Page 23 of Dueling the Suitors

Where—

—Princess, behind you!

Astoria whirled and sent a blast without looking for confirmation. And there he was, Mr. Silas, blocking her attack.

“Highly on guard.” He didn’t hide his admiration, looking almost like he was her trainer and they were having a training session. “I like that. I think ‘Dragon Princess’ suits you better than your current title, Princess. They do you little justice.”

But she wasn’t listening. The retorts she would have normally made now died on the tip of her tongue. For the first time, one of her suitors had rendered her speechless.

“How did you do that?”

“Do what?” He looked too innocent.

“You made an illusion of yourself!”

“Did I?”

Astoria’s frustration boiled over. Her annoyance ignited her magical energy, and she sent it hurling towards him. He did the same, and the air crackled with intensity as their powers collided, creating a dazzling display.

Her breath hitched. This had never happened before.

Skylar?

Even I know too little about you Mages. How is this possible? Never mind. Focus. You can beat him.

Astoria poured her mind and energy into the duel. Her golden magic rushed forward through their link and shortened Mr. Silas’ lavender-grey.

Why he chosethatcolour was beyond her.

However, a sense of hope and an almost triumphant feeling washed over her as she watched her golden magic overpower his. She lifted her eyes from their collided powers and met his intense gaze that was already on her.

She smirked. He smirked back. But unlike the last times, this time, a wicked glint lit his eyes.

And then it happened.

Astoria felt a sudden shift in the balance of power. Mr. Silas’ magic surged forward with unexpected force.

A jolt of surprise went through her. Her breath caught in her throat as she struggled to regain control, but it was too late.

With a surge of power, Mr. Silas’ magic overwhelmed hers. She watched in horror as his lavender-grey closed in on her gold, and in the next moment, she was thrown off balance.

Astoria swayed backwards but didn’t hit the floor. Utterly relieved, she flicked her wrist, and an ice pillar sprouted from the ground to support her. But even with its help, she found herself paralyzed, unable to straighten up.

Mr. Silas entered her line of sight, a hand outstretched in front of him. His eyes gleamed with the same wicked glint, and she realized it.

Her balance was under his influence.

Blast it. Blast it. Blast it.

He tilted his head and smirked a little before he slowly lowered his hand.

Astoria lost the sensation of the ice pillar at her back. Her body lowered and lowered to the ground, following the motion of his hand.

Mr. Silas stood over her, the sight of victory himself.

No, no, no.Horror gripped her entire being. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be!

She had fallen. The Unyielding Princess of Daliston had fallen.

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