Page 21 of Dueling the Suitors

Oh, shush, Sky. He’s begging me to prove what an oaf and a fool he is.

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Astoria stood at the entrance of the arena the next day. The cheers of the crowd filled the air as her grandpa announced her. When she stepped into view, the crowd went wild.

Commoners and peasants were the best choice for an audience.

Mr. Silas stood in his place, chin lifted, hands tied behind him, posture straight. It was amusing that he had a noble look about him, even in his beggar’s attire. Almost like he and his clothes were oil and water.

Astoria waved at the crowd and took her place. As usual, her eyes darted up to the royal box. Silas, her brother, slumped in his chair with a bored look, while Emmett was the picture of distress. Ever since she had accidentally slipped Skylar’s words to him—that he couldn’t sniff Mr. Silas’ emotions like every other Mage—he had been far too concerned for her.

Astoria waved aside his concern, as much as she appreciated it. She knew she could do this. She had beaten all her previous suitors in a single round, almost as soon as the duel had started,and this Mr. Silas wasn’t any different. He was soon going to be another loser.

She smiled inwardly at the thought. Grandpa Cassius blew the whistle.

“Shall I begin, Princess, or would you like to start?”

“How about we start with a simple question?” she said.

Mr. Silas arched an eyebrow, surprise evident on his face. “A question, Princess?” He looked amused.

“Yes.” She walked up to him, her lips twitching. “Don’t worry, it’s a simple one.”

“Alright.” He crossed his arms, looking ready. His eyes roamed over her face and her braided hair as she approached. His lips twitched slightly at the corner. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you how deadly you look today, Princess, ready to slay your dragon of a suitor.”

Astoria smirked, stopping in front of him. “Oh please, don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Silas. You are anythingbuta dragon. I must admit, I’ve never found a dragon of a suitor in the entire last year since this ‘husband hunting’ began. I doubt I ever will.”

He smirked. “Then I suppose all I have to do is prove you wrong.”

“Oh, really?” She snorted, crossing her arms. This man was something, she would give him that.

“Do you know that the colour of your eyes matches the dragon emblem on the Draken empire’s flag?” he asked suddenly, his smoldering eyes staring into hers. “Lavender-grey.”

Astoria blinked. “How do you know that?”

“I have seen the emblem during my many travels, and your eyes remind me of it.”

“My eyes are purple,” she said defiantly.

He had the audacity to chuckle. “Believe it or not, Princess, the colour of your eyes is lavender-grey. Purple is an entirely different shade.”

“Of course, mine is adifferentpurple.” She didn’t like that he had noticed her eyes, thus snatching away her chance to insult him in front of the audience. She hadn’t played this game since Wizard Orion.

“And thatdifferentpurple is called lavender-grey, Princess.” He held up two fingers before her eyes, flames igniting at their tips like candles. One of them matched the colour of her eyes, and the other was darker, but with less black to it.

Astoria stared at the flames in disbelief, her mind unable to process what he had just done. Colourful projection. He could project colourful magic!

Skylar?

Princess, I think he’s someone like you.

Not dark magic?

You surely don’t sense it, nor do I. So, no. Absolutely not.

So he’s a natural, you say?

There are no assumptions to make otherwise. Maybe he’s a hidden gem.

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