Page 75 of Vengeance Becomes Her

“Yes. Most of us learn to hunt with a bow when we’re young. For me, it was a way to stay out of my house and help contribute food to those in need, so I kept at it.”

Rhiannon nodded. “But how will you be able to come and go with your father watching you so closely?”

“I take dance classes nearly every day. My father says it’s good for discipline and keeps me busy. It shouldn’t be hard to lie and say I’m going there.”

“I thought he doesn’t let you out of his sight?” Tristain leaned forward on his elbows.

“My younger sisters usually go with me. He knows I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize their trust or safety. He assumes I’ll stay there with them.”

“Won’t they tell your parents if you’re not there?” Rhiannon could feel her nerves building at the thought of something happening to Samara at her father’s hand. She felt instinctively protective over the younger woman she saw so much of her own pain in.

“No, they won’t. Their loyalty lies with me. They don’t have much of a relationship with my father—you’ve seen how he is. If I ask them to keep this secret, they’ll keep it. I’ll just have to walk them there and back and make sure I stick to the same schedule.” She paused thinking through the next part. “And, when it’s time to leave, well, that will be that.” Sadness was clear in her tone now.

Rhiannon only nodded. She was skeptical this would work, but she wouldn’t dash her hopes. She needed to believe it would if there was any way she was going to pull it off.

“I need to go. My next class is tomorrow at noon. Can we meet then?” Samara stood up just as gracefully as she’d sat before, in one swift movement.

“Yes. Meet us here. We’ll find a spot to train in.”

“Okay, I’ll see you then.” And with that, she was out the door and gone, rushing back home.

Rhiannon couldn’t help the fear that twisted her gut. Somehow, she didn’t believe that Samara’s father wouldn’t notice her slipping out.

She stood abruptly. “I’ll be back, I’m going for a walk.”

Tristain’s brow furrowed. “Okay. Are you sure you don’t want company?”

“Yes. I’ll see you later.” She rushed out the door into the rain-soaked crowd and pulled her cloak over herstill-wet hair.

Rhiannon walked carefully behind Samara, keeping enough distance to go unnoticed but close enough to be able to catch up to her quickly.

The rain was soaking through her cloak, but she didn’t care, she would ensure Samara was safe at home.

When they finally reached the house, Rhiannon ducked behind one of the thick trees that clung close to the property. She waited as Samara slowly opened the door, careful not to let the wood groan. As her foot crossed over the threshold, it froze mid-step. Even from the distance, Rhiannon could see her shoulders tense and head bow.

Her father had been waiting for her.

They exchanged words that Rhiannon couldn’t make out and then Samara was retreating back out the door, her father emerging seconds later. His face was pinched with anger as he regarded his daughter before suddenly gripping her forearm. The strength with which he jerked her into motion sent her stumbling.

Rhiannon forced her feet to remain planted until they rounded the side of the house.

“I just needed some fresh air. I only went for a short walk.” The heightening pitch of her voice pushed Rhiannon’s worry to the next level. She wasn’t just subdued by him, Samara was afraid of her father.

She felt even more sure of her decision to follow but treaded quietly on the slick mud. It was silent but for the water trickling over rocks in the nearby river, allowing her to pick up on bits and pieces of their conversation.

“Did you think I wouldn’t notice?” Samara’s father gritted out, “You’re ungrateful after all I’ve sacrificed for you.”

“Why are you angry? I only went for a walk.” Samara feigned innocence as she tried to keep pace with her father.

As they walked, the rushing river grew louder.

“Liar. You think those people can do something against a man like that? You’re wrong.” His words were panted between short breaths, the cold causing them to stick in his throat. “You should be grateful. We’re better off now than we ever were before. So what if you need some extra rest these days.”

Samara ground her heels into the wet dirt, forcing her father to jerk to a halt. “You know that’s not allthat happened.”

He rounded on her, his lip curled in disgust. “Like I said, ungrateful.” With a sharp pull, they were in motion again. The river was now in view.

“What are we doing here?” Samara’s words ran together in panic.

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