Page 91 of Vengeance Becomes Her

“I truly doubt that, but it’s a date darling. You’ll be seeing me. I just came to check in on you myself since it seems you haven’t heeded my warning.”

“We both know you were never going to spare her and her family if she didyour bidding.”

“Well, I suppose you’ll never know. Their death will be on your hands. But don’t worry, you won’t miss out on the show. I’ll wait to kill them in front of her before she meets her end. And then, once I’ve killed everyone you care for, I’ll take you too.”

She somehow forced out a laugh. “Silas, the next time I see you, it will be to thrust a dagger in your heart. Enjoy the last of your days.”

“I look forward to taking the last of that hope you’ve held onto. Until next time, Rhia.”

Her arms were suddenly free, sending her back into the present.”

When she opened her eyes, Tristain was shaking her shoulders. His eyes were wide and his lips parted in concern.

“You were jerking violently in your sleep, but I couldn’t wake you up. I thought something was wrong.” He sat up, watching her carefully.

Rhiannon leaned up on her elbows. “Tristain, you were right.” It was only a whisper, but she knew he heard by the way he pulled her to his chest and didn’t let go.

As brave as she’d tried to be when Silas had her trapped there, now she was crumbling, and Tristain knew it.

“That spark of life within you is like a fire. Feed it, and it burns bright. Neglect it, and it dies out. Don’t die out on me now.” His hand caressed her cheek. “You’re safe. I promise.”

“You can’t keep that promise but I can.” That’s all she said before she picked up her daggers and left.

She didn’t know where she was going until she found herself in the familiar clearing. She was driven by the need to feel free of his clutches. Her feet kicked up dirt and her hair flew through the air as she ran until her lungs burned too badly to bear. When she returned to where she left her water, she was surprised to find Kyra and Samarathere waiting.

“What do you say, you against us?” Samara challenged, brow raised.

Rhiannon laughed. “Two against one. That doesn’t seem fair.”

“Why have two daggers if you can’t use themboth at once?”

Rhiannon knew what she was trying to do but she appreciated it all the same. She set her water down and drew both blades from her harness.

“I’ll only fight with one sword this time; go easy on you, you know,” Kyra teased.

“Mhmm. Let’s go then.”

The women waited for her to engage. Rhiannon struck out at Samara first but she was spry today, ducking out the way with ease as Kyra approached her from the left, landing a hit on her side. Rhiannon bit out a growl, swiping at her. And then both swooped in on her, forcing her to retreat. Even with her foul mood, they didn’t let up. Allowing her to gain ground and land hits, but still pushing back, landing their own strikes. They didn’t quit until the first flurries of snow distracted her, allowing Kyra to land one hard kick that buckled her leg.

Rhiannon only laughed, letting herself fall the rest of the way to the ground, basking in the chill in the air and at her back. The snow didn’t stick but it was awelcome sight.

Samara dropped down gracefully, lying her head so close it was touching the top of Rhiannon’s. The contact was surprisingly comforting.

“Kyra, c’mon. No matter how much you try to resist, we know you like us.” Samara waggled her brows, patting the ground next toher playfully.

Kyra grumbled under her breath before assuming a similar position.

Everything within Rhiannon was spiraling out, but in this moment, she felt grounded by their presence. She reached over and squeezed Samara’s hand, turning just slightly to give her an appreciative smile before returning her attention to the sparkling flurries dancing in the air.

The forest was silent, as if every living thing was under a hypnosis, appreciating the fleeting moment. She breathed in the freezing air, letting the bite remind her just how alive she still was, no matter what Silas threatened to takeaway from her.

She wasn’t sure how long they’d stayed like that, but when she returned to the inn that night, she felt like she couldbreathe again.

That didn’t mean she could sleep, though. She fought her lids every time they fluttered closed. Jerking awake in fear the second sleep dared to pull her under. She wouldn’t go back there again. She couldn’t give Silas the opportunity to reach her again. Who knew if he was lurking in wait?

The next few days were a blur, everyone focused on getting in fighting shape and wrapping up any loose ends before they left town. They’d agreed tomorrow was the day. While they were ready, she could tell Samara was having a hard time reconciling that she was leaving her family. Rhiannon could relate. The closer she got to her goal, the more frequent thoughts of her mother and sister threatened to break down her resolve.

Despite their wavering, it was now or never. It was snowing more every day now and it was only a matter of time before it became too thick and cumbersome to travel through the route they needed to take to make their way up the small mountain where Tristain assured them the village where it all started awaited them.

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