Of Water and Madness (19 page)

“And what if you found out that he was being controlled by that bitch? That she had somehow gotten into his head and was manipulating him?” Blythe argued, fisting her hands on her hips angrily.

“That’s absurd.” Rhiannon shook her head, her eyes hard and cold.

Blythe had to beat back the urge to scream and shout and rage, whatever it would take to make Rhiannon react. But she’d yet again hit a brick wall and all the screaming in the world wouldn’t break through it.

“When I figure out what’s going on and he comes out of whatever this is, I’m going to tell him that you abandoned him,” she said, sneering at Rhiannon with disgust in her eyes. “He’ll know just how easily you gave up.”

“I’m giving him freedom,” Rhiannon pointed out, though Blythe’s words had hit a chord with her.

Blythe chuckled, though there was no humor in the sound nor in her expression. “You’re a damn fool, Rhiannon.”

If she had shouted the words they would have had no greater impact. Rhiannon watched wearily as Blythe left the Greenhouse, shutting the door forcefully behind her.

A group of them crowded around the giant oak tree in the meadow while Thea transitioned the sky from day to night, closing out what had been, for the majority of the guests, a spectacular wedding and reception.

Rhiannon pulled Capri to the side, wanting to say her goodbyes in private before the newlyweds left for their honeymoon.

“Did you remember to pack extra film for your camera? And the maps I gave you? Oh, and the small pill box with your vitamins and aspirin?”

Capri smiled, laughter in her eyes. “Of course, Rhiannon. I got everything on your list, I promise.”

Rhiannon let out a quick sigh, biting back the rest of her worries over the three day trip to Maine. A tiny bed and breakfast tucked into a quiet seaboard town sounded safe, but she still worried.

“Promise me you’ll be careful,” she told Capri, giving her a hug.

“I promise. Rian is bringing half his artillery with us it seems.” Capri giggled and rolled her eyes affectionately as she pulled away. “I’m more worried about you, really.”

Rhiannon brushed her friend’s concerns away. “I’m perfectly fine. Now go on and have a good trip.”

“Alright.” Tears filled Capri’s eyes as she hugged Rhiannon one last time, fighting back her own concerns. “Goodbye.”

Rhiannon watched her say goodbye to the others, and as she did, she realized what she had to do. Perhaps Blythe was right and she was a fool, but she was determined to preserve her own sanity. And unfortunately, staying where she was and continuing on while trying to maintain a blind eye was not working.

She was having a harder time than she wanted to admit to herself watching Liam with that woman, with her gorgeous blonde hair, stunning, perfect blue eyes and amazing body. How could she fault Liam for wanting Stella over her?

But she was still a practical woman and she knew her worth. She could move on and she would survive. But she would never, ever let herself love again. It was much too dangerous.

Even now, the temptation to look at him, to search his eyes for that old familiar look sang through to her very bones. But she was terrified that she wouldn’t see it, that it just didn’t exist any longer.

So perhaps it was time for her to escape, at least until her system settled down and she could confidently say she was back to normal. It would help, she knew, to distance herself geographically from him for awhile. It would give them both time to resume life as it had been…before.

She felt her father come up behind her and place a soothing hand on her shoulder. She leaned into him, oddly content for the first time in days, and watched as Capri and Rian waved goodbye to everyone before disappearing in a flash of golden light.

Liam watched Rhiannon with her father, a symbol of quiet strength, and suddenly it hit him that he had always loved that about her…she was so unbelievably strong, no matter what happened. And she used to never cry, but he’d opened her heart and freed her…he loved her, more than anything in the entire world.

The sudden pain that struck him was as fast and violent as a bolt of lightning. His knees gave out as he fell to the ground, clutching his chest, his heart thundering loud and clear. It was war, plain and simple, and his heart wanted to win.

Stella knelt beside him and smiled reassuringly at those few who turned curiously to stare. She pressed her hand over the back of his neck and, at the same time he felt her fingers touch his skin, the little voice resounded loudly in his mind.

The pain is nothing. Go with Stella, show everyone how much you love her.

“No…” he groaned, fighting back against the voice. He reached up to clutch his head now, his heart a trapped bird scenting freedom. If he could just beat back the voice…if he could keep his own thoughts…

There’s no point in fighting. It’s easier to give in.

She squeezed her hand and with a flashing white wave he felt his mind go blank and his body go numb, the fog settling in. She coaxed him back to her slowly, cursing herself for letting him get even that close to breaking her hold over him. He had a stronger heart than she’d given him credit for…

“Come along, handsome, let’s go get another glass of champagne,” Stella told him, casually pulling him to his feet and smiling at those around them.

Liam saw nothing but her face and heard nothing but the echoing of her name as he followed her blindly.

It was nearly midnight and Rhiannon walked through the dark, empty corridor in silence. In one hand she clutched her suitcase, filled with the essentials she would need for her time away. In the other hand, she held the notes she intended to leave for both her father and for Thea, explaining her absence and apologizing for any inconvenience it may cause them.

In the note, she’d neglected to leave a hint as to when she would be returning, since even she herself didn’t know. She’d only said that she would not be too long and that they were not to worry about her. This was a necessary step and a much needed break from the strain of maintaining nonchalance in the light of what had been happening. She knew, well she hoped, that all of them would understand.

In her efficient way, she went first to the Greenhouse and neatly pinned her note addressed to her father to the wooden door. She pressed her fingers gently to her lips, and then touched the note affectionately, sorry that this was going to cause him grief. But he would have to make do, as she had already made up her mind.

Next she went to the garden room and pinned Thea’s note to the door as well. She stepped back and stared at the door a moment, knowing Thea would understand. That had made her decision easier in a way, though she hadn’t needed anyone’s approval.

She didn’t want anyone to know where she was going. Well, she was practical enough to tell one person, just in case there was some kind of an emergency. But she knew the information would not be shared and therefore they would be forced to leave her alone.

Tilting her head up confidently, Rhiannon strolled out of the castle and through the courtyard, down into the meadow and to the oak tree.

No one was awake to see the light of her departure.

When Rohan found the note, he almost didn’t believe it. Rhiannon take off spontaneously on a whim? That wasn’t like her…

But the note said it all, and he knew his daughter’s neat, pristine handwriting better than anyone.

Father,

In light of everything that has happened, I have decided to take some time away in order to recharge and reflect. I hope this does not cause you much inconvenience and I promise that I will work extra hard to make up the time when I return.

I’m sorry to leave this way, so suddenly and without much explanation, but I hope you will understand that this is vitally important for my wellbeing.

I’m not going to disclose the location of where I will be staying because I do not want you or the others to try and find me. I need to be alone, plain and simple.

I do not know when I will return, but I promise it will not be too long. I just need a little bit of time to myself and once I have that I will be fully at your disposal again.

Please don’t worry about me. I love you.

Rhiannon

His hands were shaking as he went straight to the garden room, needing Thea. Fury began to mix with the concern and grief in his gut as he headed through the corridor, the note clutched tightly in his hands.

The door to the garden room was open so he didn’t bother knocking as he went inside, his eyes landing on Thea who was seated on one of her lounge chairs.

Before he could speak, he saw a note in her hands as well, and steady tears in her eyes as she stared at him.

They both were silent, each knowing exactly what the other had just discovered. Rohan numbly took a seat beside Thea.

He handed her the note, then buried his face in his hands and wept.

She rubbed his back consolingly as she read it, pain resounding deep in her heart. She should have been expecting something like this, but the truth was that she hadn’t. Rhiannon had seemed to be taking everything so well, with that spine of steel Thea had always known the girl possessed. But something like this…it was so drastic, so unlike her. And yet, how could Thea blame Rhiannon for wanting to get away? It really was the best solution. Her only worry now was whether or not Dante would somehow locate her…she would be so vulnerable.

But there wasn’t anything that could be done. Rhiannon didn’t want them to be able to find her. If something were to happen to her…but no, Thea shoved the thought away, knowing she couldn’t dwell on the what ifs. Rohan had come to her because he clearly needed comfort and guidance, and it was her duty to provide him with it.

“Your daughter is strong and capable, Rohan, you mustn’t worry about her,” Thea said soothingly, continuing to rub his back while he sobbed. “She is smart enough to stay out of trouble and in a safe location, and before you know it she’ll be back, refreshed and happy again.”

“This is his fault,” he managed, raising his head to look at Thea, rage now filling his eyes. “That boy took advantage of her, and she tried to convince me she was fine with it but this proves how badly he hurt her.”

“Rohan, this is for the best,” Thea said assuredly, unnerved by the violence in his eyes. “It will be good for Rhiannon to get away for awhile.”