Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

P aige covered her face with her hands as the reality of what she faced smacked her like a physical blow. She wondered if she could slink away and hide for the rest of her life. But then she'd never find her mother.

A scaly paw slid onto her forearm. "Paige?"

She pulled her hands away from her face and slid her eyes to him.

"You okay?"

"No," she said with a sob, trying to control her emotions and stay quiet enough not to wake Devon who still slept next to her.

"What is it? Is it Devon's snoring? Are you having second thoughts about the wedding?"

"If I make it that far!" Paige flung an arm over her eyes.

"Of course, you will, Paige. You're so tough and smart. You'll wipe the floor with Ivy. And then you'll walk down the aisle in a big white dress and marry Devon. And before you know it, I'll be Uncle Dewey– "

"Oh, you're making it worse. Please stop talking like this is real."

"Sorry. Okay, so you'll live, walk down the aisle, find your mom, and…then whatever. Let's not think that far ahead. Let's just get through what we need to get through."

Paige blew out a long breath as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. "Right. I can do this. The leather trousers will give me the power."

"Mmm, I doubt that. But you can still do it. But first…dress shopping."

"Actually, first, Devon and Henry's second battle. I wonder if Devon will win and just end this?"

"I hope not. I'd love to see it go three rounds for maximum excitement. Oh, also, if you wouldn't mind throwing your match for the same reason…"

"I would," Paige snapped. "I very much would. I don't want it coming down to a face-off in round three. I'd like to sit comfortably back and know that I'm not going to die."

Dewey kicked back the covers as the sun warmed the room. "Fine, if you have to be selfish about it, okay."

She eyed him with an annoyed glance as Devon stirred next to her. He squinted against the bright light pouring in through the windows. "Hey, good morning. Did you sleep?"

"A little, yeah," she answered.

"I knew you would as soon as I was here to protect you." He offered her a bleary-eyed grin.

Paige resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him as he patted himself on the back for a job well done. Devon offered her his dimpled grin as he reached toward her, sliding a lock of hair away from her face and cupping her cheek.

Dewey popped up behind her, peering over her shoulder. "Hey, Lover Boy, any chance for breakfast in bed?"

"Wow, way to ruin a moment there, Dewey. "

"Moment?" the dragon asked. "Ew. Come on. I'm right here. There should be no moments. None."

"Dewey's right. This is hardly a time for you to make a romantic move, Devon. You've got the Duel of Devotion coming up shortly."

Devon heaved a sigh as he pushed up to sit, his muscles rippling under his t-shirt. "What's more devoted than wanting a kiss from my almost-wife first thing in the morning?"

"Getting prepared to win this battle so your almost-wife doesn't almost marry someone else."

"Fine," he said with a grumble as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I'm going to take a shower."

"Wow, he's a ray of sunshine in the morning," Dewey grumbled as he floated into the air and buzzed to a cord on the wall.

"And a super heavy sleeper who snores like I don't know what," Paige said as she hugged her knees to her chest and let her forehead fall forward.

"Tell me about it. Being a vampire princess is not going to be without its challenges. The Devon in my book doesn't snore."

Paige raised her eyebrows as she shot a glance at Dewey. "Maybe I could go live in your book. Like my mom did with the Shadows Slayers for a while when she was pregnant with me."

Dewey rubbed a claw along his chin. "Would there be two of you then?"

His eyes went wide, and he shot Paige a panicked glance. "Quick! I need paper!"

"Huh?" Paige asked.

"Paper, pen. Something, anything!" Dewey buzzed around the room, tugging open drawers in search of paper. "I just had an idea that'll round out my trilogy. "

"Are you kidding me?" Paige tossed the covers back and stretched before she climbed from the bed. "I'm in a life and death situation, and you're worried about your third book."

"Shhh," he shushed her as he scribbled words onto a paper. "Don't interrupt while I'm getting my thoughts down."

He tossed the pencil back into the drawer and held the paper up with a grin. "Oh, baby, this is going to be a winner. Paranormal romance won't know what hit ‘em."

Devon shuffled back in, drying his hair with a towel. "Oh, yeah, how's your book coming? Did you get those pictures I sent?"

"I did," Dewey answered with a nod as he folded his note page. "I think they'll work well. I forwarded them to my cover designer. She's going to try them out."

"That's awesome. This is so cool, right, Paige?"

"Yeah, it's super cool that our real names and now, apparently our real faces will be plastered all over a cheesy, steamy paranormal romance."

"Hey, it's not cheesy," Dewey said with a wag of his finger at her. His features morphed into a coy grin. "It is steamy, though."

"Well, I can't wait to read it," Devon said.

Paige's jaw unhinged as she stared at him and shook her head. He closed the distance between them, lowering his voice. "Try to be supportive, Paige. He's excited."

"I'm not going to be supportive of Dewey's efforts to make money by cramming a bunch of steamy sex scenes into a book that's loosely based on us and has our real names in it. No, pass."

"What if it was a clean romance?" Devon asked. "Could you get on board then? Because I've read a few clean romances that are pretty good, actually. Very riveting."

"Are you serious?" Paige asked .

"Wow, closeted romance reader, eh, Dimples?" Dewey questioned.

Devon shrugged. "I like a happily ever after as much as the next guy."

Dewey retrieved the pen from the drawer and scrawled on his paper again. "Reads romance."

"I can't listen to any more of this. I'm going to shower and get ready to almost die again today."

"Also the dress fitting!" Dewey called after her.

She rolled her eyes as she stormed into the bathroom, mumbling to herself about how ridiculous her life had become. "I thought when I got a job as a librarian, my life would be better. Instead, it's just ridiculous."

Under the cascading hot water, she braced herself for the day's hectic agenda, from the battles ahead to the dress shopping. She couldn't decide which prospect was more daunting.

With a sigh, she stepped out of the shower, toweled off, and pulled her clothes on. When she shuffled back into the bedroom, she found Drucinda had joined the group. "There you are. Good, let's head down to breakfast. Devon needs sustenance before his battle."

"I'm pumped," he said, smashing his fist into his opposite palm. "Paigey, we're going to be one step closer to being husband and wife after this duel."

"Please stop calling me Paigey. I don't like it."

"Oh, right, I guess you prefer Kitten," he said, his voice laced with ire.

"I don't. Just use my name. Paige. Just say Paige."

"I like Paigey. It's cute without being degrading," Drucinda said. "I have a nickname. You don't see me pitching a fit when people call me Dru."

"Fine, call me whatever you want," Paige said as she threw her arms in the air .

"Ooh, someone's not a morning person," Devon said with a coy smile. "You hangry?"

"I'm not hangry," Paige said through clenched teeth. "Let's just go eat."

"Sounds good to me," Dewey said. "I'm starving. Hey, Devon, can I trust that you'll wipe the floor with Henry today? I'd like to win back what I lost on the bets yesterday."

"Of course, man. I'm all over this. You can count on me." Devon pulled the door open and they shuffled through into the hall.

"What is it like to be that cocky, I wonder?" Paige said as he strode down the hall, talking strategy with Drucinda.

"No idea," Dewey said. "But he sure is. That swagger is undeniably a result of growing up as the lone vampire prince in the world."

"He has a sister, though, right?"

"Yeah, Luna. I've never met her."

"I wonder what she's like?" Paige questioned as they descended the stairs and made their way toward the dining hall where breakfast was laid out.

"I don't know. Maybe we'll meet her today at your shower. I invited her."

"It feels weird having a shower when I don't even know if I'll be getting married or who I will be marrying if I win."

"Yeah, although, you need a toaster no matter who you marry." Dewey puckered his lips as he picked up a plate at the end of the buffet. "Although, if you lose…you could just use your old toaster. Unless you're dead. Then, you don't need any toasters."

"Thanks, Dewey. Right. Well, keep the gift receipts and if I'm dead, return it."

"Will do, Captain," he said with a salute before he loaded eggs onto this plate .

"Glad I can count on you," she said as they settled at a table with Devon and Drucinda.

"Now," the Valkyrie said as she stabbed at a sausage, "you know your strategy, right? Heartfelt, honest. Really tug at their heartstrings. Go for the big gestures. Over the top. Remember, you have to convince the judges and Paige."

"Um, I'll just vote for you," Paige said with a shrug. "Don't worry about convincing me."

"Aw, Paigey, thank you," Devon said with a pat on her hand. "It's really heartwarming how much you're supporting me."

"Because…" Paige crinkled her forehead. Did he not understand she needed the soul compass? "Yeah, no problem. We're a team, right?"

He threaded his fingers through hers. "Yep."

"Well, I see we have survived the night," Dominic said as he sidled to their table, his hands clasped behind him.

"Yeah," Devon said with a shake of his head, "because I protected what's mine. My family."

"As you should, Devon. It's time you took your role seriously here."

"I'm taking it very seriously, Dad," Devon answered as he tightened his grip on Paige's hand.

She wondered how much of his proposal had been about proving something to his father and how much was about her. She supposed she was about to find out in the next battle.

"Good luck today, son. We'll be starting in a few minutes, so…say your goodbyes to your lovely fiancé and join me in the ballroom."

"I'm ready to wrap this up, so I'll see you in a few minutes. Right after I said a proper goodbye to Paige."

Paige shifted to smile up at Dominic when Devon yanked her from the chair. She stumbled to stand before he wrapped his arms around her, tipped her back, and planted a kiss on her.

When he returned her to standing, she stood stunned for a second until Dewey landed on her shoulder. "That was hot, Paige. Your boy's totally going to win."

She slid her eyes closed for a second as she sucked in a breath. "Yeah. Well, let's go find out."

They shuffled along with the crowd into the ballroom. "Ms. Turner, if you'll please take a seat with the judges," a suit-clad man said as she stepped inside.

"Oh, uh…wait, I want Dewey with me. He's my…advisor. I need him."

"Fine," the man said as he motioned toward an ornate seat on a raised platform.

Paige settled in on the velvet pillow, wrapping her fingers around the carved wooden arm.

"Hey, thanks for the primo seat, Paige," Dewey said as he patted her head.

"Yeah, you're welcome. I just…I hate this. I'm going to have to vote and everyone's going to be staring at me and stuff. I hate being the center of attention."

"Well, I love it, so I can totally do this job on your behalf. I'll be really dramatic about it, too. You know, dramatic pauses, arching eyebrows, the whole bit."

"Thanks, Dewey. I'll just whisper in your ear like I'm actually saying something, then just announce Devon every time."

"Got it," Dewey said with a bob of his head as Dominic hushed the crowd.

"Good morning, everyone. And welcome to day 2 of the Amor Fortis."

Applause broke out, and Dominic waved them quiet. "This morning we have the Duel of Devotion. Both contestants will shower the object of their affection with the true depths of their devotion to her. Their outpourings will be judged by the woman herself and a panel of judges. Before we begin, we will flip a coin to determine who goes first. As the challenging party, Henry will call it."

Dominic produced a coin as Henry announced, "Heads."

Dominic flipped it and let it clatter to the ground. "Heads," he called. "You may choose your position in the duel."

"I shall go…second," Henry answered with an arch of his eyebrow.

"Fine. Devon, you are first. We begin now," Dominic said.

Paige's heart thudded against her ribs as Devon nodded and stepped forward toward her.

He swallowed hard and flicked his gaze to Paige. "Paige…we've had some crazy adventures. And they all started when you fell down those stairs at the library. Remember, you landed on my foot?"

The memory brought a smile to her face as she nodded.

"And from that time on, I just…knew how special you were. And that's why I kidnapped you and asked you to marry me."

Several "awws" filled the air.

"And I still feel the same way. Paige, I would kidnap you and lock you in the tower all over again."

More heartfelt exclamations went up as Devon produced a single rose and handed it to her. Color rose in her cheeks as she accepted it with a tight-lipped smile.

"Gonna be tough to beat that," Dewey said. "Really heartfelt."

Applause sounded as Devon stepped back, and Henry approached her. He arched an eyebrow as he pulled a paper from his pocket and cleared his throat.

"Paige, I have written you a poem to showcase my love for you." He cleared his throat again as he raised the paper to his eye level. "In your laughter, I've found delight. With every glance, love takes flight. Our journey, a story both playful and bright. Together, forever, our hearts unite."

Dewey crinkled his brow as he rubbed his chin. "Wow, that was weak."

"Yeah, and kind of stupid. I vote Devon."

Dewey nodded as he fluttered forward. "Paige's vote is for…" He paused and scanned the crowd before he announced, "Devon."

A few applause broke out before they died down as they awaited the judges' panel scores. After a brief discussion, the head judge, a balding man by the name of Ben Badman, announced their winner. "Devon."

Devon shouted, "Whoo!" as he raised a fist in the air!

Drucinda rubbed his shoulders. "That's it, Devon. That's it."

Dominic shushed the crowd into silence again before he announced the second round.

Devon stepped forward and tugged a paper from his pocket. "I also wrote you a little something, Paige."

He cleared his throat. "Hey Paige, you make every day an adventure, and I can't wait for more."

He stepped back as Paige furrowed her brow.

"Wait, that's it?" Dewey asked. "That was ridiculous. Oh well, okay, move on."

Henry moved forward, a slight smirk on his face. "Paige, you are the beauty that puts roses to shame. The light that outshines the stars. With you, every day is poetry, and every moment is a sonnet. I promise to cherish you with the grace and elegance of the finest verses."

"Dang," Dewey said as he shot a glance at Paige. "That was awesome. You'd be hard-pressed to vote for Devon in this round. "

"But I have to. If he wins this round, we're one step closer to finding my mom."

"Right, right, right, right, right. Yeah, got it." Dewey buzzed forward, poking a claw in the air and opening his mouth before he shook his head and returned to Paige. "Wait, I don't know if I can, in good conscience, vote Devon. It sounds stupid."

"So what? Cheating is encouraged. Just go say Devon."

"Fine, fine." Dewey flew forward again. "Paige's vote is for…Devon, against my better judgment."

All eyes turned to the conference of judges at her side. Ben announced, "Henry."

Paige's eyes went wide. "So, now what happens?"

Gasps went up through the crowd, and Dominic waved them away. "In the event that there is a split decision, scores shall be averaged. If you all would score the attempts on a scale of one to ten, with ten being the highest score, and one being the lowest."

Dewey dug a whiteboard from under her chair and handed it to her. With her stomach twisted, she rated Devon a ten and Henry a one.

"Seriously?" Dewey asked. "At least give him a five. His was way better than Devon's."

"No way. I need to drag his average down."

"Fine," Dewey said with a sigh before he delivered her scores to the judges' panel. They entered them into a spreadsheet projected on the big screen. Paige's heart sank as she spotted Henry's much higher score.

"Henry is the winner of round 2," Ben announced.

Dominic flicked his eyebrows up as he stepped forward again. "Our final round will decide the winner of this battle."

Drucinda massaged Devon's shoulders. "You got this, Devon, finish him."

Devon cracked his neck as he stepped forward for his final round. He nodded as he stepped forward. With a lick of his lips, he flicked his gaze to Paige. "Paige, uh, I had something prepared for this round, but…obviously, I'm awful at written stuff, so…I'm just going to wing it.

"From the moment I saw you, I knew there was something special about you. And even though I tried to kill you sort of, I still…was also into you. And that's why I kidnapped you and asked you to marry me. And even after you said no, I still helped you because, baby, we're meant to be together. We're written in the stars. And I'm going to do everything I can to make you happy, starting with a key to my heart." He dug a key from his pocket and presented it to Paige amid oohs and aahs.

"Wow, that's…that's a ten for me," Paige said as she held the brass key in her hand.

"That was pretty good," Dewey responded. "Let's see how Henry does."

Henry stepped forward with a single red rose and scroll, sealed with wax. "Paige, our love is a timeless symphony, a melody that will never fade. I see a future with you, filled with shared dreams and unwavering support. I promise to be your partner in creating a love story for the ages. And these promises, I have outlined in a written document that is binding. If I should go back on any of them, it is punishable by death. This is how strongly I feel."

Applause broke out as he stepped back. Dewey flicked his gaze to Paige, his features expectant. "Well?"

"Well, what? Devon. Vote Devon."

"Oh, right. Okay. Although, I think Henry's was pretty good. Punishable by death? Wow, that's next-level stuff."

"Just vote for Devon," she said through clenched teeth.

"Got it." Dewey flew forward and made the announcement, however, it conflicted with the judges' decision. Paige scribbled her scores down on her whiteboard and handed it off.

As the judges conferred, her heart thudded against her ribs. Would Devon win this round or would they face a setback in her quest to find her mother?