Page 60 of Vengeance Becomes Her

After breakfast, they cuddled back into bed, enjoying the peace of the early morning. But that peace didn’t last too long.

“I want to leave tomorrow. We were supposed to leave days ago.” Rhiannon rolled on her side to face Tristain, wanting to gauge his reaction. “We can’t stay here doing this forever.”

Just as she suspected, his brow furrowed, and a frown drew his full lips downward. His fingers toyed with the ends of her hair as he thought about his reply. Her stomach twisted with anticipation.

She wasn’t necessarily ready to let this go, but they couldn’t stay wrapped up in this fantasy. They both had a purpose. Even if he was willing to get sidetracked from his, she was not. It was disappointing to come crashing back into the reality of the way things were, but time wasof the essence.

“Okay…” he cleared his throat. “If that’s still what you want, we can leave whenever you’re ready.” He sat up to get a better look at her. “Is there something else?”

Rhiannon swallowed hard, staring up into those endless brown eyes that seemed to see right through her. “I think we need to keep this simple until we find Silas. I feel like whatever this is, is going to complicate everything. And like you said, this isn’t going to be easy.”

Tristain’s brow was pinched as he searched her gaze carefully before speaking. “If that’s what you want.”

“You don’t agree?”

“I think things between us have always been complicated and that won’t change if we try to ignore it.”

“Well yes, that’s true. But we need to focus on finding Silas.” She sat up, mirroring his posture.

“No matter how much distance you put between us, I won’t be able to simply turn off my feelings for you.”

“That’s not what I’m asking you to do.”

“Isn’t it?” He ran his hands down his face in frustration. The sound of his calloused hands against his stubble sent a tingle across Rhiannon’s skin.

She shut the feeling down. “I’m saying we need to cool things down temporarily until we get through this.” Even as she said the words, something in the back of her mind told her they likely wouldn’t reach that point. When she killed Silas, Tristain wouldn’t look at her the way he did now. Wouldn’t be trying to convince her to give them a real chance. She pushed the thoughts away. “We can’t afford any distractions.”

Tristain was silent for a moment. “Okay.” He got up from the bed, his eyes searching the room.

Rhiannon gripped his upper arm, holding him in place. “Is that all you have to say?” She didn’t know what she wanted from him, but she hadn’t expected him to accept it that easily.

“What else is there to say?” His voice was tight, and he avoided eye contact. “If we’re leaving tomorrow, I have errands I need to run and preparations I need to make. I should go.”

She released his arm and watched him to gather his clothing from the floor. They sat in the first uncomfortable silence they’d had in a long time as he dressed. Rhiannon noted the tension in his jaw and shoulders. He was stoic and hard, something she’d never seen from him before. He left without another word or glance back at her.

Rhiannon already felt these last few days slipping away and the hurt of it took her by surprise. She felt her throat tighten and her eyes sting. She swallowed down her pride and accepted that this is what she’d asked for, she couldn’t fault him for his reaction. It was for the best, this emotional distance he was erecting.

She had allowed herself to get distracted and caught up in this fantasy, but she reminded herself that her true desires hadn’t changed. She needed to stay focused on her mission to bring Silas to his knees and then rip his heart out with the same mercilessness he’d shown her. That satisfying vision was a balm for the ache in her heart. Either she and Tristain would find their way back to this, or they wouldn’t. She could live with that, but she couldn’t live without her retribution.

Tomorrow they’d set out on their journey as two friends—ideally a little more than that. She could live with that. Her heart thrummed in her chest in objection.She ignored it.

Rhiannon sank back into the pillows, she hated that she could still smell Tristain on them. Her head was throbbing, her heart was heavy, and her mind was tired. She needed to pack, but she needed to get some sleep first. It had been along two days.

Within minutes exhaustion pulled her under into that familiar web of darkness. This time, she wasn’t surprised to find Delphine waiting for her.

“Hello, Rhiannon. It’s been a while since you’veallowed me in.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Rhiannon retorted.

“You might not have meant to, but you subconsciously didn’t want me here, so I didn’t come.”

“I needed time to think. And I think you’re wrong about Tristain.”

“Why? Because he’s charming and gives you pleasure? Rhiannon, please tell me you’re not falling for him.”

“It wouldn’t matter if I was. I only have one priority for now, revenge. No one, not even Tristain will distract me from that.”

“You’d be wise to heed my warnings, but I can’t stop you from doingwhat you want.”

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