Page 19 of Hot for the Dragon (Saltwater Grove #3)

19

DAPHNE

D aphne's boots clicked quicker against the cobblestones, each step echoing in the quiet street. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as that sensation of being watched intensified. She wished she had taken Archer up on his offer to walk her - his solid presence would have been comforting right about now.

"Should've let your dragon boyfriend escort you."

The voice made her freeze. A figure stepped out of the shadows ahead, blocking her path. Even in the dim streetlight, she recognized Ned's sharp features and predatory smile. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she took an instinctive step back.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Daphne said, proud that her voice remained steady despite her trembling hands.

Ned's laugh held no warmth. "Oh, we've been watching. Seeing you try to turn our dragons against us. Getting cozy with Hawke." He took a step closer. "Carmen's not happy about either of those things."

Daphne's magic tingled in her fingertips, ready to call forth any plant life nearby. But would vegetation be enough against a dragon shifter? Her mind raced through possible escape routes.

"Tell me," Ned continued, "what would the mighty Archer Hawke do if something unfortunate happened to his little witch?" His eyes gleamed with malice. "Would he finally stop playing nice and show his true colors?"

"If you're trying to intimidate me, you'll have to do better than that." Daphne lifted her chin, channeling some of Archer's defiance. "I won't stop helping the town just because you make threats."

"Brave words." Ned's smile widened, showing too many teeth. "But bravery won't save you when you're alone in the dark with a dragon." He took another deliberate step forward. "And right now, little witch, you're very alone."

The street suddenly felt much darker, the distance to Hugo's house impossibly far. Daphne's fingers curled into fists as she tried to keep her rising panic at bay. She wasn't some helpless damsel - she had magic, she had training. But against a dragon shifter? Her mouth went dry as Ned's eyes began to glow with an inner fire.

Daphne's feet pounded against the pavement as she started to run, her heart thundering in her chest. "Archer!" The name tore from her throat, echoing off the empty buildings. She knew he was probably too far to hear, but she couldn't stop herself from calling out for him.

Behind her, the sound of bones cracking and flesh transforming made her stomach lurch. She didn't dare look back, but the whoosh of massive wings told her Ned had shifted.

"This is definitely not how I planned my evening going," she muttered, ducking into an alley. Her fingers traced the air, willing the ivy growing up the building walls to thicken and spread. The vines responded sluggishly - nothing like Hugo's instant botanical barriers. "Come on, come on!"

A blast of hot air hit her back as Ned's dragon form landed at the alley entrance. The impact shook the ground, making her stumble. The ivy finally sprang to life, creating a temporary wall between them. It wouldn't hold long, but it gave her precious seconds to keep running.

"Note to self," she panted, sprinting through the back streets, "ask Hugo for more combat training. If I survive this."

A deafening roar split the air as Ned burst through her makeshift barrier. Talons scraped against brick and concrete as he pursued her. Daphne's magic reached out desperately, coaxing any plant life she could find. Flower boxes erupted with sudden growth, thorny vines wrapping around Ned's legs. Tree branches bent down to block his path.

But each obstacle only slowed him for moments. Her magic wasn't meant for fighting - it was meant for nurturing life, for making things grow and bloom. Still, she refused to give up.

"Archer!" she screamed again, her voice growing hoarse. "If you can hear me, I could really use some backup right about now!"

She rounded another corner, her lungs burning. A flash of movement overhead made her leap forward just as Ned's claws swept through the space where she'd been. The wind from his wings nearly knocked her off her feet.

"At least he can't make those awful threats in dragon form," she gasped.

Daphne's back pressed against rough brick as Ned's massive dragon form loomed over her, his wings spread wide to block any escape route. Her magic had run dry, every plant within reach already spent in her desperate attempts to escape. Heat radiated from Ned's scales as he drew back his head, preparing to strike.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar split the night air. A blur of crimson scales crashed into Ned, sending both dragons tumbling across the street. Daphne's knees nearly buckled with relief as she recognized Archer's distinctive red coloring.

The two dragons clashed in a fury of teeth and claws. Archer fought with a savagery she'd never witnessed before, his attacks precise yet brutal. His tail whipped around to slam Ned into a building, sending bricks cascading down. When Ned tried to take flight, Archer's jaws clamped down on his wing, yanking him back to earth.

The raw power of their battle made the ground shake. Daphne pressed herself against the wall, unable to look away. She'd seen Archer fight before during their investigations, but this was different. His movements held a desperate edge, an almost personal fury in every strike.

Ned managed to rake his claws across Archer's chest, drawing blood. Archer's answering roar of rage echoed off the buildings. He didn't even seem to notice the injury, launching himself at Ned with renewed intensity. His attacks grew more aggressive, driving Ned back step by step.

The look in Archer's eyes sent a shiver down Daphne's spine - not from fear, but from the realization that his fierce protectiveness was for her. He wasn't just fighting to win - he was fighting because Ned had threatened her.

Ned attempted to blast Archer with fire, but Archer twisted away, his own flames catching Ned's wing. The smell of burned scales filled the air as Ned screamed in pain. Archer pressed his advantage, his claws leaving deep gouges in Ned's side.

Blood dripped from both dragons now as they circled each other. Archer positioned himself between Ned and Daphne, his wings spread wide in an unmistakably protective stance. His tail lashed back and forth as he advanced on Ned, each step deliberate and menacing.

Daphne watched as Archer's relentless assault finally broke Ned's resolve. The lieutenant took to the sky with labored wing beats, leaving a trail of blood droplets in his wake. Her hands trembled as the adrenaline began to fade, leaving her knees weak.

The massive red dragon that was Archer watched Ned's retreat until he disappeared into the night sky. Then his form shimmered and contracted, scales melting away until he stood before her in his human form. His auburn hair was disheveled, and his black t-shirt had tears across the chest where Ned's claws had struck.

"Are you hurt?" His deep voice carried an edge of urgency she'd never heard before. Blood trickled from a cut above his eyebrow, but he seemed oblivious to his own injuries.

Daphne couldn't form words. The image of those massive dragons locked in combat, of Archer's savage protection, kept replaying in her mind. Instead of speaking, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his chest. His heartbeat thundered against her cheek, still racing from the fight.

For a moment, Archer went rigid at the contact. Then, to her amazement, his arms encircled her, pulling her closer. One hand spread across her back while the other cradled her head. He held her like she might disappear if he loosened his grip.

"I caught Ned's scent on the wind," he murmured into her hair. "When I heard you call for me..." His arms tightened fractionally. "I've never flown so fast in my life."

The warmth of his embrace and the rumble of his voice in his chest began to chase away the lingering fear. Daphne breathed in his scent - wood shavings and something distinctly dragon, like smoke and spice. Her fingers clutched at the back of his shirt, and she felt him shift to better shelter her with his body.

They stood like that for several long moments, neither willing to be the first to let go. Archer's thumb traced small circles on her back, and Daphne felt the last of her tension dissolve under his touch.

Daphne reluctantly pulled back from Archer's embrace, though his warmth lingered on her skin. Her fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt as she recounted Ned's threats.

"He said they've been watching us. That Carmen's not happy about..." She swallowed hard. "About me trying to turn the dragons against her, and about us working together."

Archer's jaw clenched, his eyes flickering with that dangerous fire she'd seen during the fight. "What else?"

"He wanted to know what you'd do if something happened to your 'little witch.'" Daphne attempted a light laugh, but it came out shaky. "Apparently they think targeting me will make you show your true colors."

A low growl rumbled in Archer's chest. "You're staying with me until this is over."

"I can't just move in with you," she protested, though her heart skipped at the thought. "What about my things? My brother would have a fit-"

"Your brother will understand when I tell him Ned just tried to kill you." Archer stepped closer, his presence overwhelming her personal space. "This isn't a request, Daphne."

She crossed her arms, lifting her chin. "You can't just order me around, you know. I'm not one of your wing members."

"No, you're much more stubborn." His expression softened slightly. "Please. I need to know you're safe."

Daphne's resolve wavered at the genuine concern in his voice. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not a chance." He reached out to brush a loose strand of hair from her face.