Page 106 of Dueling the Suitors

“Not a Mage who is also in cuffs, that’s for sure,” Cyrus said, his voice dark. “We need Joaquin and Sean.”

Astoria swallowed past the sudden lump in her throat at the mention of her biological father. She still had to tell Cyrus about it. “Where are they, by the way?”

“On the lookout for you,” Cyrus said. “I’m glad I sent them away, otherwise Rowan would’ve caught them too.” He paused for a moment and said, “Dang it, Rowan knows they are on the lookout. It will be only a matter of time before he catches them too.”

Astoria’s heart sank. “What would we do then?”

“None of the Mages among our staff could get past those guards like Spyrah and Skylar can, especially when they have no idea we need their help to free the cuffs.” Cyrus sighed.

“Perhaps, Skylar and Spyrah could manage to make one of them understand—”

Skylar was immediately shaking his head. Astoria raised an eyebrow and hated that they couldn’t telepath. She missed their connection.

“Even so, how are they going to get past Rowan’s men? They are already at risk with their undying loyalty towards me. You saw how furious Rowan looked when the guards refused to heed him.”

“Then we need not just someone,” Astoria said, pacing in front of the gate, her heart racing as a certain thought crossed her mind. “We need a Mageandsomeone who can take down Rowan’s men. And I happen to know just the right men.”

“Who?”

Astoria stopped near the wall and lowered her voice. “My brothers.”

Skylar perked up immediately.

“I don’t doubt your brothers would risk everything to save you, darling, but neither of them are Mages.”

“No, and as talented swordsmen as they are, the two of them aren’t enough to take down those men without attracting more attention. They need to bring a few Daliston guards along and—and Jasper.”

There was a long beat of silence. Astoria held her breath and waited for Cyrus’ response. Skylar stretched sideways to watch Cyrus’ reaction.

“He’s the only Mage I know, one I can trust, even though he—” She stopped short. Cyrus didn’t know. He didn’t have to know, at least not now. “He would never betray Emmett, and Emmett would never betray me.”

Cyrus took a deep breath. “Astra…”

“I know you don’t like him,” she added hastily. “He and I had an issue before we left Daliston too, but IknowJasper. If he realizes I’m in trouble, he won’t turn a blind eye.”

Cyrus sighed again. Skylar straightened back and gave Astoria a baffled glance. She shrugged helplessly, frustrated that she couldn’t understand him without telepathy. Losing their connection felt like she’d lost one of her five senses.

At last, Cyrus said, “Do you still have my ring?”

“Yes, I kept it hidden,” she said.

“Good. Spyrah and Skylar can use it to go to Daliston, the same woods where I made the portal to transport us here. But how will we deliver the message to your brother?”

“I can send him a letter like I send you—” she stopped short and frowned. “Oh, well, first we need the writing tools.”

Skylar patted the iron bars enthusiastically to get her attention. Astoria knelt. “What is it, Sky?”

He pointed to the way he had come from, gesturing with his paw back and forth. Astoria realized he was saying he would go and get the tools.

“No, it’s too—Sky!”

Skylar took off, and Spyrah dashed after him.

“Oh, those two.” She sagged against the iron bars. “To think they hated each other at first…”

“Rather, they pretended to,” Cyrus said softly. “Skylar was infatuated with Spyrah, but she annoyed him with her attitude, so he convinced himself he hated her. And Spyrah… I think she did hate him, didn’t she?”

Astoria had a feeling he wasn’t talking about their pets at all.

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