Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)(38)

Jaxon played along, huffing out an exaggerated breath. “I knew you were a bad influence.”

The laughter lightened the mood. Bryn closed her eyes. “Here we go.”

She scanned Rhianna’s body and focused on the point where the spine met the tailbone. There were a few dark spots, but the area, which had been severed, appeared to be fused together.

“I’m no expert, but it looks like they reconnected everything. There are a few dark spots. I’d guess those were bruises. Maybe they need time to heal.”

“Try to heal them,” Jaxon said.

“Rhianna, it’s your call. I don’t know if I’d hurt you or help you.”

“Try to heal one bruise,” Rhianna said.

Bryn gathered a small ball of white light and channeled it into one of the dark spots. After a few moments, she stopped. The bruise remained unchanged.

“Feel any different?”

“What you did felt warm, but I don’t think it changed anything.” Rhianna sat up and moved to the edge of the bed. Bryn backed out of the way while Jaxon helped Rhianna stand. Once Rhianna was steady, she took a few steps. Her gait was uneven. The girl who used to glide across the floor now shuffled her right foot.

Bryn dug her nails into her palms, but made sure to keep her voice upbeat. “Better or worse?”

“The same,” Rhianna whispered.

“Maybe you need more time to recover.” Jaxon’s tone was hopeful.

“Take me to the roof.” Rhianna’s voice shook. “I need to know if I can fly.”

Jaxon placed his hands on Rhianna’s shoulders. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“If we take you up there, we’ll be caught for sure,” Bryn said. “Do you want to risk that?”

“I don’t care. What can they do to me that’s worse than this?”

Good point. Should they risk the roof? There had to be another way. “Shift in here,” Bryn said, “and try to move your wings.”

“Is there enough room?” Jaxon asked.

“Let’s see.” Bryn shifted, being careful to keep her wings tucked to her side. Her tail knocked over the plastic trash can with a muffled thump.

Jaxon crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “Must you follow through on every idea that pops into your head?”

“Change back,” Rhianna said. “There isn’t room for both of us in here.”

“I don’t know if this is wise,” Jaxon said. “If you can’t move your wings, what will you do?”

“I need to know.” She moved around him in an awkward fashion.

The air around Rhianna shimmered. The scent of cold metal filled the air. Then Rhianna stood in dragon form.

Both wings were intact, thank God. Bryn held her breath as Rhianna extended her wings. Up they both went, but her right wing stopped a foot below its apex. Frost shot from the Blue dragon’s nostrils.

“It will be all right.” Jaxon moved forward and placed his hand on Rhianna’s flank. “You’ll be able to fly. After some practice I’m sure you’ll be able to gauge how high to lift your left wing.”

Rhianna returned to human form. Tears streamed down her face. “Your father…”

Jaxon wrapped his arms around her and made soothing noises. “Don’t worry about my father. I promise, I will take care of you, no matter what happens.”

Bryn’s face heated. This was a painful, private moment. She shouldn’t be there. Making as little noise as possible, she backed out of the room.

On the walk back to her dorm, she tried to think through the situation. What would happen to Rhianna if the marriage contract ended? Would she consent to be someone’s mistress? Jaxon’s words came back to her and his true meaning hit. If the contract were ended, Jaxon would take care of her, meaning he’d keep her as his mistress. In this twisted world of Directorate-controlled relationships, he was trying to do right by her.

What sucked was, that was probably the best Rhianna could hope for.

“Bryn McKenna?” a masculine voice barked.

She froze midstep and whirled around, ready for a fight. One of the new military guards bore down on her.

For a moment, she considered lying but her coloring gave her away. Squaring her shoulders, she tried to appear calm. “I’m Bryn.”

The guard looked her up and down, taking her measure. She must have passed the test because he gave a curt nod. “There’s a visitor for you at the back gate. The fool claims he’s your knight.”

“Valmont’s at the gate?”

The Red’s eyebrows came together. “He really is your knight?”

“Yes.” The thought of seeing Valmont was like a soothing balm. “Can he visit, or are we on some sort of lockdown?”

“I’ll sign him in.” The guard led her across campus. “He can’t stay long.”

Valmont stood between two auburn-haired guards built like pro wrestlers. While her knight matched their height, they each outweighed him by fifty pounds.

He smiled at her approach, and his single dimple appeared. “Come to save me from military arrest?”

The guards scowled.

“Be nice. They’re doing their job.”

Valmont addressed the guard by her side. “Am I allowed on campus?”