Page 89 of Dueling the Suitors

But Astoria sank onto the bed, the feeling leaving her legs. “So itisthe rebels, isn’t it?”

“We will catch them, alright?” Rowan grabbed a chair and sat in front of her. “At least now we knowwhatthey are trying to accomplish.”

“I still don’t understand why they would—” She broke off and glanced at Cyrus over her shoulder. She wanted to talk to him again, and she was desperate enough to push her healing power into action. “I want to be alone, Rowan. This is all too overwhelming,” she said without taking her eyes off her husband.

She heard Rowan rising from the chair. “Sure. Just send for me if you need anything. It’s chaos down there.”

She looked at him. “That servant spread the news, didn’t he?”

“Yes, and when I told them the culprit is someone from the inside, it got worse. They went wild, each protesting that they wouldn’t do such a thing, that they love Cyrus too much to even wish him ill.” Rowan lifted his eyes to the ceiling and winced before he said the next words. “Ironically, they are still suspectingyou, demanding that you should be kept away from him.”

Astoria’s temper flared. “Well, you can tell them they’d have to burn down the palace to separate me from my husband. It’s too late for that now.”

Rowan raised his palms. “I told them you are in love with him. But they wouldn’t believe me.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She calmed down.Wasshe in love with him? Astoria looked at Cyrus, and she realized, maybe she was. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but it might’ve developed along with her heart softening towards him. Now she knew where all that protectiveness and desperation came from.

“No one’s leaving the palace, not until the culprit is caught. Don’t worry about it, Astoria. Just stay with him. I will handle this, alright?”

She nodded and turned back to Rowan. “Thank you, Rowan. Please be careful. I want my friend when all this is over.”

Rowan grinned for what seemed like the first time since Cyrus fell sick. He touched her shoulder reassuringly. “Thank you, Astoria. I assure you, I can’t be removed easily.” He dropped his hand and turned to walk to the door. “Can I bring you the records of the physicians? You can help me find someone who can help him.”

“Yes, please.” They needed to get someone like the Mage healer—Astoria felt terrible for not even knowing her name—as soon as possible. But right now, she wanted to talk with Cyrus.

When Rowan closed the door behind him and she flicked her wrist to lock it, she climbed back to Cyrus’ side and held her hands over him. Desperation overtook her, and her golden threads wrapped around his body. A moment later, Cyrus sighed. His eyes opened.

“Astra…” he called her with a sigh.

“Did Spyrah tell you?” she asked urgently, heart pounding, sparing a glance at Spyrah—and Skylar, who was uncharacteristically silent.

He nodded. He didn’t seem to have the strength like last time. She assumed it was becauseshewas weak.

“What are we going to do?” Her chin trembled, but she clenched her jaw and tried to stay strong for him. “The healer told me that only the herbs from Windlewade could—” she stopped short with a gasp. “Cyrus! Your father! He can help us!”

Cyrus closed his eyes, and there was a slight wince in his voice as he said, “Joaquin has an obsession with herbs. He has an herb garden.”

“Oh, that’s brilliant!” Her hope sprouted wings.

“But we haven’t talked for years. He’s mad at me for not returning to Windlewade and hasn’t responded to my letters since I told him I wasn’t coming back. He hates me.”

Astoria refused to let his words deter her newfound hope. “Between the two of us, if anyone knows anything about sibling hatred, that’s me. And I say, from what you’ve told me about your brother, he couldn’t possiblyhateyou.”

Cyrus arched an eyebrow at her words weakly.

“Oh, right. I haven’t told you about my history with Silas,” she said in realization. “But never mind. Tell me how I can contact your brother or send him a note. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this before, Cyrus!”

He sighed. “Because I knew he wouldn’t help me.”

“You wouldn’t know that until you tried.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Now, tell me what to do. Even if your brother won’t help, your father will. Unlike mine, yours loves you.”

His eyes softened just before they darkened. “I will make your father pay for what he did to you.”

“First, you need to get healed, and for that, tell me how I can contact your father,” she pressed him. “Please, don’t let your past hold you back from seeking your brother’s help. If not for yourself, do it for me.”

He stared at her for a moment, his gaze softening again. “As you wish, my darling. Anything for you.” He pointed his chin to his left hand. “See the golden ring with the orange stone on my middle finger? Take it and put it on yours.”

Astoria didn’t hesitate to oblige. “And now?”

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