Page 92 of Vengeance Becomes Her

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Voices and movement caused her to stir. When Rhiannon opened her eyes, she was surprised to find that Tristain and Kyra in the middle of some kind of argument.

“What’s wrong?” Rhiannon’s voice was groggy with exhaustion.

“No one told me that you murdered Samara’s father and that you could get caughtat any moment.”

Rhiannon flashed a glare at Tristain. “I’m not going to get caught at all, my plan will work. Our story makes sense and the body won’t be found. The map shows that the Tovigian River flows through open land. There are no towns around; therefore, there are no people around to discover a body.”

Kyra fidgeted with her braids as she studied her carefully, likely looking for a hint of deception. “If that is truly where you left the body, then you’re right, it is nearly impossible that anyone would find it—let alone trace it back to you.”

. Tristain huffed. “I’m going to go pick up some more supplies. I’ll be back soon. We should try to head out as soon as possible. Despite what your theories might be, I don’t want to push our luck. You never know.” He leveled a stern gaze at Rhiannon. “Samara is already in Kyra’s room.”

When he shut the door, Kyra was quick to ask, “Why do you let him tell you what to do?”

Rhiannon shrugged. “It’s easier. I’ve never traveled more than a few hours, he’s the one with all the experience.” She couldn’t resist the urge to add on, “But that doesn’t mean he tells me what to do. I listen because I trust his judgment on these things, and you should too—especially over thenext few days.”

“If you say so,” she said as she walked out the door, leaving Rhiannon to ready herself for their travels.

Tristain returned with their horses that had been resting up in the stables all this time—which didn’t come cheap—but it was worth it to not have to find new ones. He also secured one for Kyra, a beautiful grey mount. Rhiannon reacquainted herself with hers while they waited for Samara, who approachedmoments later.

“Sorry I’m late. It was harder to leave than I expected.”

Rhiannon gave her a sympathetic smile.

“You’ll return to them soon.” Tristain mounted his horse. “We should get going. The earlier we get started, the more ground we can cover before night falls.”

A somber mood settled over their party as they left Norhavalta behind and started their journey toward Wispombra where Silas waited for them.

The weather matched their mood as the winds turned on them, whipping and whirling, abrasive and cold.

Rhiannon was immeasurably grateful for her thick cloak, but it didn’t help the assault of the wind blowing directly in her face. No matter how she turned and buried her face, it didn’t stop sticks and leaves from scratching her. Between the chill and the windburn, she was already at her wit’s end with the elements, and they stillhad days to go.

Not an hour in, the snow started to fall. They collectively groaned as it blanketed them in a bone-deep chill, making their clothing damp and their journey that much harder.

She could see the tension in Tristain’s posture. “What’s wrong?” A cloud of mist billowed around them as they spoke.

“I had hoped the snowfall would be minimal at most. If this keeps up, it could slow us down significantly. We’re going to have to be more cautious with provisions than I expected.”

Rhiannon only nodded, unable to say anything as a wave of nausea rolled through her. She gripped her horse’s reins tighter and closed her eyes as her head throbbed. She didn’t find any reprieve when she closed her eyes, only horrifying scenes that played out in her mind. She could see woods much like the ones they traveled through, but everything around her was cloaked in red. Then the ear-piercing screams started. First it was one voice that sounded disconcertingly like her own, then others joined in. One by one they layered on top of one another, creating a chorus of screams.

Her eyes snapped open as she leaned over the side of her horse and emptied the contents of her stomach against her will. Everyone stopped around her.

Kyra came to her side. “Are you okay?” Her brow was creased as she searched Rhiannon’s face.

“Yes, I must have just eaten something rotten. Or perhaps it’s the change in landscape. I’ll be fine.” She forced a weak smile.

It took Kyra several moments of watching her before she accepted Rhiannon’s explanation.

She continued on in silence, disturbed from the concerning conjuring of her imagination and far too cold to carry on idle conversation. She tried to distract herself as the hours went on and on, but they were surrounded by an endless sea of naked trees. Occasionally, they would catch a glimpse of a wild animal watching them with the same caution. And then there was the river that wove through the woods.

What would have been a calming presence to most, set them on edge, reminding them of Samara’s father and the luck they’d been granted by not getting caught. Rhiannon chanced a look at her.

Samara’s gaze tracked the river, seeming lost in memory.

Rhiannon gave her leg a gentle squeeze, offering her comfort in the only way she could at the moment before shifting her attention to Kyra who had been on edge since they left.

“I know you’re worried about your family.” Rhiannon blew out a tentative breath. “I don’t think Silas will harm them before you get back.”

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