Revenge (Book 3 in the Rise Trilogy)

Begin Again, Some Broth, and the Departure

Begin Again, Some Broth, and the Departure

"So, how long was I out?" I ask out of the silence.

"A few weeks," Connor replies as he looks out to the mountains.

The two of us sit out on the white railings of the upper balcony on the back of the manor looking out over the valley and the bay below. We watch the sun slowly rise over the horizon like we used to do before things got bad as we enjoy one another's company.

The air is cool and a light breeze breathes through the trees and blows loose strands of faded orange and purple hair across my face. It's a very peaceful morning. I love it. I guess because I haven't seen a sunrise in over a month. Well, I guess I never thought I would see this sunrise again.

I look down at the yellow hot broth in the bowl in my hands and move to stir the contents with the silver spoon. Connor draped his warm blanket over my shoulders before he took a seat beside me this morning. It has beautiful colors and designs weaved into it. I can tell it is something of value to him that he brought from the Mohawk village. I only woke up a few hours ago and made Connor, who stayed in my room the rest of the night, get up to find me something to eat or drink and he returns with this hot broth and finds me sitting on the balcony.

Nobody knows I'm awake besides Connor and I suppose for a bit I would like to keep it that way. I like the peace and quiet I'm getting right now.

"How are you and Haytham?" I ask as I look up at the golden rays of sunshine again.

"There is progress between us but we will never be quite the same," Connor replies calmly as he too looks at the beautiful sunrise with me.

I nod as I bring up the small silver spoon to my lips and drink in the warm and comforting broth that soothes my aching throat. "Do you know anything about Lee's wearabouts?" I ask.

"Yes," Connor replies. "My father told me that the last time they spoke was the night before we attacked. He knew we were coming the whole time. That is why he sent Lee away. But Lee knew that my father would die by one of our hands. So he said that when Haytham returned, he was to meet him in Boston where they would regroup and find out their next stratgey."

"Where in Boston?" I ask Connor as I glance at him.

"The docks," Connor says, turning to look at me. "He did not say why, though."

I nod slowly before setting my bowl of broth to my side, I swing my legs back onto the deck and set my bare feet on the cool wood.

I slowly walk past my bedroom and into my bathroom where I nearly shriek at the sight I see in the mirror.

My once bright icy blue eyes are now a dull blue, my full pale blond hair and faded rainbow steaks is now thin and frail in my hands, and my face makes me look older than I actually am along with my pale face making me look like I've never seen the sun. I no longer feel the firm muscle at my arms, abs, or legs anymore. All I feel is this weak and frail me that is all that remains. I can't believe what a gunshot wound and a four week coma can do this to me. But it truly is way better than the pain I once felt for everyone that I thought I would never see again in this life.

Connor walks into the bathroom and sees my expression at the sight of myself in the mirror. He stands behind me and carefully snakes his arms around my waist. I fight the small pain I'm feeling in my middle at the moment as Connor rests his head on my shoulder.

"Hey, beautiful," he says softly. "You look gorgeous today as usual."

I glare at him through the mirror even though I'm enjoying the moment before pushing away from Connor's embrace. I exit my bedroom and quickly realize that it hurts too much to walk straight for long periods of time.