Crown Of Fire by Kathy Tyers Read Free Book Online

the consort's suite that goes with this apartment."
    "Very good, Your Highness. Tomorrow, I shall ensure your engagement list is posted to these rooms." Paskel turned toward the door. He closed it silently, without the resounding boom so easy to make with heavy doors and ancient, resonant walls.
    Firebird stared. He'd highness- edher! She had asked Governor Dan-ton to see that the royal title wasn't used in official releases, but palace staff followed tradition. Was Paskel declaring himself a cautious sympathizer?
    Turning his head, Brennen lowered his eyebrows as if he were bitterly frustrated. Firebird knew it wasn't all masquerade. "Uri," he said, "Shel. Please safe the room."
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3
    ELECTORATE
promenade
    ceremonious opening of a formal ball
     
    Firebird watched the bodyguards walk a slow circuit. Each one paused occasionally, raising a hand toward some innocent-looking object. They passed over the marble firebay and other obvious hiding places for listening and watching devices, reaching instead to touch wall panels, old bits of crystal, a jeweled window-filter. Reaching the far wall, Uri flourished one hand at a priceless, garish South Continent vase, then pivoted on his heel.
    Most of those trinkets had been Phoena's, not Carradee's, and now that Firebird considered, that made sense. After Carradee took the queen's apartment, Phoena and Tel had lived in this suite. His Grace the Regent had probably left her Phoena's wardrobe for company.
    What did standing in here do to her widower? She turned to eye Tel.
    He pulled off his cock-hat and sank onto a pale gold velvette chair. "Here you are, Firebird. The lady of the palace."
    Firebird remained standing in the middle of the carpet. She would not sit down until Uri and Shel checked every room. Uri, Shel, or Bren-nen could also pick up an assailant's focused tension before the attack, so they would have warning of any assassination attempt.
    She hoped.
    Staying in the palace did make a strong statement on behalf of the Federacy. Even as a transnational citizen, she belonged here.
    Or did she? She already felt out of place in her plain gray traveling suit, while Tel's tailored outfit seemed appropriate. "This is more your room than mine, Tel."
    "I live in my father's estate. This is a lovely suite, but..." He flattened his lips, then spoke again. "You need some time now. I'll be there to support you tonight."
    "Thank you for all you've done for us."
    Brennen raised his head. "Yes, Tel. You've been a friend where we didn't dare look for one."
     
    Firebird's group assembled in Phoena's second parlor two hours later. The Angelo starred-shield crest decorated both of the study's doorways, and Phoena's furniture seemed oddly placed, with gaps where large pieces had been removed. As Firebird recalled, Phoena had run a resistance movement from this suite before she moved to Hunter Height.
    Brennen, Shel, and Uri wore dress-white tunics that made their gold shoulder stars gleam, and the crystaces they normally hid in wrist sheaths rode on their belts. "You look splendid," she assured them.
    "You," Brennen said, "look regal." He'd helped select the floor-sweeping skirt and snug velvette blouse, a statement in Angelo scarlet.
    She smiled and checked the tiny time lights on her wristband. They should enter the electoral chamber in twelve minutes, at nineteen hundred sharp. Within minutes of that, she planned to interrupt the usual invocation of the nine holy Powers. She must show the electors she was no longer a dutiful wastling. Even the Federacy, which smashed her attack squadron and dismantled Netaia's mighty defenses, had been reduced to waffling against these belligerent aristocrats. Their economic control seemed unbreakable.
    Her hand trembled. She stretched it out to show it to Brennen. "I can't look skittish. Touch me with prayer."
    He covered her head with one palm. "Holy One, go with Firebird to face these people. Convince them of her wisdom and