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ne Matchmaker
Saphira stepped into the hospital, the sterile scent of antiseptic and faint hum of machines wrapping around her as she followed Asher and the nurse toward Zafira and Anastasia’s shared mom.
The tension in the air was unmistakable heavy with anticipation,ced with hope and unbase all a
As she entered, her gaze immediately caught N?s, his golden eyes locking onto hers like a tether pulling her in
Without hesitation, he mirrored her move
elming the space between them in an instant, wrapping his arms around her in a right frugt-
Saphira melted into it for a moment, letting the warmth of his settle againt her, grounding her in ways she hadn’t realized she needed.
His breath was steady against her eat as he
ir whispered, “Her you had a good day?”
Saphira pulled back just enough to see his face, a soft smile <b>spreading </b>across her lips. “The best,” she admitted. “I think I have new friends<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“<b>Niks</b>” expression shifted, the faintest smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve heard it’s more like sisters, he mused, amnement therading
through his voice.
Saphira let out a smallugh, shaking her head. “Yes<b>, </b>I guess.
His grip <b>loosened </b>slightly, but the warmth of his presence remained. “I’m d,” he murmured. “You deserve it.”
Saphira felt something settle inside her at that–something secure.
But the feeling was fleeting, quickly reced by quiet concem <b>as </b>she fully pulled <b>back</b>, <b>her </b>game shifting toward the nurses gathered around Anastasia’s bed,
She watched them carefully, noting their movements. They weren’t ruching–they were steady, formed on musing her fully.
Relief flickered through her chest, but she forced herself to breathe, to wait.
Then, her attention drifted toward Zafira.
“Any update?” she asked, her voice quieter now, more careful.
Niks followed her gaze, bis expression dimming <b>as </b>he sighed.
“Nothing.” he admitted, his shoulders barely concealing the weight of exhaustion pressing into him.
Saphira mailed deeply, stepping closer, her fingers brushing lightly against his forearm–a silent reassurance.
“She will wake.” she murmured, steady and retain.
Suddenly, beside them, the <b>doctors </b>stopped everything.
The
quiet <b>rustle </b>of equipment, the soft beep of monitors–every movement, every adjustment, every scan–halted in an instant
Saphora tensed, the shift settling <b>like </b>static in the <b>air</b>, a barely there hum of anticipation strapping around her <b>like </b><b>a </b>second skin.
Beside her, Niks <b>straightened</b><b>, </b>his golden eyes parrowing h
his muscles coiling beneath his stance like he was bracing for something–for what?
<b>She </b>didn’t know.
But something was happening<b>. </b>
She turned toward Anastasia, watching closely, her puls picking up speed.
A twitch in her lingerL
A faint crease between her be
Then–slowly, painstakingly her eyelids fluttered.
Saphira barely breathed, barely moved, heart pounding against her ribs like it wanted to climb out of her chest.
An uneven <b>shule</b>.
Then
“Asher.”
The <b>name </b>left Anastasia’s lips as barely more <b>than </b>a rag–weak but unmistakable, there.
Asher sucked in a sharp breath, stepping closes, <b>his </b>grip tightening around her frail hand like he was anchoring himself to the sound of it–to her
“<b>Mum</b>?” His voice cracked–hopeful, desperate, like he needed confirmation, needed her to say more, needed her to be her.
Anastasia’s gaze flickered open fully then–unfocused at first, searching, pulling toward something vital.
Until she found him.
Relief crashed into Asher so hard that his body <b>shook </b>from the force of it.
Without hesitation, he copsed into her embrace, forehead pressing to her shoulder, fingers gripping her hospital gown <b>like </b>it was the only thing keeping
Saphira felt the sharp pull in her chest, her dragen quiet but present, like it too was watching waiting.
The emotion in the room wed at her throat<b>, </b>raw and untered.
Beside her, Ns stood rigid, unmoving, merent in his silence.
Then–Anastasia pulled back slightly, <b>a </b><b>shaky </b>breath leaving her lips!
Her breathing was uneven, <b>but </b>her gaze was sharper now,
Her fingers curled <b>weakly </b>around Asher’s hand. “You’re alright?” she murmured, her voice still rough but carrying something solid beneath it
Asher exhaled shakily, nodding<b>. </b><b>He </b>grip pressing fimmer against hers. “Yes,” he assured, his voice stronger now. “We’re safe. You’re safe.”
Anast sagged slightly against the pillows, her chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm, but she held his gaze, searching
“And you?” Asher asked–cautious now, like <b>he </b>wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.
Saphira watched the flicker of hesitation cross Anastasia’s features–the way the tested herself, searching for the limits of her body, the edges of her
Finally, after a long, deliberate pause<b>, </b>she <b>exhaled</b>.
“I will be,” she murmured, squeezing his hand fanly more than a touch. “Now that I know you’re sale.
Asher swallowed hard, nodding quickly as if convincing himself at the sine time.
Saphics let out a slow bath, feeling the pressure in her chand ease, the tension flick away in mething softer.
But then–Anastasia moved again
Not toward Asher,
Not toward the marses.
Her gaze shifted–skipped right past Saphira-
And locked directly onto Niks.
Something in her expression changed.
Something unmistakable. Recognition. Familiarity
And then–softly, with quiet <b>certainty-</b>“Niks.”
Saphira freze and Niks stiffened, his breath barely moving, his jaw clenching slightly in shock.
Asher’s head snapped up, confusion shing across his features.
Saphira’s <b>pulse </b>stammered, breath hitching in her throat.
How…?
<b>Niks </b>had never met her.
Yet–she knew his name.
Tension thickened, pressing into the space between them, unanswered questions colling around Saphira’s ribs <b>like </b>wines, tightening, pipping
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