Read Online To Catch a Queen by Shanna Swendson - Free Book Online

as she was, Emily snapped to attention. “What impostor queen?”
    “There are people being cast out of the Realm, supposedly by the queen.”
    “Sophie would never do that.”
    “Exactly.”
    The bartender provided a new drink just in time. “Oh, great, I get to be a hostage again,” Emily groaned before taking a big gulp.
    “That is a possibility.”
    “You know, this is the last thing Sophie needs to worry about right now, since she’s got to save Jen. I don’t know that she really wants to, but she’s being all martyr-like about it and just wanting Michael to be happy. Blech.” She mimed gagging. “So don’t tell her, okay?”
    “She is the one who told me.”
    Emily signaled for the bill and handed her credit card to the bartender. “Then she’s gonna have to learn to delegate. She needs a council, or an army, or something.”
    “She should know she has us at her disposal.”
    She paused in signing the credit card receipt to look up at him. He was growing fuzzy and wobbling in a strange way. It occurred to her that downing a number of strong drinks on an empty stomach after hours of performing might not have been the best idea.
    “Why don’t we go back to your place?” she asked, surprising herself.
    “My place?”
    “Your library. It’s cozy there.” She ran a finger along his jawline. “We could snuggle by the fire and think of how to help Sophie.”
    “I don’t think so. We will go to your home.”
    “Works for me.” She slid off the barstool and took a moment to get her legs under her before she dragged him out of the bar. She hailed a cab, and they settled into the backseat. He looked equal parts terrified and fascinated, and she realized this was probably his first ride in a car. She hoped there wasn’t enough iron in the car to poison him.
    When they left the cab in front of her building, she found herself wanting to run toward the park, where she knew there were entrances to the Realm. He took her hand, distracting her with his touch. That could work, too, she thought, then said, “Why don’t you come inside?”
    “I plan to.”
    Her pulse quickened and her breath grew short. “You could stay the night.”
    “That is my plan, as well. I don’t want you going out again in this state.”
    Grinning to herself, she ran up the front steps. She had to release his hand to unlock first the front door, then her apartment door. Once they were inside, she threw herself at him, kissing him for all she was worth. He kissed back for a moment before pulling himself together and stepping out of her grasp. “I do not think that would be a good idea now, Emily.”
    She grabbed his hand and reveled in the coolness of his touch. “You thought it was a great idea the last time.”
    “The circumstances have changed.”
    Still gripping his hand, she tugged him toward the daybed. He was tall, but as insubstantial as his kind tended to be, so she was able to drag him with her. “Come on, I know you’re different, but your people aren’t good at resisting temptation.” With one final yank, she pulled him onto the daybed with her.
    For a moment, she thought he’d melt against her, but he resisted. His voice husky, he said, “Your sister would kill me.”
    “What business is it of hers?”
    “She is my sovereign. You swore an oath to her, as well.”
    “I thought that was just for show.”
    “If it worked, then it wasn’t just for show.”
    Annoyingly, tears welled up in her eyes. “I need this, please,” she whispered.
    He shifted so that he held her against his shoulder, like he might hold a child who’d awakened from a nightmare, and he stroked her hair gently. “It would be ungentlemanly of me because I believe you are el stinko.”
    In spite of herself, she burst out laughing. “I don’t think I’ve heard that one in a very long time.”
    “It’s wrong?”
    “It’s a bit archaic.” With a sigh, she settled against him. “But yeah, I think maybe I am el stinko. Blotto.