<b>CHAPTER </b><b>110 </b>
Morning crept in slowly, the light pale and soft against the curtains, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. Saphira stirred beneath the covers, her limbs heavy, her body aching with the kind of exhaustion that sleep hadn’t soothed. Her eyes fluttered open,shes brushing her cheek as she blinked <b>at </b>the ceiling, the quiet hum of the packhouse settling around her like a nket too thin.
She turned toward Niks, slow and reluctant, her muscles protesting. Hey beside her, one arm tucked under his head, eyes half–lidded and rimined with fatigue. His breath was steady, but the tension in his jaw hadn’t eased.
Saphira pressed her forehead against his shoulder, her fingers drifting across his chest in slow, absent circles. She’s Still here. The thought pulsed like a bruise. “I don’t like her being here<b>,</b><b>” </b>she murmured, voice barely above a whisper. “Ruby. It’s making me anxious.”
Niks exhaled, the sound low and tired. His hand slid through her hair, fingersbing gently. “I don’t either,” he said, voice rough. “But it might give us insight into what’s happening with Silvermoon. She’s a thread we can pull<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Saphira’s breath hitched. She closed her eyes, pressing herself closer to him. <i>More </i><i>like </i><i>a </i><i>snare</i>. “I know,” she said, the words dragging. “But I still don’t like it.”
Silence settled again, thick and pressing. She stared at the curve of his corbone, the steady rise and fall of his chest. Her thoughts twisted, tangled. <i>It’s </i><i>not </i><i>just </i><i>Ruby</i><i>. </i><i>It’s </i><i>what </i><i>she </i>touches. <i>What </i>she <i>ruins</i>.
“I don’t like the idea of Anastasia getting closer to her,” she said suddenly, the words slipping out before she could second–guess them.
Niks shifted, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. His brows furrowed. “Why?”
Saphira hesitated, her throat tightening. Her gaze dropped to the sheets, fingers curling into the fabric. “It’s stupid,” she muttered. “But Ruby made my life hell. She took the family I wanted growing up. Then she took Connor away from me. I know I’m reunited with him now, but for a long time I thought she’d actually killed him.”
Her voice cracked, and she hated the sound of it. “And now I’m scared she’ll manipte Anastasia. Take
her too.”
Niks didn’t speak. He just pulled her into his arms again, wrapping her tightly, his chin resting against her hair. His embrace was firm, protective. Safe.
“She wouldn’t let that happen,” he said softly. “Anastasia spent all these years thinking her daughter was gone. She wouldn’t risk losing you again. Not for anything.”
Saphira nodded against his chest, but the ache didn’t ease. It just shifted, deeper. “I know. I just… I feel guilty. I haven’t made much effort to spend time with her.”
Niks pressed a kiss to the top of her head, lingering. “She knows why. We’ve had so much going on. That
CHAPTER <b>110 </b>
<b>will </be with time.”
Saphira let the quiet settle between them, her fingers still tracingzy circles on Niks’s chest<b>, </b>the rhythm slow and grounding.
“You’re right,” she said quietly, her voice barely more than a breath. “I know Anastasia wouldn’t let Ruby get close like that. I just needed to say it out loud.”
Niks gave a small nod, his thumb brushing along the curve of her arm in a soothing arc. “It’s okay to feel that way.” he murmured.
She offered a faint smile, then shifted onto her elbow, her gaze drifting toward the window where morning light spilled in like a promise. The sky was pale, streaked with soft gold. <i>A </i><i>new </i><i>day</i><i>. </i><i>Maybe </i><i>a </i>better <i>one</i><i>. </i>“Despite all that,” she said, her voice warming, “I’m actually looking forward to Raven and Jeding back.”
Niks’s expression sharpened, the weariness in his eyes flickering with purpose. “Same here<b>. </b>I’m eager to know what they’ve found out. I hate not having control of the situation.”
Saphira’s lips curved into a teasing grin, her fingers tapping lightly against his chest. “You? Not liking ack of control? Shocking.”
Heughed, the sound rich and familiar, and rolled her onto her side with a yful growl. “It’s in my nature<b>,</b>” he said, eyes gleaming with mischief.
She hummed, amused, her fingers curling around the back of his neck as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to his mouth–soft, slow, and just long enough to make him lean into it. Then she pulled away with a grin, her eyes dancing.
With a sudden push, she nudged him off her and sat up, her hair tumbling over one shoulder. “Hmm, and I like it when you get frustrated,” she tossed over her shoulder, voice light and teasing as she padded toward
the bathroom.
Niks blinked, then sprang up with a grin and caught her around the waist just as she reached the door. She squealed,ughing as he pulled her back against him, his arms locking around her like a trap she didn’t mind falling into.
“You’re trouble,” he murmured into her ear, his breath warm against her skin.
“And you love it,” she shot back, breathless and grinning.
He nudged the door open and guided her inside, his arms still wrapped around her. The door clicked shut behind them, sealing the morning in warmth andughter.
The scent of soap still clung to Saphira’s skin, mingling with the faint musk of clean clothes and the lingering warmth of the shower. She fastened thest button on her shirt, watching Niks as he pulled his jacket on, his movements brisk but thoughtful.
“I’ll grab you something to eat and meet you in the office,” he said, pausing by the door. “Sorry, but <b>we </b>still need to make sure Ruby doesn’t see you.”
Saphira nodded, her fingers brushing the edge of the dresser. “I get it,” she said. “Go ahead. Check the hallway first. I’ll follow once you give the signal.”
Niks gave her a look–sharp, protective. “Stay far enough back that you can duck out of sight. If I see her, I’ll mind–link you.”
“Understood,” she replied, her voice steady.
They slipped out of the room, Niks moving ahead with quiet precision. Saphira lingered, counting her breaths, waiting for the subtle flicker of his mind–link. When it came–calm, clear–she stepped out, keeping to the shadows of the hallway.
The journey to the office was uneventful. No sign of Ruby. No scent trail fresh enough to raise rm. Relief bloomed in her chest, but it was short–lived.
As they entered the office, the air shifted.
Ruby was there.
She stood behind the desk, her hands buried in a drawer, papers scattered like fallen leaves. At the sound of the door, she froze. Her spine snapped straight, and she turned slowly, her gaze locking onto Saphira with unnerving precision.
Saphira stopped cold, her breath catching. <i>She’s not </i><i>supposed </i><i>to </i><i>be </i><i>here</i>. <i>What </i><i>the </i><i>hell </i>is <i>she </i><i>doing</i>?
Before she could speak, Niks stepped forward, his voice sharp and cutting through the tension like a
de.
“What are you doing in here?”
Ruby didn’t flinch. But her eyes narrowed, and her fingers curled around the edge of the desk–tight,
defensive.
Saphira’s pulse thudded in her ears. This isn’t just snooping. She’s looking for something.
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