She cleared her throat. “How bad is it?”
“Nothing vital was hit.” Venn set aside the glass, not quite looking at her. “The cut was deep, but not deadly, so long as you take the time to heal and no infection sets in. The physician stitched your side, and he’ll be back to check on you tomorrow. You’ll need to stay in bed for a week at least, to let your body heal.”
Vera fingered the edge of the quilt, uncertain of the reason for the steel behind his words. “The men. Did they all run?”
“Yes.”
Vera eyed him. “You seem . . .” The words dried up as he shot her a look.
“What?” he asked, his voice deceptively soft. “What do I seem?”
“Angry,” she breathed.
“I am,” he admitted. His hands fisted on his knees. “He could have killed you, Vera. For a moment, I thought he had.”
“I’m sorry.”
The skin around his eyes tightened. “You put yourself in danger tonight.”
“I had to help Finn—”
“I don’t mean that. As much as it guts me, I understand why you did that. I hate that you were hurt—but I understand. What I don’t understand is why you put yourself between me and a threat.”
Her forehead creased. “You . . . You’re mad that I tried to diffuse the situation?”
“I’m furious that you put yourself at risk.” His jaw tightened. “My job is to protect you—not the other way around.”
An uncharacteristic anger licked her, and her eyes narrowed. “I’m not going to apologize for trying to protect you—or the children. I was trying to stop that fight from happening.”
He ground his teeth. “You could have died tonight.”
“I know, but—”
“Is that why you said you loved me?” he snapped, his tone low and fierce. “Because you thought you were dying?”
She startled. “Isthatwhy you’re upset? Because I told you I loved you?”
His hands fisted. “I’m upset because I thought you were dying in my arms and I would never understand what you meant.”
“I meant what I said.”
When Venn said nothing, Vera let out a short breath. “Fates, that didn’t go how I intended. I meant to say the words tonight, but not when I thought I was dying—or now, in an argument. But I love you, Venn.”
He stared at her, his jaw hard. “I don’t understand. Are we arguing right now, or are you telling me that you love me?”
Despite everything, Vera’s cheeks heated. “Both, I think.”
He leaned back in the chair, and she watched as some of the tension dropped from his shoulders. His eyes were sharp on her, but instead of frustration, she saw confusion.
She spoke before he could. “In the square, I told you we needed to talk. And you agreed.” She took a breath, wincing slightly at the pain in her side. “You may not love me anymore, and I can’t blame you for that. But I love you. And I owe you an explanation.”
He stared at her, looking stunned. “You . . .?”
“I know we said we wouldn’t talk about what happened in Wexon, but you need to understand. What I said to you—that I didn’t love you, and that I could never love you . . . Those were lies. After I was abducted, I swore to myself that if I ever saw you again, I would immediately tell you the truth. But I didn’t. And when I tried, you avoided me, and I couldn’t blame you. When you said you wanted to forget all of it . . . I know you don’t love me anymore, but—”
“I love you,” he cut in.
Now it was her turn to stare. Everything stilled—even her breath. “You do?”
