<b>CHAPTER </b><b>97 </b>
The tension hadn’t liftedpletely, but the hum of preparation was starting to fade into quiet pockets of normalcy, Raven leaned against the edge of the table, fingers tapping absently against the wood as she nced around at the maps onest time.
The maps on the table had begun to feel less like paper and more like pressure–routes, risks, red circles marking vulnerable lives. Saphira hadn’t noticed how tightly her fingers were curled around the edge of one until Raven broke the quiet.
“We should take tonight,” Raven said, her voice softer than usual, breaking through the static of tension. She leaned against the table, fingers tapping out a rhythm that sounded more like thought than rest. “Girls‘ dinner. Onest proper night before everything kicks off.”
Saphira blinked, the suggestion catching her off guard. Raven? Proposing a moment of reprieve? She turned instinctively toward Niks, catching his gaze. His expression was steady, his nod slow and purposeful. The corner of his mouth lifted–the same way it always did when he wanted her to stop carrying the weight alone. Go. Breathe.
“That’s actually a great idea,” Saphira said, her shoulders loosening. The tension she hadn’t even realized she was holding began to dissolve. “We could use the space to breathe.”
Raven straightened, already looping her braid tighter over one shoulder. “I’ll grab Talia and Kira. I think they’d appreciate a night not covered in ink or battle strategy.”
“I’ll find Amara,” Saphira said. “She’s overdue for some chaos–free conversation.”
“We’ll meet you back in the dining room,” Zafira chimed in, already moving toward the door with purpose.
“Yeah, we’ll grab a table for us all,” Anastasia added, already half turned, her voice lighter than it had been in days.
“Perfect,” Saphira replied with a smile, warmth curling in her chest. “Meet you
there.”
She stepped into the corridor, the air cooler here–less charged. Her boots padded quietly against the floor as she followed the trace of voices down the hall. Laughter guided her, soft and genuine, leading her to the game room where Amara sat curled on the couch, one leg tucked beneath her as she watched Finn
argue with a half–assembled puzzle like it had personally betrayed him.
Amara’sugh was light, and Saphira paused in the doorway for a moment, just listening. This. This is what’s worth protecting.
“Dinner,” she announced, stepping into the room with a grin. “Just the girls. No war talk, no plotting, no maps. You in?”
Amara looked up, eyes gleaming with instant understanding. “Please tell me food’s involved.”
“There’s always food involved,” Saphira said with augh, and Amara was already on her feet.
Later, in the side lounge, the atmosphere shifted into something warm and human. Dim lighting softened the edges of the room, casting gold against nkets draped over chairs. The table was scattered with warm bread, roasted vegetables that filled the room with spice andfort, and a tray of apple tarts cooling near the window. It smelled like calm. It felt like pause.
They curled into the space with ease–Zafira drawing animated shapes in the air as she recounted her worst sparring ident, Talia snorting into her cider. Even Anastasia, wrapped in a nket and pressed into an armchair, let herselfugh. It wasn’t loud, but it was real.
During a lull, Saphira leaned toward Raven, voice low and yful. “So… you and Jed?”
Raven rolled her eyes with practiced indifference, lifting her mug. “What about us<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Saphira smirked. “That look you gave him earlier? If it was a tactic, it wasn’t exactly subtle.”
“I have many looks,” Raven replied dryly. “Strategic ones. Tactical ones. That one was… misfiled.”
Later, as Saphira stood in the adjacent kitchen refilling mugs, Raven joined her–quieter now, the edge softened. She leaned against the counter, mug nestled
<b>in </b>her hands.
“I don’t know what it is exactly,” Ravery said, her voice just above a whisper. “But something’s pulling. A connection. Like… I know him in ways I can’t exin. I wasn’t looking for anything, and now I think I’m falling.”
Saphira’s chest tightened with something warm and unexpected. She smiled slowly, reaching for Raven’s arm. “You deserve that kind of connection. Especially with everything happening.”
Raven nodded, eyes watching the doorway. “I just hope wee back with time enough to figure it out.”
From the lounge came a burst ofughter–Kira teasing Talia about her cooking skills, Zafira adding exaggeratedmentary.
Saphira looked back toward it, heart full. They hadn’t lost everything yet. And tonight, at least, they chose joy.
The light in the lounge had faded to a soft amber glow, casting golden shadows across half–empty tes and quietughter. A content hush settled in after thest story faded–Zafira teasing Talia about her tactical blunders and Kira offering mock sympathy while sipping her third mug of cider.
Raven stretched her arms above her head with a low groan, then rested her hand behind her neck. “Alright, girls. I need to sleep sometime tonight,” she said with a tired smile. “Talia and I head out in the morning.”
Saphira blinked, the weight of that moment pressing gently against her chest. So soon. She stood and stepped toward them, her arms crossing lightly. “Be careful,” she said, voice low but warm. “And check in. Often.”
Talia gave her a thumbs–up. “You’ll hear from us before we’re even halfway out of the territory.”
Anastasia stood too, brushing crumbs off herp. “Keep your heads down. Listen
more than talk.”
Zafira sped her hands behind her back and looked from Raven to Talia. “And as part of the strategy team,” she said, eyes briefly flicking to Saphira and Anastasia, “if you run into anything strange or unexpected, report it directly to us. We’ll discuss whether alternative actions are needed.”
Raven gave a slow nod of approval. “That’s brilliant,” she said. “Flexible, smart.”
Saphira offered a small smile. “We’ll be ready on our end.”
They lingered for a moment longer in silence, then Zafira extended both arms, drawing the group together. One by one, they fell into a circle of hugs- warmth passed like a quiet promise through their fingers and shoulders.
As Raven embraced Saphirast, she leaned in close, lips near her ear. “Keep training,” she whispered. “This’ll be quick. But you need to be ready for whatever waits when it ends.”
Saphira swallowed, her breath steady. I will.
She nodded once as Raven pulled back, their gazes locking for a beat longer than the rest.
Then slowly, the group dispersed, soft footsteps retreating down separate hallways. The evening quieted. The scent of roasted vegetables lingered in the air. And as Saphira made her way back to her room, the weight of goodbye rested lightly–just enough to remind her what she was fighting for.
<b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>