Page 63 of Shifting the Flame

"It's fine." He captured her wandering fingers and kissed them. "Dragon-quick healing, remember?"

"Mmm, very convenient for you." She pressed her lips to the bandage anyway, her heart overflowing with gratitude and relief that he was alive, and that Joni was no longer a threat to them. "Ready for my official exoneration?"

His green eyes darkened as he rolled to hover above her. "The council meeting isn't for two hours."

"And exactly what do you propose we do with that time, Mr. Mayor?" Danica bit her lip, barely suppressing a grin as his large hand slid down her stomach.

"I have several ideas." He lowered his head to her breast. "All of them involve making you scream my name again."

Danica arched beneath him, wondering how she'd ever considered walking away from this perfect connection. "Promise you'll stay beside me today? No matter what they say?"

Asher's face turned serious, his thumb caressing her cheek. "I should have stood by you from the beginning. I failed you and it won't happen again." His eyes blazed with determination. "You're my mate, Danica. My heart. They'll accept that or deal with my wrath."

She pulled him down for a kiss that quickly spiraled into something more urgent and primal. The hearing, the town, the future—all of it could wait just a little longer.

"Show me," she whispered against his lips. "Show me how a dragon claims his mate."

And for the next hour, Asher did exactly that.

Two hours later, Danica stepped into the warmth of the sunlight wearing her light grey tailored sleeveless dress, smoothing her hands down the fabric. It had been herpower outfit for intimidating clients who underestimated her, but today it served a different purpose—it matched Asher's suit perfectly, a statement of unity that wasn't lost on the townspeople who watched them emerge from Asher's red Porsche.

"Ready?" Asher's hand found her back, warm and steady.

"As I'll ever be." Danica lifted her chin, her hair cascading freely down her back.

They walked hand in hand down Main Street, the cobblestones uneven beneath her heels. Danica felt the weight of a hundred curious gazes as they passed the now empty festival grounds. Some faces were friendly, others wary, but none openly hostile.Progress, she thought.

"Mrs. Larkin made those raspberry tarts you liked," Asher murmured, nodding toward the bakery where an elderly woman waved tentatively. "She wants you to stop by later."

Danica's heart swelled. "I'd like that."

A small child darted forward, offering Danica a slightly crushed wildflower. "My mama says you helped the Alpha fight the bad dragon lady."

"Thank you, sweetheart." Danica knelt, accepting the purple bloom. "Your Alpha did most of the fighting, though."

"But she said you were brave too." The little girl beamed before being pulled away by an apologetic mother.

Asher's fingers tightened around hers. "You're the bravest woman I know."

The town hall loomed before them, its columns gleaming in the afternoon sun. Danica sucked in a deep breath, memories of Joni's cruel smile and Garron's collapse flashing through her mind.

"They'll listen," Asher promised, his green eyes fierce with determination. "And if they don't, I'll burn this whole place to the ground and build something better."

"No, you won't." Danica pressed a quick kiss to his bearded jaw. "But I appreciate the sentiment."

Inside, the council chamber hummed with tense energy. Seven members sat in ornate chairs arranged in a semicircle—three women, four men, all with the hard-edged look of dragons in human form. Their eyes tracked Danica's every movement as she took her place beside Asher.

"Council members." Asher's voice filled the room without effort. "I've called this emergency session to address recent events and clear my mate's name."

Danica stood quietly as he recounted everything—from Garron's poisoning to Joni's attempted coup. When he described finding Danica tied up at the mill, his voice lowered to a dangerous growl that sent shivers down her spine.

"I take full responsibility for not seeing the division growing among our clutch," he continued, his shoulders squared. "I failed to recognize Joni's ambition and the discontent she was feeding. That ends today."

He turned to Danica with such naked adoration that her cheeks flushed.

"This woman isn't just my fated mate. She's someone with new ideas, a kind heart, and fierce loyalty—exactly what Ectorius needs. The festival she planned brought humans and dragons together like never before. That's not weakness—that's strength."

When Asher stepped back, Danica approached the small podium, her heart thundering. A week ago, she'd been planning a princess party in New Orleans. Now she stood before a council of dragons, fighting for a place in their world.

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