Page 4 of Villainess's Redemption
Once we’d done all we could, I slumped down beside the fire, beyond exhausted. But sleep wouldn’t come. I stared into the flickering flames, mind racing with thoughts of revenge and scheming. After all that’s what I was best at.
NO. Evil thoughts, go away.
Chapter 2
The next morning, I woke before dawn, my muscles aching from yesterday’s ordeal. Seb’s labored breathing filled our tiny hovel as I quietly dressed quickly. Mother stirred, her eyes widening as she caught me preparing to leave.
“Ilyana, where are you going?” she whispered carefully, not to wake Sebastian.
I tied back my hair, avoiding her gaze. “To the mines.”
“No!” She scrambled up, grabbing my arm. “You can’t. It’s too dangerous.”
I gently pried her fingers loose. “Someone has to work, Mother. It won’t be Seb, not in his condition. And it can’t be you.”
“But-”
“The overseer made it clear. Our family’s punishment must be fulfilled,” I forced a smile hoping to reassure her. “I can handle it. I’m stronger than I look.”
Mother’s eyes filled with tears. “This is all my fault. If I hadn’t-”
“Stop,” I cupped her face in my hands. “We’ve been through this. The choices were mine. The consequences are mine to bear.”
She nodded, but I could see the guilt eating away at her. I hated leaving her like this, but what choice did we have?
“I’ll be back before dark,” I promised, not knowing if I really could. I grabbed a stale crust of bread but I noticed there was only one piece left. Seb would need it. So I left it there and drank a glass of water.
The pre-dawn air bit at my skin as I made my way through the empty streets. My first stop was the tavern where I’d been working. I needed to let Mathilda know I wouldn’t be coming in for a while.
The tavern door creaked as I pushed it open. Mathilda was already up, wiping down tables with a sour expression that only darkened when she saw me.
“What are you doing standing there?” she snapped. “You’re late.”
I took a deep breath. “Actually, Mathilda, I won’t be able to come to work for some time. My brother-”
“Oh, spare me your excuses,” she cut me off, slamming her rag onto the table. “I knew I shouldn’t have given work to a traitor like you.”
I flinched at the venom in her voice but stood my ground. “I’m sorry, I-”
“Sorry? Sorry doesn’t put food on the table or ale in the mugs,” She advanced on me, jabbing a finger in my chest. “Do you know how many people I turned away to give you a chance? And this is how you repay me?” She didn’t. I was the only option.
“It’s not like that,” I tried to explain. “My brother was injured in the mines. I have to-”
“I don’t care about your brother!” Mathilda’s face was red with fury. “I care about running my business. Something you clearly know nothing about, you spoiled little brat.”
Each word was like a slap, but I held my ground. I’d weathered worse.
“I understand,” I said, keeping my voice level. “I’ll make it up to you when-”
“Make it up to me?” She let out a harsh laugh. “Don’t bother. You’re fired. In fact, don’t ever show your face here again. I was a fool to think someone like you could ever be trusted.”
I stood there, stunned, as she continued her tirade. Words like “selfish,” “unreliable,” and “backstabber” pelted me like the vegetables thrown yesterday. But unlike the vegetables, I couldn’t turn them into something useful.
Had she found someone new? I couldn’t think of anyone who would put up with her temper for two bronze coins. It wouldn’t even buy bread for a week, I mostly worked there to get the leftovers and scraps after cooking.
“Get out!” Mathilda finally shouted, grabbing a broom. “Get out before I call the soldiers!” As if the soldiers would get involved in some minor squabble between criminals. That’s right, both of us were criminals.
I stumbled backward, my hands raised in surrender. “I’m going. I’m sorry for any trouble I’ve caused.”
