Page 34 of Dueling the Suitors

Astoria gave a nonchalant shrug. “Everyone is aware of the royal scandal.”

“So, I take it the things I’ve heard aren’t wrong.”

Astoria narrowed her eyes at him. What was he trying to play at?

“No need to look so accusing, Princess Feisty. I was merely trying to confirm the old rumors before I made you a promise.” His lips twitched, but it was not a smirk. There was no wicked glint in his eyes either.

Astoria didn’t blink once. She even forgot the retort on the tip of her tongue at his nickname for her. And was that a smile?

He took her hand, causing her to uncross her arms. “What are you doing?” she blurted out, her voice so breathless it was barely audible. Her heart galloped.

Silas held her gaze, the intensity in his eyes unwavering. “I promise to be faithful to you, Astoria. As long as I live, I pledge myself to you and only you. I will never give myself to another woman, no matter how much you loathe and annoy me. And I expect the same from you.”

Without breaking the gaze, he lifted her hand to his lips, flipped it over, and pressed a kiss to her palm. “And your father won’t have a shred of victory from our union. I promise you thatas well.” He dropped her hand and executed a quick bow. “I will see you, my Little Dragon.”

He left the alcove.

Astoria slumped against the wall and pressed her other hand to her chest, trying to calm the wild beat of her heart. But it didn’t help.

Her palm tingled from the kiss. Her knees trembled.

What was all that about? She asked herself.

The Unyielding Princess of Daliston had never been so confused in her life.

8

The Midnight Elopement

Silas had been surprisingly tolerable since their moment in the alcove, but Astoria told herself not to fall for his game. He was likely trying to win her favor now that he realized Jasper was competition.

Astoria would still rather marry her friend than a stranger. That thought was precisely why, in the dead of night, she found herself sneaking through the servants’ passage with her brothers and Skylar.

By sunrise over Daliston, she would be wed to Silas.

But not if she married Jasper tonight. And having both her brothers’ support in this daring plan meant more to her than she could put into words.

Jasper and her brothers had spent the entire previous day planning the secret wedding. Jasper had assured them that he would handle every detail of the ceremony; all she and herbrothers needed to do was slip through the servants’ gate and meet him on the second street beyond.

Astoria would return to the castle the day after tomorrow. Then the king would realize how wrong he had been to underestimate her.

She tugged the hood of her black cloak low over her face as they stepped into the courtyard. Thankfully, the absence of moonlight cloaked them in shadows. Holding Skylar tightly to her chest, she crossed the open space. When they neared the servants’ gate and spotted a guard, she summoned her magic and directed it towards a cluster of bushes in the distance.

The sudden rustle and crack drew the guard’s attention, creating just enough of a distraction for them to slip past the gate unnoticed.

They turned onto the second street, expecting to see another hooded figure at the end. But Jasper wasn’t there. Astoria and her brothers stood in the shadows and waited for him.

Time ticked by, and there was still no sign of him. Astoria’s stomach dipped slightly. “Why hasn’t he shown up yet?”

Emmett hugged her to his side. “I am sure he has a reason.”

“Am I the only one thinking that Jasper isnotaccustomed to being late, especially to marry the girl he loves?” Silas piped up.

He wasn’t wrong. “Do you think something… something happened to him?”

“No,” Emmett said quickly. “Let’s quit waiting and go find him.”

“How? We don’t know where he’s arranged everything,” Silas pointed out.

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