To Catch a Queen by Shanna Swendson Page A

and she could make them love it. Ever since her time in the Realm, the house had been packed for every performance. Some people were even addicted, lining up for standby tickets every night. It was like the kids who’d repeatedly flocked to Rent in its heyday, something no one would have expected for a musical based on a Jane Austen novel. No one realized that it wasn’t the musical itself that had this effect, but rather its star.
    Or maybe they did realize it. Emily’s agent had a list of producers wanting Emily to star in their shows as soon as her current contract expired. There had already been two musicals written just for her. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined such success. It had taken her seven years in New York before she’d had the stroke of luck that let her step into a title role as an understudy. Would she have had her current level of stardom if she hadn’t been kidnapped by a fairy and been changed by the experience, or would she have only stayed in the role until they hired a bigger name or closed the show? She couldn’t help but fear that if her current success had been about her, it would have come far sooner. Even the notoriety from her brief disappearance didn’t explain all her fame.
    When she thought about it that way, it was a no-brainer. Would she really give up such abilities just so she could taste and feel again? It wasn’t as though she was selling her soul. She’d known the risks when she took a drink in the fairy realm. At least there was some upside from it.
    As the big finale came to an end, she noticed something different in the theater. Normally, she couldn’t see anything of the audience other than a dark blur beyond the stage lights, but one person near the back glowed. Had Sophie stayed for the show? The sellout wouldn’t have stopped her if she’d wanted in. But no, that wasn’t the same glow as Sophie’s. Emily’s pulse quickened at the thought of who it might be.
    This time, she didn’t linger after the curtain calls. She hurried to change into street clothes, then rushed to the stage door. Even in the throng of fans and flashing cameras, she spotted him, shining silver and unmistakably fae in spite of his old-professor human glamour.
    She automatically signed autographs as she made her way through the crowd to Eamon. She barely held off throwing her arms around him. There were too many cameras in the vicinity. She settled for standing in front of him and saying, “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. I was afraid you were avoiding me.”
    “I thought it best that I taper off our acquaintance to allow you to readjust to this world.” He paused, then added softly, “It doesn’t seem to have worked.”
    “But why reappear now? Did you miss me? Oh, wait, let me guess, Sophie sent you.”
    He didn’t confirm or deny it. “I thought you were getting better, but your senses are dulled, are they not?”
    After glancing around, she said softly, “This really isn’t the place to discuss it.” She slid her arm through the crook of his elbow. “Come on, I need a drink.”
    She didn’t know if it was his magic that got them away from the stage-door crowd or if it was the appearance of the actor who played Mr. Knightley, who was quite the hunk with a glorious voice (it was a pity about the offstage personality), but soon they were heading down the street, unmolested by fans.
    Although she normally avoided that kind of place like the plague, she dragged Eamon to one of the touristy chain restaurant/bars on Times Square. It would be impossible to talk safely in a quieter place, but noise and crowds would mask any conversation. Besides, if she had enough stimulation, she might feel a little more alive.
    She ordered two of the brightest, fruitiest-looking drinks on the multipage cocktail menu and solemnly presented one to Eamon as a formal offering. She didn’t know what real-world alcohol would do to a fairy, but his kind sure knew how to drink in their own