Fanning the Flames

by Chris Cannon

  When she reached her room, Bryn found an envelope shoved partway under the door.

  She heard Valmont groan.

  “It’s probably just a note.” When she’d first come to the school, she’d received many threatening notes and letters, but that seemed like a lifetime ago.

  “Allow me.” Valmont retrieved the envelope while Bryn unlocked the door. They crossed the room and sat on the couch together. Valmont held the envelope up to the light like he was trying to see the contents. “Doesn’t look evil.”

  “Go ahead and open it.” Bryn yawned. “I don’t think evildoers are up at this ungodly hour on a Saturday morning.”

  “You’re probably right. Bad guys do prefer to skulk around at night.” He pulled open the flap and extricated a piece of notebook paper.

  Can we meet for lunch? And I’m sending a note so Jaxon won’t hear me call you and insist on accompanying me. You’re welcome, Rhianna

  “She must have dropped this off while he was in the meeting with us.” Bryn walked over to the phone but paused before picking it up. “What are the odds Jaxon is with her right now?”

  “Ninety to one hundred percent. Pretend you’re calling about something else. That way if he overhears, he won’t know what’s going on, because I’ve had more than my fill of his delightful personality for one day.”

  “Agreed.” And she knew just what to say. Rhianna answered on the third ring. “Hello, it’s Bryn. I thought maybe we’d get together later today and go to Suzette’s for lunch. Jaxon is welcome to come along, of course.”

  Rhianna laughed. “That’s a wonderful idea. I’ll ask him.”

  Through the phone Bryn heard Jaxon protesting he had far too much homework and needed to study for a test. Then there was the sound of a door slamming.

  “That worked like a charm,” Rhianna said.

  Suzette’s was a teahouse in Dragon’s Bluff where female dragons dragged their sons and made them sit in an ultra-feminine environment surrounded by flowers and lace while they discussed china patterns. This resulted in their sons never willingly going to Suzette’s later in life. The floral nightmare main room was actually a front for a tearoom in back where women could get away from the men in their lives without fear of being tracked down and interrupted. It was pure genius.

  “Good. Come to my room at eleven and we can go to lunch.” Bryn hung up the phone. “I declare it’s nap time.”

  Valmont glanced around like he was looking for something.

  Bryn walked over and sat on the couch. “What are you doing?”

  “So far this morning, every time we’ve talked about taking a nap, someone has interrupted our plans.”

  Bryn patted the spot on the couch next to her. “True. So get over here before it happens again.”

  He joined her on the couch, stretching his arms above his head and bringing them down so one was around her shoulders.

  Bryn laughed. “Was that you being smooth?”

  “Yes,” he said. “It’s from the How to be a Smooth Boyfriend Manual.” He grinned. “So how’d I do?”

  “I barely noticed it at all.” She rolled her eyes.

  He puffed out his chest like he was proud.

  “Guys are weird,” Bryn informed him.

  “And yet you still love me.” He leaned over toward her slowly.

  “I do, but aren’t you supposed to say that you love me?” Bryn asked when his lips were a fraction of an inch from hers.

  “That’s the boring way to do things.”

  She poked him in the ribs. “Don’t tease the dragon.”

  He laughed. “Fine. I love you, Bryn McKenna.”

  Happy warmth blossomed in her chest, and it had nothing to do with her fire.

  At eleven on the dot, a knock sounded on Bryn’s door. She didn’t bother looking through the peephole to see who was there. Finding Jaxon on her doorstep made her regret that maneuver.

  “Jaxon? What are you doing here?”

  “Hello to you, too.” Jaxon walked past her into the room and turned in a circle. “Where’s Rhianna?”

  Bryn shut the door. “She’s not here yet.”

  Jaxon frowned. “That’s not like her.”

  Another knock sounded on the door.

  “I’ve got this one.” Valmont crossed the room and opened the door.

  Rhianna stood in the hallway with a smile on her face. When she saw Jaxon standing in Bryn’s living room, her eyebrows shot up. “Jaxon, did you decide to join us for lunch at Suzette’s?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  Rhianna stepped inside, and Valmont closed the door.

  “Then why are you here?” Bryn asked.

  “I just received a message from my father. Tomorrow, the Directorate would like us to meet some of the people from Dragon’s Bluff who volunteered to become knights,” Jaxon said. “My father wants Rhianna and me to volunteer so he doesn’t doubt the loyalty of the Blue dragons who are searching for secret doors, or whatever it is they want us to find.”

  “And that’s a problem because…” Where is he going with this?

  “Last night, when we discussed this, Jaxon didn’t want me to participate in the experiment.” Rhianna crossed her arms over her chest. “After a heated discussion, I agreed not to do it if he volunteered in my place.”

  “Which I agreed to do.” Jaxon rammed his hand through his hair. “Now after this mandate from my father it seems that what I want is irrelevant.”

  “Welcome to my world.” Bryn threw her arms out wide. “It sort of sucks, but you get used to it.”

  Valmont cleared his throat and glared at her.

  “I didn’t mean you.” Bryn laughed. “You’re one of the best parts of this messed-up situation.”

  Valmont grinned, and a single dimple appeared on his left cheek. “Of course I am. I’m fabulous.”

  Jaxon reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “If I’m paired up with someone like your waiter—

  “You should be so lucky,” Bryn shot back. Her stomach growled. “I declare this conversation over. Anyone wishing to eat lunch can join us at Suzette’s.”

  “Good-bye.” Jaxon was out the door in five seconds flat.

  Rhianna chuckled. “Looks like this is the day where I get what I want for a change. Strange that it’s due to Ferrin.”

  “I’m sure he’s working some sort of angle to use this situation to his advantage.” Bryn headed for the window at the end of the hall, which opened onto a terrace. “Let’s fly to Dragon’s Bluff.”

  “It’s such a pretty day, I wanted to drive,” Valmont said.

  “Oh, okay.” Bryn tried not to let the disappointment show in her voice.

  “What kind of car do you have?” Rhianna asked.

  “It’s a cherry red convertible,” Valmont said. “You’re going to love it.”

  They checked out at the guard post at the back gate. By the time they arrived at Suzette’s Bryn’s good mood was restored because Valmont radiated joy as he drove with the top down. She’d still rather fly, but she understood why he enjoyed driving his car in this beautiful spring weather. And watching him be happy made her happy. Maybe that was part of love, enjoying someone else’s happiness more than your own.

  The hostess at the restaurant grinned at Bryn. “I see you brought your knight with you again.” Valmont had been allowed special permission to accompany Bryn into the restaurant, revealing its speakeasy nature on the condition he never reveal the secret.

  “I’m sure I can count on you to keep your promise,” the hostess said.

  Valmont’s hand went to his heart. “On my honor I will never reveal the secret of Suzette’s.”

  “Good. Now, will the three of you be eating up front, or did you want to use one of our new private rooms?”

  “Oh, let’s try one of the new rooms,” Rhianna said. “I’ve heard they’re lovely.”

  “We are quite proud of them.” The hostess led them toward an area where individual booths were enclosed and set
behind French doors, which opened and closed to give them privacy. And the glass kept the view open, which made the space seem less claustrophobic.

  “What a great idea.” Bryn scooted into one side of the booth, followed by Valmont.

  Rhianna sat across from them. Once they placed their orders, the waitress shut the doors.

  “What did you want to talk to me about?” Bryn asked.

  “I had planned on enlisting your aid in convincing Jaxon that I should have a knight, but that isn’t necessary anymore. Maybe we could talk about how I should choose a knight.”

  “You should wait to meet the volunteers and find someone you have something in common with,” Valmont said.

  That was an interesting approach.

  “Why do you say that?” Rhianna asked.

  “Even if this person isn’t your knight for an extended period of time,” Valmont said. “You’ll still be bonded. I think it’s important to have some common ground.”

  Rhianna tilted her head like she was considering what he’d said. “If what Jaxon told me is true, they’re going to pair me up with a female who has suffered a great loss. Even though I lost my status as Jaxon’s intended, I still have him. Despite being injured, I can fly. What happened with Zane, well it was awful, and traumatic to see him die in front of me, but we’d just met. It would be nothing compared to the agony of seeing a family member die.”

  And this fun lunch had just bottomed out. “Maybe meet the candidates and find someone you feel comfortable with,” Bryn suggested.

  “I wonder who Jaxon will pick? Since he doesn’t seem to like anyone but you.” Valmont pointed at Rhianna.

  “It might be ridiculous,” Rhianna said, “but I am glad the Directorate mandated he be paired with a male rather than a female, considering the way things have developed romantically between both of you, due to the bond.”

  “I don’t think it’s due to the bond.” Bryn knew her statement sounded more defensive than it should have.

  “Of course not.” Rhianna blushed. “I’m sure it just helped move things along.” Rhianna gestured toward Valmont. “After all, he is incredibly handsome.”

  “I knew I liked her,” Valmont said.

  Chapter Two

  When lunch ended, Rhianna said her good-byes and left to do some shopping in Dragon’s Bluff.

  “Do you want to visit your family?” Bryn asked. Part of her hoped he’d say no. The rest of her knew that was immature and ridiculous. Just because his evil grandmother hated her, didn’t mean the rest of his family should be cut off.

  “I hoped we’d have time to stop by for a quick visit.” They paid the bill and left, walking to Fonzoli’s rather than driving his car, which was parked in a lot down the street.

  It had been months since the attack on Dragon’s Bluff, but there were still reminders of the night when fire had rained down on the town. Bryn, her grandmother, and the other Blues had done their best to beat back the fire with ice and sleet, but buildings still had been lost, and most of the decorative landscaping and trees had been burned to ash.

  Valmont pointed to an empty area where new sod had been laid. “There was a huge old oak tree there which generations of kids loved to climb. I fell out of it when I was seven and broke my arm.” He stared at the blank space as they walked past. “Strange that it’s not there anymore.”

  “Maybe they could transplant some trees from the forest,” Bryn said. “Not that I want any little boys to fall and break their arms, but the area looks so empty.”

  “You should ask your grandmother if the women’s league would sponsor transplanting some trees.”

  “I’ll call her when we’re back on campus. She’ll think it’s a great idea.”

  The line at the front door of Fonzoli’s Italian restaurant extended down the sidewalk.

  “We should go in through the back.” Valmont led her toward the back of the restaurant where the wooden shutters were thrown wide to let the heat out of the kitchen. The scent of garlic and oregano filled the air.

  Bryn inhaled deeply. “That smells amazing.”

  Valmont smiled. “It smells like home.”

  When they reached the back porch, he bounded up the steps into the kitchen. She hung back, wanting to let him have his moment before his family members zeroed in on her. His grandmother may be the only one who’d stated out loud, and with much venom, that she didn’t approve of her involvement with Valmont, but Bryn could tell the rest of his family resented her for taking him away. How could they not? After all, he’d given up his entire life to stay by her side twenty-four hours a day, as her personal bodyguard. Not that she needed a bodyguard anymore, but it was comforting to have him around.

  She stood to the side of the open door and listened as exclamations of love and happiness were traded throughout the kitchen. The fact that he had so many people who loved him made her happy for him and slightly jealous. What she wouldn’t give to be able to walk into any room and see her parents standing there, alive and well. The loss of them was like a physical ache which never went away.

  Valmont poked his head out the doorway. “What are you doing? Get in here.”

  She entered and accepted all the greetings and kind words his relatives offered, but it was hard to keep a fake smile plastered on her face. She sat and drank lemonade in a corner of the kitchen while he caught up with everyone. Someone gave her a plate of breadsticks and red sauce, so she passed the time by eating.

  “You look like you could use these.” A young woman dressed in a wait staff uniform dropped a stack of napkins next to Bryn’s plate.

  “Thank you.” Bryn wiped her face for whatever sauce she’d obviously dribbled and then met the waitress’s gaze. She didn’t look familiar. Bryn wiped her hand off before extending it in greeting. “I don’t think we’ve met yet. I’m Bryn.”

  The girl laughed, and it reminded Bryn of Lillith, Jaxon’s mother, whose laugh sounded like silver bells. There was no malice it. Nor was there any malice in her bright blue eyes and the genuine smile she directed at Bryn.

  “Sorry. I knew who you were before I started working here. You’re sort of famous. I’m Megan. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you, too.”

  Valmont strolled over to the table and put his hand on Bryn’s shoulder. “I see you’ve met the new recruit.”

  The look of adoration Megan gave Valmont had Bryn reconsidering how she felt about her. “I did. She must have started working since you came to stay with me.”

  Megan beamed. “I’ve eaten here for years, of course, but I just started working three weeks ago. I’m still learning the ropes.”

  “Have you dropped anyone’s food in his lap yet?” Valmont asked.

  “No.”

  “Then you’re doing all right. Although if someone is being particularly snotty, it is acceptable to spill their drink, accidentally on purpose.”

  Bryn laughed. “Seriously?”

  Valmont glanced around and then leaned in closer to Bryn. He gestured that Megan should do the same. “You didn’t hear this from me, but you are allowed to spill one drink every six months. Any more than that and it will draw attention.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” Megan gave a conspiratorial glance around the room. “I better get back to work. It was nice meeting both of you.”

  “You, too,” Bryn said, mostly meaning it.

  “She seems nice.” Valmont pointed at Bryn’s empty plate. “And since you’re done, and everyone is busy, I think it’s time for us to go.”

  “We can stay longer if you want.”

  Valmont shoved his hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “No. It’s hard for me to just stand here. I feel like I should be working. So let’s bail before I start serving appetizers.”

  …

  Sunday afternoon Bryn and Valmont hung out with Clint and Ivy at one of the covered picnic tables on campus. The weather made it too nice to stay inside.

  Ivy inhaled and sighed. “I love the sm
ell of spring.”

  “That’s because you’re the plant whisperer.” Clint teased.

  Ivy was skilled at transferring Quintessence from one plant to another in order to make it grow.

  “Seems like plant vampirism to me,” Valmont commented.

  “That’s a terrible way to look at it,” Ivy said.

  “Think of it as one plant being fused with another,” Clint said. “For the greater good.”

  “Speaking of things fusing and combining, or whatever, have either of you decided if you want to have a knight?” Bryn asked.

  “Part of me wants to do it just to piss Ferrin off after that chemical lobotomy crap he pulled on me,” Clint said.

  Bryn clutched at her heart. “I knew there was a reason we were friends.”

  Rather than responding with a joke, Ivy picked at her cuticles. “I want to help and annoying Ferrin is a bonus, but does the Directorate know what it’s doing? What effect will it have on the knight and the dragon if they are bonded and then un-bonded when the search is over? And if they don’t break the bond, what will that mean for the dragon and the knight?” Ivy glanced up at Bryn. “You and Valmont were meant to be, but the rest of us would be faking our way through it. I’m not sure it’s right, messing around with ancient magic.”

  Bryn hadn’t thought about that angle. “I’m sure the Directorate sees this temporary bonding as a means to an end. Concern over the effect it might have on the dragon or the knight probably isn’t even on their radar.”

  “Ferrin asked his own son to participate, so don’t you think he would have investigated any downside?” Valmont asked.

  “Good point.” But she wasn’t sure. “I’d appreciate one or both of you volunteering, if you’re comfortable with it, because I’m supposed to recruit dragons I trust. And you’re both in the top slot on that list.”

  “Thank you,” Clint said. “Have you thought about asking anyone else?”

  “I’m going to ask Garret, but he’s busy working on his prosthetic wing, so I’m not sure he’ll want to participate.”

  …

  Clint, Ivy, Rhianna, and Jaxon were among the group sitting in a conference room in the science building. Garret had agreed to attend the meeting out of scientific interest, but as Bryn had predicted, he wasn’t interested in signing up for a knight.