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SEVENTY-FIVE

T hree days later, Zina found herself addressing a larger audience at the town meeting hall. Enchanted Falls residents packed the venue—curiosity about recent events drawing even the most reclusive supernatural beings from their homes.

Elder Tygra had insisted on a public briefing to prevent rumors from spiraling out of control. “Transparency builds trust,” she’d argued in the council. “To a point.”

That point involved careful editing of the full story. Zina stood beside Xai and Luciana, explaining just enough about the magical disturbances without revealing the Pyre’s exact nature or location.

“The energetic imbalance has been neutralized,” she assured the crowd. “Protective measures have been strengthened to prevent similar incidents in future.”

Questions flew from all directions:

“Was Severin Madrigal really trying to control the town’s magic?”

“Are you three in charge now?”

“Did the dragon elder really breathe fire during the confrontation?”

Xai handled the more political inquiries with diplomatic skill while Luciana addressed questions about her brother with dignified brevity. Zina focused on reassuring business owners that magical stability had returned, emphasizing that daily life would continue normally.

Throughout the session, she noticed Mrs. Plumworth, the town’s notorious gossip, scribbling furiously in a floral notebook. The magpie shifter’s eyes gleamed whenever Zina stood close to Xai—clearly more interested in their relationship than magical politics.

After the formal questions concluded, Zina deliberately approached the older woman.

“Mrs. Plumworth, I know you have the town’s best interests at heart when sharing information,” she began carefully.

The woman preened, rainbow highlights shimmering through her silver hair. “I provide a valuable community service, dear. People need to know what’s happening.”

“Exactly.” Zina leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “Which is why I wanted you to have the accurate details about a certain... personal development.”

Mrs. Plumworth’s eyes widened with delight. She flipped to a fresh notebook page. “Do tell.”

Zina shared a carefully curated version of her relationship with Xai—their whirlwind courtship amid the crisis, their deep connection despite different shifter natures, and how the dragon elder had remained by her bedside when she was injured.

“The mate-bond formed so naturally,” she confided, embellishing slightly. “One moment we were colleagues, the next we couldn’t imagine life apart.”

Mrs. Plumworth dabbed at her eyes with a lace handkerchief. “So romantic! A dragon and a lioness—unprecedented in Enchanted Falls history.”

“We’d appreciate your help ensuring the town understands this positive aspect of recent events,” Zina concluded. “Focus on new beginnings rather than what’s past.”

The magpie shifter practically vibrated with importance. “I’ll make sure everyone knows your beautiful love story, dear. Such a welcome distraction from all this dreadful business with the Madrigals.”

Mission accomplished. By tomorrow, gossip about their romance would overshadow dangerous speculation about magical politics. Sometimes distraction proved the best protection.

Returning to where Xai stood conversing with Elder Selene, Zina caught the tail end of their discussion about boundary reinforcements. The fae elder glided away with ethereal grace as Zina approached.

“Strategic gossip distribution?” Xai murmured, watching Mrs. Plumworth already cornering another resident.

“Mrs. Plumworth will spread our ‘epic romance’ faster than wildfire,” Zina confirmed. “Giving people something to discuss besides the pyre.”

“Clever.” His hand found the small of her back—a casual touch that sent warmth cascading through her. “Though I notice you didn’t have to fabricate much.”

She glanced up at him, suddenly struck by the genuine affection in his golden eyes. Not possessiveness or pride of conquest, but something infinitely more valuable—respect mixed with tenderness.

“No,” she admitted softly. “I didn’t.”