Page 7 of Dueling the Suitors

Her father blinked, taken aback. Before he could compose himself and find his voice, she continued, “But on one condition.”

He clenched his jaw, as though steeling himself for whatever she was going to say. “What condition?”

Astoria crossed her arms again and turned to Wizard Orion, who was watching her expectantly. “I challenge you to a magicalduel, Wizard. If you win, fine, I shall marry you. But if you lose, there won’t be a union between you and me.”

The wizard rose to his feet and turned to the king. “Your Majesty, I must decline!”

“Why? Are you afraid you will lose a duel to awoman?” she teased with a smirk.

“Astoria, this is madness,” her father interjected firmly. “There will not be a duel between you and Wizard Orion. Youwillmarry him.”

Astoria placed her hands on the desk and leaned forward, glaring back at him. “If I am to marry him, I will not go down without a fight. If you cannot agree with my condition, forget about the union. You willnotforce me.”

She let the silent threat hang in the air between them. Her father slowly sank back into his seat and gulped. He knew what she was capable of if provoked. The last time he did, she gave him a memorable reward, thanks to thePrince of Lark.

Astoria leaned away from the desk, satisfied, and hoisted Skylar into her arms. “So, do we have a deal?”

The king exchanged a glance with the wizard, and the wizard opened his mouth to protest, but her father beat him to it. “You shall compete for my daughter’s hand, Wizard Orion. You will duel with her.”

“Brilliant.” Astoria grinned and turned to the wizard who appeared truly displeased with the agreement. “Do not pout, Wizard. You cannot show up in a girl’s palace and ask for her hand in marriage as simple as that. You have to prove yourself and even pay a small price—”

A knock at the door interrupted her words. She turned towards it just as her father called the person to enter. The door opened, revealing a grave-looking Emmett. However, as soon as his eyes fell on her, his stoic expression cracked with a mixture of disbelief and surprise.

“Stor.” He marched towards her. “What are you doing here?”

“Not to worry, my brother.” She smiled and patted his jacket with her free hand. “Everything has been taken care of.” She turned to their father. “Shall I be excused, Father? I believe I have things to prepare.”

The king waved his hand dismissively and fixed his eyes on his eldest son. “What brings you here, Emmett?”

Astoria pivoted back to her brother and inclined her head pointedly towards the door.

“Uh…” Emmett hesitated. “I came looking for her, actually. We are leaving.”

The king let out an exasperated sigh. “Emmett,” he said wearily. “You don’t have to follow her everywhere she goes. Your sister is capable of taking care of herself.”

“Don’t talk to him like that,” Astoria snapped. “He cares for me, unlike you.” She tugged on Emmett’s arm and turned towards the door. Before stepping out, she called over her shoulder, “I will soon send you details about the duel, Wizard.”

“The duel?” Emmett asked the moment they stepped into the hallway.

“Not here, Emmett.” She led him away and stopped only when they reached an alcove. She turned to him and took a deep breath before blurting out, “I agreed to the union.”

“Youwhat?” Emmett looked thunderstruck. “Storie! Have you lost your mind?”

“I believe I have. But, Emmett, don’t fret. Sky and I have a plan.”

“Skyand you?”

Do not underestimate me, Prince,Skylar grumbled.

Astoria chuckled. “Sky says not to underestimate him.”

Emmett glared down at Skylar, and Skylar’s eyes sharpened in return. “Pardon me, but this is my sister’s future we are talking about, so I have every right to underestimate everycreature in the universe!” He brought his gaze back to Astoria and clasped her shoulders. “I would rather have Emperor Cyrus invade our kingdom than sell you to a bidder in the form of a union for some mystical magnification of powers.”

“Oh, Emmett.” Astoria gave him a fond smile. “That is so sweet and fierce of you, but you cannot do that.Icannot let you do that. We must protect our people.” He opened his mouth to interrupt, but she held up her hand. “Do you know about the prophecy?”

Emmett’s eyebrows furrowed. “What prophecy?”

“Someone left a letter in my crib two weeks after I was born. It said that I was not an ordinary child, that I would reveal the signs of my powers as I grew up, and that I would bring down the angel of destruction in the future.” She paused before saying, “There is only one person who goes by that title.”