Page 115 of Dueling the Suitors

Astoria’s father chuckled. “In case you missed it, Cyrus, yourwifehugged me first.”

“But it doesn’t explain whyyoushould hug her back,” Cyrus retorted.

Astoria stifled a laugh at his ridiculousness.

Her father continued, “It’s plainly rude and offensive when you don’t hug the person who hugs you, just like howyou are supposed to smile at people who smile at you in acknowledgement.”

Astoria laughed and pulled away from him. “Shall I tell them?”

“The honor is yours.”

Astoria turned to her husband, who immediately drew her to his side and narrowed his eyes at her father.

“Relax.” She patted his chest with a smile and turned to her brothers, who were watching her and the General in bafflement. “I finally have the answer to why I was born a Mage and have more powers than the rest of the Mages in the human realm.”

Emmett’s eyebrows rose.

“It wasn’t mystically bestowed upon me because I was called to fulfill some prophecy. It’s in my blood.” She paused for a moment and said, “I am a Half-blood. Our mother fell in love with a Pureblood Mage—General Sean. He is my biological father.”

Her brothers froze, and Cyrus went as still as a statue.

“And our mother is still alive,” she continued, looking solemnly at Silas. His eyes bulged. “She never died. She faked her death with the help of General Sean’s illusion. She is in Windlewade.”

“And she misses the three of you,” her father added. “She wants to see you all. And as the brothers-in-law of the Prince of Windlewade, you will be permitted to enter our realm.”

Astoria watched her brothers. Their faces were unreadable. And then, Silas sank to the floor. He propped up his knees and ran his hands through his hair. Astoria pulled away from Cyrus and lowered herself next to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Is it true?” he asked in a small, vulnerable voice, not looking at her.

“Yes,” she whispered.

He tore both hands through his hair. “I can’t believe it.”

“Frankly, I can’t either.”

“Neither can I.” Emmett crouched down with them.

Silas looked up and met Astoria’s eyes. There was so much heartbreak in them—and guilt. She immediately realized what was going on in his mind.

“Storie, I—”

“It’s alright, Silas,” she cut in, blinking back her tears. “You were heartbroken. We didn’t know the truth until now.”

“I am so sorry,” he whispered, his eyes damp. “I amsosorry. You deserved none of that. I will never forgive myself—”

“I forgive you,” she interjected, squeezing his shoulder. “I forgive you, Brother.”

His eyes widened in disbelief. “I have beenhorribleto you.”

“Yes, but you also let me glimpse the brother I have always wanted to love me before I left Daliston. It meant the world to me, as well as that hug from you earlierandhearing that you missed me.”

Silas closed his eyes as if her words pained him even more. He shook his head and buried it in his arms. Astoria hugged him immediately, and Emmett wrapped his arms around both of them.

She craned her neck and glanced at Cyrus. His gentle eyes were already on her. Unbridled love shone in them. Drawing strength from their silent connection, she continued to hold her brother until he pulled away and gave her arm an appreciative pat.

She took a deep breath and stood. Cyrus pulled her into his embrace the moment she approached him, rubbing a hand down her back, while the other one held the back of her head. She felt like the greatest treasure in the world when he held her like that.

Astoria closed her eyes and sighed contentedly.

---