Page 39 of Hot for the Dragon

"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."

---