Trial By Fire (Going Down in Flames #3)(27)

Bryn reached to touch Valmont’s face and froze. That couldn’t be her hand. It looked dry and weathered like she’d been washing her hands with bleach. “Holy shit. What’s wrong with me?”

“Nothing the medics can’t fix,” Valmont said. “Right now, you need to understand I will never leave you, ever. I will never ask you to break the bond.”

“Are you sure? You’re not just saying that because you feel guilty.”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“What about the sprinkles?” she asked, hoping he’d understand she was referring to their kiss, which she didn’t want to mention since Medic Williams was nearby.

“I will never question the sprinkles again. No matter how strange they might be. I promise.”

His words were like a soothing balm. She leaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around her. Her thoughts came clearer and with the clarity came embarrassment. “Getting sick like this…I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“I know.” He ran his hand up and down her back.

“I’m not the type of girl who freaks out and tries to off herself over a guy.”

He laughed. “I know. Listen to me. This wasn’t your fault. It was mine.”

“It was the magic of the bond.” Bryn took a deep breath. She knew what she had to do. “Seriously, I don’t want to force you to be with me. I could release you.”

“Shut up. You’re stuck with me. End of discussion.”

“Thank God.” She enjoyed the warmth from his body, and from the bond. They sat like that until voices came from the living room.

Bryn sat up and nodded at the two medics who followed Medic Williams into the room. Both stared wide-eyed, before sliding their professional masks back into place.

“I look that bad?”

“We’ll have you fixed up within the hour, I’m sure.” Medic Williams accepted a camera from one of the other doctors. “We need to take a few pictures for medical purposes.”

Great. She was a freaking science experiment.

Once the pictures were over, the medics placed their hands on Bryn’s neck, back, and shoulders. Warmth flowed over her ’til it felt like she was floating in a pool of warm honey. Nothing hurt, but her scalp itched. She reached to scratch, and Valmont caught her hand.

“You probably shouldn’t do that,” he said.

“It itches.” And not just a little bit. It felt like ants were swarming on her skull.

“You can scratch in a minute,” Medic Williams said. “Repairing hair takes less time than regrowing it from scratch.”

Oh hell. “I have bald spots?”

“Just one,” Valmont said, “and I’m sure they’ll fix it.”

Warmth continued to flow through Bryn’s body. Her eyes drifted shut. “Can I sleep while you do this?”

“No,” one of the medics snapped.

Okay, then. Her skin prickled like she had a case of goose bumps. The prickly feeling changed into an odd stretching sensation. “That feels weird.”

“Why don’t I distract you with a story,” Valmont said. “Once upon a time, there was an unbelievably handsome waiter who worked in an Italian restaurant in Dragon’s Bluff.”

Bryn grinned. “This sounds oddly familiar.”

“It should. This waiter was happy, but he always felt like something was missing from his life. One day, a girl with striped hair came into the restaurant and ate an entire pizza by herself, which he found very alluring.”

“Right.”

“One day the girl had a fight with a stupid boy, and the waiter stepped in to offer his help, and once he did, he was transformed. He felt whole, like he’d found his true purpose in life. The girl was a bit slow. It took her awhile to realize the handsome knight was the one for her. Once she came around, they discovered true love and lived happily ever after, except for a minor bump where the knight did something stupid and made the girl sick. After that one time, he promised he would never do anything to hurt her ever again, and they lived happily ever after. The end.”

“I like that story.” Bryn yawned. “I’m sleepy.”

“I’m not surprised.” Medic Williams removed her hand from Bryn’s forehead. “You’re stable. I want you to rest. I’ll be back in a few hours with food. Then we’ll see what more needs to be done.” She pointed at Valmont. “With the exception of using the bathroom, you are not to leave her side. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

After all the medics were gone, Valmont kissed Bryn on the forehead. “I swear to you, no matter what happens between us personally or romantically, because there are bound to be some bumps as we figure all this stuff out, I will never ask you to break the bond.”

Her body sagged with relief. “Thank you.”

He lifted up the covers and climbed in next to her, so she could lay her head on his chest. Wrapped in his arms, she fell asleep.

…

“What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” A male voice shouted.

Bryn swam through the fog of sleep, and was greeted with the image of Jaxon standing next to her bed scowling. Clint and Ivy stood by his side.

“I believe it’s called spooning,” Clint said.