My fists curled, but before I could retort, he had exited the room.
“We can’t let her go anywhere with him,” Trina said as soon as the door closed.
“Of course not. Once she heals Basil, she will get the location of the Olden Blade.” Tenger turned his attention to me. “You have her trust more than any of us. Keep her here until we can safely recover the blade.”
And then they would kill her. If there was any hope of finding a solution for Kes, I needed to be involved. So I nodded, saying, “I’ll keep watch outside Basil’s room.”
“Stay out of Joth’s way as you do it.” Tenger saw me about to object and added, “You’re in no condition to fight him, and whatever happens tonight, it is not about which of you two Kestra prefers. Remember that.”
I felt Harlyn’s hand on my shoulder. She said, “Let me wait outside the room with you.”
But I shook my head. “You did enough damage the last time you talked to Kes. We both know that a second conversation would only make things worse.”
Harlyn shrugged. “We also both know that tonight won’t go well, whether I’m there or not. I’ll stay where no one will see me, but I won’t be far away either.”
To that, I nodded. Because the truth was, I was nervous to speak to Kestra again. Harlyn was right. This was going to be a very long night.
Lily’s grave.”
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Those were the only two words Basil spoke before he drifted off to sleep, a calmer, more restful sleep than before.
And I needed time as well to recover my strength, which gave me an opportunity to reflect on those words. Basil’s decision to bury the Olden Blade at my mother’s grave had been a brilliant one. Even if someone suspected the dagger were there, my adopted father never would have allowed anyone to disturb her resting place. Whatever else he lacked, Sir Henry had dearly loved his wife.
Gradually, I began to feel stronger again, which meant I needed to go after the blade.
I had forgotten my cloak at Joth’s home and would have liked it now. Not for the cold outside—that wouldn’t matter to me—but I liked the idea of hiding within its folds, of leaving this place with the hood up so that no one would know who I was. If that was not possible, at least I could make some changes. My mother always kept a few of her dresses in my father’s wardrobe, and I pulled out one now. It wasn’t fancy, but it was nicer than what I’d had on before and certainly cleaner. I tied a red sash around the brown wool skirt and coat, and then sat at my father’s old grooming table to properly tie back my hair. Every part of me wished it were possible to stay for the rest of the night and sleep. Just to close my eyes and have nothing to think about, or dream about—just peace. But that couldn’t happen.
I didn’t even know what peace was anymore.
Then the cold center in my chest urged me to take the first step out the door, giving a warning to move quietly, to trust no one. It renewed my strength and deepened my resolve.
I gave Basil a quick kiss on the cheek and whispered, “Thank you.” That was far too little in return for all he had done for me, for the preservation of the dagger, and for all he had suffered to protect that secret, but I could do nothing more for him here. Then I put on my boots and slipped as silently as possible out the door.
The manor was quiet when I left Basil’s room, the corridor mostly dark but for a few candles left burning in sconces along the walls.
Joth was in a chair waiting just outside the door. He stood the instant I left the room, and after a quick inquiry about my strength, he put a hand on my back to lead me out of Woodcourt. We had taken no more than three steps, when, from behind us, Simon called, “Kes, wait!”
Shaken with surprise, I turned, and there he was, exactly as I remembered him, though it seemed so long ago now. His shirt was half-buttoned to allow for a bandage wrapped around his middle, and his dark hair was a little longer than before and tousled from wherever he’d been sitting before I came. His brown eyes were focused entirely on me.
My stomach knotted, and I had no idea what to say or do, so I just stared. At some point, Joth leaned over to me and whispered, “I’ll give you some distance, but I can’t let you be alone with any of these people.”
That shook me into action. “I can take care of myself.”
“Nevertheless, I’ll stay.” Joth backed farther down the corridor, though he’d still be able to see and hear us, so I didn’t understand the point of his having moved away.
Simon stepped closer, casting an occasional glare of irritation in Joth’s direction. Finally, his focus resettled on me, which was horrible, for now it was obvious that he had no idea what to say or do either.
Did he still love me? I wondered. Did I still love him? Had I ever truly loved him? My heart seemed to think so. It was racing wildly.
I stretched out a hand toward Simon’s bandages. “I can help with that.”
He angled away from me. “Thanks, but no.”
“If Loelle were here, you’d let her help.”
“At one time, I might have. But her magic is … different from yours.”