Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(77)

Zavien rolled his eyes. “You’re thinking like a human. If a bear came after you, you could shift and eat him.”

“I don’t think I’d want to eat a bear.” Clint made a face like he’d eaten something rotten. “I bet the fur is hard to get out of your teeth.”

Bryn laughed, even though she was focused on Zavien’s first comment. She had been thinking like a human. How odd to realize she no longer fell in that category.

“You don’t have to worry about bears on our first trip. We aren’t going that deep into the forest. The campground is an easy twenty-minute hike from the school. Once everyone knows where it is, we can fly there to save time.”

“Define campground.” Please let him mention indoor plumbing. Squatting behind a bush sounded like a life experience she could do without. With her luck, she’d squat in a clump of poison ivy.

“This is the civilized campground. We have a bathhouse with showers and restrooms. Later, we’ll hike into the bluffs and rough it.”

“If roughing it involves a scenario without toilet paper, you can count me out,” Ivy said.

“I’m sure there will be toilet paper,” Clint said, “but there may be a tree rather than a toilet.”

“I don’t find that comforting.” Ivy grabbed another ketchup packet off the table.

Bryn watched Zavien. He interacted with her and the others in the same manner he always had. There were no sidelong glances or discreet looks of longing. Not on his part at least. Damn it. Maybe she had imagined the whole thing.

Before long, Ivy and Clint finished their sandwiches and left for class. Bryn waited to see if Zavien would bring up “the moment”. Instead, he rifled through his book bag.

She needed a safe topic to start him talking. “When is your next class?”

“Soon, but don’t worry about it. I’ll wait for Miss Enid.”

“I don’t want you to be late.”

He grinned, and her heart fluttered. “It’s for a good cause, but I should study while I wait.”

After picking up the trash, Bryn sat on the couch and yawned.

“Go back to bed if you want.” Zavien turned a page in his notebook.

She tried not to feel as if she’d been dismissed. Closing her eyes, she made herself comfortable on the couch.

Miss Enid returned a few minutes later. She wasn’t alone.

“You should’ve called me,” Valmont said.

Bryn blinked. Valmont stood in the doorway wearing a pair of faded jeans and a white, button-down shirt. He gave off an air of strength she associated with men in uniform.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I’m here to protect you.”

Zavien bristled. “We have everything under control.”

“While Miss Enid is a fine librarian and a fierce dragon, I doubt she has the killer instinct you need.” Valmont stepped into the room. Hanging at his side was a sword. Light glinted off the edge of the weapon.

“You’re human.” Zavien’s tone was dismissive. “How could you protect her?”

In one swift motion, the knight had the sword point at Zavien’s throat. “Unless you’d like a more thorough demonstration, I imagine you can work out the rest.”

“Valmont, put that away,” Bryn said.

“Just making a point.” Valmont grinned, and his single dimple made an appearance.

It took effort not to grin back. Hands on her hips, she forced a scowl. “I appreciate your concern, but Zavien is right. We’re dealing with dragons. I don’t want you hurt.”

“What if I join Miss Enid while she sits with you? I promise not to do anything courageous unless absolutely necessary.”

Miss Enid moved toward the couch. “Zavien, shouldn’t you be on your way to class?”

Zavien placed his hands on Bryn’s shoulders. “I don’t care if you have a delusional knight by your side. Stay in your room. I’ll be back after class.”

“I promise to stay put.”

Valmont settled himself on the opposite end of the couch from Miss Enid. His long legs stretched out to the side of the coffee table. The sword must’ve been secured to his thigh because it didn’t move away from his body.

Bryn sat on the carpet. Instead of pondering her imaginary love life, she focused on distracting herself. “Where’d the sword come from?”

“Everyone in Dragon’s Bluff receives a sword for their sixteenth birthday. It’s a symbolic gesture toward the past. Most of us still train as a way to stay in shape. If the need ever arises, we’re ready.”

“No offense, but how can a human fight a dragon? When I’m in human form, I feel vulnerable around unfamiliar dragons.”

He cracked his knuckles. “Time for a brief history lesson. In the past, humans and dragons formed alliances to keep peace between the races. A small dragon Clan would claim the territory of an entire village and the surrounding woodland. The people would keep the dragons’ secret, and the dragons would protect the people from other marauding beasts. When it came time to do battle, the knights of the village fought the opposing dragons’ knights. Some rode dragons into battle. Others fought on horseback.

“Wanting their knights to be as strong as possible, dragons used magic to imbue the villagers with extra strength. The knights were taught how to fight against dragons. Both the lessons and the strength were passed down through generations. Everyone in Dragon’s Bluff has been taught the secrets of fighting a dragon. One thrust of a sword can kill a dragon if you know where to aim.”