She peeked at Venn, who had a muscle ticking in his jaw. Nothing in his dark eyes was like the Venn she knew—playful, friendly, and kind. He glared at the now-empty staircase, and the rage burning off him was so intense it dried the placating words in Vera’s mouth.
Wilf’s gruff voice made her jump. “Get out of here, Venn.”
His focus jerked to Wilf. “What?”
The hulking bodyguard’s eyes narrowed. “Go.Now.”
Venn ground his teeth. For a moment, Vera thought he would refuse. Then he glanced at her, and something sparked in his eyes—an emotion she couldn’t name.
He shoved to his feet and strode for the inn’s door without a backward glance.
Vera’s heart stuttered as she watched him go. She had to swallow twice before she could face Wilf. “He didn’t need to go.”
“Yes, he did.” Though his voice was still gruff, he made an effort to soften the tone. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to. But in case it’s easier to tell me . . . I’m here.”
Her throat thickened at his unexpected kindness. “Thank you, Wilf.”
The large warrior shifted in his chair, looking uncomfortable with the moisture gathering in her eyes. But to his credit, he didn’t leave her. “I can escort you upstairs. Or I can fetch that physician, if you’d rather talk to her about what happened.”
Vera shook her head, even as she brushed at a tear that streaked down her cheek. “I’m really all right. I don’t know why I’m crying.”
But she did.
She’d spent weeks in the hands of men who’d used their strength to hurt, demean, and destroy. Now she was sitting across from one of the biggest, strongest men in all of Eyrinthia, and he was treating her with respect, gentleness, and kindness.
“Thank you,” she repeated.
Wilf scrubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry if sending Venn away upset you. I just wanted you to have some peace, and he didn’t look capable of giving you that.”
“No, it’s all right.” Venn’s wave of anger had made it impossible to summon words, but in the face of Wilf’s quiet distress, she was able to find her voice. “Tariq never hurt me in that way.” He’d wanted to; Salim had just never given him the chance. “I appreciate the way you protected me just now, though.”
Wilf grunted, and she swore the tips of his ears reddened. “No woman should ever have to suffer such a violent and heinous indignity. I would not add to her pain in any way—not even in the telling of it. Especially with an audience.”
“You’re a good man, Sir Lines.”
He made a sound in his throat—possibly disagreement, or perhaps a grudging acceptance. “I didn’t want Venn around you while he was so angry. But I can fetch him, if you’d like.”
She nodded. “I’d like to reassure him.”
Wilf immediately pushed to his feet, but he paused before walking away. Vera was surprised when he lightly touched her shoulder. “You’re safe, Vera. I promise you that.”
A fresh wave of emotion rocked her, and her smile came out watery. “Thank you.”
Wilf nodded, then moved for the inn door.
Vera was grateful for his reminder that she was safe. Without it, she may have felt trepidation at being left alone. But she knew there were Devendran guards and Mortisian allies both inside and outside the inn; men who had come to rescue her and Clare. They wouldn’t let anything happen to her.
She did wonder how long it would be until she didn’t feel so hunted, though. Would she ever feel comfortable enough to justbewithout thinking Tariq or Salim were waiting in the shadows to snare her?
Her pulse went a little wild, and she had to repeat Wilf’s assurance in her mind.I’m safe now.
She managed to regulate her breathing, and she was picking at a thick slice of warm brown bread the innkeeper had brought her when Venn finally returned. Wilf wasn’t with him, so she assumed he’d gone back out to shadow the other inns.
Venn made his way to the table and sat across from her. His expression was neutral, making his thoughts impossible to guess.
She offered him a piece of the bread, but he shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
Her cheeks heated and she lowered her hand. She’d always been shy—sometimes painfully so—and she wasn’t sure how to handle a brooding Venn.
