Page 19 of Stars May Burn

“We think Robert ran back to Adenburg to…help.”

Lucy shot Beatrice a warning look. “But this is the general’s area. It’s his job to keep the peace. This isn’t simply managing the household.” Her words gained firmness as she tried to end the conversation.

Beatrice’s face brightened into a wide smile. “And he’s very good at keeping us safe, so as I said, nothing for you to worry about. Now, how about your bath?”

I reserved judgment on the events and let them lead me into the adjoining room. I was surprised to find the air was humid and scented and the bath was already full.

I’d never seen a bathroom like it. Instead of a metal tub filled with water, the bath was more like a pool sunk into the floor, decorated with mosaics of fish and reeds. The ceiling was half glass, letting sunlight dance in patterns over the hot water, while vines and creepers hung down from high pots, some with glorious flowers. It was like something in an ancient temple.

Lucy helped me out of my dressing gown, and I eased myself into the hot water with hundreds of questions bubbling in my mind.

“This room looks new.”

Lucy smiled as she placed a fluffy towel by the pool’s edge. “It was recently renovated for your arrival, my lady. All your rooms were. Do you like it? If there’s anything you wish to change, I’m sure we can do so quickly.”

I shook my head. “It’s lovely. I’m surprised it was finished in time. Kasomere’s staff can’t have had more than a week’s notice of my coming.”

Beatrice grinned with a mischievous glint to her eyes. “The general had about three dozen people working on your rooms in shifts. He wanted them to be perfect.”

I frowned as I sank down into the luxurious heat until the water lapped at my neck, easing the muscles. I didn’t know what to make of that. He was a very efficient man. “Well, that’s very kind of him.”

He’d done a lot for me it seemed, and I had yet to do a single thing for him. This sort of situation had never arisen in my studies.

I wiggled my toes, wondering what the sweet-smelling creaminess was in the water. “How does it work? How is it filled with such hot water?”

The maids exchanged that increasingly familiar look that meant they were working out if they were allowed to say something, before Lucy pointed to a soft red glow under the water in one corner. “It’s an eastern device that uses kryalcomy, my lady. It heats the water and allows you to keep it at a certain temperature.”

I sat up. The carriage warmers were the only kryalcomy heaters I had come across and they were weak and short-lived. Heating such a large volume of water was unthinkable. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is it engineering as well as kryalcomy?”

Lucy bit her lip in a worried expression that I found very curious. “A little of both, I think. Maybe. Now, my lady, please choose which lotions you would like for your skin and hair.”

The maids were sweet and competent, but it was clear they had secrets they were unwilling to share, showing they had stronger loyalties elsewhere. I wasn’t sure how to respond to that information. The general would be the most obvious person telling them to hold their tongues. Did he not trust me? Then again, why would he?

Lucy started to massage my scalp, and I became lost in thought. Many things about this place were alien to me, but that only stoked my curiosity further. And I didn’t have Miss Claris to rein it back.

I sat in front of the mirror bundled in soft towels as Beatrice combed and dried my hair. “I really must see the general today.” I glanced at Beatrice’s reflection. “Surely you can think of some way for me to see him? Does he not have a routine? Can I bump into him in passing?”

She frowned. “Well, I suppose, there’s always the chance we could pass him on the tour. Or anytime you walk around the castle.”

Lucy grinned as she selected some earrings to match my dress, a new one that Beatrice had made. “He can’t hide from you forever. Don’t worry, my lady. We’ll dress you up so beautifully, he won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

Beatrice giggled as she finished with my hair. “Every person who lays eyes on you will fall in love.”

Lucy nodded and pretended to swoon, a hand on her brow. “Knights will come from the capital to swear loyalty to the famous Lady Batton.”

Beatrice pretended to impale herself on my hairbrush. “And your name will be the last thing on their lips as they’re slain in battle!”

My mouth dropped open at their behavior. I struggled to understand what had made them so animated. “Good gracious! That’s rather dramatic, don’t you think?”

The two giggled, their cheeks now quite rosy. Beatrice covered her mouth. “Sorry, my lady. It’s just all rather exciting.”

“What is?”

“Having a lady of the house. Having you. There are so many things we can do now! Everything will be better.”

Lucy squealed again. “And you and the general!”

I blinked, trying to hide my confusion.

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