Page 17 of Hot for the Dragon (Saltwater Grove #3)

17

ARCHER

A rcher watched Daphne work her magic - both literal and figurative - on yet another potential informant. Her quick thinking had caught three of Carmen's suppliers in the past week alone. His dragon preened with pride at her cleverness, even as he maintained his stern facade.

"That's the second store this morning," Daphne said, consulting her notes. "Ready to admit my systematic approach is better than your 'intimidate everyone' strategy?"

"It worked, didn't it?" He fought back a smirk as she rolled her eyes. "Besides, my intimidation got us into The Dragon's Scale yesterday."

"Where I had to save you from starting a brawl." She bumped into him playfully. The casual contact sent warmth spreading through his chest.

"I had it under control." He didn't, but he'd never admit it. Her diplomatic skills had prevented what could have been an ugly scene with some of Carmen's more aggressive supporters.

The late morning sun caught her hair as she laughed, bringing out auburn highlights that made his breath catch in his chest. Even his dragon stirred restlessly, wanting to curl around her protectively. The feeling had only grown stronger over their weeks together.

"Sure you did." She flipped through her notebook. "Speaking of control, there's another gathering at The Claw tonight. We should go."

Archer tensed. "Those dragons won't listen. They're too set in their ways."

"Maybe. But I have to try." Her determination shone in her eyes. "Everyone deserves a chance to choose what's right."

And there it was - that unwavering optimism that had first drawn him in. His dragon rumbled with satisfaction as she outlined her latest plan to win over Carmen's followers. She was brilliant, passionate, and completely fearless in the face of creatures that could reduce her to ash.

"Fine," he conceded, unable to deny her anything when she looked at him like that. "But I'm stepping in at the first sign of trouble."

"My hero," she teased, and his heart did something complicated in his chest.

Archer watched her gather her things, fighting the urge to pull her close and confess everything. But the timing wasn't right. They had a job to do first. Still, as she chattered about their next move, he couldn't help thinking how perfectly she fit into his life, filling spaces he hadn't even known were empty.

Later that day, Archer leaned against the wall of Hugo's office during their daily afternoon meeting. He crossed his arms as he listened to the latest intelligence report. His dragon prowled beneath his skin restlessly with the knowledge of the coming attack.

"A month," Hugo said, spreading maps across his desk. "That's what three separate informants have confirmed."

"Plenty of time to prepare," Archer growled, his eyes tracking Daphne as she studied the tactical layouts. The sight of her biting her lower lip in concentration made his chest tighten.

"Or plenty of time for Carmen to gather more forces," Daphne pointed out.

"Let her." Archer pushed off the wall, stalking over to the desk. "More dragons mean more potential allies if we can turn them."

Hugo nodded, smiling. "My sister's optimism is rubbing off on you, Hawke."

"Don't remind me." But Archer couldn't keep the warmth from his voice. Working with Daphne had changed him, softened his edges just enough to see other possibilities besides brute force.

"We should focus on the southeast entrance," Daphne said, pointing to the map. "It's the most likely approach given the wind patterns."

"Smart thinking." Archer's dragon preened at her tactical insight. "Dragons always prefer a tailwind for large-scale attacks."

"Speaking from experience?" Hugo raised an eyebrow.

"Obviously." Archer smirked. "I wasn't always this charming and diplomatic."

Daphne snorted, the sound making his dragon rumble with pleasure. "You? Diplomatic? Since when?"

"Since your brother stopped arguing with me and started appreciating my expertise."

"More like since my sister started keeping you in line," Hugo muttered, but there was no heat in it. Their weeks of working together had forged an unexpected respect between them.

Archer's retort died in his throat as Daphne's hand brushed his arm. Even that slight contact sent electricity racing through his veins.

"So," Daphne said, all business despite the slight flush in her cheeks, "shall we start executing our new defense measures?"

The next day, Archer watched Daphne demonstrate proper evacuation procedures to a group of townspeople, her hands animated as she spoke. His dragon hummed with satisfaction at how naturally she took charge.

"Remember, when you hear the third bell, head straight for the tunnels. No stopping for belongings," she explained.

"The tunnel walls are reinforced with protection spells. You'll be safe inside," Archer added.

Later, as they inspected the underground passages, Archer's enhanced vision picked out every detail in the dim light. "The support beam here needs strengthening."

"Already on it." Daphne touched the wooden beam, coaxing vines to wrap around and reinforce it. The sight of her magic at work never failed to captivate him.

"Show off," he muttered, earning a laugh that echoed through the tunnel.

"Says the dragon shifter who insisted on flexing during his demonstration of a proper fighting stance yesterday."

"You seemed impressed." His dragon preened at the memory of her staring at him during his training of the town's fighters.

"By your patience? Absolutely." She winked at him. "Who knew you could go ten whole minutes without growling at someone?"

Archer fought back a smile. "I maintain my fearsome reputation through dedicated practice."

"Oh yes, terribly fearsome." She patted his arm. "Especially when you were helping those kids practice their escape routes." His dragon rumbled with pleasure at her teasing.

He had grown increasingly fond of working with her, though he'd never admit it aloud. Even now, covered in tunnel dust and checking evacuation routes for the tenth time, she radiated an infectious joy that drew him in.

"The northern tunnel still needs work," he said, changing the subject before he did something foolish like pulling her close.

"Lead the way, oh fearsome one." She fell into step beside him, her presence warming his usually cold existence. "And try not to growl at any more support beams."

"No promises." But his lips twitched upward as they continued their inspection, their banter echoing through the underground passages.

Later that evening, Archer's boots clicked against the cobblestones as he walked beside Daphne, their shadows stretching long in the evening moonlight. His dragon hummed contentedly beneath his skin, a sensation he'd grown familiar with during these nightly walks.

"And then Nina actually tried to convince me that moonflowers aren't real," Daphne said, laughing. "Me, of all people!"

"The nerve." Archer's lips twitched. "Did you grow some right there to prove her wrong?"

"Better. I made them bloom in rainbow colors." She demonstrated with a wave of her hand, creating a small shower of iridescent petals that danced around them before disappearing.

His dragon tracked the movement, entranced by her casual display of magic. These evening walks had become the highlight of his day, though he'd die before admitting it out loud to her.

"Always showing off," he teased.

"Coming from the dragon who insisted on demonstrating proper aerial maneuvers three times today."

"They needed to see it done right." He stepped closer as a group of people passed, his protective instincts flaring. "Speaking of which, your defensive stance still needs work."

"Always the teacher." She poked him playfully. "Maybe I just like having you correct my form."

The comment sent heat racing through his veins. His dragon stirred restlessly, wanting to wrap around her and never let go. Instead, he cleared his throat. "Can't have you getting sloppy in a fight."

They reached her doorstep too soon, as always. The porch light cast a warm glow over her features, making her eyes sparkle. His dragon urged him to close the distance between them, to finally act on the feelings that had been growing stronger each day.

"Same time tomorrow?" she asked, fishing for her keys.

"As if I'd let you walk alone." The words came out more possessive than he'd intended.

"My protector." She smiled up at him, and for a moment, the rest of the world fell away.

Then she was inside, the door closing between them, and Archer was left staring at the space where she'd been. His dragon rumbled in discontent, already counting the hours until tomorrow.

Archer's wings cut through the cool night air, each powerful stroke carrying him higher above the sleeping town. The moon painted his crimson scales in silver, but his thoughts were far from the breathtaking view below.

Daphne's laugh echoed in his memory, the way her eyes crinkled at the corners when she teased him about being "fearsome." His dragon rumbled with pleasure at the memory, even as his human side tried to squash the feeling.

"Get it together," he growled to himself, banking left toward his mansion. "She's sunshine incarnate, and you're... well, you."

The wind whipped past his wings as he descended, but it did nothing to cool the warmth in his chest whenever he thought of her. The way she faced down Carmen's followers without flinching. How she could turn his brooding into banter with just a few words.

His claws touched down on his property, and he shifted back to human form, running a hand through his wind-tousled hair. "She's probably just being nice because she has to work with me. Professional courtesy."

But his dragon disagreed, remembering how she defended him to the townspeople, how she sought out his company even when they weren't working. The way she looked at him sometimes when she thought he wasn't paying attention...

"Stop it," he commanded himself, stalking toward his front door. "You're no good for her. She deserves someone who can match her optimism, not a grumpy dragon who's spent years pushing everyone away."

Yet even as he tried to convince himself, his dragon paced restlessly beneath his skin, already anticipating tomorrow's meeting. One thing was certain - he was completely and utterly doomed for falling in love with a human witch.