"A few weeks ago it would've made me happy. Now I feel sorry for you."

Pity from Jaxon. Just what she needed. "If you didn't come to gloat, why are you here?"

"Something about Alec's attack is still bothering me. How-"

"You mean besides the fact that he planned to kill you?"

"Yes, besides that minor detail. How did he know the layout of your grandfather's estate?"

Good question. "I don't know. Are blueprints kept on file somewhere?"

"Probably. My theory is someone gave him the blueprints."

"Who would do that?"

"I don't know. Think about it. See what you come up with." With that parting command, he left.

Now what should she do? It was a nice night. Maybe she'd hide out here until she could sneak off without anyone noticing. And maybe she'd fly to Nola's room, and burn all her pretty flowing dresses. And then she'd fly to Zavien's room and shred his research paper. She knew where the first fifty pages were. They'd make a nice pile of confetti.

"Bryn, I thought I saw you come in." Miss Enid joined her by the railing. "Why are you hiding out here?"

Back to c.r.a.ppy reality. "Have you seen Zavien?"

"No. I thought he'd be with you."

"That makes two of us." Bryn gave a bitter laugh. "The joke's on me. He's with his real date."

"I'm sorry."

"Me, too." She glanced over her shoulder at the dancing couples and shook her head. She couldn't stay here. "Maybe I'll fly to Dragon's Bluff and eat my weight in lemon ice."

Miss Enid's eyes lit up. "Wait here. I know something that will make you smile."

The woman had good intentions. Nothing could make her happy right now. Bryn turned back to the railing and fantasized about running away, just flying off to another country where no one could ever find her.

"Could you only afford half a dress?" a familiar masculine voice asked.

She turned to find her knight, Valmont, striding toward her. He looked handsome in dark pants and a pale blue shirt.

"What are you doing here?"

"Fonzoli's donated lemon ice to the dance. I dropped by to supervise the setup." He glanced toward the dance floor. "I hear Zavien preaches change but is afraid to rock the boat." He stepped closer and took her hand. "His loss is my gain. Would you care to dance?"

Valmont was fun, he enjoyed annoying Zavien, and his single dimple made her smile.

"I'd love to."

He led her onto the dance floor and pulled her close. One of his hands came to rest on her waist. "Did I mention how much I like your dress?"

The devilish gleam in his eye made her chuckle.

"You laugh now. Later, you will be wooed by my charm." He wiggled his eyebrows for effect and she laughed harder.

The song ended. Bryn noticed Valmont's posture stiffen as the next song started. He pulled her against the tide of dancers and then they moved with the flow again.

"What was that about?"

"The spiky-haired nitwit was approaching. If he wants to apologize, you should make him work for it."

"He should've told me the truth... Finding Nola on my doorstep was humiliating."

"He showed up with her at your door?" Valmont's eyes narrowed.

"What are you plotting?"

"If I tell you, you'll be an accomplice."

"Why don't we forget about him for tonight and have fun? Unless there's someplace you have to be." A guy like Valmont must have a girl waiting for him somewhere.

"I'm your knight." His tone held complete sincerity. "My place is by your side for as long as you need me."

Her throat became tight. "Thank you. I'd love it if you'd stay and help me regain my dignity."

"Am I allowed to torment him?"

She didn't even have to think about it. "h.e.l.l, yes."

Chapter Nine.

Valmont pulled her close and placed her hand on his chest. He rested his free hand on her lower back, where his fingers brushed bare skin. Her heartbeat kicked up a notch. No two ways about it. Her knight was hot. Dark hair and blue eyes were a killer combination. He smelled like soap and sunshine.

"You could forget about Zavien." His voice came close to her ear.

Was he joking? He'd never acted interested in her before. Maybe that's because she'd been with Zavien. Raising her head, she met his gaze.

"Just a thought," he said.

The song ended.

Zavien approached with a wary expression on his face. "Bryn, would you like to dance?"

"Bite me."

"I believe that's a no." Valmont delivered this news in a cheery tone. "Shall we?" He moved her along to the music while she imagined Zavien's hair going up in flames.

"Tell me what you're thinking," Valmont whispered in her ear.

"I wish my life were simpler."

"Simple is boring."

They swayed in silence until the song ended. Clint and Ivy joined them.

"Are you okay?" Ivy asked.

"I'm managing. Valmont is helping."

"Why don't we get something to drink?" Clint pointed across the room to the tables decorated with ice sculptures shaped like trees, which Nola and Zavien had designed, which made her want to shoot a fireball at them. But setting the room on fire might ruin the evening for the other students.

After grabbing gla.s.ses of punch, the foursome wound their way back outside to the terrace.

"It's a perfect night for flying," Bryn said.

"It is," Valmont agreed.

"You don't have wings," Clint said.

Ivy elbowed him.

"What? I wasn't being rude. I'm pretty sure he knows he's not a dragon."

"I fly planes." Valmont grinned at Bryn. "You should come with me some time."

"Bryn, can we talk?" a feminine voice asked.

It couldn't be. Bryn turned around, praying she was wrong. No such luck. "What do you want, Nola?"

"Perhaps it's best if we move away from the others? It's personal." She wandered farther down the terrace.

Bryn shoved her gla.s.s of punch at Valmont and joined Nola.

"This is awkward." Nola's cheeks flushed. "I noticed how upset you were when I showed up with Zavien. When I asked him what the problem was, he said you might have misunderstood his invitation."

That lying, evil rat b.a.s.t.a.r.d.

Nola clasped her hands in front of her chest. "You thought he asked you to attend the dance as his date, didn't you?"

At least she didn't have to lie. "I did."

"What you feel for him is a crush. It will pa.s.s."

It certainly would. Right after she cremated the son of a b.i.t.c.h. "Did Zavien send you?"

"No, he thinks I'm circulating." Nola placed her hand on Bryn's shoulder. "Zavien has gone out of his way to make sure you're taken care of. You shouldn't mistake his kindness for anything but friendship."

A small growl escaped her throat. "Maybe you should ask Zavien how kind he's been to me."

Nola shook her head. "You're young. He's a flirt. I can a.s.sure you any interest perceived was your imagination. I best get back. I wouldn't want him to know I spoke with you."

Oh, he was going to hear about this conversation. How dare he explain away her anger as a stupid crush? Flames roared up her throat and her breath came faster. Valmont appeared at her side, holding her drink.

"Thought you might need this. But if you'd rather torch Zavien, I'm okay with that."

She reached for his free hand. "I will literally rip the head off the next person who says his name."

"That would create a terrible mess." He grinned. "But if that's what you want, I'm in."

The punishment for decapitating a student was probably more severe than detention, so she pushed the idea aside. "Better not."

"Let's move on to option two. Do you want to dance?"

"I was about to ask you the same question," Jaxon said. Rhianna stood by his side.

"Why would you ask me to dance?" She pointed at Rhianna. "Are you punishing him for something?"

Rhianna grinned. "As painful as it may be for you, I'd appreciate it if you'd dance with Jaxon. I'm tired of people dropping hints about your matching book bags."

"I don't understand."

"She wants us to dance together to show we're not involved," Jaxon said. "It's her theory that people who carry on affairs in private don't appear together in public."

h.e.l.lo, irony.

Valmont placed an arm around Bryn's shoulders. "Introduce me to your friends."

"Sorry. Rhianna and Jaxon, this is Valmont, my knight."

Jaxon's eyebrows went up a fraction of an inch. Rhianna pressed her lips together like she was trying not to talk.

"You're dying to ask questions, aren't you?" Bryn chuckled.

Rhianna's cheeks colored. "It wouldn't be polite."

"If we're switching partners, it's my duty to entertain you," Valmont said. "We can dance, and you can ask me anything you like."

Rhianna grinned like a child with a new toy. "I have so many questions."

Valmont led his new partner to the dance floor.

"I don't like him," Jaxon said.

Where had she heard that before? Valmont inspired jealousy wherever he went.