bCHAPTER /bb74 /b

bThe /bkitchen was awash in the quiet hush of evening light, warm amber pooling across the stone floor as thest rays of sun disappeared behind the treetops. The hearth still breathed a low glow in the corner, casting flickers of gold across the walls.

Saphira stood at the counter, hands working steadily wrapping parcels of bread, cured meat, dried fruit, and firm wedges of cheese with practiced precision. Her rhythm was calm, purposeful. Each motion a silent tether to something solid in the midst of everything still shifting beneath her feet.

Beside her, a pair of vials clinked softly against one another as she gently tucked them into the insted pouch Niks had fetched. The blood bags, cool and well–sealed, were bundled in cloth to keep the chill–Jasper’s needs, ounted for.

Niks moved beside her, brushing his fingers over the tied leather loops of one of the satchels. “They’ll appreciate you doing this,” he said, voice low and thoughtful. He nced at her then, sideways, gaze soft but searching.

Saphira shrugged one shoulder, not quite meeting his eyes. “It’s not much. But they can’t afford distraction out there–not from hunger. Not when they’re near Silvermoon’s reach.”

Her voice dipped slightly. “Especially Jasper.”

Niks hummed, jaw flexing as he considered. “No,” he agreed. “We can’t risk him losing control. Not that close to the border.”

“Exactly.” She pressed thest parcel into ceb, /bsealing the p of the pack.

For a moment, the quiet settled again–until Niks shifted, his tone gentling.

“What about you?”

Saphira paused, her hands stilling. She turned toward him slowly, tilting her head. “What about me?”

He nodded toward the doorway. “What’s your next moveb?/bb” /b

Saphira’s gaze drifted to the window, where dusk had painted the sky in bpurples /band fading gold. Her fingers paused over a folded wax wrap.

b“/bI need to talk to Finn,” she said eventually. “Exin everything and clear the air, bI’ve /bkept him in the dark longer than bI /bmeant to.”

Niks said nothing–just listened, the quiet support in his stance grounding her more than she expected.

“And I want to train more,” she added. “In my dragon form. Not just the flights–I want to learn what I can do. What I need to be if this turns into something… bigger.”

“It already is,” Niks said quietly.

“I know.” Her voice softened. “But I want to be ready. Not just surviving it. Choosing how show up in it.”

Niks reached out and gently touched her arm, warm and steady. “Whatever you need. I’m with you.” Then, after a pauseb: /b“But bjust /bso you know–I’ll always protect you. Even if you grow fangs and ws big enough to scare off the moon.”

She smiled despite herselfb, /bjust as the sound of boots echoed in the hall.

The low hum of evening settled around the house bas/bb//bJed, Raven, and Jasper appeared in the hallway–boots soft against the worn wood, small packs slung over their shoulders. Saphira’s gaze flicked to the bags, noting how light they looked. Essentials only. bSpeed /band stealth overfort.

“You ready?” Niks asked, stepping forward, his/tone calm but threaded with the quiet authority he wore so well.

Jed nodded onceb, /bbeyes /bsteady. “Yeah. The jet’s prepped. We leave within the hour.”

Niks scanned the three of them, his bjaw /bfightening subtly. “bBe /bcareful,b” /bbhe /bsaid, not quite a warningb—/bmore a promise bwrapped /bbin /bbconcern/bb. /bb“/bbI /bbdon’t /bwant to be organizing another search bparty/bb./b”

bRaven /bshed ba /bbgrin /band stepped closer to Saphira, bher /beyes warm with something softer. b“/bbWe’ll /bbbe /bcareful,” she bsaid /bbwith /ba wink.“We’re the ber

Saphira managed a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Niks shifted his attention to Jed. “What’s the n?”

Jed adjusted the strap across his chest, his tone businesslike. “We’ll split at the ridge. Jasper heads north. I’ll sweep west. Raven goes east–closer to Silvermoon’s border. Recon only. No contact. We regroup, share whatever we’ve found, then decide how to move.”

Niks gave a small nod, though the tension in his shoulders didn’t ease. “Keep me updated.”

Jed gave a half–smile and a mock salute. “Always. If Damon so much as breathes near me, you’ll be the first to knowi./ii” /i

Saphira stepped forward then, grabbing the neatly wrapped food bundles from the counter–ration packs lined with dried meat, bread, fruit, and Jasper’s blood bags. She handed one to each of them.

“It’s not much,” she said, voice low, “but it’ll keep you fed for a few days.b” /b

They epted them with murmured thanks, slipping them easily into their packs.

Raven lingered a moment longer, reaching out to give Saphira a brief, fierce hug. No words this time–just the squeeze of fingers and the weight of unspoken stay safe.

Then Raven pulled back, her voice lighter. “Thanks, Saph. I owe you a girls‘ night when we’re back.”

Saphira smiled, the curve small but real. “Deal.”

Jed pped Jasper on the shoulder. “Alright–let’s move.”

They exchanged farewells and headed toward the front door, boots echoing softly in the corridor. Saphira and Niks followed them out into the nightb, /bthe cool air brushing against her skin as headlights from the waiting vehicle lit the drive.

She stood beside Niks as they climbed into the car, the doors shutting with firm finality before bit /brolled baway /btoward the distant airfield.

Saphira wrapped her arms loosely around herself, eyes on the receding taillights.

“I hope they find something,” she murmured.

Niks stood close, his voice quiet beside her. “Me too.”

But neither said what lingered in both of their minds: What if what they find changes everything?

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