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.”
“Did you ask him about it?”
“He claims it was something he had lying around, and it reminded him of me. I took it to Talia at All that Sparkles. She said it was old and real gold, but that didn’t mean it was anything but a piece of jewelry.”
“Did she tell you the story of Wraith Knightshade?”
Bryn nodded. “Some of it. What did she tell you?”
“She didn’t tell me the story. I read it in a book.”
This was news to her. “There are books with that story? Where? I searched all over this library and couldn’t find them.”
He frowned. “There are several books of fairy tales which include stories of the time before the Directorate took control, but they’re told from the knight’s perspective, which might be why they aren’t included here. Talia’s grandmother used to read to us at the library in Dragon’s Bluff when we were kids.”
“There’s a library in Dragon’s Bluff?”
“Of course. It’s attached to the school.” Valmont stood. “I think we should go see if Miss Enid can arrange for an interlibrary loan.”
They found Miss Enid still sitting at the front desk, checking out books for students. When she was free, Bryn filled her in on their request.
“Do you remember the name of the set?” Miss Enid asked as she typed away on her keyboard.
“Days of Knights,” Valmont said with a grin.
“Are puns part of the knightly code?” Bryn asked.
“Maybe.” Valmont grinned. “Although that isn’t exactly a pun.”
“Close enough.” Miss Enid clicked through several screens. “I think I can arrange an unofficial interlibrary loan with the Dragon’s Bluff School librarian. You shouldn’t go around talking about this. The Directorate must have a reason for not housing those books in the campus library.”
“Mums the word.” Bryn grabbed Valmont’s hand. “Come on. We don’t want to be late for my favorite class.” Basic Movement was like gym class, but far cooler. “You’re going to love it.”