Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(18)

Tears filled Bryn’s eyes. She’d thought that story had sucked when she believed it was only a myth. Now that she knew it was true, it was heartbreaking.

Valmont put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. “I will never put you in that position. If worse came to worse, I’d ask you to break the bond.”

That didn’t make her feel any better, but she nodded like she was okay with it, because what else could she do?





Chapter Six


As they walked across campus, Valmont said, “I can’t believe you’re allowed to work in the library by yourself for an hour while your friends go to history class.”

She gave him a brief overview of her confrontation with the history teacher who had banned her from class for disagreeing with her. “So, I still have to do the work, but I turn it into Mr. Stanton instead.”

At the front desk, Miss Enid surprised Valmont with his very own library card. “You’re the first knight entered into the computerized library system.”

He examined the card. “Thank you. I should have plenty of time to read in the evening while Bryn is doing homework.”

Valmont had put his entire life on hold to spend twenty-four hours a day with her. His family, not to mention his evil grandmother, probably weren’t thrilled with the situation. Guilt made her feel twitchy.

As they ascended the stairs to the third floor where she normally studied, Bryn tried to put her concerns into words. “Your family, are they okay with this?”

“With what?”

Seriously? “With you walking away from your everyday life, the restaurant, and time with your family, to take care of me.”

He opened the door to the third floor. “I can talk to them on the phone whenever I want. I’m sure they miss me, but they understand.”

Her grandparents wouldn’t understand if she took off to live with someone twenty-four hours a day. “I’m not sure if I’m allowed to leave campus, but if I am, we should go have dinner with your family.”

“I appreciate the thought.” They reached the table where she normally studied. He pulled out her chair and then sat next to her. “But your grandmother already informed me that you aren’t to leave campus.”

If she thought about that too long, she’d become claustrophobic. “I’m sure there’s some way we can set up a visit.”

Valmont placed his hand under Bryn’s chin and tilted her head up to look into his eyes. “Stop worrying about me. It’s my job to worry about you.”

“I can’t help—”

“Stop it.” He grinned at her. “I might miss my family, but there is no place in this world I’d rather be than by your side.”

He spoke with such conviction. The world narrowed down to his bright blue eyes. Her scalp started tingling again and the sensation flowed through her body. Was it just her? Was it the bond, or something more?

“Can you feel that?” she asked.

“Yes. I’ve felt that since the first day I became your knight.”

Oh, God. He’d felt this way all along, and he’d had to watch her moon over Zavien. “I’m sorry… That must have been hard for you.”

He dropped his hand and looked away. “You’ve no idea how much I hated Zavien for hurting you.” He turned back and met her gaze. “And the guilt I felt because I was thrilled he turned out to be such an idiot.”

“If it’s any consolation, I feel guilty for wasting my time on him.”

“Why don’t we stow away all this guilt and move on with our lives.” Valmont’s gaze dropped to her lips. “And I know how we should start.”

Time seemed to slow down as he leaned down toward her. The tingling sensation she’d felt before intensified. This was right. This was magical. This was…due to the bond? No, she refused to believe that. She’d thought Valmont was hot the first time she’d met him, pre-bond. Even Ivy had commented on how attractive he was. Closing her eyes, she leaned in.

A door banged closed, shattering the moment.

Valmont stood and moved around to the front of the table placing himself between Bryn and anyone who might come toward them.

“It’s not unusual for people to come up here,” Bryn said.

“Until I know it’s not a threat, it’s a threat.”

Students Bryn didn’t know came into view and turned down a different aisle.

Now what? Would he try to kiss her again?

He rejoined her at the table and leaned back in his seat. “This probably isn’t the best place to finish what we started.”

Too bad. “Maybe you can help me with something else. Do you remember how I told you the dragons who attacked Dragon’s Bluff were different?” She didn’t want to go shouting the word “hybrid” in case anyone was nearby.

He nodded.

“I think there have to be some peaceful dragons like that, hiding out here on campus, keeping their real identity a secret. And if there are, I need to find them to show everyone that not all of them are dangerous.”

He tapped his fingers on the table. “What if the ones on campus sympathize with the arsonists? Wouldn’t you be putting yourself in danger?”

Crap. She hadn’t thought of that. “There has to be proof somewhere in this giant building that different dragons exist. If I could find something: a map, a relic, maybe I could use that to figure some of this out.” She pulled on her necklace and showed Valmont the small golden key pendant with red and blue stones decorating both sides. “Onyx gave me this protection charm. He could have placed the charm on any piece of jewelry. I think he gave me this for a reason. I think it’s supposed to lead me to something.”