Page 14 of Vengeance Becomes Her

Rhiannon decided that tinctures might be worth looking into. It certainly couldn’t hurt since she had no other leads.

This is how she kept herself busy day after day. Sharpening her mind, reading every relevant book she could find, and making her plans while her body continued to healfar too slowly.

Rhiannon had worked up enough strength to take a few turns around the garden each day, although she didn’t have much of a choice. Jade had been insistent that she start spending time outside trying to build up some endurance. The last part was laughable. Walking at a snail’s pace was hardly any show of endurance. However, her body was starting to feel incrementally stronger, even if it was just being able to support her own weight without having to lean against something the entire time. The best thing to come out of her minimal progress was her ability to now join her family at the main house for breakfast, her favorite part of the day.

Her first time back was sentimental. The exterior of the grand home was ornamented with elegant yet imposing spires that reached up to the sky, crawling vines that were as much a part of the structure as the walls themselves, and large floor-to-ceiling windows on both levels that peaked in pointed arches. She soaked in every detail.This was home.

The first sparks of warmth awoke within her as she padded up the rain-splattered steps and through the entryway. A large iron chandelier lit the room, its yellow candles burning softly.

Her excitement was quickly extinguished when she walked into the dining room to see a man she’d never met before. As she approached, she took note of the nearly black hair and the set of warm brown eyes that looked faintly familiar. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it but she recognized something about him.

He stood quickly when she entered, along with her mother and sister. Rhiannon stopped as abruptly as if she had run into an invisible wall. Her defenses heightened immediately and her hair raised on the back of her neck as she stood there. She was much jumpier nowadays, but she still trusted her instincts. Something didn’t feel right here.

“Who’s this?” Her tone came out more defensive than she’d intended. She crossed her arms, her body stiffening as she guarded herself against the large handsome man who stood across the table. He had a wide face, well-groomed stubble, full lips, and slightly curly hair that softened his otherwise rugged appearance.

Jade cleared her throat and went to take a step forward but her mother put out a hand and took the initiative. If Rhiannon wasn’t worried before, she definitely was now.

“Rhiannon, I want you to know that I would never bring anyone into our home that I thought would harm you.”

Rhiannon’s stomach dropped at that, fear striking into her for what was to come.

Her mother’s voice was gentle, as if she were calming a wild animal. “You need to listen to what he has to say. Can you promise me you’ll give him a chance to explain before you react?”

Rhiannon raised one thick brow but didn’t say anything. She shifted her weight uncomfortably under their judgmental gazes but remained silent until her mother felt reassured enough to continue.

“We have a guest who will be staying with us for a while. This is Tristain Terrowin.” Her mother only got those words out before Rhiannon began shaking with fury.

She had heard Silas tell story after story about his asshole of a brother Tristain—it wasn’t a popular name, it couldn’t bea coincidence.

“How could you let someone who’s related to thatmonsterinto this house?” Her mind was clouded with righteous anger as her words tumbled out.

Tristain stifled a flinch, his shoulders tensing at the word.

Her mother began wringing her hands nervously, but it was her sister who had the boldness to walk towards her.

“Do not touch me,” she hissed. “You of all people should have known that this would not be good for me.”

Caught up in the moment, Rhiannon hadn’t realized how much she’d overexerted herself in just those few sentences, she swayed where she stood, grabbing the chair in front of her in time to catch herself from falling. She needed to sit, so for now she was forced to stay in this room with them, but she wouldn’t be pleasant about it.

Tristain made to open his mouth, but Rhiannon wasn’t having it. She leveled him with a glare. “There is nothing you can say that would make me trust you or want you here. You’re all delusional to think so. And you have the nerve to look at me like I’m the unhinged one.” She huffed a bitter laugh, pressing her hand to her forehead as a pulsing headache made itspresence known.

He put his hands up as if in a surrender. “I’m not my brother, I’m here to help.” He gave her a look that was begging her to have some faith in him, but she did not have any left to give.

She tore her gaze away from those deep eyes that threatened to soften her resolve.

Apparently, he would not be dissuaded from pleading his case so easily. He took a seat across from her, careful to keep his hands tucked under the table—a gesture that seemed to convey that he wasn’t a threat.

“I know what my brother has done to you.”

“Oh,I doubt that.”

“I do. I know because he did it to someone I love. He’s done it to many women across Larindia.” The turn in conversation seemed to pain him. “Many have suffered at the hands of my brother, but they didn’t survive.”

Rhiannon looked up at him, infusing sharpness in her voice. “And why should I believe you? Your brother had a gift for pretty words too.”

Frustration crossed his face, but it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared. “Pretty words? Is that what that sounded like to you? Innocent women losing their lives to my deranged brother.” He got out of his seat quickly, pivoting toward the window. “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. I can’t keep living with this burden. I need to set things right. I need to stop him once and for all. I’d hoped I would get here in time, but clearly I’ve failed you too.” He sighed. “Now, I’m here looking for answers. Perhaps he revealed something to you that would give me a hint about where he is or how I can stop him?”

She could hear the sorrow thickening his voice, but she only had enough empathy for herself, she couldn’t extend that to someone who was still so whole.So she didn’t.

“You’re right, you did fail me. And you asking me for a favor, assistance, or whatever it is. That isn’t fair. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else either but I haven’t even gotten answers or help myself. For fuck’s sake, I’m barely up and walking around. I don’t have anything to offer anyone, especially the likes of you. I can’t do this, I need to focus on myself.”

With that, she got out of her chair, more slowly than she would have liked albeit, but she was ready to go. Jade tried to grab her arm to help her, but Rhiannon wrenched it away before she could make contact.

“Don’t touch me, don’t talk to me. Just leave me alone.”

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