Page 47 of Dueling the Suitors

When they finally made it to the main streets of the city, the carriage moved faster. Astoria relaxed in her seat even as she continued to wave at the people who came out of their houses and shops to see her and her husband.

Something shifted inside her; like she was leaving her past behind the further the carriage rolled forward. Like her life was at its new beginning.

Was she ready to embrace the new beginning?

Once they passed the main streets and neared the Husk Woods, Astoria and Silas disembarked from the carriage so the guards could set up its cover. Astoria moved to Emmett’s side to ask him if he would like to join them in the carriage when Silas said, “If you are trying to be free of me for a moment, I will take your brother’s horse, and he can travel with you in the carriage.” Almost like he read her mind.

Astoria looked at Emmett. He didn’t trust his stallion with anyone other than himself, his siblings, and the stable hand. But when Silas assured him that Rustrier would be in good hands and that horses usually loved him, Emmett sighed and dismounted, mumbling something under his breath.

Astoria made herself comfortable at her brother’s side in the carriage, and they continued the journey, discussing Jasper’s strange behavior at the marketplace. Emmett was as confused as she was.

Before they had gone any longer into the woods, suddenly, the occasional jolt of the carriage stopped with a violent jerk. Emmett’s head nearly hit the top.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, poking his head out of the window.

“The wheel got stuck in the mud,” Silas called back, stopping next to the carriage.

Astoria looked out her window and glanced up at him. “Well, you can fix it, can’t you, high and mighty?”

Silas swayed back in surprise. “High and mighty? Oh, darling, you flatter me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Perhaps if you save the day, I might consider flattering you more.”

He grinned roguishly. “Save the day? With pleasure. Flattery? Nah, I prefer compliments, dearest.”

“Just do it already, or should I?”

He smirked. “Come on now, what kind of gentleman would I be if I let my wife do it when I am present?”

“Can you two please stop flirting?” Emmett asked irritably, now standing outside the carriage.

Silas flicked his wrist. Lavender-grey threads burst from his fingers and flew towards the carriage. Rustrier neighed and jumped away at the sight. Emmett reached his side in no time and grabbed the reins as Silas dismounted.

He focused on the carriage. Astoria felt the carriage hover slightly off the ground and land softly. Emmett calmed his stallion down, and Silas got in the carriage with her.

“I am afraid you are stuck with me now. Rustrier needs his master. And I’m ready for the compliments you promised.” He relaxed in his seat and folded his arms behind his head.

Astoria ignored the last bit. “Fine. I will ride with Emmett then.”

“Oh, you cannot.” He launched himself at the door, blocking her path. “My hometown is on the other side of the woods, and we are almost there because we are taking a shortcut. I don’twant my townspeople to see my new wife riding with her brother rather than with me in the carriage.”

Astoria glared at him before huffing and sitting back in her seat. “If I am going to tolerate your presence for the rest of this ride at all, I would appreciate complete silence from your end.”

“As you wish, my Little Dragon.” His eyes twinkled. Would anything she said ever insult this man?

Little Dragon?Skylar exploded.

Astoria groaned inwardly.Please, don’t ask.

The carriage moved forward. Astoria stared out her window, reveling in the silence from her husband. Suddenly, so suddenly that she couldn’t believe it happened, the scenery changed.

All she did was blink, and the green of the forest was replaced with a greyish stone wall.

Her first thought was that Silas had cast an illusion to annoy her. But could he also make the crunch of dry leaves fade from the air and smooth the carriage’s pace as though it was rolling through a cobblestone path?

Just as she was about to ask him what he was doing, the carriage stopped.

“Here we are,” Silas announced, with an energetic gesture of his hand towards the door.

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