“I’ll go with you,” I offered.
“No!” His tone had changed. A sort of panic was inside Basil now, though I couldn’t understand why. What promise had he made regarding our wedding?
Basil gestured to the guard. “Will you wait here with the lady until I return? It won’t be more than a few minutes, I’m sure.”
“No—” Before I could finish protesting, Basil had hurried away.
Leaving me with this guard. He immediately removed his helmet, and now I had a full view of his face. He was handsome enough, with hair as dark as mine but close-cropped and untidy, and an expression in his brown eyes so intense I could barely look away. New emotions seemed to rise above his anger as he studied me. What was it? Expectation? Hope?
Hope for what?
If he thought I should say something, he’d be disappointed. I turned away, with more interest in the nearby geraniums than in him.
After a few seconds of silence, his head tilted. “Do you know me, Kes?”
“Should I?”
He blinked hard, then tried again. “Do you know me?”
I put ice in my stare back at him, unwilling to repeat myself.
He mumbled something under his breath, then said, “I’m the change of plans your beloved Basil mentioned.”
“He’s not my beloved.” The guard arched an eyebrow, and I quickly added, “He’s my most beloved. Obviously.” Then, “What’s the change of plans?”
“You’re to come with me.” When I hesitated, he added, “It’s all right, your … most beloved knows.”
I waved him away. “Leave, or I’ll report you.”
But he stepped closer. “My lady, I’m here as your protector. Please trust me.”
I shook my head. “I saw you in the ballroom before. Why were you angry?” Not that it mattered, but I was stalling now, hoping Basil would hurry back.
He offered me his hand, clearly eager to hurry us both away from the gardens. “My anger is only for those who would harm you.”
But I wouldn’t take his hand. I wouldn’t go anywhere with this boy.
“Kestra?” That was Basil’s voice.
I started to call out, but the guard grabbed my arm and pulled me against him. Basil rounded the corner and froze as soon as he saw the guard, mumbling, “Simon?” He knew this boy? Basil raised his hands, showing he was no threat. “You’re early. The wedding is only a few minutes away.”
Simon hesitated, only for a moment, but I noticed. “She must leave now.”
My jaw clenched. “He’s telling me the truth?”
Basil reached out for me, as if a pat on the arm would make everything better. “Go with him, my love. I’ll find you again soon.”
“You won’t,” Simon countered.
Now Basil hesitated. “Simon, are you working with the Coracks or not?”
“The Coracks?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Basil had made plans with the group rebelling against my family? I tried to tug my arm away, but Simon tightened his grip and with his other hand pulled out a knife.
Basil shook his head at Simon as we left. “You’re in over your head.”
This rebel had a knife, and he had me. So I was fairly sure that of the three of us, I was the one most in over my head. But as Simon began leading me from the gardens, Basil called, “I’ll see you soon, my love!”
Simon scowled and pushed me to walk faster, taking us on a route that an outsider to Woodcourt should not have known. There must be an explanation for that.