The Fire Lord's Lover - 1 by Kathryne Kennedy

kitchens too, when he was little."
       So Cass had heard, but she'd hardly credited it. "Did he?"
       The child stopped at a winding staircase, the mahogany handrails polished to a brilliant shine, the treads carpeted in plush red. "I don't use these. The servants' stairs are back there." And she pointed to a closed door. "But I suppose it's all right since I'm with ye."
       Cass nodded, lifted her silk skirts a bit more, and started up the stairs, the child right on her heels. "So you know the general, Gwen?"
       "Oh aye. We likes to call him champion, ye know. But only when he ain't around, 'cause he don't like it."
       Cass waited, hoping the girl wouldn't need any further prodding.
       "He don't pay us no mind either. But he likes to snatch food from Cook, says it's a habit he can't break." They had reached the landing, and Gwen pointed down a long hall. "This here floor is for guests. Yer one more up."
       Cass nodded and started up again.
       "He don't like us none. He don't like anyone."
       "I hope he'll like me, Gwen."
       "Maybe. But he don't seem to like the women he sleeps with neither. At least, that's what Cook says."
       Cassandra thought she might take a little trip to the kitchens on the morrow and meet this Cook. She couldn't imagine that the churlish general went to the kitchens for nostalgia. What might be his true purpose?
       "Don't worry about not knowing him, Lady Cass. Nobody does, that's what Cook says. Now me, I think the dragon knows him. He spends a lot of time up there in the tower."
       "With Mor'ded's dragon-steed?" What would he want with such a dread beast?
       "Aye, his name's Ador, and I'm scared of him. But I don't think the general's scared of nothing."
       "Indeed."
       "But I only have finding magic. If I had the champion's fire magic, maybe I wouldn't be scared neither."
       "Finding magic?"
       "Oh aye. I can find lost stuff. If ye ever need anything found, lady, just let me know."
       They had reached the second landing, and the child skipped in front of Cassandra, taking the lead down the vast hall. Urns filled with blue fire lit the passage and gave it an eerie glow. Treasures littered the cabinets and niches in the walls, and Cass vowed to explore them in the light of day. But for now her guide hurried her along.
       Gwen stopped at two large double doors covered in gilt. "This is where yer new rooms are. I haven't been inside yet; they just finished with them."
       Cass nodded and reached for the gold handle.
       Gwen tugged at Cassandra's skirt. "Down there," she whispered, pointing a grubby finger at the end of the corridor, "is the Imperial Lord's rooms. Nobody's ever been in there, 'cept maybe the general. Don't go there, Lady Cass. There's things in there that'll eat ye if Mor'ded don't flame ye first."
       Cassandra frowned, wondering if Mor'ded had started the rumor to ensure his privacy. If it was indeed a rumor.
       "But don't ye worry about the champion hurting ye. He don't flame women or children."
       For some reason Cass didn't feel reassured by that statement. "Would you like to come inside with me, Gwen?"
       Those hazel eyes widened even farther. "Oh aye, my lady." Then she hastily added, "Cook says my curiosity will get me flogged one day."
       "They flog you?"
       "Oh aye. Ye can do anything ye want with a slave. Ain't got no rights, ye see. Ye don't seem to know much, lady. Where ye come from?"
    Cass smiled. "A private school."
       "Not a very good 'un, then." She sucked in a sharp breath and added, "No offense, my lady. Cook says I talk too much. Probably get flogged for that someday too."
       "Not if I have any say about it," muttered Cass as she pushed open the door. She walked into what might have been a parlor if it had held more than two chairs by the fireplace and a footstool. She went into the adjacent room, which looked to be a private dining room by the bare table