Page 25 of Dueling the Suitors

“Is that even a question?” Astoria buried her head back in the pillow.

Emmett sighed. “I don’t know what to say, little one. I am so sorry.” He touched her shoulder and rubbed it soothingly.

Her throat closed up. “I don’t understand.”

“Me neither. Do you think he’s a Half-blood?” Before she could answer, he continued, “Never mind. Half-blood or not, you arenotmarrying him.”

Hope rose in her heart, but she shoved it down. Hope was only a fantasy in this case. Shewashopeless, even if her brother was determined to fight for her.

Astoria sat upright on her bed. “But Emmett, I signed the contract with Father. It’s not—”

Emmett recoiled in shock. “You didwhat?”

Astoria blinked in surprise. “You don’t know—wait, I didn’ttellyou?”

“Of course, you didn’t tell me.” His eyes narrowed on her. “What contract? When did this happen? How come you didn’t tell me this until now?”

“Oh Emmett, I must have forgotten! I am so sorry! It was a month after the duel with Wizard Orion, when I agreed to let Father gather suitors for me. When I made my conditions, he suggested drawing up a contract between us. I agreed to it because I didn’t think I would fail. Father made a clever move, didn’t he? Now I’m trapped and doomed.”

“What was the contract for?”

“To make sure both of us would keep our end of the bargain. He wanted to find me Mage suitors. I wanted to challenge them all in a duel—andI wanted commoners and peasants for an audience. Of course, you know that. We agreed that I would marry whoever beat me in the duel. I am so sorry I forgot to mention that we signed a contract.”

Emmett raked his hands through his hair in frustration. He stood and began to pace in front of the bed.

“The contract is unbreakable, isn’t it?”

“According to the law, since Father kept his end of the bargain, yes. And he could use it against you.” Emmett paused and looked down at her, the look in his eyes reflecting the jumbled emotions in her heart. “You should have discussed it with me before you agreed to sign it, Stor.”

Her heart sank. It was done. Her fate was sealed. If she dared to go against the law for her own benefit, everything she’d built over the last year—her hard-won fame—would crumble to dust. She couldn’t bear that, not on top of her defeat.

Emmett marched back to her bed and grasped her hands. “I promise I won’t rest until I find a loophole and get you out of this. Alright?”

The earnestness and determination in his eyes caused her chin to quiver. “There’s no loophole, Emmett. I sealed my fate myself.”

“Therehasto be.” His grip tightened and he sounded desperate. “You are my sister, Storie, and I won’t let this fate befall you.” He released her hands and straightened. “I must go and begin my research. I promise I will try my best to get you out of this.”

All she could do was nod. Emmett pressed a kiss to her forehead and exited the room.

Astoria fell back onto her bed and sighed.You have nothing to say, Sky?

What can I say, Princess? I feel terrible for letting you down.

Astoria glanced at him incredulously.How did you let me down, may I ask?

Because in my confidence, I made you believe you are unbeatable, as it is what I believed too. That there is absolutelyno one in this realm, other than the Emperor himself perhaps, who could beat you in a magical duel. I shouldn’t have given you so much hope now that you are hurting in your loss. A loss that’s going to cost your happiness! Oh, heavens, what kind of a friend am I?

Skylar pressed his front paws to his closed eyes and groaned.

Oh, Sky.Astoria tried to pry his paws away, but he was unrelenting. For a red panda, he had the strength of a bear.Oh, dear, dear Sky. Don’t punish yourself like this. Did I blame you? No, and I never will.

But when you took off like that, I thought you were mad at me. You wouldn’t even look at me.

When was the last time Skylar whined and complained about something? It wasn’t like him; he liked to behave like an adult.

Because I was mad at myself, Sky, not you. I was immensely irritated with that man as well, not to mention my embarrassment at losing.

Now it was her turn to hide her face and groan. What happened an hour ago was the most humiliating moment of her life. How was she going to live with it? How was she ever going to face the people again?

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