Bennick leaned back on the wall, his entire body stiff. “She was right there, Venn. I had her. If Zilas hadn’t betrayed us . . .”
“I’m sorry,” Venn repeated. “But you can’t be stuck in the past right now. Clare needs you.”
Bennick didn’t reply, but his breaths became a little steadier. His gaze flicked past Venn, spotting Wilf for the first time. When he spoke, his words were low. “I love her.”
“Is that supposed to surprise us?” Wilf asked in his rumbling voice.
Venn couldn’t hold back his snort. “We’re royal bodyguards. We’re trained to notice subtleties, and you two weren’t always subtle.” Humor had always been a shield for Venn, and he used it now as he glanced at Wilf. “Was it Dirk who described Bennick’s attempts at hiding his feelings from us asadorable?”
“I don’t remember the word,” Wilf said easily, “but it was Cardon who placed the bet that their first kiss would happen before we left Iden.”
Venn’s lips twitched, though Bennick frowned. “Why didn’t any of you say anything?”
Venn lifted a shoulder. “It would have thrown off the bets. No interfering. That was Dirk’s rule.”
Wilf let out a huff. “Did you think we were going to report you?”
Bennick eyed them. “You could have.”
“As if we’d turn you in,” Venn said. “You’re our captain. Our friend. And I’ve never seen you happier than when you’re with Clare.”
“Don’t you worry that I’ll lose focus? That I’ll become distracted and put Serene at risk?”
“No,” Wilf said.
Bennick looked a little overwhelmed by the finality in that simple answer, but there was gratitude in his eyes. An unspoken thanks, conveyed in a pointed glance.
Of course they would keep his secret. It was something that didn’t need to be said.
Venn rolled back on his heels. “So . . . when was your first kiss? I’m just curious if I’ll win this one.”
The corner of Bennick’s mouth twitched, but before he could open his mouth—probably to tell Venn it wasn’t any of his business—the door opened and Vera poked her head out, her eyes wide. “One of the men just returned. A gatekeeper at the west gate saw Latif and Clare ride out just over an hour ago.”
Bennick straightened, their brief moment of levity gone. He was already moving for the door, and Venn was a little surprised when Wilf didn’t instantly follow. The pox-scarred warrior turned to Venn, his gaze intent. “Make it to Duvan safely. We’ll join you as soon as we can.”
Venn reached out and clasped Wilf’s forearm in a soldier’s hold. “Watch your back, Wilf. And his.”
He nodded. “You do the same.” He made to pull away, but Venn held on.
“Thank you, Wilf.”
His eyes narrowed. “For what?”
For helping him reach Vera. For being kind and attentive to her, when Venn didn’t have the ability to think straight. For so relentlessly going after Clare. For staying with Bennick, so Venn could be with Vera.
For giving a sad little boy a dagger all those years ago, when he didn’t have to.
Venn cleared his suddenly hot throat. “For everything.”
The old soldier looked surprised by the intensity in his words. He was still for a moment, then he pulled Venn into a crushing hold.
The embrace was unexpected, but Venn squeezed him back just as fiercely.
“You’re a good man,” Wilf whispered gruffly. When he pulled back, his expression was locked. “Be safe. And keep Vera safe, too.”
Venn jerked out a nod. “I will.” Then, because he wanted to leave on their usual footing, he cracked a thin smile. “Who else would annoy you if something happened to me?”
Wilf rolled his eyes. “No one else is foolish enough to dare.”
