Page 103 of Vengeance Becomes Her

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Rhiannon finally stumbled out of the woods. The town lay just within reach. Her body sagged as she sobbed with relief.

She was exhausted, malnourished, and afraid. What should have taken her an hour took her much longer. When she’d escaped it had been well into the midnight hours, and now the sun was rising. Navigating the chaotic woods with its sharp clinging trees and uneven ground in the darkness had proven much more difficult—especially considering she had spent half the time looking over her shoulder. She wasn’t sure why the Volskruga hadn’t come after her, but she knew they’d meet again soon.

Her feet dragged as she closed the distance between the woods and the inn. She was counting down the buildings in her mind, trying to motivate her legs to keep moving.

Thirteen. Thirteen. Thirteen. Thirteen.Her feet shuffled.

Twelve. Twelve more buildings. Just twelve more.Her pace picked up slightly.

A familiar warm voice cut through her chant. That warm rasp sweet and thick like syrup in her tightly wound mind.

“Have you seen her? Comes up to my chest, long brown hair, ample body, wearing all black…you can’t miss her.”

She watched as he tugged at his wavy hair in that familiar unforgiving way. Tears pricked her eyes and her lips quivered as sheapproached him.

“Not everyone finds me as captivating as you.” Despite her state, her taunt came easily.

The tension visibly left his shoulders as he turned to her. “Rhiannon?” The words were tentative, as if he didn’t want to get his hopes up.

His arms were around her instantly, lifting her off the ground briefly. She buried her face in his chest, inhaling his fresh-rain scent deeply as she tried to steady her breaths and hold back tears. She would not crumble now.

He pulled her back so he could look at her. “What happened? Where the hell have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere.”

She shook her head. “Wait untilwe’re inside.”

He tucked her beneath his arm and set off toward the inn, completely forgetting the man he’d been yellingat moments ago.

They went straight to her room where Kyra and Samara waited. She sat on the edge of the bed, thankful for the reprieve on her legs that were now shaking. She closed her eyes taking a moment to revel in the safety of her surroundings.

Tristain kneeled in front of her. He ran his hands up and down her arms, the movement simultaneously warming and comforting. “What do you need? Food? Water?”

“Both.”

He nodded and left to fetch them.

“Can you hand me my bag, please?” She asked Samara who passed it to her quickly.

“What’s wrong? What happened?” Kyra asked taking a seat next to her.

“Too much to tell you now. I need to sleep.”

She maneuvered slowly undressing and changing into clean clothing. Her muscles were tired and sore from the tension she’d been wracked with since the night before. The more the warmth of the room soaked into her, the more she realized how close she was to collapsing.

“You’re not going to tell us anything? We’ve been out of our minds with worry, and you just expect us to wait?” Samara gritted out, strong brow furrowed, and fists balled at her sides.

“I’m here. I’m fine.” Rhiannon’s tone was as blunt as her words.

Samara snorted. “Why do you always get the final say? The moment you brought us into this, it all became our burden to bear, too.” The petite woman’s nostrils were flared as she whipped one half of her tangled waves to the other side of her head. “You owe us answers.” She deflated slightly as she sat next Rhiannon pulling her hand into her own. “We thought we lost you.”

The glittering tears that swam in Samara’s eyes confirmed what she already knew. They’d become far too attached to one another. What surprised her more was the same anguish written across Kyra’s features. She grabbed her hand, pulling her to her other side. Kyra rested her head on Rhiannon’s shoulder in response. A silent admission that she felt the same.

“I think it’s time we all prepare for that reality.” The words weren’t meant to pass her lips, but they floated half-heard between them anyways.

Tristain returned before either of them couldargue with her.

Rhiannon breathed in the warm bread that wafted in the air. “Thank you.” She tore it open and let the first piece soften on her tongue. She had to pace herself as she tasted the orange cheese and the sweet apple. Her stomach grumbled even as she filled it. She wasn’t used to going without food.

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