Page 40 of Dueling the Suitors

Suddenly, Silas stopped and stepped in front of her. He looked down at her with scrunched-up eyebrows. “You are not alright.”

Astoria blinked in surprise before putting on her mask of nonchalance. “I am fine.”

“I can tell you are lying.”

“Fine. My feet are sore,” she admitted, too tired to fight. She was saving the strength to fight him later. “If I could just take off the slippers…” She trailed off as he bent down and reached for the hem of her gown.

He looked up at her. “May I?”

“Of course not,” she snapped, exhaustion forgotten, and narrowed her eyes at him.

Silas shrugged and stood. “It was worth a try.”

Astoria watched him suspiciously as she grabbed onto his arm for support and took off her slippers. He held her steady. When the slippers came off and her sore feet touched the cool marble, she sighed in relief and closed her eyes. That feltsogood.

“Can you walk?”

Astoria nodded. “Just a moment.” She reveled in the coolness of the marble, counting to ten before opening her eyes. “I can walk now.”

“Good, because you won’t need to.”

“Wha—” A sharp gasp escaped her lips as Silas bent down and swept her into his arms.

“Silas! Put me down!” She clung to his neck, one hand still holding her slippers.

“Did you really expect me to let you walk on your sore feet?” Silas continued towards their chambers. “Aren’t men gifted with a strong pair of arms so they can carry their women?”

“Stop flattering yourself and put me down this instant, you cad!”

“Cad?” Silas widened his eyes in disbelief. “I am yourhusband. I am allowed to carry my wife.”

Astoria snorted. “Oh, I am well aware of all the things you are allowed as my husband. But what makes you think I would let you touch me?”

His amusement dropped instantly. “Astoria, I’m not going to touch you unnecessarily.”

“And what makes you think I believe you?” she spat.

“I don’t expect you to. But I am a gentleman and a man of my word. Tonight, I’m going to prove that to you,” he replied, just as fiercely.

That somehow calmed the storm inside her, just the slightest. She pressed her lips together and looked away, every other retort dying out.

When they reached the bridal chambers, Silas shifted her slightly in his arms to flick his wrist. The door opened and the scent of roses reached Astoria’s nostrils when he walked in.

“You can put me down,” Astoria said as soon as he kicked the door shut and locked it with another flick of his wrist.

“Not here.” He walked into the bedroom and towards the bed. Astoria’s eyes widened. He must have seen it because he rushed to add, “I’m only going to set you on the bed, alright? No need to panic.”

“Oh, I’m not panicking.” Astoria forced a snort. “I would simply use my powers if you dared try something roguish.”

Silas laid her on the bed, which was covered with rose petals. His lips twitched as he straightened and looked down at her. “I believe defense is an exception to our vow of not using our powers against each other. But too bad you will never find out, because you are not going to find yourself in such a situation.”

He winked, leaving her gaping at him. She didn’t understand his game.

“Would you like me to massage your feet?”

Astoria glared. “Is that your next excuse to touch me and claim it’s notunnecessary?”

He gave her a crooked smile. “So you didn’t miss my implication.”

---