Chapter 58

FIFTY-EIGHT

T he silvery scar on Asher’s shoulder caught the warm candlelight, shimmering like starlight against her skin. Seated at the long wooden table in the Draker estate’s intimate dining room, she found herself surrounded by the perfect blend of her two worlds.

Ancient dragon clan artifacts adorned the walls alongside modern art pieces, while the scent of Nellie’s famous roast filled the air, mingling with the subtle spark of electricity that seemed to follow her everywhere these days.

Through her mate bond, a sudden pulse of pure affection made her smile. Even from across town in his stuffy council meeting, Talon couldn’t resist checking on her. Miss me already, dragon-mine? she thought back, feeling his amusement at her sass ripple through their connection. The bond might be the only dragon trait she had left after the cold iron attack, but it grew stronger every day.

Static crackled along her fingers as another wave of his love washed over her. A nearby light fixture flickered in response, making Mallory snicker.

“That dopey smile means my brother’s distracting you again,” Harlynn teased, passing the bread basket. “Poor thing’s probably completely lost track of his council meeting.”

“He should be paying attention,” Asher replied primly, then deliberately sent another surge of affection. The responding growl of frustration thrummed through her, deep and possessive. She grinned wickedly as sparks danced in her hair.

“You’re terrible,” Mallory observed. “I bet he just singed something important.”

“Good,” Asher said cheerfully. “Maybe they’ll end early.”

“How are you feeling, darling?” Her mother’s gentle question drew her attention. Dr. Evadne Andrews studied her with that familiar blend of scientific curiosity and maternal concern that had shaped Asher’s childhood.

“I’m okay, Mom.” Asher smiled, meaning it this time. “The genetic damage was too severe for my dragon form to recover. The cold iron specifically targeted my transformation abilities.” She kept her tone clinical, finding comfort in the scientific explanation even as her fingers traced the smooth scar tissue. “But honestly? I got to keep the parts that matter most.”

Her father perked up, nearly knocking over his wine glass in his excitement. “The persistence of the mate bond despite the genetic disruption is amazing. The quantum entanglement implications alone?—”

“Dad,” Everett interrupted with a grin, “you’re doing that thing where you forget normal people don’t discuss quantum mechanics over dinner.”

“Says the man who tried to explain neural network optimization to his coffee barista this morning,” Asher shot back, stealing a roll from his plate.

“She asked what I did for work!”

“She was flirting with you, genius.”

The table erupted in laughter as Everett turned red. His dragon still responded to her as strongly as ever, a constant warm presence in the back of her mind.

“I’ve been focusing my research on developing genetic shielding against cold iron,” she explained as the conversation shifted. “If we can protect other hybrids from similar attacks?—”

“Oh! Speaking of your research,” her mother interrupted brightly, pulling up a holographic display. “Look what I found in the archives!”

“Mother, no!” Asher groaned, recognizing the folder name. “Not the baby pictures during scientific presentations!”

“But look how adorable you were with your first chemistry set! The scorch marks really bring out your eyes.”

“The house’s power grid was down for hours,” Everett recalled gleefully, dodging the dinner roll Asher threw at his head. “Dad was so proud he forgot to be mad about the blown transformers.”

“At least you won’t have to worry about the traditional aerial ceremony parts of the wedding now,” Harlynn teased, her eyes twinkling.

Asher raised an eyebrow, mischief dancing in her expression. “Oh no, I fully expect to be carried. It’s the least your brother can do after all those overprotective hovering incidents. I have it written into the prenup – full dragon taxi service, available 24/7.”

The warmth of shared laughter filled the room. Talon’s mock outrage at being reduced to transportation filled her mind, followed by such a wave of love that it took her breath away. More lights flickered as her powers reacted to the surge of emotion.

“Sorry about the electronics,” she murmured, though her grin suggested otherwise.

“Worth it,” Mallory assured her. “Though maybe we should invest in surge protectors for the whole estate.”

“Already ordered,” Harlynn confirmed. “Industrial strength. The IT department suggested it after the third time you shorted out Talon’s office systems.”

“That wasn’t entirely my fault,” Asher protested. “He started it.”

“We know,” both sisters chorused, making her blush.

Behave, she said to him telepathically. His response made her cheeks flame brighter as more sparks flew.

“Perhaps we should move on to dessert,” Evadne suggested diplomatically, though her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Before my daughter accidentally causes a citywide blackout.”

“Too late,” Everett reported, checking his phone. “Lower Manhattan just lost power.”

“Oops.” Asher bit her lip. “In my defense, Talon just sent some very inappropriate thoughts through our bond.”

“TMI, sis,” Everett groaned. “TMI.”

The conversation flowed easily after that, full of laughter and teasing and love. Asher looked around at her expanded family – her brilliant parents discussing quantum genetics with Nellie, Everett trading tech specs with Mallory, Harlynn showing her latest charity project plans. Through it all, Talon’s presence hummed in her mind, their bond a constant reminder that she’d gained far more than she’d lost.