Page 71 of Dueling the Suitors

When each dance was over, he’d escort her out of the dance floor and leave without even athank you.

Astoria smiled sadly from her throne, watching the couples twirling on the dance floor. If she wasn’t careful, her mind would conjure up an illusion of Silas among them with his pleading eyes on her and Emmett glaring at every man who dared to look her way.

“Penny for your thoughts?”

“No,” she replied, not taking her eyes off the dancing couples.

“If you want to get down there and dance, say the word.”

“No,” she repeated.

“At least tell me what has got you smiling solemnly so I can see what I can do about it.”

Astoria finally turned to look at Cyrus and found his eyes on her. “My brothers. I miss them.”

He raised a curious eyebrow. “May I ask what memory elicited that smile?”

If he was expecting her to lower her guard by weaving into that topic, he was a fool. She narrowed her eyes. “Nothing that I feel inclined to share with you.”

Cyrus stared at her for a moment, his gaze assessing her before he stood and called it a night. He offered her his arm and led them out of the throne room through the back. Astoria glanced at him and was surprised to find him furious.

What had she done or said that made him angry when everything shehaddone to push his buttons, irritate, and provoke him hadn’t?

“Are you alright?” she asked him before she could stop it.

Cyrus threw her a glare. “Why do you care? You couldn’t even bring yourself to tell me when you are exhausted and want to retreat to the chambers.”

Astoria swayed back in surprise and dug her heels into the floor to stop herself from moving with him. “What?”

Cyrus paused and pivoted to her, his dark eyes stormy. “I bet you often think about him, too. That Jasper.”

Astoria’s mouth fell open. “Oh, I amsorry!” she exclaimed in disbelief. “What is your problem? Me missing my brothers, whom I haven’t seen in one whole week because you kidnapped me to your empire?”

They glared at each other, neither backing down for a moment. Then, Cyrus closed his eyes and sighed. He turned his head away, took a step back, and ran a hand through his hair, messing it from its perfection. He opened his eyes and met her gaze with a weary expression.

“I think we are both exhausted from a long day,” he murmured. At Astoria’s steady glare, he sighed and added, “I overreacted.”

That was the closest thing to an apology she would get from him. Astoria decided not to be greedy and accepted it. She heaved a loud sigh and nodded, averting her gaze. “Let’s go, then.”

“Wait,” he said, grabbing her wrist as she moved past him.

Astoria turned to him, and the next moment, her feet were swept off the floor. She gasped and almost exclaimed his name but stopped herself. He didn’t deserve another win.

“Put me down!”

“You are exhausted, Astoria, and you expect me to walk you all the way to our chambers when I can carry you?” he said firmly, and she no longer liked that tone of his voice after hearing the gentler ones.

“I would rather have you float me than have you carry me.”

Cyrus’ lips twitched, but he didn’t say anything. She protested all the way, but it was no use.

Emily had been waiting in Astoria’s room. Her eyes widened as Cyrus carried Astoria inside. “Is Her Majesty alright?” she asked, concerned.

“Yes, Emily, would you please give me a moment alone with my wife?” Cyrus spoke before Astoria could respond. She snapped her mouth shut and looked at him incredulously as Emily curtsied and scurried out of the room.

He placed her on the bed.

“Stop looking at me like I said something scandalous,” he admonished her gently. “We are married, need I remind you?”

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