Page 23 of Vengeance Becomes Her

“Why are you really training? And please tell me this isn’t some revenge fantasy.”

Rhiannon was shocked that she had guessed so accurately. But then, her sister had always been unnervingly intuitive.

“I’m doing it to get stronger. You know how weak I’ve become. I’m out of breath even now.”

“I believe that you want to get stronger, but I know you well enough to assume there’s an ulterior motive. The type of training that Tristain could provide is more than you’d need to simply work up better endurance and put on some muscle.” Jade leveled her arresting hazel eyes on Rhiannon, raising a brow that dared her to keep lying. “He’s the person you’d seek out to get into fighting shape.”

Apparently Jade would have the truth, no matter how many waysshe had to ask.

“What if I was learning to fight? What if I was planning on going after Silas? Would you stand in my way?”

She hoped Jade of all people could understand how badly she needed this.

“I don’t know. I’m afraid for you. I saw what he did to you and I don’t know how you could possibly think you stand a chance. He’s powerful and you’re…”

“I’m what? Weak? Powerless? A shadow of the woman I used to be? All of those things are true, you don’t think I know that? But I won’t let him do this to anyone else if there’s a chance I can stop him. I won’t sit by while someone else’s life is ruined, orworse—taken...”

Rhiannon had overexerted herself. Her chest was tight, constricting the air now fighting to move through her lungs. Her vision started blurring and then everything went black as she dropped to the ground, dirt clouding around them with her body’s impact.

“Wake up.”

She woke to her sister patting her cheeks, hovering over her with worry spread across her beautiful features.

But it wasn’t her sister’s voice that had woken her from her fainting spell, the red-haired woman was growingmore insistent.

Rhiannon sat up, coughing out the dust that was gritty in her throat. The earth smelled like defeat as she realized she had fainted. She was even weaker than she thought. She met her sister’s gaze, knowing this would only cast further doubt on whether she should be physically exerting herself.

“Look, this is something I need to do and I am going to do it. Either you can support me or you can look the other way, but you won’t stop me. No one will.” She braced herself for Jade to push back,but she didn’t.

“Fine.” She stood up, holding out her hand to help Rhiannon to her feet. “This discussion isn’t over but I can at least agree that you need to get your strength back. You need to be able to do normal everyday things without keeling over.”

Rhiannon would settle with her on this for now, but they both knew there was no stopping her once she put her mind to something. Her sister obviously wasn’t ready to accept the danger that Rhiannon was running toward and she could respect that, but it wouldn’t sway her from her newfound mission.

Once Jade was satisfied that she was sufficiently hydrated and stable enough to keep going, they continued theirwalk into town.

Oakhaven’s market was bustling with people shopping for all sorts of foods and wares. There were so many shops to get distracted in, but she knew exactly where she needed to go.

Rhiannon went into the leather shop to find a top that would provide the support she needed while training and wouldn’t get in the way like the rest of her blouses. As soon as she walked in, she saw the perfect top in the back of the shop. She walked straight up to it, feeling the supple leather in her hands. It had bones along the rib cage, thick straps that went over the shoulders, and laces up the front that allowed the wearer to tighten it toa perfect fit.

It would be a bit warm, but it would shift with her body like she needed it to, while keeping her breasts contained comfortably.

She found a pair of matching leggings that fit her body like a glove, perfect for moving swiftly. It wasn’t lost on her that the pants also happened to hug her wide hips and large legs nicely. Looking at herself in the mirror, she realized it was the first time she’d felt confident about her appearance in a while. She purchased several more sets, along with a few sleeveless tunics since the warm days were sure to continue well into theautumn months.

With her new purchases in hand, she felt a spark come to life within her. Shewas doing this.

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