Page 57 of Dueling the Suitors

No. No, I’m not going to talk with him. Especially not about magic.Astoria walked back to the bed and lay down.For now, I just want to sleep. Tomorrow, we will start exacting our revenge.

Just what do you have in mind?

Foretelling’s whisper, Sky: you are going to love it.Astoria smiled wistfully and let herself be dragged into sleep.

When she opened her eyes again, the sun was hanging low in the sky, filling the room with a soft, orange glow. Astoria sat up,and after a moment of confusion, she regained the memories of earlier that day.

When it was time for dinner, Emily came to dress her, but Astoria refused and asked to be served in her room instead. After the meal, she tried sending the letter to Emmett again. Each time she failed, her frustration grew, and she reread his letter over and over like it was her lifeline.

A knock sounded at her door.

Astoria almost called out for the person to enter, thinking it was Emily when she realized the knock came from the interconnecting door to Cyrus’ room. She rose to her feet immediately.

“What?” she snapped.

“I just wanted to check on you,” Cyrus’ voice answered from the other side of the door.

“Do you check on all your prisoners? Heavens, they must feel lucky.” She snorted.

“My prisoners are not kept in fancy rooms, let alone next to mine with an interconnecting door. Nor are they given delicious food from my table or granted the freedom to walk around the palace as they wish.” He paused and asked, with an edge to his voice, “Where does that leave you, Astoria? Still my prisoner?”

Astoria fumbled with her response, her mind trying to digest and register his words. Did he just imply that she could go around the palace as she wished? What was he trying to do?

When her response was delayed, he added, “I didn’t see you at dinner.”

“Well, the whole point of not showing up was to avoid you.” She rolled her eyes.

“Didn’t I already know that?” he asked sarcastically. “Clara informed me that you asked to be served in your room. I simply thought to check on you. If you wish not, I shall leave you to yourself.”

Ask him!

Astoria met Skylar’s gaze with narrowed eyes.Of course not! He doesn’t need his ego boosted.

No, clinging to your pride isn’t worth Prince Emmett’s devastation over you either.

Astoria’s heart ached at his words. She closed her eyes and took a determined breath.Alright. For Emmett and Emmett alone.

“Wait!” she called out as Cyrus’ footsteps began to leave.

He stopped. “Yes?”

She clenched her fists and forced out her words. “Why can’t I send a letter?”

“I beg your pardon?” Cyrus’ footsteps shifted closer to the door.

Skylar gave her a deadpan look.Couldn’t you try to speak a little more clearly, Princess? Now you have to repeat the question.

Astoria reprimanded herself mentally and tried again. “I tried to send my brother a letter like you and I did on the first day. It didn’t work. I want to know why.”

There was a beat before he spoke. “Nothing magical can come in or go out of my palace without my knowledge. I have a protection barrier around the castle walls to prevent that. That’s why your letter didn’t go.”

And he was implying thathewas her only option. At least he didn’t reprimand her. Not that she would have cared.

“So, to send the letter, I have to go outside the castle walls?”

“You are not leaving the walls,” he said firmly, the tone of his voice leaving no room for argument.

Astoria rolled her eyes. “You just proved I am your prisoner.”

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