Read Online Thursdays with the Crown by Jessica Day George - Free Book Online Page A

…”
    â€œLilah,” Celie said, startled. “Don’t tell him to eat the Arkower!”
    â€œIf the Arkower’s not going to send us home, what good is he?” Lilah countered, her eyes shut.
    â€œHe’s … he’s … he really isn’t any help, I suppose.” Celie sighed.
    She wanted to talk to Lilah some more, but Lilah was asleep now. She wanted to plan how they would get the others free, get the missing piece of the Eye, and get home, too. But soon she was spiraling down to sleep, a warm griffin pressed against her back.

    â€œWake up, Cel!”
    The next thing she knew, it was dawn — and Rolf was standing over her.
    â€œRolf!” She staggered to her feet. “You made it out!”
    She blinked around and saw Lilah hugging Pogue and then Lulath, her cheeks flushed. Celie quickly hugged Rolf and then Pogue, who was looking much better, and Lulath, who had his baby griffin stuck in the front of his tunic. He pointed to the stuffed lion sticking out of her bodice, and they shared a smile.
    Standing to one side of the clearing, looking awkward, was Ethan.
    â€œHow did you all get out?” Lilah asked.
    â€œIt was being this Ethan,” Lulath said.
    â€œIt was Prince Lulath’s doing,” Ethan said at the same time.
    â€œWe brought food,” Rolf offered a beat later. “While you hear our tale of adventure.”
    They sat down and he handed around bread and cheese from a bag.
    â€œDon’t forget to steal food for your escape, I always say,” Rolf told them cheerfully.
    â€œHow often do you escape from places?” Pogue asked, amused.
    â€œMore often than I’d like,” Rolf countered, handing him a wedge of cheese.
    Pogue took his portion and ate with better appetite than he’d shown the day before. He noticed Celie watching and raised his eyebrows. She blushed and looked away, concentrating on her own food.
    â€œSo, we are being told by this Arkower that we are not leaving, not ever,” Lulath began. “And you taking the leave, with much shouting.”
    â€œI think he wanted to use me and Pogue as ransom to get you and Rufus back, Cel,” Rolf interrupted.
    â€œPrecise,” Lulath agreed. “So I am making very much fuss, that my Lorcan he is sickening. He must be having a certain food, I am a raiser of the sort of dogs, and do know what tiny animals are needing, and so much so forth.”
    â€œIt was a sight to behold,” Rolf said, his eyes shining. “He was leaping around the room, waving his arms and flinging poor Lorcan around until I thought he really would be sick!”
    â€œIt was not my favorite thing that I have been doing,” Lulath said. He stroked the griffin head that poked out of the elaborate lacings of his tunic. “But it was being of a necessary!”
    â€œThen what happened?” Lilah asked. She looked around. “Are you sure you weren’t followed?”
    â€œWe have a little time,” Ethan told her, “but we should move along soon.”
    â€œTo where?” Lilah wanted to know.
    â€œLet them tell the story first,” Celie said, exasperated.
    â€œSo, to be quickly going,” Lulath said, “I am making the insistence that the Arkower of himself is bringing me certain food, and so much forth. Or having it broughten, to say. And when he is leaving, we are going down and around, to get out of this terrible mountain, and we are finding Ethan!”
    â€œI told them they were going the long way,” Ethan supplied, as though eager to prove to Celie and Lilah that he could be trusted. “I took them out one of the side tunnels and down one of the more hidden trails.”
    â€œI see,” Lilah said, lips pursed. She studied Ethan closely. “Now tell me, how is it that you speak Sleynth?”
    â€œWe all learn Sleynth as part of serving the Arkower,” Ethan said. He nodded at Lulath. “The prince is