<b>CHAPTER </b><b>99 </b>


    The wind buffeted Saphira’s wings as she adjusted mid–flight, her body cutting through the current with measured precision. Heat clung to her scales, every roll testing the limits of her control and endurance. She twisted into another side manoeuvre, tighter this time, and flicked her tail to bnce the motion. A pulse of satisfaction thrummed in her chest–it was starting to feel instinctive.


    Niks’s voice threaded through the mind–link, calm and solid. Again. Cleaner. But you’re nearly there<i>.</i><i>‘ </i>


    She pushed through another roll, the world momentarily flipping as the sky spun above her, then settled. Her wings extended smoothly, catching the air like she was born to it. As she levelled out beside him, her breath hitched once–then evened out.


    That’s enough for now,‘ Niks said. ‘Land, Shift. Breathe before we move intobat drills.‘


    The order came without weight, but Saphira obeyed immediately. Her body folded downward, a graceful dive slicing toward the clearing. Shended with practiced control, ws carving faint grooves into the dirt before she curled her tail in and shifted back with a sharp exhale. Sweat beaded along her brow<i>, </i>her limbs humming with exertion.


    Niks touched down secondster, hisnding heavier, more grounded. By the time she straightened, he was already beside her, tossing a towel from his backpack with a faint grin. “You’re picking this up fast,” he said, eyes scanning her flushed face. “You’ll be great when it counts.”


    Saphira snatched the towel and wiped her brow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips. “It’s your training,” she murmured. “But I always give my best effort. Especially with an audience like you.”


    Niks arched a brow, stepping a little closer, the heat between them reigniting. “Oh? ttery mid–training?”


    “Motivation,” she whispered.


    Their kiss was swift, but it sparked–intensity blooming like oxygen catching me. Saphira gripped his wrist, anchoring hers and the promise behind his touch. For that heartbeat of silence, the war faded. Just them.


    :the ache of muscle


    Niks pulled back reluctantly, clearing his throat and shing her a smirk as he crouched beside his backpack. “Before you copse–food?”


    Saphira blinked as he unwrapped the cloth, revealing sliced fruit, crusty bread rolls, and neatly stacked strips of smoked meat. Her stomach gave a traiterous growl, and sheughed, hand covering her mouth. “You packed a meal?”


    “Of course.” He shot her a look, amused. “I know how you get. Training dragon–you forget you’re human.”


    They dropped onto the grass, sun threading across their shoulders, fingers brushing asionally as they passed food between them. The quiet wasn’t solemn -it was steady. A pause. A breath before the storm.


    Saphira tore off a piece of bread and chewed thoughtfully. “What do you think of Raven and Jed?”


    Niks tilted his head, nibbling at a slice of meat. “Jed’s different around her. Sharper. But also more… grounded. I think he likes her.”


    Saphira nodded, fingers idly tracing the edge of a fruit slice.


    “What do you know?” Niks asked, leaning on one elbow now, gaze narrowing in interest.


    Saphira hesitated, careful. “Same as you. Something’s shifting. But if it is… it’s hers to tell.”


    She kept her tone casual, her hand steady. Internally, she felt the weight of Raven’s whispered words, a quiet confession shared between friends. That thread wasn’t hers to unravel.


    Niks nodded slowly. “She’s capable. But connection like that? It’s fuel. Let’s hope it lights the way, not the fuse.”


    Saphira let out a soft breath and leaned back into the grass, the ache in her wings slowly easing as she looked up at the sky–the same one she’d twisted through minutes before.


    Saphira chewed thest bite of fruit slowly, letting its sweetness linger before setting the cloth wrap aside. Her breathing had evened out, muscles still tingling from the earlier flight, but the calm had begun to stir into readiness again.


    Niks tipped his head, watching her with a flicker of intent. “Ready for the real work?”


    Saphira arched a brow, brushing crumbs from her hands. “Always”


    Together they packed up the leftovers, Niks expertly wrapping the cloth and sliding it into his bag while Saphira gathered scattered utensils. The air held an expectant silence, a pause between softness and challenge.


    Without another word, they moved into position–bodies shifting, muscles stretching, the transition fluid as bones extended and wings enfaried. The ground trembled lightly under wed feet, and then theyunched skyward once more, wind curling beneath their ribs.


    “Combat drills, Niks sent through the mind–link. I’ming at you from different angles. Dodge using your rolls. Push instinct where it counts.”


    Saphira barely had time to confirm before he banked hard and mmed toward her from the left. She twisted mid–air, fumbling into a side roll that came just half a beat toote–his wing clipped hers, sending a spiral of imbnce through her spine. She hissed under breath, steadied, righted herself.


    Another strike–this time from above. She ducked lower and spun, rolling beneath the blow with a sharper pivot.


    Again. Again. Three more hits skimmed her nk, but by the sixth pass, Saphira was faster–cleaner. Her side roll snapped tight, her backward spin nearly wless. Niks circled, pausing mid–flight.


    Now you hit me,‘ he said. <i>‘</i><i>I </i>haven’t taught you tactics yet. I want to see what <i>you </i><i>can </i>do <i>when </i>your target’s elusive.”


    She surged forward, twisting her trajectory and aiming straight for his ribs–but he banked effortlessly to the right, her attack slicing clean through open air. Frustration burned behind her eyes. She tried again. And again. Each time, he moved just enough to escape contact.


    <i>“</i><i>You’re </i>reading me,‘ she muttered to herself. <i>‘</i><i>You </i><i>already </i>know <i>where </i><i>I’ll </i><i>go</i>.‘


    Niks hovered with ease, watching her recalibrate. Her next strike was lower, feigned wide–still missed.


    By the seventh attempt, her breath was ragged, wings aching from repeated bursts. She pulled back, hovered briefly before descending in a low spiral, ws catching the clearing floor with a thud.


    Niksnded beside her, shifting with ease. His hair clung damp against his forehead, and his chest rose with steady breath.


    She didn’t wait for his words. “Okay, that was infuriating.”


    He chuckled, tossing her a smirk as he brushed dirt from his palm. “That was the point. You need to know how frustrationnds inside you–so it doesn’t lead to something reckless when it matters.”


    Saphira stared at him, then gave him a light shove to the arm. “You‘ did it on purpose.”


    “I did,” he said with zero remorse.


    Her eyes narrowed yfully. “You owe me for that.”


    Niks stepped closer, slipping his arms around her waist. “Hmm. How should I make it up to you?”


    Saphira shrugged, a grin curling through her expression as she turned and walked past him with deliberate sway. “Use your imagination.”


    Heughed, low and warm, watching her strut forward like a dare in motion. And yeah–she knew he absolutely would.


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