Page 11 of Dueling the Suitors

Jasper answered by unleashing an energy bolt towards her. Astoria dodged the unexpected attack. He gave her an impressed smile. “I pity your opponent, Stor.”

Astoria smiled back, unable to fight it. “Me too.”

3

The First Duel

The duel would occur in the royal arena in the next two days.

Her grandfather, as furious as he was at the king over the arrangement for Astoria’s marriage, agreed to be the master of ceremonies. He even said he would have fought in her place if this weren’t a magical duel. If he had, there was no doubt he would win. Though seventy-three, he still had the stamina of someone half his age and attended tournaments across the unconquered kingdoms.

After finalizing the stipulations of the duel with his help, Astoria submitted them to her father. He informed the wizard who had been staying at the castle. Wizard Orion agreed to the terms.

Emmett saw to the preparations in the arena. Marcia insisted on inviting the entire court and sent out the invitations. Astoria trained with Jasper day and night at Emmett’s insistence. Herbrother was still reluctant to accept what Skylar said about her powers, and Skylar was annoyed with him.

On the evening of the duel, Astoria stood at the entrance of the arena, obscured in the shadow of the archway as she watched the noble families take their seats on the stone steps. Emmett had left for the top box after wishing her good luck, saying that he believed in her despite all his concerns. Surprisingly enough, Silas had come to wish her good luck as well, rather rigidly. And Astoria nodded her thanks just as rigidly.

“Is the princess warrior ready for her duel?”

She turned and saw her grandfather approaching her. He wore resplendent robes, and Skylar was perched on his shoulders.

Astoria tried to hide her anxiety with a smile. “As ready as I will be for a duel that holds my fate in its hands.”

Grandpa Cassius chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder. “The duel doesn’t hold your fate, my dear child, the Creator does.” Then he sobered. “Shall we begin this?”

Astoria inhaled deeply and nodded.

Skylar reached out his paw and Astoria touched him.I won’t hesitate to strangle the wizard if he wins, too bad he won’t.

She laughed. No one had the same confidence in her to win this duel other than him.

Grandpa Cassius walked out into the open arena with Skylar. He gave a brief welcome and announced Wizard Orion into the arena, his voice amplified with an enchanted stone. The wizard of Arden emerged from one of the tunnel-like spaces opposite hers, and the courtiers clapped for him.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I now present to you our beloved and beautiful Princess Astoria of Daliston!”

This was it. Astoria was going to prove to everyone in the arena who she truly was. She drew strength from her grandfather’s rather dramatic words, adjusted her midnight-blue cloak, and walked into the golden sands of the arena, lifting her chin.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

She reached the center and locked eyes with the wizard’s mocking gaze before turning towards the royal box. The king and queen sat rigidly on their thrones, neither smiling nor frowning. Emmett stood next to his throne on the king’s left as though he couldn’t bring himself to sit. On the queen’s right sat Silas, leaning forward in his seat. She looked away from them and searched for Jasper among the crowd and smiled a tad as she saw him sitting between his parents. He gave her a thumbs-up.

She turned back to her opponent. Wizard Orion watched her intently. She glared at him, causing him to smirk.

Disgusting man.

Finish him off, my Princess,Skylar said.

Her grandfather began his speech. “The rules of the duel are simple. While this is a duel of testing power and skills, neither participant shall unleash serious or harmful spells upon the other. But of course, harm aside, they can engage in influential combat to prove themselves.

“Let it be known that there shall only be one round of the duel. And the victor shall be the one who proves themselves worthy through skill and cunning. Should Wizard Orion emerge victorious, he shall claim the hand of Princess Astoria in marriage, for the princess desires to marry only the one who bests her in a magical duel.”

Grandpa Cassius met Astoria’s eyes. “But I have every confidence in your abilities, my dear,” he said, before raising his arms. “Let the duel begin!”

Astoria turned back to Wizard Orion and clasped her hands delicately in front of her.

“Before we begin, Wizard Orion,” she spoke up, “I have a question for you, given the fact that should you emerge as the victor, you are going to be my husband.” She concealed her disgust at the wordhusbandwith a calculating look.

Wizard Orion gave her a curious glance. “And what shall it be, my princess?”

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