Page 41 of Shifting the Flame

"I see," she whispered, her voice nearly lost under the spray.

Asher turned her to face him, his expression darkening with concern as he tilted her chin up. "Hey. What's wrong? Your eyes are red."

She forced a smile. "Just got soap in them. You know how clumsy I can be." A teasing tone she didn't feel. "Remember that generator yesterday?"

Something flashed across his face briefly, and she thought she saw a flicker of recognition that cut through her practiced facade. He cupped her face in his large hands, and she thought he was going to ask her what was really wrong.

But instead, he leaned in and inspected her eyes closer. "You're not clumsy. I get soap in my eyes all the time. Happens to the best of us."

He reached for a towel, and she dabbed her face. "Thank you," she whispered.

SIXTEEN

ASHER

Asher adjusted his red tie as he watched Danica dart across the town square that morning. Her floral sundress swirled around her legs as she moved with purpose from one vendor to the next, her clipboard held against her chest like a battle shield. The festival's second day was even more packed than the first, with families filling every corner of the square.

"Your mate is something else, Alpha." Mrs. Finch handed him a glass of lemonade, her dragon-sharp eyes following Danica's path through the crowd.

"She certainly is." Pride swelled in his chest, expanding with each breath. His inner dragon roared with satisfaction at the sight of Danica commanding the festival like she'd been born to do it.

Asher straightened the cuffs of his navy suit and checked his watch—a timepiece that had belonged to his father. Another hour before the afternoon demonstrations. He scanned the crowd, constantly monitoring his territory while maintaining the easy smile expected of the town mayor.

Across the square, Danica defused a dispute between two food vendors with a few words and that winning smile thatmade his blood simmer. She hadn't once complained about being thrust into this role, despite the complexity of managing a festival for creatures she'd never spent any time around.

"Never seen the festival run this smoothly. Town's talking about nothing else," Councilman Davis clapped him on the shoulder. "By the way, congratulations on finding your mate. About damn time, Ectorius."

"Thanks," Asher replied, his attention fixating on Danica as she knelt to help a small child who had dropped her festival treat. Even from this distance, he could see her gentle smile as she replaced the fallen cotton candy for the girl.

"Even though she's human," Councilman Davis added, the words coming with a note of hesitation.

Asher turned, fixing Davis with a hard stare that made the older man take an instinctive step back. "She's mine."

With that, he strode away, the crowd parting before him like water. His temper had been hair-trigger since finding Danica—as though his dragon instincts had awakened fully after decades of slumber.

He paused at the main stage, where The Firebreathers were setting up. "Everything on schedule?"

The lead guitarist, a younger dragon named Charlie, nodded. "Yes, sir. Miss Ulrich already came by with the updated lineup. She's... impressive."

"That she is." Asher couldn't keep the possessive edge from his voice.

He moved through the festival, pausing to thank elder dragons, shake hands with council members, and listen to concerns from his people. All the while, he tracked Danica's movements, making sure he knew exactly where she was at all times.

When he finally caught up to her, she was directing a group of teenagers setting up for their performance.

"The spacing needs to be wider—we can't have you tripping over each other." She demonstrated with her hands. "Like this, see?"

"Are you always giving orders?" Asher stepped behind her, close enough to catch her scent but not touching her yet. "That's the Alpha's job, last I checked."

Danica spun to face him, her cheeks flushed from exertion. "Someone has to make sure your townspeople don't trip over each other and accidentally get hurt."

"Well, I appreciate your concern for my townspeople." He leaned closer, pitching his voice for her ears alone. "Speaking of my townspeople, everyone's talking about what an incredible festival this is—and what an incredible mate I've found."

Something flickered in her eyes—uncertainty?—before she smiled. "Good to know my professional reputation remains intact."

Before he could question that flash of vulnerability, she was pulled away by another crisis—this time involving the dessert competition judging schedule.

The day continued in this pattern. Asher fulfilled his duties as mayor and Alpha while he watched Danica shine in every interaction and every challenge. By late afternoon, his chest felt ready to burst with pride and something deeper, more primal—a need to claim her officially. He needed to ensure every dragon and human alike knew she was his.

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