Page 2 of Dueling the Suitors

That was all she needed to hear. Astoria knew she could count on him; he had always been her anchor in life. She despised the very idea of marriage because she knew it would separate her from Emmett. The mere thought of life without her older brother was horrible.

If only Emmett was King. Her life would be so much easier. No one would tell her she needed to get married.

“Let me guess, you sent little Sky into Father’s study to eavesdrop on them,” Emmett said.

Skylar fixed his gaze on Emmett, his golden eyes narrowing beneath furrowed brows—a fierce, almost comical glare for a red panda, yet unmistakably serious. He hated it when someone called himlittle.

“I had to. I was curious as well as suspicious, so I hid behind the curtains and sent Sky after them to Father’s study. He projected his mind to me, so not only did I hear what they were saying but I saw their reactions as well. I have never seen Father look so greedy, and when he exchanged glances with Marcia, he looked so ugly!”

“As much as I understand the gravity of the situation, my darling sister, that last bit was an insult to my own face,” Emmett said with a twitch of his lips. He was the spitting image of their father and he had always hated it.

Astoria swatted at his arm. “You know I did not mean that. I only meant—” She stopped short as a knock sounded on the door. “I have to hide!”

“What?”

“I have a hunch it is Marcia. She volunteered to fetch me to meet Wizard Orion just before Sky and I took off.” She crawled beneath his bed and hissed, “Go get the door!”

Emmett grumbled something under his breath and stalked off to answer the door.

Once Astoria settled securely, Skylar wriggled out of her hold and turned to face her.Under the bed? Really, Princess? The closet would have been better.

Shush!She narrowed her eyes at her red panda admonishingly.

It’s not like anyone but you can hear me.

I am trying to listen, silly.

Right. Forgot.

“Emmett, dear,” Marcia greeted Emmett. Astoria wanted to gag, like every other time she heard her sickeningly sweet voice despite how many years it had been since the woman becamefamily. “Have you seen your sister?”

“And why are you looking for my sister, may I ask?” Emmett asked in a clipped tone.

“Oh, no need to be so cross with me, dear boy. Can I not ask after my stepdaughter whenever I wish?

Skylar snorted, and Astoria imagined her brother fighting off the urge to roll his eyes.

“I have not seen her since breakfast. Perhaps you should look in the library.”

“I was originally headed there, but I met Silas on the way and he told me he saw her heading this way. She is not in her room, so I assumed she would be with you.”

Traitor.Astoria clenched her teeth.Of course, he would betray me too. He would no longer have to endure his mother’s murderer if I were married off.

Now, now, Princess. Don’t be hasty. Except you, me, and now Prince Emmett, no one knows what happened in your father’s study. Especially not Prince Silas.

Are you defending him?

No. But I thought you wanted to listen to a certain conversation rather than have me clogging your mind?

Astoria pursed her lips in annoyance and listened to her brother and her stepmother.

“… like to have a word with her. Won’t you help me find her?”

There was a beat of silence before Emmett asked, “What does Father want with her?”

“Oh, it is pleasant news.”

“And your definition of pleasant is?”