Page 6 of Dueling the Suitors
“Well, this is ridiculous.” She gave a hollow laugh and tossed the letter onto the table. “Who amIto bring Cyrus the Great to hisknees?” The thought made her laugh harder, and she wanted to slap her knees too.
“Because, according to Wizard Orion here, you are the third most powerful person after Emperor Cyrus himself,” her father said, slightly irritated by her reaction.
She stopped laughing and held back a snort. “And who is thesecondmost powerful?”
“I am,” the wizard said.
Astoria turned to him, barely concealing another snort at the prideful way he held himself. “You?” She laughed again.
“Yes, me,” he grumbled.
“Oh, then, what is taking you so long? Go on and bring the Angel of Destruction to his knees already. There is no need for me, after all, is there? I am only thethird.”
Skylar let out a series of soft chuffing sounds, his body shaking with each breath as he laughed with her.
“But the prophecy specifically mentionsyoubeing the one to bring him down, Astoria,” her father interjected and shot her a warning glance as she turned towards him. But it failed to deter her amusement. “Though, you cannot do it yourself, for you are a woman.”
Thatstopped her amusement. “For I am awoman?” Her eyes narrowed on him. “So what if I am a woman?”
“There is only so much a woman can do, especially to bring down a great empire. You need help. And Wizard Orion is here for you.”
“I don’t need atutor.” She huffed.
Nice act, Princess. Keep it up.
“Actually,” her father began, looking nervous for the first time since the meeting started, “he is here to be your husband.”
Ah, time’s up!
“Myhusband?” Astoria shot to her feet and turned her glaring eyes on the wizard, who looked taken aback by her reaction. Didn’t he expect it at all? Such a dumb dimbo. “How old are you?”
The wizard blinked, and then said, “Age is merely a number.”
“Not to me!” She threw her hands in the air. “Age is something that tells me howoldI am. How many years I haveaged! And what are you, fifty? I think so.”
“I am forty-three!” he defended.
“Oh,I beg your pardon, sir. I amonlyseventeen!”
He glared at her for a moment and then took a deep breath to compose himself. “Princess Astoria,” he began, leaning forwardin his chair, his face somber. “Our union in marriage is the only way to bring the Emperor down.”
“That is not what the prophecy says,” she bit back.
“Prophecies always leave out specific details. You cannot do this alone. But together, we can do it, because by such union, our powers will magnify and Emperor Cyrus won’t stand a chance against us. We can not only keep the seven unconquered kingdoms out of his reach but save the conquered ones as well.”
Astoria turned her scowl to her father. “You believe this rubbish?”
He looked fascinated by Wizard Orion’s explanation, but at her question, his face turned grim. “Thatrubbishis what is going to save us from the Emperor’s invasion, so yes.”
She huffed and crossed her arms. “I refuse to marry this old man.”
The king rose to his feet and slammed a fist on the desk. “Astoria! You have a duty to your kingdom and youwilldo it!”
“My duty does not involve a union with a man. When Emmett rises to the throne, I will have everyone know how dutiful I can be,” she said, lifting her chin defiantly.
“Astoria…” her father warned, but there was an unsurprisingly anxious edge in his eyes. “Youwillmarry Wizard Orion and keep Emperor Cyrus away from the unconquered kingdoms.”
Astoria held his gaze for a moment, then dropped her arms. “Fine.”