Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

" P aige, Paige!" Dewey hissed, patting the top of her head. "We're going to see a vampire fight!"

"I'm not sure I want to see one," she said through clenched teeth as she pressed against the wall.

"Why? It's awesome! Ohhh, wow. A double Amor Fortis, maid of honor at my best friend's wedding, and a vampire fight. This weekend really has it all. Well done, Dominic, well done."

"What? He didn't have anything to do with this. Actually, you're right, he had everything to do with this. And now Devon may die either here or in a series of challenges designed to make sure we don't get married. This is insane."

A few steps away, Devon roared.

Paige pushed herself away from the wall and raced to stand between them. "Stop, stop."

Devon quickly morphed back to human form. "Paige, get out of the way, I'm trying to be macho here."

He swapped back to beast mode after he finished his statement .

"I don't want you to be macho. I want you alive and well. Now, stop it, both of you."

"Like I'd listen to you," Ivy spat.

"Well, you should, because killing Devon isn't going to be too good if you want to marry him, so…"

"Maybe I've changed my mind."

"Really?" Paige asked, shooting her a questioning glance. "If you have, then step aside and let me marry him."

"Never!" Ivy shouted before she transformed into a flurry of bats and disappeared down the hall.

"What the actual hell?" Paige asked as she stared after her. "Is it me or is she totally crazy?"

Dewey raised a claw in the air. "You might say she's bat-sh–"

"Don't," Paige said with a shake of her head. "That's the stupidest joke ever. But I'm serious. One second, she's trying to kill me to marry Devon, the next she's trying to kill Devon, and the next, she's back to fighting me in the Amor Fortis for Devon. I don't get it."

A series of sounds spilled from Devon's still-black lips.

"What?" Paige asked.

Devon spoke again, but it was still a mumbled mess of sounds that made no sense.

"Will you please turn back to human form so I can understand you?" Paige asked.

Devon morphed back into his normal self before he spoke again. "Sorry, sometimes I forget. I said Ivy has always been crazy. She doesn't want to marry me. She just wants to be a princess."

"Isn't there someone else she can marry?"

Devon shrugged. "No. There are only vampire dukes. I'm the only prince."

Devon shot her a dimpled grin.

"Dang, Paige, you scored," Dewey said. "He's literally the only vampire prince on the planet. Until you two get married and start popping out baby vampires. Then you'll have a few little princes and princesses scampering around the castle."

Paige crinkled her nose. "No one said anything about kids."

"Come on, Paige," Devon said, his shoulders slumping. "Tell me you don't want a brood of little carrot-topped vampires running around."

"Did you forget that we're only–"

"Shh," Devon said as he pressed his hand over her lips. "The walls have ears."

"Right," Paige said, lowering her voice. "Fine. Just…we'll discuss children later."

"That ought to be discussed now," Dominic said.

"Dad," Devon answered, straightening his posture as he stepped around Paige.

"Are you telling me that you and your fiancée have not discussed producing an heir to this throne?"

"Of course, we have."

"Then, why did she say otherwise?"

"Because, pal ," Dewey answered, "Paige is a modern gal with a super cool job and a life to lead. She's not going to be in the castle pregnant and barefoot."

"Thank you, Dewey. Yes. That's right. Children is something we will have to plan," Paige answered.

"Right," Devon said as he slid his arm around Paige. "Which is why we'll have to discuss it later. When we figure out the right time to have children."

"Then, there will be children," Dominic said.

"Of course," Paige answered with a nervous chuckle. "How could you think I don't want a brood of little carrot-topped vampires running around?"

"Oh, please. Let us hope they take after Devon. "

"Hey, watch it, bud," Dewey said, wagging a finger at him, "Paige is hot. Especially for a ginger."

Paige nodded at him. "Thank you, Dewey. I appreciate that."

"Look, Dad, it's not your call. I think Paige is beautiful. Inside and out. And when we have children is a discussion between the two of us."

"That is untrue. It is a family discussion. An heir is needed. It is your duty." Dominic waved a finger at Paige. "And hers…should she win the Amor Fortis. Ivy understands these things. She was raised with this."

"Ivy just tried to kill me again. Paige stopped her. Think of that next time you try to shove Ivy down my throat. Paige and I will have no trouble producing an heir, but we'll do it on our time, not yours."

Dominic offered his usual sour expression back to them. "Fine. As long as it is done. See you tomorrow for the festivities."

"You better believe you will," Dewey answered, a hardness to his voice.

Dominic arched an eyebrow at the little dragon before he shook his head and wandered away.

Paige snapped her gaze to him. "That was oddly aggressive, Dewey."

"Sorry, got carried away."

Devon frowned as he scuffed his shoe against the floor and paced. "He's really pushing my buttons."

"It's kind of obvious he's disappointed in your choice, Devon."

"Yeah, well, don't I get a say in my own life?"

Paige crossed her arms as Devon continued his agitated stalking back and forth in the hall. Guilt coursed through her as she realized the trouble she was causing. "I'm really sorry, Devon. "

"For what?"

Paige flicked her gaze to the floor. "You're doing all this so I can find my mom and it's ruining your life."

Devon ceased his pacing, wrapping his hands around her arms. "Paige…you mean so much to me. Of course, I would do this to help you find your mom, but it's so much more than that."

Paige glanced up at his dark eyes, her forehead crinkling.

"Go on," Dewey answered as he hung on every word.

"No, don't go on," Paige said with a huff at Dewey. "We have enough going on that we don't need any speeches for you to steal for your book."

"But–"

"No," Paige said with a shake of her head. "Just…Devon, I really appreciate everything you're doing, but I think we need to get some sleep before we have to do battle again tomorrow."

"Right," Devon said with a nod before he slipped his arm around Paige's shoulders. "You can both stay in my room with me. You'll be safe there."

Dewey arched a fleshy eyebrow. "Wow, thanks. It'll be like a big sleepover. Ohhhh, can we grab some popcorn. Can we have a pillow fight? Let's play truth or dare."

"Dewey," Paige said as Devon led her down the hall, "we're going to sleep. I have been through two ordeals already tonight. And I have two more to go through tomorrow. I want to go to sleep, not play truth or dare with a dragon and vampire."

"Aw, come on, Paige. It sounds so much cooler when you say it that way."

"I'm not staying up all night to play a ridiculous game and eat more."

"Do it now, Paige, before you try on those dresses. Don't do it after. You don't want to buy a dress and have it not fit. '

Paige heaved a sigh. "I'm not going to buy a dress and not fit into it a day later."

"The way you eat…"

"Don't say another word," Paige said with a wag of her finger. "Or I'll find another maid of honor."

Dewey gasped. "Paige! You wouldn't. That's cruel."

"So is saying I'm going to gain enough weight not to fit into my wedding dress in one day," she said as they stepped into Devon's room.

"I'll take the couch. Paige, you can have the bed."

"And me," Dewey announced as he buzzed across the room. "Oh, but I've got to have this side. It's a thing. I can't explain it."

He tossed back the covers before he landed on the mattress. "Ohh, these are nice, Devon. This is exactly the bedding I would expect for a vampire prince."

He flopped onto his back and snuggled into the pillow. "Cover me up, won't you, Paige?"

Paige clicked her tongue as she eased onto the mattress. She flipped the covers over the dragon, covering him entirely.

He pushed them back with a grumble. "Be nice, Paige."

"Sorry, I'm just tired. I just want to lay down and get some sleep without a vampire trying to kill me."

She crawled under the sheets and settled back into the pillow as she tugged the covers higher. She let out a long sigh, appreciating the mattress's comfort.

"Stop groaning," Dewey said.

"Sorry. I ache everywhere. I should have taken a pain reliever or something."

"I could whip up a batch of slime," Dewey offered.

"Pass," Paige said without opening her eyes. "I don't need to be high. "

"Please. I'm not making that mistake again. I also know you don't weigh two hundred and fifty pounds now, so–"

"Will you two please be quiet so we can get some sleep?" Devon asked.

"Sorry, Muscles," Dewey said with a hint of snark in his voice, "we're just settling in."

A long sigh came from Devon as silence fell over the room. Paige sucked in a deep breath, trying to relax herself enough to fall asleep. With everything that had gone on, her mind raced. What would she face tomorrow? Could she win? Would she wrap up the contest?

She allowed her mind to imagine herself stepping out of the competition realm triumphant. Dominic raised her hand in the air and declared her the winner. A smile curved her lips. She'd marry Devon, find her mother, and live happily ever after.

"What are you smiling about?" Dewey whispered in her ear, startling her awake.

She snapped her eyes open before she slid her eyes sideways. "Why are you staring at me while I'm trying to sleep?"

"I was trying to see if you were asleep or not. I can't sleep."

"Me either," she admitted as she turned on her side. "There are too many things on my mind."

"Me too. I'm worried."

"So am I," Paige admitted with a slump of her shoulders. "What if I don't win? I mean, I know I don't have to win the next one, but I'm worried I can't win at all."

"I'm worried I picked the wrong cake for the shower."

She snapped her gaze to him, a frown on her face. "I'm in a life-and-death situation here, and you're worried about the cake?"

"Yeah," Dewey said. "I ordered the one with raspberry filling, and now I'm concerned some people won't like that. But I thought the chocolate was a little too much."

Paige clicked her tongue. "It'll be fine. Here's an idea. Maybe we could skip the shower entirely so I can focus on winning these challenges."

"Where's the fun in that? Do you really want to get married without a shower or a bachelorette party?"

"I think I'll be okay considering it's a fake marriage."

Devon cleared his throat loudly.

"Sorry," Paige said with a wince.

Dewey rolled his eyes as he flopped onto his back again with a sigh. A few minutes of silence stretched between them before loud snoring filled the air.

Dewey froze before he flicked his gaze to Paige.

Paige smacked a palm against her forehead. "Seriously?"

"Lover Boy snores really loudly."

"No kidding. That's like…deafening."

"You're never going to survive marriage, Paige. You're going to have to keep separate bedrooms if you ever want to sleep."

"Seriously." Paige flipped onto her back. "Maybe he'll roll over and stop."

"Throw a pillow at him," Dewey said.

"No. Buzz over and poke him."

"Me?" Dewey asked. "Why me?"

"You're faster."

Dewey threw back the covers and rose in the air. "Fine."

He buzzed through the air and cracked Devon on the head before he flew back.

"That did it. Thanks."

Dewey landed on the bed and flopped onto his back, pulling the covers over him. He settled into the pillows and closed his eyes .

Paige snuggled deeper into the mattress with a sigh. Within seconds, she snapped her eyes open again as Devon's loud snoring filled the room. "Are you kidding me?"

"I'm not going again," Dewey said with a shake of his head.

"Throw something at him."

"What?" Dewey asked.

"Pillow?" Paige suggested.

"No way. Throw your pillow. I need mine. I have to have my neck elevated at just the right level or else I can't sleep."

"What?" Paige pushed up to an elbow. "No, you don't. You literally sleep in a nest."

"With pillows and blankets and a specially built mattress for my dragon anatomy. I'm taking a chance sleeping on this mattress to begin with, but since I'm confident in its quality, I'll go ahead and take the risk."

Paige rolled her eyes as another loud snore echoed through the room. She grabbed the pillow and whipped it across the room. It smacked Devon in the face.

He shifted around, going quiet again.

"Thank God," Paige said with a sigh. "But now I have no pillow. Let me share yours.

"No way, go get yours," Dewey answered.

Paige heaved a sigh as she flung the covers back and stormed across the room to retrieve her pillow. As she snatched it from the floor, Devon snored again.

"You're kidding me. I didn't even get a chance to try to sleep."

She placed a hand on his arm and shook him.

"Huh, what?" Devon's eyes went wide. "What happened? Are you okay? Is it Ivy?"

"It's your snoring. We can't sleep."

"I don't snore," Devon answered.

"Uh, yeah, you do," Paige said .

Dewey flung his arms in the air as he lifted his chin. "You do, dude. Don't try to deny it. You snore with the enthusiasm of a freight train in a pillow factory. It's like a chainsaw in the forest of dreams. It's–"

"Yeah, I get it, but it's not funny. I don't snore. I never have. It's just…not in my make up."

Paige crinkled her brow. "You do. You–okay, never mind. Doesn't matter. Please, just…try to stay awake for like twenty minutes so we can fall asleep."

"Why?"

"Because…I'm too scared to sleep," Paige fibbed. "I'm afraid that Ivy will come to kill me while you're asleep."

Devon's features melted with concern. "Aw, Paigey, it'll be okay." He pulled himself to his feet and slid an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, I'll make sure you're safe."

"Thanks," Paige said with a half-smile as he led her back to the bed. She climbed inside, her eyes going wide as he followed her. "What are you doing?"

"Don't worry, Paige, Ivy won't get you if I'm lying right next to you. Now, you just lie down and don't worry about a thing."

Devon settled in next to her and closed his eyes. Within seconds, the snoring started again.

"Nice going, Paige," Dewey said. "Now he's even louder because he's literally right on top of us."

Paige let out a muffled scream as she shimmied closer to Dewey. "Move over. Devon's hogging the bed."

"I can't! I need space."

"Dewey, you're tiny. Move."

"Fine, fine."

She settled into the mattress again with a sigh. After an hour, she finally dozed off, managing a few hours of sleep before the sun streamed through the windows.

"Ugh," she groaned as she opened her sore, stinging eyes. For a brief second, she couldn't remember where she was. Her brow furrowed as her eyes slid from side to side, first spotting Dewey, then Devon.

And then it struck her. She was in the midst of an epic battle for her life. And she may not make it past today.