Page 20 of Dueling the Suitors

“Ah, there is my beautiful daughter!” The king rose from his throne with both arms outstretched towards her and a grin on his face. Marcia sat to his right with her fake, sickening smile.

Same words, same façade. Like every time a new bunch of suitors was brought in for her.

Astoria held herself from rolling her eyes as she strode in. She stopped at the center of the room before her eyes latched onto the young man below the dais.

She did a double take.

He looked slightly older than Emmett, with messy raven hair and a thick, unkempt beard. He had dark eyes, his clothes weretattered and worn, and he had a faded cloak draped loosely around his shoulders.

He looked nothing like the beggars Astoria had seen before. The attire, yes. But his rather healthy stature, youthful face, and confident smoldering eyes? No.

Astoria looked away from him to her father. “So, what I heard is right, I assume? I have a new suitor to duel?”

“That is quite right, my dear.”

“And he is a Mage?” She arched a skeptical eyebrow. “AbeggarMage? I never knew one existed.”

The king gave her a warning look concealed behind a smile. “My dear, Silas here is a—”

“Silas?” She pressed her fingers to her lips to stifle a laugh. “What misfortune has my suitor share my second brother’s name? Doom must be my fate.”

“Silas is a street performer,sweetheart,not a beggar.”

“Astreetperformer?” Astoria exclaimed in shock and sputtered a laugh. “Forgive me, but are you truly out of your mind in your desperation to find me a suitor, dear Father? This is ridiculous! Here I am looking for a Mage who can beat me in a duel and you brought me astreet performer?” She turned to the young man and found him still regarding her silently. “No offence to you, Mr. Silas. I merely think my father is an utter fool.”

The man dipped his chin but he didn’t say anything.

Astoria turned back to her father and met his glare. “Where did you find him?”

The king barely composed himself and answered, “My men informed me there was a new street performer Mage in the market square and that the people were mesmerized by his performance. Therefore, I sent for him, and I must say, in all my years, I have never seen a street performer as talented as him. Your stepmother and I had the pleasure of witnessing hisperformance before I sent for you, Daughter,” he explained, trying to sound as cool as he could.

“Still, astreet performer?” Astoria shook her head. She had meant it sarcastically when she asked her father to bring her Mages even from among beggars. She hadn’t thought he would actually find one.

“Like I said—” her father began, but his words drowned out as Skylar began to speak.

Princess, I must say, this man is something. I cannot sniff his emotions.

Astoria’s eyes snapped down to Skylar in surprise and saw him narrowing his eyes at the young man. She followed his gaze and found Mr. Silas still staring at her, his dark eyes smoldering.

Now that she noticed it, there was something different about him from her previous suitors. He had an air of confidence. And his eyes weren’t drooling on her.

Their eyes locked. For a moment, they held each other’s gaze, as though challenging one another silently. Then, there was a twitch at the corner of his lips.

Astoria returned it. She turned her attention back to her father, who was watching their silent exchange in bewilderment. “Alright. I shall challenge Mr. Silas in a duel. Unless… Mr. Silas would like to refuse?”

She sent him a mirthful, questioning glance.

“I would only be honored, Your Highness.” He touched a hand to his heart and dipped his chin again, eyes dancing. He had a smooth, deep voice. “When do you wish for the duel to take place?”

“Tomorrow,” she declared, and glanced at her father who looked pathetically hopeful and satisfied. “We shall hold it in the castle arena instead of the public one since there is only one suitor this time. People would be disappointed if the duel ended as soon as it started.”

She turned her smirking face to Mr. Silas.

“If I am allowed,” he said, stepping forward and turning to the king and queen. “I must insist on a public audience.” He turned back to Astoria. “Don’t worry, Princess, I can assure you that your people will have quite the entertainment.”

Astoria regarded him for a moment. When he raised an eyebrow, she said, “They’d better.”

Princess, I don’t like him.

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