The dining room’s glose cast son shadows acres their tes, warmth putting through the sun refont that had willed as them Soh spaon idly between her fingers, listening intently es Zafira leaned into Asher and spoke with a brightness that had been absence for for turé jo
“I’ve started to feel like myself again,” Zafira said, her voice faced with quiet wonder. “Like, before. Before morrything got twisted, when o had to wear someone che’s skin just to get through the day.”
Saphira gave a small, sincere smile and nced between them. She’s glowing. It bloomed from every movement hot Zafira’s fingers jongend dog taber s wrist, how their shoulders brushed like the simplest contact was grounding
Niks reached for his drink and took a slow sip, then set it down with a quiet thunk against the table. “Looks like you’re both finding your fiation, he said. The pride in his voice was understated, but unmistakable.
Asher’s gaze met his, open and grounded. “I just wanted to say… I get it now. Everything you said before, everything you did I don’t me you. Now now
Saphira felt the slight rise of tension in Niks beside her. She remembered the weight between them all how deep the fractures had onze run.
Niks paused mid–bite, then inclined his head. “I appreciate that,” he said simply.
“It changes things,” Asher added, looking toward Zafira. “Finding your mate. It’s like everything lines up. Like the noise finally quiets
Zafira leaned forward with a mischievous spark. “We marked each otherst night,” she said. “Fully. It locked in instantly. So, yeah–it was real.”
“I’m so happy for you, Zaf,” Niks said, genuine warmth threading through his words. “<b>I </b>was worried, but I’ve learned not to get in the way of a mate bond.”
“I’m actually surprised you didn’te barging in,” Zafira teased, elbowing Asher lightly.
Saphira leaned in with a sly grin and whispered, loud enough to be heard, “Between us, I think he wanted to.”
“I heard that,” Niks replied on cue, giving her hip a yful squeeze beneath the table.
Laughter spilled between them, light and unforced..
They lingered long after their tes were cleared, conversation flowing easily–tales from the past, little victories, soft jokes. Saphira felt it deep in her chest: this, this was how healing happened.
Eventually, Asher leaned back and stretched with a satisfied groan. Game room? Few rounds of pool? Or are you two too tangled up in each other to aim properly?”
Niks tossed him a grin. “We’ll take that challenge. But don’t me me when Saphira <b>clears </b>the table.”
Saphira tilted her head. “Me? You’re thepetitive one. I just enjoy watching you almost win.”
Zafiraughed, already gathering her things. “Come on. Let’s see whose pride survives the scoreboard.”
In the game room,ughter echoed louder. The click of cue balls became a rhythm, paired with teasingmentary and ridiculous side bets.
Saphira bent over the table, eyeing her shot. Niks/leaned close behind her<b>, </b>hand ghosting <b>over </b>her lower back. “Left a little,” he murmured. “Or don’t- miss it entirely. That works too.”
“Oh, you’re funny now,” she replied, sinking the shot cleanly. “You sure you’re ready to lose with grace?”
Niks straightened and pointed his cue at Asher. “She cheats.<b>” </b>
“She’s just better,” Zafira called out from across the room, grinning. “Trust me, I’m trying not to take it personally.”
Hours passed like minutes. At one point, Niks attempted a ridiculous trick shot and missed spectacrly, sending the cue ball ttering <b>into </b>the <b>pocket</b>. Saphira couldn’t stopughing, leaning into him as he groaned in mock defeat.
CHAPTER <b>88 </b>
By <b>the </b>time <b>they </b>wandered hack toward their rooms, the falls were quint, the pack foarte suited int? <b>sigu </b>
<b>Saphira </b>reached for Niks’s hand andced their fingers together. “We’ll pack another time, she said softly, ter <b>soice </b>dit déroulet · … hun<b>.</b>”
<b>Niks </b>smiled, brushing a thumb across her knuckles. “It was
She nced up at him, heart content. “We should do it again soon. All of us.”
He gave a soft nod. “Yeah. We will.”
And in the hush between footsteps,ughter, and memory, Saphira realised that this this ordinary, golden sliver of peace was just a sacred as everything they were fighting for.
Niks pushed open the door to their room with a quiet sigh, one hand still loosely sped in Saphira’s<i>. </i>The space felt warmer now–not just pryscally, but in the way memories had begun to settle between the walls. Softmplight spilled across the bed, casting gentle shadows that made the silence feelforting rather than hollow.
Saphira stepped in after him, her fingers brushing against his wrist before sliding free. She looked around absently–half thinking about everything <b>that </b><b>had </b>happened, half clinging to the calm that had followed.
Niks closed the door behind them and turned to her. His eyes found hers with ease, like they always did, and then he reached–<b>gentle</b>, firm–<b>pulling </b>ber into a kiss without a word.
She melted into it, hands sliding up his chest, heart steady now in the familiarity of his touch.
“I love you,” he murmured against her lips, soft and certain.
“I love you too,” she whispered back, her voice quieter now, threaded with something slightly nervous.
She hesitated, then lifted a hand to his cheek, thumb brushing along the curve of his jaw. <b>“</b><b>Can </b><b>I</b><b>… </b>mark <b>you</b><b>?</b>”
Niks blinked. Surprise flickered briefly across his features, then softened into quiet delight. “I never even thought about it,” he said<b>, </b>a little <b>breathless</b>. “But yeah. I’d love that.”
Then he paused, expression tightening with a sheepish smile. “Though… maybe not like when I marked you.” <b>He </b>cleared his throat. “You passed out. <b>Wasn’t </b>exactly romantic.”
Saphiraughed under her breath, warmth rising in her chest. “It was dramatic.”
“Which is why,” Niks added, voice more serious now, “I want it to be<b>… </b>different for me. Pleasant. Intimate<b>. </b>You don’t have to rush. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
She stepped closer, her hands curling around his waist, fingers slipping under the edge of his shirt. “I am ready,” she said softly, eyes searching his. <b>“</b><b>I </b><b>want </b>this.<b>” </b>
Niks’s breath stilled.
Then she leaned in again, lips brushing his in a kiss that started gentle and deepened with certainty.
And this time, it wasn’t just a mark to im. It was a moment to choose<b>. </b>