Page 4 of Dueling the Suitors

It is the truth, Astoria.

She sighed in defeat. She had to trust Skylar. He was a mystical red panda who was believed to be from Windlewade, the realm of Mages, where the original Mages—the Purebloods—lived.

Centuries ago, Pureblood Mages used to live among normal humans. However, as many of them fell in love with normal humans and had children, and the king of the Mages learned that the children inherited powers from their Mage parent, he locked the portal between the two realms. He hated normal humans and loathed the idea of Mage magic running through their veins.

Therefore, the Mages who were trapped in the human realm were denied the chance to ever step back into their realm. They grew old and died here.

Everyone in their bloodline possessed powers, but with each generation, the magic became weaker. Therefore, while the ancestors had a wide range of powers, the current generation of Mages could only use telekinesis and generate beams of light, bursts of force, and other forms of energy for offensive or defensive purposes.

But not Astoria.

Her powers, however, were still a mystery, especially because she was the only one in her family with the gift. According to history, there was not a single Mage in the royal line, or her mother’s. Now, Skylar claimed she was the second most powerful Mage in the entire continent.

How was that possible?

I have never told you this before, but your powers are exactly like those of a Half-blood.

Astoria laughed with an unladylike snort.Now, that is utterly ridiculous. I still don’t know how I am even a Mage. My father is a normal human, and so was my mother. My brothers are normal too.

I wish I had an answer. But Princess, I am serious about the duel. Your father will not disagree with you on this since it will be more like you are volunteering to see if the wizard is as powerful as he claims—which he is not—and you can prove that to your father. And like that, you will be free from marriage!

Astoria stared at him.You are sure?

I believe the only one who can best you is Emperor Cyrus himself.

She smiled at his words.

Strangely, it was assuring.

2

The Untold Prophecy

Astoria banged on the door of her father’s study. She heard him grumble from inside before he called out for her to enter. She lifted her chin and pushed open the door.

The sight that welcomed her was very much what she expected. Her father sat behind his large mahogany desk that nearly obscured him. Across from him, with his back to her, Wizard Orion sat on a chair.

There is no need to fear him,Astoria assured herself, recalling Skylar’s words. She trusted her best friend.

The wizard looked over his shoulder, straightened his already straight posture, and rose to his feet. He had to be at least twice her age. She couldn’t believe her father was about to demand she marryhim.

If she were to marry at all, she’d rather marry a beggar—a younger one, at that.

I very much agree with you, Princess.Skylar patted her arm, where he was huddled against her chest.

Astoria averted her gaze to her father, lifting her chin higher with a tilt. “You called for me, Father?”

“Yes, Astoria.” The king’s previous annoyance over her banging faded from his face, replaced by the same ugly smile she’d seen through Skylar’s mind earlier. He motioned towards the wizard. “I would like you to meet Wizard Orion of Arden.”

Astoria turned her stoic face towards the wizard who smiled as their eyes met.

“Pleasure,” she said stiffly.

The wizard kept smiling despite her bitter and disrespectful response. “Likewise, Princess. The rumors are true about your beauty. You are the most beautiful thing I have seen in all my years.” He looked her up and down with a strange glint in his eyes that suddenly made her feel exposed.

Perhaps it hadn’t been wise to come alone. She should have waited until Emmett returned.

Skylar seethed at the wizard and put his paw out, clawing the air, as though he wanted to tear him apart.