everything we can to help her over. And after that?” Her voice hardened


    Nised his gr, his golden eyes meeting hers. There <b>was </b>something win his expression–something breaking


    His fingers brushed over hers, squeezing gently before be exhaled deeply


    “I should have helped you more,” he said suddenly, his tone quied but edged with her, in fighting the Elder… I didn’t do what I promised. I didn’t teach you.”


    . “With your dragon. With everything


    Saphira’s chest tightened, but she shook her head. “Niks<b>,</b><b>” </b>she murmured, squeezing his hand in return. “<b>It’s </b>okay. There was too now?” A small smile tugged at her lips. “Now Zafira’s home. We have time. And we start


    Niks searched her face for a long moment before nodding the tension in his posture easing just slightly.


    Saphira knew they weren’t done fighting


    Not by a long shot.


    But in this moment–right now–Niks needed to breathe.


    And she would make sure he did. Because together? They were unstoppable. And on–the Elders would know it. They all would


    The Matchmaker


    <b>CHAPTER </b>46