<b>CHAPTER </b><b>136 </b>
The ne hummed steadily beneath her<b>, </b>a low vibration that did nothing to soothe the tension coiled in Saphira’s chest. She sat near the window, arms folded tightly across her torso, jaw locked so hard it ached. Outside, clouds drifted past in slow, indifferent swirls -untouched by everything that had just happened. Inside, silence reigned.
Her fingers tapped against the armrest, restless and sharp. <i>This </i><i>wasn’t </i><i>how </i><i>it </i><i>was </i><i>supposed </i><i>to </i>go. Lupus walking away, Cassandra smug and untouched–but knowing didn’t make it easier. <i>I </i><i>should’ve </i><i>said </i><i>more</i>.
Her thoughts spiralled, faster now, each one feeding the next. <i>I </i><i>should’ve </i><i>told </i><i>him </i><i>he </i><i>doesn’t </i><i>get </i><i>to </i><i>call </i>me <i>daughter</i><i>. </i><i>That </i><i>he </i><i>doesn’t </i><i>get </i><i>to </i><i>act </i><i>like </i><i>this </i><i>is </i><i>business</i>. <i>That </i><i>he </i><i>broke </i><i>something </i><i>in </i><i>me </i><i>and </i><i>never </i><i>looked </i><i>back</i>. Her nails dug into her palms. <i>I </i><i>should’ve </i><i>made </i><i>him </i><i>listen</i><i>. </i><i>I </i><i>should’ve </i><i>made </i><i>him </i><i>feel </i><i>it</i>.
The dragon inside her stirred, heat rising in her throat like smoke. Her breath came short, shallow. <i>I </i><i>let </i><i>him </i><i>get </i><i>away with </i><i>it</i><i>. </i><i>Again</i>.
Just as the pressure began to crest, Finn slid into the seat beside her. He didn’t speak at first–just reached out and ced his hand gently over hers on the armrest. His touch was warm, steady.
“I can feel it,” he said softly. “Your emotions. It’s like they’re bleeding into me. I think… the mind–link wasn’t the only thing that’s new.”
Saphira blinked, her breath catching. The tension in her chest loosened, just slightly. She turned her hand under his, letting their palms press together. The warmth of his skin calmed the storm just enough to breathe.
“Thank you,” she murmured. “And I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-”
Finnughed quietly, shaking his head. “Don’t be. I’m sorry too. For not being around more. Since you came back into my life… I’ve been so wrapped up in Amara, in trying to piece together what happened. I’ve been bottling everything up. I didn’t know how to let it out.”
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<b>93 </b>
Saphira smiled, the edge of it soft and sad. “I regret not saying what I needed to say to Lupus. Now I’m sitting here thinking of all the things I should’ve told him. All the things I wanted him to hear.”
Finn nodded, his thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. “I didn’t say anything either. Not even after they figured out I was just a diversion. But that doesn’t mean we won’t get the chance.”
Saphira looked at him, her heart steadying<i>. </i><i>He’s </i><i>right</i><i>. </i><i>We’re not </i><i>done</i><i>. </i>“That’s true,” she said quietly. “We will. We’ll both get to say what we need to.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the hum of the ne soft around them. The tension had shifted—still present, but no longer suffocating.
Saphira nced toward the back, her brow furrowing. “How’s Amara?” she asked. “She’s been quiet.”
Finn’s expression shifted, concern flickering in his eyes. “She was brilliant when we arrived. Fierce. But once they figured it out, they separated us. She’s been like this since. She hasn’t told me anything. I’m worried.”
Saphira nodded, her gaze drifting toward Amara’s seat. Her posture was closed off, her eyes distant. <i>She’s </i><i>holding </i><i>something </i><i>in</i><i>. </i>
The ne touched down with a soft jolt, wheels skimming the tarmac like a breath. finally exhaled. Saphira sat forward, heart thudding, fingers tightening around the seatbelt until her knuckles paled. <i>We </i><i>made </i><i>it</i><i>. </i>
As the cabin doors opened and the group began to disembark, golden light spilled across the runway, warm and familiar. And then she saw them. Jed and Niks.
Saphira froze, breath catching in her throat. Her body stilled, but her heart surged forward. Then she was moving–feet pounding down the steps, boots hitting the ground with a rhythm that matched the ache in her chest. Her eyes locked on Niks, and the moment their gazes met, the rest of the world blurred.
She ran straight into his arms.
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<b>93 </b>
Niks caught her without hesitation, wrapping her tightly against his chest. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other anchoring her to him. She buried her face into his shoulder, the tension in her spine finally breaking. Her fingers clutched his jacket like she was afraid he’d vanish. <i>I </i>didn’t <i>realize </i><i>how </i><i>much </i><i>I </i><i>needed </i><i>this</i><i>. </i>
Behind her, Raven rushed into Jed’s arms, her cloak billowing like wings caught in the wind. They clung to each other, silent but fierce, the kind of reunion that didn’t need
words.
“I’m sorry,” Saphira whispered against Niks‘ cor, her voice barely audible. “I
should’ve checked in.<b>” </b>
Niks pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek with the gentlest touch. “Raven’s been checking in. We knew enough.” His voice softened, eyes steady. “It’s ok. I’m just d you’re back.”
She nodded, throat tight, emotion pressing against her ribs as he pulled back cing a kiss onto her forehead.
Niks turned and walked to Finn, pulling him into a firm hug. “I’m d you’re okay in the end.”
Finn nodded, voice quiet. “Me too.”
Niks moved down the line, greeting Asher, Talia, and Sam with warmth and quiet strength. His hand rested briefly on each shoulder. “I’m pleased you’re back safely. If you need anything–anything at all–just say the word.”
“We’re fine,” Talia said, her voice steady but tired. “Just d to be home.”
Niks gave a small nod, his gaze lingering. “If that changes, you know where to find
me.”
He stepped back, surveying the group. “We’ll meet once you’ve rested. But for now–let’s get you home, Where you belong.”
They split into two cars. Saphira climbed into the one with Niks, sliding into the seat beside him. He didn’t let go of her hand the entire ride. His thumb brushed absently over
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her knuckles, and she leaned into the quietfort of it. <i>I’m </i><i>safe</i><i>. </i>
When they arrived, the front door burst open.
)
Anastasia came running out, arms wide, tears already brimming. She threw herself into Saphira and Asher’s arms, wrapping them both in a fierce hug that nearly knocked the breath from Saphira’s lungs.
“I was so worried,” she breathed. “I thought I would lose my babies.”
<b>93 </b>
Saphira hugged her tightly, burying her face into Anastasia’s shoulder. “We’re okay,” she
said, voice thick with emotion.
“We’re here,” Asher added.
Finn stepped up beside them and Niks. “I’ve got some updates. But I need to check on
Amara first.”
Niks nodded. “Of course. Everyone–rx for the evening. We’ll meet in the office first thing.”
The group began to drift inside, shoulders sagging with exhaustion, steps slow but steady. Saphira caught Finn’s arm gently before he disappeared into the house.
“Let me know if you need anything,” she said, her voice quiet but firm.
He gave her a grateful smile. “I will. Thank you.”
Niks turned to her, his voice low and warm. “Are you hungry?”
Saphira nodded. “Starving.”
“I’ll get you something,” he said. “Meet me in our room?”
She smiled, the warmth of home finally settling in her bones. “I’ll be there.”
And with that, she made her way up the stairs, each step lighter than thest. Home.
<i>Finally</i>.