Citadel of the Sky (Thrones of the Firstborn Book 1) Read Online Free

was Pell’s son.
    Tiana said gloomily, “I’d rather not ask either of them.” Yithiere was prickly, and Cathay would want something particular in return.
    Lisette gave her another sympathetic look. “Cathay’s very persistent, isn’t he? But I doubt he’d be much of a bother today.” She sighed. “He must be thinking about Sennic’s death again.”
    Tiana scowled. “He wouldn’t let anyone get near me at the last reception. He made fun of all my suitors.”
    Lisette said gravely, “And yet, you seemed to enjoy yourself.”
    Tiana’s face warmed. “Well, it’s Cathay.”
    With a little smile, Lisette said, “Yes, I know.”
    Tiana made a mournful face. “Do you miss him? I didn’t mind, honest. I’d rather have things back the way they were.” Regents couldn’t marry, but chastity was neither expected, nor valued, in their service to Ceria.
    Lisette shook her head. “You know it couldn’t have lasted. It’s his way. I expected him to move on to you or Kiar. I wish he wasn’t so fickle, but I don’t think he can help himself.”
    Tiana grumbled, “Well, Kiar doesn’t even enjoy the receptions, so he couldn’t ruin them for her. And she’s taller. Why couldn’t he have fixated on her instead?”
    “Too blonde. He prefers brunettes,” said Kiar absently. “Here, this is a list of topics. Let’s look around in the library some more before involving anyone else.”
    “Architecture?” Lisette asked.
    “Maps?” Tiana suggested, patiently.
    “No such topic. ‘Maps’ refers to Geography.” Staring at the book, Kiar muttered, “Rinta, what was the Palace to you? The Royal Library? Pell rebuilt that as well.” She looked around the room and then back at the designation. “Over here.” She led the way to the shelf. “Up there.”
    Tiana pushed the rolling ladder over and climbed up, pulling out a thick folio. It was loosely packed with documents and folded diagrams, and half its contents slipped out of the folio to flutter to the ground. On the floor above, Slater leaned against the railing, watching casually, until she glared at him. Then he raised his hands, lowered his eyes, and turned his back.
    She handed the rest of the folio to Lisette and climbed down. “They’re not going to like us taking you to the catacombs, off the usual strolls. After all, we could be planning to murder you. I’ve read that in Cylisse, Royal guards protect the royalty, they don’t protect people from the royalty.”
    Not looking up from gathering the scattered documents, Lisette said, “No one thinks you’re going to hurt me. Well, no one you should listen to, anyway.”
    “Yes, Tiana,” Kiar added. “It’s just another missed bastard. You know how much trouble they cause.”
    Tiana frowned at Kiar. Was she trying to pick a fight? Lisette handed the sheaf of papers to Kiar to sort, looking exasperated. “The two of you are quite the pair today. Kiar, no one thinks it’s you, either. The Chancellor thinks that it’s a bastard of the King who recently discovered his powers and is angry at being overlooked for so long.”
    Tiana was shocked. “There’s no such thing. Father’s never been with anyone else since Mama left.” But Lisette just smiled in her soothing way.
    Kiar, however, said, “That doesn’t explain what happened to the other Regents. Or provide a motive for killing them, either.”
    Tiana sighed and took the book from Kiar. She went to the nearest table to spread out the contents, trying to pay no attention to the conversation.
    Lisette said, “They were very different deaths! The Chancellor is assuming those were still natural.” She glanced up at the guards. “He’s just being careful.”
    Tiana unfolded a thick sheaf of paper and announced loudly, “Maps of the castle. With…” she peered closer, “notes on the construction. And dates. Old dates. When it was built, I suppose.” She shuffled through the stack, tossing useless maps aside. Kiar grimaced and gathered them