Page 90 of The Twisted Throne

“Defense,” Georgie said. “Half of the defenses haven’t been used in generations, but properly manned, the Sky Palace is impregnable.”

Ahnna gave a soft snort. “Everything is pregnable. You need only look at the defense from the inside.”

“Agreed, my lady,” Georgie said. “Though in truth, only the vaguest accounts describe the Sky Palace ever having to defend itself, so I think we’ve forgotten how.”

Virginia and William laughed, but Ahnna only looked out the window at the foggy sky beyond. “That’s more a privilege than you know.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Perhaps one day you’ll remedy our failings, my lady,” Georgie finally said. “It’s always good to be prepared for the worst.”

“James likely has the answers, so ask him,” William said. “Where is my brother, Georgie? He’s been even less fun than usual lately, which is to say no fun at all.”

“Patrols,” Georgie answered a hair too quickly.

“Amaridians?”

Georgie nodded, then added, “That, and it seems civilians have been a bit quick to the torch with those suspected of astromancy lately. Multiple fatalities, many with dubious proof of guilt.”

“It is our people’s right to defend the faith,” Virginia said. “And it discourages the Cardiffians from sneaking across the border.”

“I’ll not argue that point.” Georgie took the bottle from her. “But apparently, some have been burned with no evidence at all, and last I checked, being Cardiffian alone is not a crime.”

“Should be.” Virginia wrinkled her nose.

“If being Cardiffian was punishable by death, wouldn’t James be deserving of murder in the eyes of the law?” Ahnna abruptly asked, not willing to hold her tongue. “Or at least, half of him?”

The tiny carriage fell totally silent.

“My brother is Harendellian.” Virginia’s voice was deadly soft. “We do not speak of the witch who bore him. He was raised in the true faith, and I will not hear you speak a word against him.”

“I didn’t speak a word against him,” Ahnna countered. “You did.”

“Easy now,” Georgie said. “We’re all friends here.”

“I’m not so sure.” Virginia’s color was high, partially from anger and partially from drink. “Elizabeth told me that you threatened her, Ahnna. That you told her you’d take issue with anyone who mistreated that witch.”

“I did,” Ahnna said. “And I am pleased that everyone took my words to heart.”

“She’s a traitor. And she practices astromancy with impunity,” Virginia spat. “She deserves to suffer. Deserves to burn, but Father won’t let us put her to the torch because she’s King Ronan’s daughter.”

Next to Ahnna, William shifted, and Virginia’s eyes shot to him. “Tell her, Will. Make her understand.”

To Ahnna’s surprise, William only shrugged. “The behavior was beneath you, sister, and I, for one, am glad to see it put to a stop. It saddened me to see you be so cruel.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Father took Lestara from Keris Veliant as a favor,” William said. “But punishing her is not our responsibility, so I fail to see why you insist on dirtying your hands.”

It was a shockingly reasonable view, and not one Ahnna had expected.

“I’ll hear no more of this,” Virginia hissed. Then she shouted, “Stop the carriage!”

“Ginny,” William protested. “Don’tbelike this. We’re out for a good time, and you’re making it about politics.”

“Stop the carriage!”

Georgie banged on the ceiling, and the carriage slowed to a halt. Not waiting for the coachman, Virginia shoved the door open and climbed out, tripping and nearly falling as she started walking up the spiral.

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