When he returned, Bennick wasn’t looking any better.
Perhaps leaving him alonehadn’tbeen a good idea.
He handed over one of the bowls of rice he carried, and his friend took it woodenly.
“We’ll get her back,” Venn said quietly.
Bennick’s jaw flexed. “I know.” The lethal edge in his voice made the words a vow.
They ate in relative silence, and Venn was certain Bennick didn’t taste the seasoned rice as he chewed. He wasn’t eating because he was hungry—he was eating because he needed strength.
Wilf joined them before they’d finished. The older man’s eyes darted over Bennick in a quick but intense inspection, then he tugged the young captain in for a careful embrace.
They had a unique bond; almost like father and son. Seeing them in that way brought to mind the day Venn had met Wilf. He’d only been a boy of eleven, and he’d been living at the military academy. His mother hadn’t wanted him to go, but Venn had always insisted on growing up to be a soldier, like his father, and she’d finally acquiesced to his constant begging.
Venn clearly remembered that first year, and the day that had changed his life forever.
He’d gotten into a fistfight with Bennick. A visiting Wilf had come out of nowhere and dragged the boys apart, and that could have been the end of it—the last time Venn ever saw Wilf. He’d only come to the academy to step in for Bennick’s absent father during the upcoming dagger ceremony, nothing more. But he’d seen two young boys hurting that day—one, a complete stranger—and he’d decided to help them both.
Wilf had presented Venn with his dagger that night, a rite of passage Venn’s own father couldn’t perform because he was dead.
The older bodyguard had been in Venn’s life ever since. When Venn visited Bennick at the castle on summer breaks, he was there. They’d watch Wilf spar on the field, and sometimes he’d help them in their training. He was always a little gruff, but never impatient—a great feat, because Venn could be trying in the best of times.
And then Rachel had died. Wilf had changed, and so had Venn’s relationship with the older guard. He’d gone to great lengths to tease Wilf. To poke at the bear until he growled.
His mother had always said he had a clever knack for finding ways to be utterly stupid.
He felt a little guilty now, thinking of all those times he’d annoyed Wilf. But he’d wanted to break up the man’s sorrow, and he didn’t know how else to do it.
It was strange, reflecting on the past. It made Venn wonder if he was here today because of Wilf; if he’d chosen to become a royal bodyguard because of the older man’s example. Maybe that’s why Bennick had chosen this path, too.
His thoughts were interrupted when Wilf finally pulled back from Bennick to give a report on his time in the city. Unfortunately, it was brief, because there’d been no sign of Salim or Clare.
When Wilf finished, he focused on Venn. “That physician was just outside. I think she’s coming to check on Vera.”
Venn stood without hesitation. “I’ll go meet her.” Not only was he anxious to check on Vera, but he also thought Bennick and Wilf could use a moment alone.
As he tugged the door closed behind him, he spotted Jaadah pausing outside Vera’s door. She lifted one eyebrow, amusement tinting her expression. “You know, Icancheck on her without you.”
“I know.”
The corner of her mouth twitched, but she said nothing as she turned to open Vera’s door. She entered the room first, and she held up a bag as she moved toward Vera, who sat on the bed. “I found that headscarf I mentioned.”
Vera’s eyes bounced to Venn, but she didn’t tell him to leave as she focused back on Jaadah. “Thank you.”
“How are your wrists?” the healer asked.
“Much better.”
Jaadah checked for herself before giving a satisfied nod. “I don’t know that there’s any reason for me to trouble you again. Everything is healing nicely.” The woman straightened, turning a little to include Venn in her next words. “If you were waiting to leave Krid until Vera was ready, I believe that time has come.”
“We may stay a few days yet,” Venn said.
“Very well. Call on me if you need me, though I suspect you will not.”
“Thank you,” Vera said.
Jaadah dipped her head, then made her way to Venn. He already had a coin purse ready, and he handed it to her without hesitation.
