Page 39 of Dueling the Suitors

Astoria struggled to keep her facial expression neutral. This man was never her father. After today, she would never address him as such. He didn’t deserve it.

A storm brewed inside her. It raged wild, stirring up all her emotions. Astoria felt her soul crumble bit by bit. Nothing she did to shove away the feeling worked. But she refused to break. She wouldn’t break. She was the Unyielding Princess.

“Do you hear me, Astoria?” her father hissed when she didn’t respond. “You have one duty to your kingdom. You have married a powerful Mage, now you must fulfill all the marital rituals to magnify your powers. If you won’t, you know what’s at stake.”

Both Astoria and her father were surprised that he was able to speak without being cut off by her usual retorts. She might be too tired to fight him, but that didn’t mean she would give him the satisfaction of getting at her.

“And if it doesn’t work?”

“Itwillwork,” he gritted out. “You have tomakeit work.”

“And if it’s just a myth?”

The king glared at her and opened his mouth to respond—

“Excuse me, Your Majesty. I would like to cut in.”

Astoria’s gaze snapped to her left and met her husband’s dark eyes. She blinked and stopped dancing, stopping herself from dropping her jaw in astonishment. Did he justtellthe king that he wanted to cut into the dance?

The king seemed to be thinking the same. “Son, I’m afraid—”

“You are making my wife uncomfortable,” Silas snapped, his eyes narrowing the slightest bit at the king.

The king gaped at Silas for a moment before he stepped back with a too-forced smile. “Of course, son.”

Silas didn’t even acknowledge him with a simplethank youas he stepped forward and gathered Astoria in his arms. His gaze penetrated hers. “Are you alright?”

Astoria blinked at him. What kind of game was he playing?

“Darling, talk to me,” he prodded when her answer was delayed.

“Like you care,” she snapped with a glare.

Silas merely raised an eyebrow. “Why else do you think I am right here?”

“Because you clearly want something from me,” she retorted. “I don’t know what game you are playing, Silas, but I won’t fall for your façade.”

Silas released an exasperated sigh. “I was watching you, Astoria. I saw how relieved you looked with Prince Emmett, how light-hearted you looked with Prince Silas, and—pardon me if I’m wrong, but—howdefeatedyou looked with your father. Why?”

Astoria stared at him wildly. How did he know all that? “Why do you care?”

“Because you are my wife,” he said like it was obvious. “And I promised you that your father won’t have a shred of victory from our union.”

Astoria shook her head. Without thinking, she blurted out, “You are the most confusing man I’ve ever known.”

His lips twitched at the corner in a smile. “And you, my Little Dragon, are the spunkiest princess I have ever known. Though spunk is not a princess trait, I adore you for it.” He winked.

Astoria shook her head again, but this time, her lips twitched helplessly. And she didn’t reprimand him for his nickname.There would always be a next time now that they were stuck together.

* * *

Astoria held back a wince as Silas led them towards their bridal chamber. Her feet were sore from dancing and walking around greeting guests all day in heels. She had never been so exhausted in her life. And thinking of whatmightawait her in the chambers, dread pooled in her stomach.

The king and queen had offered to escort them, probably to make sure Astoria made it in with her husband instead of sneaking off to her own room on the other side of the wing. But Silas refused them.

He was silent all the way, and that strangely built up her anxiety. Why was she sweating, and why were her knees trembling?

Why was she scared?

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