Page 10 of Dueling the Suitors

“Good morning to you, too, Jasper,” she said with a sarcastic eye roll.

“Likewise.” Jasper chuckled and shared a brotherly embrace with Emmett. He then stepped back and assessed her with admiration; though, it wasn’t the first time he had seen her in her training attire. They had trained together countless times over the years, whether it was archery, swordplay, fencing, or magical duels. “My, my, don’t you look every bit the princess warrior, Storie?”

Choosing to ignore his comment, she tossed her long braid behind her and flexed her fingers. “I am ready when you are.”

“Already? Come on, Stor, I haven’t seen you in a while. I was hoping we could catch up a little before we start training.” Jasper frowned, but his eyes were smiling.

“Dawn is the best time for training. Why else do you think I let Emmett drag me out of bed this early?” She prepared her stance. “I am sure we will have plenty of timeaftertraining.”

Emmett chuckled fondly and clapped Jasper on the back. “There is no swaying my sister once she is set on something.” He turned to Astoria and hooked a thumb over his shoulder. “I will be right there if you need me.”

He jogged off, and Jasper turned to her with a twinkle in his green eyes. “I see you are determined to win that duel.”

“Iwillwin the duel,” she said, not even caring to return his smile. She knew it was so unlike her, but the fact that he was romantically interested in her left her with no other choice.

She wasn’t interested in romance.

“Are you alright, Stor?” he asked gently, before correcting himself, “What a stupid question. I am so sorry that your father has put you in this situation. I promise I will do my best to prepare you to emerge as the victor.”

“Thank you, Jasper.” Astoria finally managed a small smile. He looked so genuine it was hard to ignore.

“My pleasure. I don’t know what I would have done if Meren were in your situation; I’d probably fight in her place.” He chuckled, but a sad glint entered his eyes like every other time he mentioned her. “But what is the point of wondering?”

Her heart thawed a little more. Though she never had the chance to meet the girl before she fell off a tree and died years ago, Astoria had always admired how Jasper loved his childhood nanny’s daughter as his blood sister. They grew up together, and he had been crushed after her death.

“I am so sorry, Jas.”

“It has been eleven years.” Jasper shook his head ruefully and forced a smile. “I apologize for bringing it up now. Let’s get on with the training.”

They began with defenses, blocking and dodging unexpected attacks.

Jasper launched a barrage of spells at her, as weak as they were in contrast to hers, but since they didn’t have someone equally powerful to train her, it had to do. Astoria twisted and turned, deflecting the spells with precise gestures of her hands, all while keeping her movements fluid.

All mages projected their energy in the same colour—smoky-grey. But Astoria could summon her magic in any colour she desired; it would burst from her fingertips like radiant threads of light, shimmering as it spilled outward in waves. However, her signature colour had always been molten gold.

During her research in the library, following Skylar’s words from the day before, Astoria discovered that colourful magic projection was a trait found only in Purebloods and Half-bloods.

While Astoria was neither, at least now she knew that her powers were a gift. She was destined to bring Emperor Cyrus down—however that was supposed to be done.

Jasper moved them onto offense. After all, the stipulation of the duel, to win, was weakening her opponent and bringing him to the ground.

“You have quite the flair to your moves,” Jasper complimented, bending over to catch his breath. Fighting him was as easy as batting away a fly, and he seemed exhausted after trying to maintain a powerful opponent for her. “Where did you learn that?”

“From my grandpa, who else?” she said with a laugh, not as half tired as he was.

“Dear old Cassius.” He laughed with her. “I forgot he is not only a retired knight but an excellent dancer, too.”

Astoria was indeed trained by her maternal grandfather in her fighting stances and moves as a child. But the credit for her magic skills belonged toPrince of Lark,the storybook she discovered in the library as a child.

Prince of Larkwas a textbook for Mage children—undoubtedly from the Mage realm, Windlewade. At least, that was what was written in the preface. How it ended up in their royal library, Astoria still had no idea. Whoever put it there—probably a Mage ancestor—she was grateful to them. Without it, she wouldn’t have discovered half of her abilities.

Each chapter told the story of an unnamed, chivalrous prince who was faced with different obstacles and how he dealt with each one using his powers. Every trick she knew was fromPrince of Lark,and her first experiment had been at Father and Marcia’s wedding.

“Perhaps we should call this off for now. You need to rest,” Astoria said, watching Jasper.

Jasper straightened himself. “No, no. I just needed a moment to catch my breath. I am ready, let’s continue.”

“Are you sure?”

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