Page 53 of Shifting the Flame

Joni glided into the apartment, her eyes expertly cataloging the stylish furniture, the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the eclectic art on the walls—and the mountain of tissues by the couch.

"Can I get you some water?" Danica asked, suddenly self-conscious about her hospitality skills. Even in her lowest moment, some part of her still wanted to be the perfect host.

"That would be lovely," Joni purred, settling gracefully onto Danica's white couch.

Danica escaped to the kitchen, her mind racing. Why would Joni think she and Asher broke up? And how did she know I had to leave? Did someone tell her everything? They must have. The dragon clutch members in Ectorius are a tight knit group.

She grabbed two glasses from her cabinet and filled them with filtered water, trying to collect herself. When she returned to the living room, Joni was examining the framed photo of Danica with her college friends.

"You have such a beautiful place here," Joni remarked, accepting the water with a smile that didn't reach her green-gold eyes. "So bright and open."

"Thanks," Danica replied, sitting across from her visitor in the armchair. "It's my sanctuary."

A sanctuary now invaded, she thought, watching as Joni crossed her long legs and leaned back against the cushions like she owned them.

Danica pulled her knees to her chest, sinking deeper into her armchair as Joni placed the bag of beignets on the coffee table between them. The powdered sugar dusted the waxed paper, and despite everything, her mouth watered at the familiar scent.

"Go on," Joni urged, pushing the bag closer. "Sugar helps heartbreak. That's scientifically proven."

Danica pulled out a pastry, not bothering with a plate. Powdered sugar dusted the front of her already-rumpled Tulane sweatshirt. "I don't know if science can fix what's wrong with me right now," she said, taking a small bite.

"Try me instead," Joni said, leaning forward with a sympathetic tilt of her head. "Sometimes talking helps."

Danica's eyes filled with tears again. "God, I feel so stupid."

"For what? Falling for Asher?" Joni's tone was gentle and encouraging.

"For falling so completely for him." Danica brushed sugar from her fingers, leaving white smudges on her gray sweatpants. "I've never believed in love at first sight or soulmates or any of that. I thought Asher was crazy with all his fated mates talk." She looked up, meeting Joni's gaze. "But then I spent more time with him."

"And everything changed," Joni finished softly.

"Everything." Danica's voice broke on the word. "I went from planning a five-year-old's birthday party to planning a dragonfestival to planning my entire future with a man I'd just met. Who does that?"

"Someone who found her fated mate," Joni offered, taking a careful sip of water.

"Four days." Danica shook her head, her messy ponytail swinging. "In four days, he rewired my entire outlook on life. On love. Even two days ago, I was still fighting it, still thinking this was just some ridiculous chemical attraction." Her hand pressed against her heart. "But now I feel like there's this... this gaping hole where he should be."

Joni nodded, her face perfectly composed in sympathetic lines. "That's the mate bond. It's powerful."

"It's terrifying," Danica whispered. "I've spent my entire adult life avoiding attachment, but with Asher... I didn't even get a choice. My heart just decided for me."

"And now?" Joni prompted.

Danica stared out her windows, watching clouds drift across the blue sky. "Now I feel lost. I've been accused of murder, exiled from a town I was starting to think of as home, and separated from the one person who makes my soul feel complete." Her laugh was bitter. "And the stupidest part? I still believe he can fix this."

"How?" Joni's voice sharpened slightly.

"Asher won't give up," Danica said, a spark returning to her eyes. "I know him. He's stubborn and protective and when he believes in something, he's unstoppable. He'll turn that entire town upside down looking for the truth, and he won't rest until he finds it. He's probably?—"

The sound of glass cracking interrupted her. Danica looked over to see Joni's fingers tightening around her water glass, her knuckles white with pressure.

"Joni?" she asked, suddenly alert. "Are you okay?"

Joni's face transformed, the sympathetic mask melting away to reveal something cold and hard beneath. "You think he's going to save you?" Her voice dripped with scorn. "You stupid, naive little human."

Danica's breath caught. "What?—"

"Four years!" Joni slammed her broken glass down, water sloshing onto the table. "Four years I'd been there for him. Supporting him. Building connections. Making myself the perfect mate for an Alpha, even though we weren't fated mates." She stood, looming over Danica. "And then you just waltz in, with your party planning and your human fragility, and suddenly he's falling all over himself because you're fated mates."

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