Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 74
Overview
In a storm-trapped standoff at Amara’s house, tensions erupt as Evie defends Trystan’s decisions and slaps Amara. The group learns Winnifred is the Enchantress’s daughter, intensifying their hunt. Provoked by Amara, Trystan publicly confesses his love for Evie, then flees outside and is immediately ambushed by an unknown assailant.
Summary
Trystan reels as Winnifred, a servant revealed to be the Enchantress’s daughter, flees under everyone’s scrutiny. He berates himself for avoiding home for years, realizing he might have found the Enchantress sooner and spared Kingsley prolonged danger. He reattaches Kingsley’s shackle as Arthur arrives, reporting flooded roads and urging they wait out the storm.
Trystan asserts command, declaring the team will depart on his terms, straining further with Arthur and Amara. Evie intervenes, stating she accepts her own risks and will leave when Trystan decides. Amara scoffs that Trystan can’t truly care for anyone, needling old wounds and pushing him toward a breaking point.
Provoked, Trystan explodes and confesses he loves Evie, admitting she shattered the defenses born of Amara’s betrayal. Stunned silence follows, with Kingsley approving. Overwhelmed, Trystan refuses to linger, opens the door into the storm, and stalks toward the barn.
Outside, before he can gather himself, an unseen figure slams Trystan against the barn wall and presses a dagger to his throat, hissing that he cannot escape so easily. The chapter ends on this ambush, leaving the attacker’s identity and intent unresolved.
Who Appears
- Trystan MaverineStruggles with guilt, defies his parents, and publicly confesses he loves Evie before being ambushed.
- Evie SageDefends Trystan’s leadership, claims her own risks, and slaps Amara; stunned by Trystan’s love confession.
- AmaraProvokes Trystan, claiming he cannot care for anyone; becomes the target of Evie’s slap.
- ArthurArrives with news of flooded roads, urges waiting out the storm, clashes with Trystan’s decision.
- KingsleyFrog prince re-shackled; reacts with approval to Trystan’s confession.
- WinnifredRevealed as the Enchantress’s daughter; flees under scrutiny, a vital lead gone.
- Unknown assailantAmbushes Trystan outside the barn, pressing a dagger to his throat.
- TatiannaObserves the storm and tensions, tacitly favoring Arthur’s caution.
- ClareWatches the storm uneasily, aligning with Arthur’s plan to wait.