Page 15 of Hot for the Dragon (Saltwater Grove #3)

15

DAPHNE

T he doorbell chimed through Daphne's cozy cottage, and her heart did an unexpected little flutter. She smoothed down her sweater and took a deep breath, wondering why she felt so jittery about seeing Archer again.

When she opened the door, the autumn breeze carried the aroma of coffee and pastries. Archer stood on her doorstep, looking impossibly put-together in a leather jacket, holding two cups and a paper bag.

"You brought breakfast?" Her surprise came out more pleased than she intended.

"Figured we'd need fuel for strategy." He handed her one of the coffees. "The barista said you like vanilla lattes."

"You asked about my coffee order?" Daphne accepted the cup, trying not to smile too broadly at his thoughtfulness.

"Don't make it weird." He followed her inside, his broad shoulders making her entryway seem smaller. "Where can we talk?"

She led him to her living room, where potted plants lined every windowsill and vines crept decoratively up the walls. "Make yourself comfortable."

Archer perched on her floral sofa like he expected it to bite him. "Your house is very... green."

She settled into her favorite armchair, tucking her legs under her. "So, about yesterday's attack-"

"The town was in complete chaos." He pulled out two chocolate croissants, handing her one. "No organization, no plan."

Daphne broke off a piece of pastry. "We need the townspeople working together, not running scared."

"Exactly." Archer leaned forward, his intensity making her heart race. "If Carmen attacks again-"

"When she attacks again," Daphne corrected.

"When she attacks," he conceded, "we need everyone prepared, coordinated. Not just hiding in shops hoping for the best."

"We could organize defense groups," Daphne suggested, warming to the idea. "Get the witches, shifters, and other supernaturals working together instead of everyone fending for themselves."

"It's not a terrible plan." Coming from Archer, that was practically a ringing endorsement.

She grinned at him over her coffee cup. "Was that painful to admit?"

His mouth twitched. "Excruciating."

Daphne set down her coffee cup and pulled out her phone. Her finger soon hovered over Hugo's contact. She took a steadying breath and hit dial, putting it on speaker.

"Daphne?" Hugo's voice crackled through. "Everything okay?"

"More than okay. We have an idea." She glanced at Archer, who sat with his arms crossed. "We need to call an emergency town meeting."

"We?" Hugo asked, his voice tinged with confusion.

"Yes, we." Archer's deep voice cut in. "Your sister and I think-"

"Oh, you're there." Hugo's interruption made Daphne wince. "In my sister's house. How... cozy."

A small succulent on the windowsill sprouted tiny flowers in response to Daphne's irritation. "Hugo, focus. The town needs organization. Structure. We can't just keep running and hiding every time Carmen attacks."

"And what exactly do you propose?"

"Defense groups," Daphne said, watching Archer nod in approval. "Getting everyone to work together instead of scrambling separately."

Silence stretched across the line. Daphne's fingers twisted in her lap until one of her vines reached down to still them. Finally, Hugo sighed.

"I suppose you're right." A pause. "But I'm not too thrilled about working with him."

"Noted," Archer drawled.

"Can you set up the meeting for this afternoon?" Daphne asked quickly before they could start bickering with each other again.

"Fine. City Hall at noon." Hugo's voice softened. "Be careful, Daph."

After hanging up, Daphne slumped back in her chair. "Well, that went better than expected."

"Your brother really doesn't like me." Archer sounded almost amused.

"Hugo just doesn't know you like I do."

"And how exactly do you know me?" Archer's voice dropped lower, sending an unexpected shiver down her spine.

"I just meant- well, how you're helping the town with Carmen and everything..." She stumbled over her words, practically fleeing into her kitchen. The morning sunlight streaming through the window made the copper pots hanging on her wall gleam as she busied herself reorganizing already neat counters.

Heavy footsteps followed her, and she could feel Archer's presence filling the small space. Her potted herbs on the windowsill stretched toward him as if curious about this new visitor.

"Daphne." His warm fingers wrapped around her arm, turning her to face him. Her breath caught at their proximity. "Thank you for standing up for me these past few days. Especially to your brother. You don't have to do that."

She looked up into those coal-black eyes, finding them softer than usual. "Well, someone should."

He suddenly blurted out, "Want to walk down to the harbor? We've got time before the meeting, and I could use some fresh air after being cooped up in that mansion."

"Yes!" She winced at her over-eager response. "I mean, that would be nice."

He chuckled, a rich sound that made her stomach flip. "Grab your jacket. It's chilly out there."

As she retrieved her coat from the hook by the door, she caught him examining her wall of hanging plants with what looked suspiciously like interest. When he noticed her watching, he quickly switched to his usual stern expression.

"Ready?" He held the door open.

Daphne slipped past him, trying not to notice how good he smelled - like cedar and something uniquely him. "Ready."

The salt-tinged breeze ruffled Daphne's hair as she walked alongside Archer at the harbor. The late morning sun sparkled off the water, making the boats' white hulls gleam. A few seagulls swooped overhead. Their calls mixed with the gentle lapping of waves against the dock.

Daphne snuck glances at Archer's profile. His jaw was strong and set, but his usual scowl had softened into something almost peaceful. His presence beside her felt solid and reassuring.

"You're staring again," he said.

Heat rushed to her face. "I was just thinking how different you look when you're not scowling at everyone."

His lips twitched. "I don't scowl."

"You're doing it right now," she said as she poked him, wondering if he'd be annoyed that she did that.

But Archer just chuckled. "Watch yourself, witch.

They reached the end of the pier, where fishing boats bobbed gently in their slips. A small patch of wildflowers had sprouted through the wooden planks. Without thinking, Daphne knelt down and touched them, making them grow fuller and stronger.

"Show-off," Archer muttered, but his tone held no bite.

"Says the man who can turn into a dragon."

He offered his hand to help her up, and Daphne's breath caught at the contact. His palm was warm, completely engulfing her smaller hand.

"We should head to the meeting," he said, but didn't immediately let go.

They walked to City Hall, their shoulders occasionally brushing. Daphne noticed how other pedestrians gave them a wide berth, but for once Archer's intimidating presence felt comforting rather than concerning.

The City Hall steps loomed before them all too soon. Archer pulled the heavy door open, his other hand settling briefly on her lower back as she passed through. The gesture felt oddly protective, making her skin tingle even through her jacket.

"Ready to face the firing squad?" she asked as they approached the meeting room.

"With you as my partner?" His dark eyes met hers, intense and unblinking. "I think I can manage."

Inside City Hall's grand meeting room, Daphne watched Archer command attention simply by standing. His presence radiated authority as he outlined their defense strategy to the packed room.

"We'll establish patrol zones," he said, his deep voice carrying to every corner. "Each area will have a mix of different abilities - witches, shifters, elementals."

Daphne stepped forward, offering a warm smile to balance Archer's intensity. "Think of it like a neighborhood watch, but with magic. We're stronger together than apart."

"And what if Carmen attacks while we're organizing?" someone called out.

"Then I'll handle her myself," Archer growled, drawing himself up to his full height.

Daphne touched his arm lightly. "What Archer means is, we already have temporary measures in place while we implement the full plan."

After the presentation, people gathered around them with questions. Daphne noticed how Archer tried to soften his usual scowl when speaking to a nervous young witch about protection spells. He was still intimidating, but there was something endearing about how he'd lower his voice and lean down slightly to seem less threatening.

"You're actually pretty good with people when you try," Daphne whispered to him between conversations.

"Don't sound so surprised." His lips quirked up. "I can be civilized."

"Could've fooled me," she teased, then immediately busied herself with a question from an elderly shifter to hide her blush. Since when did his half-smiles make her heart flutter?

An hour later, the crowd had thinned to just a few stragglers. Archer's jacket had come off, his sleeves rolled up to reveal strong forearms as he drew patrol routes on a map. Daphne forced herself to look away. This was strictly professional, she reminded herself firmly. Even if he did look unfairly attractive when he was being helpful.

"I think that went well," she said, focusing on organizing their notes.

"Better than expected," he agreed.

Hugo approached their table, his usual serious expression now softened by determination. Daphne's heart lifted at seeing her brother actually willing to work with Archer.

"I've been thinking about safe zones," Hugo said, spreading out a new map. "We could designate certain buildings as shelters, and reinforce them with protective spells."

Archer leaned over the map, his broad shoulders casting a shadow across the paper. "The old bank building on Main has thick walls. Easy to defend."

"And the community center," Daphne added, watching with barely concealed delight as the two men nodded in agreement. A small vine curled happily around her wrist, responding to her mood.

"We'll need evacuation routes," Hugo continued, drawing lines with his finger. "Multiple paths to each safe zone."

"Underground tunnels would be better." Archer's deep voice carried authority but lacked its usual edge when addressing Hugo. "Dragons can't maneuver well below ground."

"That's... actually brilliant," Hugo admitted.

Daphne watched them work together, their previous antagonism forgotten in the face of protecting the town.