Thursdays with the Crown (21 page)

“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.”

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!

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

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.
[1. Fairy tales. 2. Castles — Fiction. 3. Princesses — Fiction.
4. Brothers and sisters — Fiction.] I. Title.
PZ8.G3295Th 2014     [Fic]—dc23     2014005015

ISBN: 978-1-61963-300-1 (e-book)

Visit
www.bloomsbury.com
to find out more about our authors and their books
You will find extracts, author interviews, author events and you can
sign up for newsletters
to be the first to hear about our latest releases and special offers