Page 22 of Dueling the Suitors

Would a hidden gem ever be just a street performer, Sky? You don’t think I do not stand a chance against him, do you?

You are afraid, Princess? Pfft. I don’t think he is as powerful as you, even if he’s a hidden gem. You are the second most powerful to Emperor Cyrus, remember that. If there’s anyone who can best you—

—it’s Emperor Cyrus. And since I’m destined to bring him to his knees, I suppose that leaves me the most powerful Mage over Cyrus himself.

A sense of relief washed over her at the thought. She could do this.

Astoria looked up at Mr. Silas’ face from the flickering flames, only to find him watching her intently.

“Did your pet distract you?”

Her jaw dropped slightly. How did he know she was communicating with Skylar?

He merely smirked. “Don’t be so surprised. It’s obvious when you have a mystical red panda for a pet.”

She scowled at him. She didn’t like how observant he was. It was a creepy trait, in her opinion.

“I believe you wanted to ask me something?”

“Never mind.” Astoria huffed. She turned on her heels and stomped back to her place before whirling around to face him, preparing her stance. “Ready to lose, Mr. Silas?”

“You should be too, Princess,” he said with an infuriating smirk. “Once this is over, you’ll be mine.”

This man had some nerve.

She scoffed. “That’s what my previous suitors thought, too.”

“But they never said it out loud, did they?”

Irritation gnawed at her chest, and she struck first.

Mr. Silas dodged it.

Astoria launched a barrage of spells at him, and he either blocked or dodged them.

At this point, all her suitors would have attacked her back. But he didn’t. His dark eyes watched her like a hawk as they circled the arena.

Astoria sent another blast his way, spinning and twirling as she did, and Mr. Silas chuckled. She met his gaze with a fierce glare, silently demanding to know what he found so amusing.

“Graceful yet deadly,” he said, clicking his tongue. “I like that. You are a girl after my own heart.”

“What is that supposed to mean? You are neither of those.” But the moment she said it, she realized how wrong she was.He had grace in his movements, and though ragged, he still possessed a deadly aura—something she had failed to pinpoint.

But he wasonlya street performer, she told herself.

And then, he attacked.

Astoria was, of course, on her guard. She fought back.

At some point, white fog filled the arena. Astoria tried to clear it, but when it didn’t dissipate, she realized it was his doing.

Their colourful projections filled the air.

He made good on his word that the audience would have quite the show. But things weren’t going well for Astoria. Trepidation sank into her stomach as she realized this was her first duel to last so long since her battle with Wizard Orion.

Her frustration peaked, and she sent another blast towards him. This time, he didn’t block it. Her golden magic hit him in the chest, and he dissipated into the air.

Gasps broke out from the crowd. Astoria stared at the spot where he had been, her jaw dropping in astonishment, a tendril of dread gripping her.

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