They couldn’t even find Wizard Bratsch’s hut. There were so many identical charred lumps that had been boulders or trees that it had taken them much longer than they’d thought to locate the tomb, let alone find the small, makeshift house.
Lord and Lady Griffin had come with them, Lord Griffin proudly wearing the gold collar that had belonged to the Builder’s griffin, but they had refused to let Rufus join the party and Celie had agreed with them. Lorcan and Juliet were likewise deemed too young, and so they had stayed with Rufus in his exercise tower, where he was showing them how to destroy a leather ball. Once they reached the Glorious Arkower, the adult griffins would not leave the stable anyway, and were standing just inside the door when Celie and the others got back with the eggs.
Lord Griffin inspected the eggs thoroughly, yanking aside the blanket wrappings with his beak and sniffing and eyeing each one in turn. Once he was satisfied, they all shuffled inside. King Glower was just getting ready to ask the Castle to take them home when a pair of wild griffins arrived.
Lord Griffin went out to them at once, while Lady Griffin and the rest of them hovered in the doorway. The wild griffins and Lord Griffin all clacked and squawked and rustled their wings. Then the wild griffins turned and flew away.
“Come back! Come with us,” Celie called, but they just kept going. Lord Griffin gently butted her back into the stable. “They should come with us,” she said, pointing to the floor.
But the king of the griffins squawked what was undoubtedly a no. He looked expectantly at King Glower and carked, and the king shrugged at Celie and began to exhort the Castle to take them home.
A twist and a whoosh and they were back in Sleyne.
Rolf immediately commandeered the soldiers with them to help take the largest of the eggs (which he was making no secret of wanting to bond with) up to one of the hatching towers. Bran and the king saw to the other two, and griffins came flooding out of the other stable to look at the eggs and make excited sounds. It all made Celie feel rather muzzy and tired, so she retreated to her rooms to see Rufus.
He had taken all the treats and toys and put them in one corner of the play tower, which he was now defending. Celie promptly pulled him away and let Juliet and Lorcan get some of the treats, threatening Rufus with his toy enemy, Flat Squirrel, when he wouldn’t share.
Lilah soon joined them, and Juliet careened into her “mother’s” lap with great delight. They played with the griffins for a little while, and then Lilah coughed and looked at Celie thoughtfully.
“You know, Celie,” Lilah said. “I don’t want to sound greedy …”
“You don’t want to sound greedy, but …?” Celie raised her eyebrows.
“I already have Juliet, and I love her so much, don’t get me wrong.”
“But …?” Celie asked again.
“But don’t you think it would be exciting to go on another adventure?” Lilah smiled winningly at Celie.
“An adventure where?” Celie looked at her sister sideways. Lilah actually proposing an adventure, as opposed to suggesting they go shopping for fun? What was this really about?
“I mean, I don’t want to leave anytime soon,” Lilah went on. “We’ve only just gotten home, and there are so many new things in the Castle to explore. But we both speak Grathian, and it seems like such a shame to waste our talent.” She smiled a little secret smile. “And I’m sure Lulath’s family would welcome us with open arms.”
“You want to go to Grath?” That made much more sense: Grath was famous for its lace and silk. Also, since their return Lilah and Lulath had twice been caught kissing in corners. Celie relaxed. A trip to Grath sounded rather pleasant.
“Well,” Lilah said. “I mean to say that we’d go to Grath first. I’d be a fool not to do a little shopping … and meet Lulath’s family. Besides, you’re growing like a weed; you could use a new, more grown-up wardrobe. But what I was really thinking about was that Grath is the place where the unicorns fled. And then, you know, they were taken onto ships that sailed away. And I’ve always loved unicorns.” She raised her eyebrows at Celie.
Celie’s heart began to pound. “That’s very true, you do love unicorns. And I have always wanted to see the sea.”
Acknowledgments
Writing a book never gets easier, much to my great surprise, which is why I consider myself so lucky to have so many wonderful people supporting me!
First of all, this book had three fabulous editors who worked hard to make it really shine. So big hugs and thanks to Michelle Nagler, Caroline Abbey, and Mary Kate Castellani! You are all amazing, and I am so lucky to have been able to work with you! And thanks to all the wonderful Bloomsbury folks: Cindy Loh, Bridget Hartzler, Beth Eller, Brett Wright, Lizzy Mason, Cristina Gilbert, Emily Ritter, Erica Barmash, Hali Baumstein … I adore you all! Thanks to former Bloomsbury peep Katy Hershberger, for setting up (and coming along on) my first ever book tour, which was such brilliant fun!
Thanks, so much thanks, to my dear agent and friend, Amy Jameson, for being so many things I’m not, like patient and organized. And thanks for the encouragement, and the delicious conversations over delicious lunches!
There is no way to properly thank my family, who make it possible for me to be a writer. How do you say thank you for years of love and support and awesomeness? It’s just too hard, so just know that I love you all!
And a great big hug and a thank-you to all the readers who have shown so much love for Celie and her Castle! You’re all fabulous!
A Note on the Author
JESSICA DAY GEORGE is the New York Times bestselling author of Tuesdays at the Castle and Wednesdays in the Tower, as well as the Twelve Dancing Princesses series; Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow; and the Dragon Slippers trilogy. Originally from Idaho, Jessica studied at Brigham Young University and worked as a librarian and bookseller before turning to writing full time. She now lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and three young children. She loves going to the movies on Saturday nights, but any day of the week is good for staying up late reading!
www.JessicaDayGeorge.com
Also by Jessica Day George
Dragon Slippers
Dragon Flight
Dragon Spear
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow
Princess of the Midnight Ball
Princess of Glass
Princess of the Silver Woods
Tuesdays at the Castle
Wednesdays in the Tower
Copyright © 2014 by Jessica Day George
All rights reserved.
You may not copy, distribute, transmit, reproduce, or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (including without limitation electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, printing, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
First published in the United States of America in October 2014
by Bloomsbury Children’s Books
E-book edition published in October 2014
www.bloomsbury.com
Bloomsbury is a registered trademark of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to
Permissions, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 1385 Broadway, New York, New York 10018
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
George, Jessica Day.
Thursdays with the crown / by Jessica Day George.
pages cm
Sequel to: Wednesdays in the tower.
Summary: Castle Glower’s towers have transported Princess Celie, her siblings, and her pet griffin, Rufus, to an unknown land. As they set out on a dangerous adventure to discover their whereabouts, they find an entire lost people, divided by the wishes of two wizards in a centuries-old quarrel over their beloved home — Castle Glower.
4. Brothers and sisters — Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ8.G3295Th 2014 [Fic]—dc23 2014005015
ISBN: 978-1-61963-300-1 (e-book)
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