The Fire Lord's Lover - 1 (26 page)

   And wondered when she would quit thinking that they somehow had a future together. If Dominic hadn't already half convinced her, the devastation Mor'ded had released on the city fully did so. She no longer thought she might be able to accomplish an assassination, no matter if she took the elven lord by surprise. No matter how strong her faith might be. But even though she would not attempt to accomplish her task, they still had a short time together. The papers in Dominic's hands proved they could no longer keep their true relationship a secret.

   And Mor'ded would be the one to assassinate her.

   Dominic did not speak until the servants left the room, and even then he kept his voice so low that she had to join him in the bed again, her face close to his own.

   "Where did you get these?"

   "Gwen says they are all over the streets of London."

   "My ears are not that big." He tossed the papers aside, caught up a locket of her hair, and twisted it around his finger.

   The gentle tugging made her scalp tingle. "You are not worried that Mor'ded will see them?"

   "I have thought this through, and I believe you are now safe from my father."

   "What do you mean?"

   "The rumors, my dear." He released her hair and ran a finger down the middle of her chest to her belly, parting the fold of her robe in the process. He traced circles around her navel, making Cass shiver. "The court believes you carry my child."

   "But I'm not…" Her voice trailed off as she suddenly remembered that she hadn't brewed her herbs after they'd made love last night.

   Dominic shrugged, muscles rippling from shoulder to chest. "No matter. You soon will be. I'll make sure of that."

   His voice dripped with arrogance. Cassandra backed away from him to the far edge of the bed. "I still don't see what difference that will make."

   "My father wants a new champion. Despite my resemblance to him, I have only the life span of an ordinary human." He rolled over onto his back, clasped his hands behind his head, silver blond hair spilling around him like some heavenly cloud. "Mor'ded will need a replacement. If he thinks you carry a child, he won't dare harm you."

   Cass considered. "Not until I give birth, I suppose."

   "And I will think of something else by then. Perhaps my powers will be strong enough—" He sat up in one fluid movement. "Come, let me help you get dressed."

   "Why?"

   "There's someone I think you should meet… while you're awake this time."

   "What do you mean?"

   And Dominic explained Ador's visit to the elven garden.

* * *

The smell of sulfur and musky beast grew stronger the higher they climbed. Cassandra hesitated at the top of the tower stairs. She'd seen the dragon only from a distance, and even then the sight had terrified her. "Are you sure he won't mind?"

   "With Ador, I'm never sure about anything," replied Dominic. "But don't worry; he won't hurt you. Despite the rumors, he prefers the taste of livestock to people."

   For obvious reasons, that didn't reassure her. But she followed her husband as he opened the door and strode out onto the tower roof. The flagstones beneath their feet had long gouges through them, which she assumed had been made from the dragon's claws. In some places the stones had cracked. Night had fallen but the fire that licked the walls of the palace made it appear to glow, and the stars seemed brighter here on this high perch, providing more than enough light for her to see the black form of the dragon.

   Even curled into a ball, the beast's size overwhelmed her.

   "He's asleep," she whispered. "Perhaps we shouldn't disturb him."

   "He's always sleeping." Dominic held her hand and towed her closer. "Ador. I have brought my wife to meet you."

   If her husband hadn't grasped her so tightly, she would have fled when the dragon opened his eyes. They appeared as large as the sun, and even brighter, with red glowing orbs split oddly enough into several sections, like a pinwheel. He blinked at her several times and then snorted.

Cassandra coughed.

   "So we finally meet face-to-face," growled the dragon in a voice that reminded her of tumbling stones. "I can see how you managed to find the bastard's human heart."

   "Er, thank you?"

   The beast laughed, stone grating on stone. Cass winced at the brief sight of his open maw, the size of those sharp yellow teeth. She gathered her courage. "Dominic says that you've told him he would one day have the power to defeat Mor'ded. Can you not do anything to hasten the process?"

   "If he's told you that much, then you also know I'm forbidden to interfere directly with the mad elven lord. I cannot change the bastard's fate any more than I can change yours. If either of you tempts it, you will have to face the consequences." He rose then, a mountain of shining black scales and sharp edges, spreading his wings to their full length, revealing the jagged beauty of them. The gesture reminded Cass of a strutting peacock and lessened her fear. But only a bit, for the dragon was
huge.

   But still. "You are beautiful," she said.

   Dominic snorted, and Ador cast him a baleful eye.

   "However," said the beast, "a bit of flattery and a pretty face can always sway me."

   Dominic made a choking sound this time.

   "I can reveal this much, bastard's wife. The scepter is the key."

   "To what?"

   "Ah, now
that you will have to find out for yourself.
" And he beat those glorious wings, whipping back Cass's hair and making her eyes water. Dominic stepped in front of her, sheltered her body with his own as the dragon took flight, even his tall solid body swaying with the force of the maelstrom from Ador's leap into the sky.

   She watched him for a time, enjoying the shelter of her husband's arms, until the dragon blended with the black of the night.

   Then she mentally shook herself and sighed. "He's rather annoying, isn't he?"

   Dominic grunted. "He reveals more questions than he does answers." He loosed her slightly to look into her eyes. "But I find your choice of words fascinating. How can you find a creature who can gobble you up in one bite annoying?"

   "Faith, he's not the ravening beast kind. He loves a game as much as Mor'ded, although he seems to like to play differently."

   "I had hoped that once Ador met you, he would tell me a way to save you. I should have known better."

   The night's breeze curled around her shoulders, played with Dominic's hair, tangling his silver locks with her dull brown ones. His arms felt so warm in contrast. Cass leaned her head on his solid chest, listened to the strong steady beat of his heart. "I forgot to take my herbs last night," she said.

   "What herbs?"

   "The ones that I have taken every night since our marriage to prevent pregnancy."

   He stiffened then sighed, resting his chin atop her head. "I suppose I can't blame you. Are there any more secrets you'd like to confess?"

   "No. That is the last." The lonely sound of a ship's horn drifted up to the tower from the Thames below. "I hope we don't have a child, Dominic. I'd rather your father kill me than give one up to him."

   "Hush. I will think of something."

   "And if I don't conceive, he will find out soon enough, and then what will we do?"

   He moved his arms up to her shoulders and set her from him, studying her face. "What happened to that faith of yours, Cassandra?"

   "After what we saw in the city, how can you ask me such a thing?"

   He brushed the backs of his knuckles across her cheek. "Because it is one of the things I admire the most about you. Your obstinate belief in this God of yours. Now that you have me half believing in him, I refuse to allow you to falter."

   His words made hope spring in her heart. "Do you mean it?"

   "Indeed. I prayed while I waited for you to return from freeing Breden's half-breed. I told him that if he kept you safe, I would place my trust in him."

   Tears burned her eyes.

   He bent his head and laid his cheek next to hers, his stubble gently scratching her face. "Besides, I know there are devils in this world. Why should I not believe in angels as well?"

* * *

It felt odd the next afternoon to encounter the court on her husband's arm. Although Mor'ded had still not left his rooms, the court had apparently decided they'd had enough. They'd gathered on the west lawn for tea, enjoying an unseasonably warm autumn day.

   The absence of the Imperial Lord had a marked influence on the court. Those who held a trace of elven magic usually displayed only the talents inherited through Mor'ded's line, but as Cass neared the scalloped-edged pavilions, she could see that those who'd inherited gifts from other sovereignties now showed off their talents as well.

   Illusions of winged monkeys flew about the roofs of the pavilions, swooping in occasionally to caper for a courtier. At least Cass thought they were illusions, for they looked a bit transparent about the edges. But the magic of Dreamhame paled next to that of Stonehame, for the singing crystals adorning several courtiers emitted a haunting melody reminiscent of the elven garden. The settings of the gems had surely been crafted in Bladehame, for the silver appeared to move like liquid about the throats and wrists of the wearers. Eternally blooming roses grew up the sides of the pavilions; odd trees with palms shaped like fans brushed cool air on the courtiers, surely from the talents of those with descendants tracing back to Verdanthame.

   Lady Cassandra tried to mentally match gifts from the remaining sovereignties, but she felt Dominic stiffen beside her and she tugged on his arm, stopping him before they went any farther. He looked sublime, of course, in a coat of chocolate velvet trimmed with shiny gold buttons, the white lace at his sleeves and throat a perfect foil for the white lace dress that she wore. May had twined white silk roses in her brown hair, making it look dark and lustrous by contrast, and Gwen had chosen a stomacher embroidered with white roses that boasted lace bows beneath each blossom.

   The lace at her arms fluttered delicately as she reached up to adjust his cravat. Which didn't really need adjusting. "I am determined to enjoy my first public appearance with my husband."

   "We have often been together in public."

   "Ah, but not as a true couple. Try not to let a few of the sillier nobles annoy you."

   "A few?"

   She laughed and felt him relax, his handsome face not quite as rigid. Cass lifted to her toes and kissed his jaw, and he moved quicker than lightning, capturing her mouth with his full lips for a few heart-stopping moments. When she managed to take a breath again, he looked entirely too pleased with himself.

   She traced a finger over the tip of a pointed ear. "They aren't
really
that big."

   He smiled, a dazzling display of white teeth and curved cheek. The sunshine made the silver sparkle in his hair, his skin glow a luminescent pearl, his eyes glitter with crystal fire. Cass suppressed a thrill of wicked desire, clasped his arm, and turned toward the pavilions.

   The entire court stared at them in shocked silence. Even the crystals had ceased their songs.

   Dominic patted her lace-gloved fingers and led her to an empty table, where Lady Cassandra sat with but a minor adjustment of her hoops and skirts. He pulled his chair about to face hers, sitting with one smooth flip of his coat skirt.

   Instantly the cacophony started up again, crystals singing, monkeys flying, nobles chatting.

   "You enjoyed that," muttered Cass.

   "It felt highly satisfactory to finally be able to express the value I place on my wife. Their stupefied faces were but a… bonus."

   A liveried footman brought them tea in porcelain so fine it appeared transparent in the sunlight. A tray of sweetmeats was set before them: pastries drizzled with honey, gingerbread shaped into oak leaves, tiny cakes frosted with bows and ribbons. Truffles, fruits, and jellies had been artfully arranged on another platter by complementing color. Cold asparagus stood up like a stack of bound hay in the center of pinkfleshed shrimp arranged in a spiral.

   "I don't quite know where to start," said Cass.

   Dominic removed his fine leather gloves and began to peel a shrimp, discarding the shell on the lawn and holding it up to her mouth. "It matches the color of your lips."

   Lady Cassandra flushed and ate the offering, a sudden rush of happiness overwhelming her, although she knew this couldn't last. Mor'ded would emerge from his lair, bringing fear and the threat of peril in their midst again. But for now she tried to pretend that this would be her life forever, being fed treats from an attentive husband in front of a laughing court beneath a sunny sky.

   "Excuse my intrusion," said Lady Verney, "but I must know how you fare, Cassandra. Any more headaches?"

   Cass looked up at the tall woman squinting down at her, that thin face taut with genuine concern. It took her a moment to remember her false headache… and her supposed condition. "Oh no, Sophia. I am quite well."

   Her friend gave a sigh of genuine relief. "When I heard you had accompanied your husband to see to the welfare of the citizens affected by the fire, I feared the stress might affect you adversely." She shot Dominic a scathing look, apparently determined to blame him for not taking better care of Cass. As if her husband did not deserve her. It made Cass smile.

   But then Lady Verney's face softened, and she inquired of Dominic, "And you, General Raikes. Are you well?"

   He glanced at her with but a flick of his midnight gaze, but Cass could see he'd been caught by surprise. "Of course."

   "Well then, I shall leave the two of you alone. It is truly a delight to see a couple so obviously taken with one another." And with a bob of her feather-topped coiffure, she took her leave.

   And Lord Blevin immediately took her place. "I daresay, you make a fine couple, wot? I admire the cut of your coat, sir, and the way your attire complements one another."