Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1)(78)

Bryn grimaced. “Death isn’t my favorite topic right now.”

“Understandable,” he said. “Be assured I can hold my own in a fair fight.”

That made her feel a little better. “And you’re okay with being my knight?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It just kind of happened. You didn’t wake up that morning and say, I think I’ll defend a girl from her idiot friend and become her knight.”

“True.” Valmont moved his hand to rest on the handle of his sword. “But this feels right. I can’t explain it, but I’ve always felt a bit restless. Now I feel like I know my true purpose.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” he asked.

“For not resenting me.”

“I could never resent you.” Valmont grinned. “Your idiot friend, I have no trouble resenting.”

Bryn laughed and then yawned. She stretched and lay back on the carpet, closing her eyes. Being here, with Valmont nearby, felt peaceful.

“Why don’t you take a nap?” Miss Enid suggested.

“All right.”

Quiet voices continued for a while.

“You can’t sleep on the floor,” Valmont said.

The combination of too much food and fatigue settled over her. She didn’t have the strength to open her eyes, much less get up and walk to the other room. “I’m comfortable.”

“You leave me no choice.” Strong arms lifted her from the carpet, and it didn’t occur to her to object. She laid her head against his chest. He smelled of soap, leather, and sunshine.

After he placed her on the bed, he brushed stray strands of hair from her face and draped a cover over her body. She rolled to the side and snuggled against her pillow.

As she slept, she dreamed of a man with spiked hair and dark eyes. Occasionally, his image would shift to short dark hair and blues eyes. A single dimple would grace his cheek.

What seemed like moments later, the door opened. Miss Enid called out, “Bryn, it’s dinnertime. Valmont volunteered to bring us food. What do you want?”

“Too tired,” she mumbled.

The door closed.

…

Raised voices disturbed her. She floated on the edge of sleep while she tried to ignore them. Medic Williams might have healed her body with Quintessence, but mentally, she still felt exhausted.

The door creaked open. “Bryn, you best come out here before Valmont and Zavien come to blows.”

That bit of news had her sitting upright. “What?”

“There’s too much testosterone in one small room.” Miss Enid winked at her. “Come see if you can help.”

In the living room, Zavien stood by the door. His hands were clenched into fists as if he were having a hard time controlling his lightning. Bryn felt the hair on her arms stand up with static electricity. Yep. He was definitely close to blasting Valmont.

Stretched out on the couch like he was about to take an afternoon nap, Valmont was the picture of innocence. The devilish gleam in his eye told another story.

“That’s out of the question,” Zavien roared.

“Let’s ask her.” Valmont’s single dimple appeared. Whatever was going on, he was enjoying himself immensely.

It was hard not to return his smile. “Ask me what?”

“Zavien mentioned Clint planned to stay the night on your couch. I volunteered to stay instead because I don’t have homework.”

Sounded good to her. Maybe Valmont could give her some insight into the male mind. “Why is that a bad idea?”

“I don’t think he likes me.” Valmont sat up and gave a cheeky grin. “Not sure what his problem is.”

Lip curled up in a snarl, Zavien said, “I don’t care about you one way or another. I don’t think you can protect Bryn.”

“But Clint could?” Valmont placed his finger on his chin like he was in deep thought. “Is that because he has a girlfriend?”

“What does Ivy have to do with this?” Bryn asked.

“I trust Clint to be alone with you.” Zavien pointed his finger at Valmont. “I don’t trust him.”

The corners of her mouth turned up of their own accord. “You’re afraid to leave Valmont alone with me because he’s single?”

The knight wiggled his eyebrows. “I am rather irresistible.”

The anger on Zavien’s face told her he didn’t think this was funny. She tried not to laugh. An odd-sounding snort came out of her mouth.

Miss Enid chuckled.

Bryn gave in and laughed. She wanted to whoop with joy and jump up and down. Zavien was jealous of Valmont. It felt like a victory. She wasn’t crazy. He did have feelings for her.

But one look at Zavien told her what he felt right now was rage.

Time for damage control.

“Don’t be angry.” She approached him and touched his chest. The warmth of his skin seeped through his shirt. “I trust him. You should trust him, too.”

His mood didn’t change. “Do you have any idea the strings I’ve pulled to spend all this time with you?”

“I know what you’ve done for me. I’m grateful. If I could choose anyone to stay the night with me, it would be you.”

Good God. Did that just come out of her mouth?