Page 59 of Hot for the Dragon

A blast of fire nearly singed his wing. Archer barrel-rolled away from the attack, coming face to face with Ned. The smaller dragon's yellow scales reflected the morning sun as they clashed in mid-air. Archer's superior size gave him the advantage, and he drove Ned back with precise strikes of his claws.

From the corner of his eye, he spotted Carmen circling above, watching the battle unfold. His instincts screamed to challenge her, to end this now, but he knew better than to leave Daphne and the town undefended.

A massive explosion rocked the air as one of Hugo's spells collided with dragon fire. Through the smoke, Archer saw Terry leading another charge of allied dragons, forcing Carmen's loyalists to split their attention between multiple threats.

"That's showing them!" Daphne called up to him as her vines wrapped around another hostile dragon.

Archer allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The town's defenders were holding their own, and Carmen's forces were being pushed back. He was filled with pride in this moment - not just at their success, but at how seamlessly Daphne had fought beside him. She might not be a dragon, but she was every bit as fierce as one.

Suddenly, Carmen's dark blue form crashed into Archer in his brief moment of distraction. Her scales gleamed like polished sapphires in the morning light. Her telepathic voice filled his mind, dripping with contempt.You've grown weak, Hawke.

Archer's muscles burned as he grappled with her mid-air, his larger size barely giving him an advantage against her vicious precision.And you've grown predictable,he projected back, twisting to rake his claws across her wing.

She retaliated with a blast of flame that singed his scales. The heat seared through him as he barrel-rolled to avoid the worst of it. Below, he caught glimpses of Daphne directing her vines to protect fleeing townspeople.

Carmen slammed into him again, driving them both toward the ground.You chose these humans over your own kind.Her teeth snapped inches from his throat.

Archer's wings strained as he fought to stay airborne. His earlier fights had taken their toll, and Carmen was fresh, having held back while her forces wore him down. She was smart - he had to give her that.

A series of rapid strikes forced him on the defensive. Each blow jarred through his body, and his responses grew slower. Carmen's savage satisfaction radiated through their mental connection as she pressed her advantage.

I'll kill your little witch first,Carmen taunted.Make you watch.

The threat ignited something primal in Archer's chest. He surged forward with renewed strength, but Carmen anticipated the move. Her tail whipped around, catching him across the face. The impact sent him spiraling toward the ground.

"Archer!" Daphne's voice cut through his daze.

He tried to right himself, but Carmen's weight crashed onto his back. Her claws dug into his shoulders, drawing blood. This was it he thought - he'd failed.

Suddenly, thick vines wrapped around Carmen's wings, yanking her off balance. Daphne stood below, her hands weaving complex patterns as more plants responded to her call. The momentary distraction was all Archer needed.

He twisted free and struck, his jaws closing around Carmen's throat. This time, there was no clever counter, no escape. With one savage motion, he ended her reign of terror for good.

As Carmen's body fell, her remaining loyalists scattered. Terry and the allied dragons pursued them, but Archer's focus remained on Daphne. He landed beside her, shifting back to human form despite his exhaustion.

"Nice timing," he said, pulling her close.

"I couldn't let her hurt my dragon," Daphne replied with a fierce grin.

Archer watched the town come together in the aftermath of battle, his chest swelling with an unfamiliar warmth. Terry and the other allied dragons helped clear debris while townspeople offered them water and thanks. The acceptance in their eyes struck something within him.

"Look at that," Daphne said beside him, pointing to where Nina had set up an impromptu first aid station outside the Cauldron & Cup. "Dragons and humans working together."

Hugo approached them, looking tired but satisfied. "The Council wants to establish regular meetings with the dragon representatives. Would you consider being our liaison, Archer?"

Three and a half weeks ago, Archer would have refused outright. Now, with Daphne's hand slipping into his, he found himself nodding. "Someone has to keep you all in line."

"There's the arrogant dragon I fell in love with," Daphne laughed, stretching up to kiss his cheek.

As they continued helping with cleanup, Archer realized the whispers following him had changed. No longer were they filled with fear and suspicion. Instead, he heard respect, gratitude, even friendly greetings. The town had become more than just a place he lived - it had become home again.

And standing beside him was the woman who'd made it all possible.

28

DAPHNE

Daphne stood confidently beside Archer on the raised platform in City Hall's grand chamber. Her heart swelled with pride as her brother Hugo addressed the gathered crowd. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting a warm glow over the sea of faces - townspeople and dragon shifters alike. Her fingers brushed against Archer's hand, and she felt him tense slightly at the public display.

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