Jaxon might be hurt. She could help him. And she was done letting other people call the shots. She shifted into her dragon form, breaking Derek’s grip on her arm. Then she plowed through the guards knocking them aside. “Move,” she roared to the people ahead of her.
Guards backed out of her way. She could see the Medics gathered around someone on a stretcher, but she couldn’t see who it was. When she was within a few feet she shifted back to human form, digging her nails into her palms as she moved close enough to see. The scent of burned flesh filled the air. Bryn clutched at her stomach, afraid she was going to vomit…afraid of what she was going to see. She held her breath and stared at the form on the stretcher. It was Jaxon. His hair was burned down to the scalp and his forehead was blackened and blistered. His eyes were wide open, milky-colored, and staring up at nothing.
“No!” Flames roared in Bryn’s gut. She stumbled away from the image of Jaxon, battling the flames in her gut. This could not be happening. They’d just figured everything out. He couldn’t be gone. He just couldn’t be. She focused on cold and blasted sleet down an aisle of books, roaring out her pain and frustration. She clutched at the edge of the bookshelf and blasted out her grief until her throat was raw and there was nothing left inside of her.
“I’m so sorry about how this all turned out,” Derek said to Bryn as he sat next to her in the medical clinic.
Bryn nodded because what could she say? Jaxon should have told me. I should have been part of the plan. I’m furious at everyone who knew and didn’t clue me in.
“I know this isn’t the best time, but I wanted to ask you something. Did you ever think that history might repeat itself?” Derek’s cheeks colored. “Like with your mother and your father?” Intensity shone from his bright green eyes. “Because when I’m around you it feels like maybe I’ve found my place in the world again.”
It took her a moment to understand. And then she got it. Her mom had married a Red. How much easier would her life be if she loved someone like Derek? She reached over and covered his hand with hers. “I’m sorry. Maybe if circumstances had been different.”
He nodded. “I understand, but you can’t blame a guy for trying.” Leaning in he kissed her on the cheek. “It would be for the best if I asked your grandfather to reassign me. Take care, Bryn.” Derek stood and exited the room.
Clint and Ivy came over to join her. She’d focus on her friends for now.
“How are you?” Bryn asked.
“Much better,” Ivy said. “Thank you for talking Janelle into letting me go. I’m sorry I wasn’t more help.”
“If someone had told me about the freaking plan, I could’ve been more help.” Tears filled Bryn’s eyes. “I’m so mad at Jaxon. He should’ve told me so I would’ve known what was going to happen.” If she’d known she was on a timetable with a bomb going to blow, she would have killed Janelle faster. And that was a disturbing thought. She’d used her medical skills to kill someone. She hadn’t admitted that to anyone yet. And maybe she never would. Who would want to be treated by a Medic who’d taken someone’s life?
“I guess no one counted on Janelle being there. They thought Adden would walk out of the library trading Jaxon for his escape before the rings detonated. And if he tried to take any of the rings off he’d be poisoned.”
Medic Williams came toward Bryn, chugging a container of chocolate milk. “When you’re ready, we need to talk about what happened with Janelle.”
“Not now.” Bryn was barely holding it together.
“I understand, but this conversation isn’t over,” Medic Williams said. “You can see Jaxon now. Fair warning we still have a lot of work to do.”
Bryn swallowed over the lump in her throat. “Thank you.” She walked down the hall to the private room and put her hand on the doorknob. How bad would this be? She pushed the door open and walked in. Jaxon lay on the bed. They’d healed the blisters, but his exposed skin was still red. They hadn’t bothered to regrow his hair. His eyes…his eyes were open. They were back to their normal bright blue and they were looking at her.
“What in the hell were you thinking?” she shouted at him.
He smiled and then grimaced. “That’s my line.”
“That’s not funny. We’re supposed to be partners.” Flames ignited in her gut. Smoke drifted from her lips. “We’re supposed to be a team.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“That’s not how this works.” She growled and sparks shot from her mouth.
“It’s my job to protect you,” he insisted.
“No. Wrong. It’s our job to protect each other. And I can’t do that if you’re running around making half-assed plans without me.”
“So you’d rather I make full-assed plans with you?”
“Not funny.” She took a deep breath and focused on cold. She walked over to the bed and reached for his hand but stopped when she saw how red it was.
“I probably look like you did after the explosion at your grandparents’ estate.”
She gently laid her hand on his shoulder which was medium pink rather than bright red. “Please. They just had to regrow my eyebrows. You’re practically bald.”
“Yes, but I’m a Westgate, so I’m sure I look fabulous.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”
“Listen. I really am sorry I didn’t tell you. I was hoping to keep you out of the battle. Then Clint and Ivy showed up. Once Adden had them I knew you wouldn’t be far behind. If it makes you feel any better, this wasn’t my idea. My father and your grandfather approached me and told me about the poisonous rings they’d planted, knowing Adden would try and take them. It was my job to lead him to the library. They thought the poison or the explosive in the rings would do the rest.”
“Once you’re fully recovered, I’m kicking your ass,” Bryn said. “When I saw you on that stretcher I thought you were dead. I grieved you. I destroyed an entire aisle of books with ice because I was trying not to burn the damn building down.”
“Hey, I’ve seen you look pretty bad, too,” Jaxon said.
“Yes, but you didn’t love me back then so it doesn’t count.” And holy shit, had she just told Jaxon she loved him?
He stared at her bug eyed. “Did you just—”
“Nope. Rewind. That never happened.”
“Yes, it did,” he said.
Okay. He was right. It did. And now was the time he needed to chime in and say that he cared about her, too, but he was just staring at her. Great. This is freaking fabulous. She stood and stalked out the door.
“Bryn, get back here.”
“Nope.” She’d had enough drama for one day.
“I’ll call your grandmother,” Jaxon shouted.
“Seriously?” Bryn turned around and stormed back into the room. “You’ll call my grandmother and tell her what?”
“I’d tell her you’re stubborn and you have a terrible temper, and it’s almost like we were made for each other. Which is probably why I love you, too.”
“Really?”
“I’m not saying it again.” Jaxon gestured. “Get over here.”
She walked over and stared down at him. “You’re a mess,” she said.
“Right back at you. Mentally, rather than physically, of course.”
She arched her eyebrows. “Another trait we share in common.”
“Probably.” He grinned. “Stay with me for awhile?”
“Sure.” She sat in the chair next to him. “I’m going to tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a cute princess and a handsome prince. When they first met, the prince hated the princess because his father was still mad at the princess’s mother. Once they became acquainted, they went on many adventures together and became friends. Then the prince did something really stupid and scared the crap out of the princess, forcing her to see that she loved him, but that was okay because he loved her, too, and he swore never to do anything stupid ever again. The end.”
“Never again? That might be a hard deal to keep.”