Capture the Crown (Gargoyle Queen #1) -Jennifer Estep Page 0,71

at least try to find out what Milo Morricone is planning.”

Topacia rubbed her temples, as if her head was suddenly aching. “Prince Dominic will have me executed for this.”

“No, he won’t,” I chirped in a cheery voice. “My father will be far too busy throwing me into the Glitnir dungeon where he can keep an eye on me to even think about punishing you.”

Topacia gave me a sour look and dropped her hands from her temples. “At least tell me that Grimley found you.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“After Leonidas Morricone flew you away on his strix, the other creatures stayed behind in the plaza for a few minutes. Once those strixes finally left, Grimley took off flying and never looked back. I assumed that he was following you.”

My heart swelled with love. Of course Grimley would have followed me, just as I would have followed him anywhere. Plus, I’d thought the gargoyle had been headed in this direction when I’d reached out to him earlier.

Worry washed over me, snuffing out my happiness. It was just as dangerous for Grimley here as it was for me. Strixes were as common in Morta as gargoyles were in Andvari, and the birds wouldn’t take kindly to a strange creature flying through their city. Not to mention the Mortan guards who might spot the gargoyle and try to capture or kill him.

Grimley? I sent the thought out as far and wide as I could. Are you here? In Majesta?

That eerie, buzzing silence filled my mind again. More worry crashed through me. Maybe he was hurt. Maybe he’d been captured. Maybe the worst had happened, and he was dead—

Yes, the gargoyle’s gravelly voice whispered in my mind, a bit louder and stronger than before. Getting closer. Tired. Must rest now.

My breath escaped in a relieved rush. Once again, equal parts love and worry flowed through me, but I couldn’t stop him from coming here any more than Topacia could stop me from staying.

Be careful. I love you, bruiser. I sent the thought to Grimley.

I will. Love you too, runt.

“Well?” Topacia asked. “Is Grimley there?”

“He’s on his way,” I replied. “So what happened while I was in the mine?”

“When you didn’t come out for lunch like we had planned, I got worried, so I went to see the captain of the royal guard. I told him that you were inside the mine, but he didn’t believe me. Arrogant fool,” she grumbled. “Anyway, one of the guards said that several strixes had gathered in the plaza, so I rushed over there. The captain and his men followed me, and after the strixes left, we all went inside the mine.”

“What did you find?” I asked.

“The other miners had tied up Conley and his crew, and they told us how Conley had thrown you and that other woman into a chasm to hide the fact that he was stealing tearstone. Conley sang like a canary and confessed to everything. He’s currently in the Blauberg city prison, awaiting trial, along with his men.”

“Good. I hope you thanked Javier, the bone master who healed me. And Reiko, the dragon morph who helped rescue me.”

Topacia nodded. “I did thank Javier, but I don’t remember seeing a dragon morph.”

I frowned. Strange. Reiko was definitely memorable. I wondered what had happened to her, but I had other things to worry about. “How did my father and grandfather take the news?”

Topacia snorted. “Not well. After the yelling subsided, Prince Dominic and Captain Rhea dispatched some of the Glitnir palace guards to Blauberg. They should be here soon. Now that I know where you are, we can come and get you.”

“No. You know how tenuous the peace is between the two kingdoms. Sending Andvarian guards into Morta could start a war, especially if you all were captured or killed.”

Topacia threw up her hands in frustration. “Well, what would you have me do? I can’t just leave you there.”

“Stay put and wait for the Glitnir guards to arrive. In the meantime, keep nosing around Blauberg, and see if you can find out anything else about Wexel and his men. Leonidas thinks that the tearstone is here at Myrkvior, but Wexel could have taken it somewhere else. The captain might even be planning another attack along the border. As soon as I discover what Milo is plotting, I’ll slip out of the palace, find Grimley, and fly back to Blauberg.”

Topacia threw up her hands again and paced back and forth in front of the mirror, muttering to