Read Online My Sort of Fairy Tale Ending by Anna Staniszewski - Free Book Online

impossible.
    As the song ended, Anthony wrenched out of my grip and ran toward the snack table before I could force him into another dance. Just then, Mahlia came up to me and gave me her trademark fake smile.
    â€œYou dance beautifully,” she said.
    â€œUm, thanks,” I said, wondering if she needed glasses. My feet hurt from how many times I’d managed to step on them. I couldn’t imagine how Anthony’s legs, arms, and shoulders felt.
    Mahlia’s smile faded. “The queen has told me about her offer,” she said. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Take it. It is your only chance.” Then she strode away, leaving me alone in the crowd.
    â€œJenny-girl!” Anthony cried after a minute. I glanced over to find him next to the display case, grinning like a maniac. Somehow, he’d managed to wrench the case open. He was holding up his foot, which he’d shoved into the glass loafer. “Look. It fits perfectly!”
    The music screeched to a stop and all eyes swung to look at Anthony.
    From above, the queen’s voice rang out again: “Bring him to me.”
    Fairy guards appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Anthony’s arms. Before I could do anything— Pop! —they vanished, leaving only one of Anthony’s worn shoes behind.

Chapter Fourteen
    â€œWhere did they take him?” I demanded, marching over to Karfum. Around me, the ball started up again as if Anthony hadn’t just disappeared.
    â€œNothing to be worried about.”
    â€œOf course I’m worried!” I said. “He’s my friend, and the queen just abducted him because she thinks he’s her prince. You know he can’t really be her prince, right? I mean, you’ve met him!”
    Karfum’s mouth twitched, like he was trying not to smile.
    â€œPlease, can you just make sure he’s okay?” I could easily imagine the queen getting tired of Anthony and turning him into a tap-dancing penguin or something.
    The leprechaun let out a soft sigh and nodded. “I will see what I can find out.”
    â€œThank you. Now, can you please get me out of here? I can’t stand being at this ball a second longer.”
    â€œAttendance is mandatory for all fairies and their honored guests,” said Karfum.
    â€œOkay, so I attended. Now I’d like to go.”
    He glanced around, as if making sure no one was listening. Then he whispered, “Act ill.”
    It was exactly the kind of idea I’d normally come up with. In fact, I was surprised I hadn’t thought of it myself. I guess being in Fairy Land, knowing that my parents were so close by, had started to get to me. I’d barely even said anything cheesy since I’d been here!
    I grabbed my stomach and started groaning.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” said Karfum.
    â€œActing sick.”
    He shook his head and pointed to the dance floor. “It looks like you’re doing the latest dance.”
    I glanced over my shoulder to see lots of fairies crouched down, holding their stomachs and groaning in time to the music.
    â€œOkay, then what do you suggest?” I asked.
    Karfum glanced around. Then he gently nudged the back of my knee so that I fell forward. “Hey!” I cried, just as he caught me before I hit the floor.
    â€œLooks like you’re feeling faint,” he said loudly. “Better get you back to your quarters.” He made a big show of walking me to the elevator, politely declining offers of help from the other guards. “I’ll take care of her. Just too much dancing in one night.”
    When we were in the elevator, Karfum finally let go of me, and I gave him a grateful smile. I expected him to launch into the usual screaming as the elevator started to go down. Instead, he leaned in and whispered: “Don’t let the queen control you. I’ve allowed her to trap me, but you have a choice.”
    â€œSo do you,” I said. “What if we got