Page 82 of Dueling the Suitors

Astoria reread the words over and over again in disbelief. There was no signature, not even a salutation. But she knew itwasmeant for her.

She looked at the peaceful form of her husband and back at the letter. Her indignation rose. She crumbled the note in her fist and stomped towards the fireplace where the fire burned day and night for Cyrus, and tossed it into the flames.

The prophecy be darned, she thought, staring at the note as it turned to ashes. She would not harm a hair on her husband’s head.

She swore it to herself.

But the note-sender had other ideas. Once every day, a new note showed up no matter where she was. One time it appeared in her pocket, another time on the table, sometimes on her lap, and sometimes on the bed. Each time, the words grew more demanding. And Astoria burned all of them without a moment’s hesitation.

Then, she heard it. The rumors spreading among the people. Even some of the servant girls whispered, pointing out how horrible she had been to their Emperor at first and how she was acting nicely now as she slowly finished him off.

That, the Emperor was being poisoned by his wife.

Astoria’s fury knew no boundaries. First the notes, now this. Above all, Cyrus’ worsening condition. And she snapped.

She forbade anyone other than Clara, the royal physician, Rowan, and Emily from entering their chambers. But the suspicion only grew.

You don’t suppose he’s actually being poisoned, do you?Skylar asked one day, sitting next to Spyrah on Cyrus’ bed and staring at his now-ghastly white face.He looks awful.

Thanks, Skylar. I have eyes,Astoria snapped at him.

Whoa, there! I’m on your side. No need to be so cross with me of all people.

Astoria sighed and looked at him apologetically.I’m so sorry, Sky.Tears brimmed in her eyes.I—I don’t feel like myselfanymore; it’s like I’m losing my mind every day. I feel scared, helpless… I don’t want anything to happen to him.

You really like him, don’t you?Skylar stared at her with mature understanding in his eyes.

She merely shrugged and wiped away her fallen tears.He’s not who I thought he was. So, I think I want to know him more. I just hope I’m not late…

Hey, don’t think like that. He will be alright. I tell Spyrah that every day, and she says it’s her lifeline, that I’m giving her hope.

Astoria’s eyes turned to Spyrah, who was staring intently at Cyrus’ face. It seemed like they were conversing, and Astoria had never been jealous of an innocent red panda before. She wished she could telepath with him, too. It had been three days since he had spoken to her, barely coming to consciousness. Though each time he did and saw her, his lips would pull into a weak smile just before he blackened out again.

A knock sounded at the door. Astoria called out to come in, and Rowan entered, his eyes immediately finding Cyrus. He approached her. “Any progress?”

Astoria shook her head, looking back at her husband.

Rowan sighed heavily. “Did he drink the medicine?”

“Just a sip, and he blacked out again.”

There was a beat of silence before Rowan spoke again. “Astoria, you don’t think—”

“No, Rowan, no one’s poisoning him!” Astoria shot to her feet. “No one’s trying to kill my husband! He’s just… he is just too sick. The physician recommended different remedies, and none of them seemed to work. His situation is merely worsening, alright?Noone is poisoning him!”

Tears trickled down her cheeks. She refused to accept it. In a palace full of people who loved him, who would poison him?What could they possibly earn by getting rid of the one person who makes their lives easier?

Rowan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I wish I knew how to contact his father. He would’ve known something that would help Cyrus.”

Astoria looked at him, astonished. “I didn’t even think about that. You have no idea how we can contact the High King?”

Rowan shook his head ruefully. “Only Cyrus does, and from what he told me once, only he could do it. So I never asked more about it.” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “Heavens, I wish I could do something for him other than running the empire in his place.”

“We all wish we could do the same, Rowan, but don’t say it like that,” Astoria told him softly. “Cyrus is grateful to have a friend like you;I’mgrateful to have a friend like you. To know that you are there running the empire in Cyrus’ place and mine while I stay with him means a lot. Never doubt that.”

Rowan gave her a sorrowful but knowing smile. “He wasn’t bluffing when he said he was a lucky man. He indeed is.” Then he added, “I’m grateful for the both of you, too.”

Suddenly, in her peripheral view, something appeared on the table. Astoria’s eyes widened, and she snatched it out of sight. But not before Rowan had seen it.

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