Page 16 of Dueling the Suitors

Astoria scowled at his back, but Emmett grabbed her elbow, stopping her from making a scene. Before following Silas to the exit, she turned back to her glaring opponent one last time. Her scowl switched to glee immediately.

“Next time you pick a fight, my lord, make sure you’re a match for your opponent.”

* * *

“I heard you made me proud.”

Astoria turned from her invisible opponent to see Jasper crossing the training ground with his usual grin. “Couldn’t afford to disappoint my trainer now, could I?” she called back.

He chuckled. “I guess not. But, frankly, you are a natural. I take no credit for your victories.” His expression was tender and earnest.

Over the last months since they began training together, Astoria’s uneasy feelings towards him had melted away until they no longer remained. She was thankful he hadn’t brought up the matter of his feelings, even though he still had them—Skylar said he did.

“That may be right, but Jas, without you training me, it would be only me and my invisible opponent—which, I assure you, is not very helpful.”

Jasper let out a hearty laugh. “I’m glad to be at your service, my princess.” He bowed with a teasing glint in his eyes. She shoved his shoulder. He laughed again. “Won’t you tell me about yesterday’s duel? I hate that I was absent from witnessing you make a lioness of yourself again.”

She shoved his shoulder again, concealing a grin. “It’s all the same as the last ones, Jasper. Do you really want me to recount them?”

Jasper spread his hands. “That’s what I asked.”

She rolled her eyes and launched into how she bested all eight of her suitors from the noble families in Emora.

“Truly, it’s hilarious and utterly ridiculous that men still want to try after all who failed before them. I wonder what makes them think they are any better than the others.” Astoria let out an annoyed groan. “They aggravate me.”

Jasper gave her a soft smile, as though he truly understood how tired she was of her suitors. “I’m truly sorry, Stor. If there was anything I could do to help you, I would do it in a heartbeat.”

She returned the smile. “Thank you, Jas. But there is nothing you can do about this. Besides, I made a blasted promise to my father that I would find myself a suitor, and I enjoy building up his hope each time he gathers a new bunch of them—and watching it crumble into pieces when I beat them all in the duel. I think the biggest fool of all is my father himself.” She let out a light laugh. “I’m only annoyed by the men and their attitudes.Other than that, these duels are truly fun, especially when I get to put them in their place so they never forget it.”

“I have never asked you about this before, but what makes you despise the idea of marriage so much?” Jasper asked, adding hastily, “If you don’t mind my asking.”

If he’d asked her nine months ago, she would have said it was because she didn’t want to be separated from Emmett. But now, her answer was as different as she was.

“I don’t mind.” She smiled. “I just don’t find the idea of getting married to be a pleasing one.”

Jasper arched an eyebrow. “Because your father never loved your mother and you think you would find yourself in a loveless marriage like theirs had been?”

Astoria spluttered a laugh. Not only had she not thought of such, but his words soundedwaytoo ridiculous to her. “Who would love me anyway? Spunky, rebellious, insulting, unladylike… the list goes on and on.” When he opened his mouth, she cut in, “Oh, but Emmett does, so do my grandpa and Skylar—”

“And me,” Jasper interjected earnestly, taking a step forward. “I do.”

Her laugh came out in snorts, something that only happened when she found something incredibly hilarious. “Jas, well, really, I must count myself lucky, I suppose. Why, thank you.”

“Storie,” he said, stepping closer, his eyes both earnest and intense. “Imeanit. I love you.” He took her hand, and she froze internally. “I always have, but I held back because you are Emmett’s little sister, and I… well, I didn’t want to get on your brother’s bad side, knowing how protective he is of you. I have been trying to summon the courage to tell you how I feel—”

“Stop!” Astoria yanked her hand away and held it up. “Jasper, this is insane.”

“It is the truth, Storie.” Jasper’s expression grew wounded.

“But I don’t love you!” she blurted out, before composing herself with a deep breath. “Look, Jasper, I care for you, and I like you, but as a friend. I feel nothing more than platonic affection for you. You shouldn’t be saying this to me.” She shook her head, stepping back.

“Isn’t marrying me, someone you have known your whole life and care for, better than marrying someone you don’t know?” he asked gently.

“Who said I am getting married?” She snorted. “Jasper, I’m the second most powerful after Emperor Cyrus himself. There hasn’t been anyone strong enough to beat me in the past nine months. That’s why I’m letting this charade of finding a suitor go on; because I know I’ll win every time, even if I have to uphold this as long as my father lives. When Emmett takes the throne, I shall be free.”

Jasper looked frustrated. He ran his fingers through his pale blond hair, took a deep breath, and calmed down. “It’s your fear of marriage that is driving you, Storie.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I’m not afraid of anything!”

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