The Fire Lord's Lover - 1 Read Online Free PDF Page A

Do you know your eyes glaze over like a nun at prayer when you say such things?"
       "Had I not been chosen for this task, I would have liked to have taken the vows."
       Thomas laughed at her, slapping his knees. "Oh no, my girl. Becoming a nun is not for the likes of you."
       Cass raised her chin, miffed at his opinion of her. "I would make a very good nun."
       He laughed harder, wiped the tears from those wicked gray eyes. "Sometimes I think I know you better than you know yourself. There's a fire within you, Lady Cassandra. I felt it in your kiss. And one day it will be set free, and heaven help the man who stokes it." He motioned her to the chair across from him and Cassandra took it, although her back stayed as stiff as a rod. He eyed her for a time in silence, only the crackle of the fire and the muted sounds of a carriage rumbling past the window disturbing the quiet.
       All trace of humor vanished from his expression, and he leaned forward, his brow creased in earnestness. "I do not think your father did you a favor by having you raised among all this religious dogma. You've taken it to heart and I'm not sure if it will help or hinder you."
       Cass frowned. She'd always considered Thomas's lack of faith a peculiarity, another oddity to his character compared to those she'd always been surrounded by. She pitied him for it.
       Thomas sighed. "Well then, there's no help for it. Despite my teaching, the nuns have managed to keep you pure, anyway. What a paradox you are, my dear. The court won't know what to make of you."
       "Unless they get in my way, they hardly matter."
       "I daresay. Now, this will probably be the last time we will be able to meet privately."
       Cassandra felt her stomach twist. In many ways, Thomas had been her only friend. How would she manage without his company?
       He patted her hand, then snatched his away, as if he had to force himself not to hold onto her. Their conversation today, that kiss of his, had changed their relationship, it seemed. Perhaps it would be better if they did not meet again.
       "Don't worry," he assured her. "You shall still see me. But not as Father Thomas. Viscount Althorp, however, will reappear at court, to the surprise and delight of all, I am sure." He gave her that crooked grin that had once made her younger self swoon. "But it wouldn't be safe for us to talk often or privately, so listen closely."
       She nodded, relieved they had resumed their familiar roles as tutor and student.
       "I don't know," he said, "if having the king's court in Firehame will make your task easier. See if you can aid Sir Robert Walpole, but do not risk your task for his sake. We've never had an assassin this close to an Imperial Lord before. Your mission is far more important than the leader of the Rebellion, do you understand?"
       Cassandra nodded.
       "Your magic for the dance will not be enough. You never would have returned home after your trials if you had enough magic to truly threaten the elven lord. Only surprise and skill will overcome him."
       Although Cass vaguely remembered her trials, she knew her father had been disappointed when she hadn't possessed enough magic to be sent to the elvens' home world, the fabled Elfhame. His friend, Lord Welton, had bragged for years that his son had been a chosen one, and the duke had been decidedly put out when he could not say the same of his only child.
       It had soothed her father somewhat when she'd become affianced to General Raikes. And now that her intended had won the king…
       "It may take you years to get close to the Imperial Lord," continued the viscount. "It will help you immensely if you can manage to make your new husband trust you. But even then do not rush forward blindly. Remember your most important lesson."
       The words fell from her mouth without thought. "Patience."
       "Just so. Practice it with Dominic Raikes. I'm sure he will tax