Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(15)

“Thanks.”

“How’s your leg?” Ivy asked.

“Better now that there’s no longer a sharp metal thing jabbing through it.”

“Makes sense,” Clint said. “Next inquiry, where’s Zavien?”

Good question. “I haven’t seen him since he left the gym. He said something about running errands at lunch.”

About ten minutes later, Zavien bolted through the door. “Are you all right?’

Good. He’s worried. “I’m recovering.”

“Tell me everything.” He sat in the chair Jaxon had occupied.

She launched into the story, leaving out Jaxon’s taunts about being the other woman. When she mentioned the blond’s role in helping her, Zavien frowned.

“How do you know he wasn’t distracting you to give someone time to plant the javelin?”

“He didn’t hurt me, he helped me.” Wait a minute. When had Jaxon become one of the good guys?





Chapter Six


After a quick checkup, Medic Williams released Bryn with a slip excusing her from classes for the rest of the day. Zavien escorted her across campus while Clint and Ivy returned to class. Bryn’s leg was stiff, but thanks to the healing power of Quintessence, would be good as new by tomorrow night.

The disgusting sweat-soaked gym clothes had to go. When she reached her room, she made a beeline for the shower.

Clean and dressed, she emerged from her bedroom to find Zavien brooding on the couch. Did he have any insight on who had planted the javelin?

She sat next to him. “What are you thinking?”

“It’s not important.”

Not the answer she expected. She tried a different tactic. “What errands did you run today?”

“Nola needed to do some shopping in Dragon’s Bluff.”

He’d ditched her for Nola. Again. Knowing she was being irrational didn’t stop the words from flying out of her mouth. “Did you have fun shopping with Nola while someone tried to turn me into a shish kebab?”

“I’ve told you before that she’s a friend.” Zavien reached for her hand.

Not good enough. “When she shows up, you run to her rescue.”

“I’ve come to your rescue on more than one occasion.”

He was right. Damn it. “I don’t like sharing you. She needs to find her own hero.”

Zavien leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. This seemed to be his standard move when he didn’t want to talk. She should be mad, but the distraction technique worked. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Electricity thrummed through her veins.

When he pulled away from her, she sighed.

He kissed her forehead. “This is something I don’t share with Nola. I may let her cry on my shoulder, and I might go shopping with her, but I have no desire to kiss her until she melts against me.”

“I don’t melt.”

One corner of his mouth turned up. He brushed her hair aside and skimmed his mouth down her neck until he reached the sensitive skin by her collarbone.

Liquid heat flooded her body. She clamped her lips together to keep from moaning. When he applied his teeth to the area she gave up all pretenses and growled deep in her throat. She felt and heard Zavien chuckle against her skin.

“Maybe I melt a little.”

His chest puffed out with pride.

She stuck her tongue out at him.

“That’s very mature.”

The phone rang, cutting off further comment. She picked up the receiver.

“Is Zavien there?” Smoke shot from Bryn’s nostrils. “Just a moment, Nola.” She glared at Zavien while he took the phone.

His end of the conversation consisted of yes and no answers. Is he hiding something from me? When the conversation ended, Zavien reclaimed his seat on the couch.

Bryn wasn’t ready to get all cuddly with him again. “What was that about?”

“She’s inventorying the decorations for the fall dance, and there were a few items she couldn’t locate.”

Jaxon’s taunts about the dance came back to her. “You’re still taking me to the dance, aren’t you?”

“Of course. We’ll go with Clint and Ivy. It’ll be fun.”

She relaxed, leaning against him. Her stomach growled.

“You could never be a ninja.” Zavien poked her belly. “Your stomach would give you away.”

She batted his hand away. “I’m still recovering from an injury, so I need all the calories I can get. Feed me.”

“Want to go to the dining hall?”

“I’d rather not face the masses. Can you pick up something from the café downstairs?”

“I’ll be back in ten minutes.” He kissed her on the forehead and walked out the door.

Twenty minutes later, Bryn paced the living room. What was taking so long?

Her phone rang. She answered.

“Don’t be mad,” Zavien said.

“You’ve obviously done something you know will piss me off or you wouldn’t say that.”

“Nola found me and insisted I help design new decorations for the dance.”

Bryn growled into the phone.

“Be reasonable,” Zavien said.