Page 99 of Dueling the Suitors

“Vanish?” Astoria repeated, fear betraying her brave mask. “I’m warning you, Rowan…”

“Oh, you will do what?” he challenged, his eyes mocking her. “You are powerless with the cuffs on, Astoria. You can’t free yourself. Only a Mage can free you. Don’t worry, you won’t be harmed. You are merely the bait for Cyrus. Once he surrenders, I will let you go with him.”

Angry tears pricked her eyes. She hated this feeling. Defeat and helplessness.

“I hate you,” she gritted through her teeth.

“The feeling is mutual, dear Astoria.” He grinned, but it was clearly forced. “Though I must admit, you were a pleasant person to be around. Sometimes, I couldn’t tell whether I was being fake or real with you, but with Cyrus, it has always been apretense. Six years. Six years since I was torn off my first chance at usurping my spineless father’s throne. When Cyrus invaded, I was ready to throw him off too, but then I realized he was too powerful for me. I’ve been training all these years. Now I’m unstoppable. Nothing is holding me back. Not this time.”

Astoria realized he was talking about dark magic. Would Cyrus truly not stand a chance against him?

No,her instincts said. Because magic wasn’t the matter here. Rowan needed her as his leverage. According to him, she was the key to Cyrus’ surrender.

But as cunning and intelligent as he was, Rowan was foolish to think Cyrus would give up his empire for her. She knew Cyrus cared for her. But would he think she was worth giving up his great empire for?

She knew she wasn’t worth it.

If they were taking her, Astoria had to let Cyrus know that his so-called best friend was the leader of the rebels. She called Skylar. He would tell everything to Spyrah, and Spyrah could inform Cyrus. But to her chilling horror, Astoria couldn’t feel the familiar connection.

It was blocked.

The cuffs.

Astoria swore absently. The Unyielding Princess of Daliston and the Dragon Empress of Draken had no fight left in her. When the morning came, everyone was going to be shocked by her absence.

Desperation claimed her soul andher heart cried.Oh, Creator.Please, have mercy on me.

He was the only one who could hear her now.

Rowan nodded at Wizard Orion, who stepped forward and grabbed her arm harshly. Astoria watched as Rowan pulled out a black object from his pocket and muttered something in astrange language. The object hovered in the air and began to glow.

The glow grew brighter and bigger, forming a large oval. The wizard stepped into it and dragged her along with him. A portal, she realized. Astoria shielded her eyes as the blinding light closed in on her. When she opened them, she found herself in an entirely different place.

She looked around. They were in a dimly lit, single-windowed, small room with only a chair, a table, and a poor excuse for a bed. Wizard Orion shoved her towards the bed.

“You new room,Empress,” he spat. “If it were up to me, I would’ve locked you up in a pigsty.”

Astoria braced herself against the bed and straightened slowly. If she wasn’t in cuffs, she didn’t know what she would’ve done to him.

“Now, off I go. But I will return in the morning. Don’t even think of escaping. The cottage is spelled to thwart your attempts.”

When she didn’t respond, he laughed. “What? Where is your infamous mouth now? No insults to throw at me?”

“I will make you pay.” She turned to him with a withering, dark glare. “You, Rowan, and everyone conspiring against my husband. I won’t let you get away with this.”

Wizard Orion’s amusement didn’t falter. “You know what? I will leave you to your vengeful thoughts. Though, foretelling’s whisper: we are untouchable.” He flashed another nasty smile and walked to the door. “Goodnight, Empress. I pray the Emperor will wake up in the morning.”

The door closed behind him.

Astoria sank into the bed, feeling as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders. She couldn’t just sit there and wait until Cyrus woke up, unaware of Rowan’s betrayal. She glanceddown at her hands and the bronze cuffs connecting them with a chain.

She must look like a prisoner now.

Alas, she was one.

She tried to summon her powers despite Rowan’s words. Void. She felt nothing. She pushed harder and harder until sweat broke out on her brow. Yet, there was nothing. Not even a tiny spark.

Astoria stared at her hands, clenching and unclenching them as angry tears stung her eyes. Then, her gaze fell on Cyrus’ ring glinting on her index finger.

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