Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

P aige chewed her lower lip as scores began to fill in on the spreadsheet. She eyed the two averages at the end, hoping that Devon edged out Henry. As the judge typed in the final number, she bit her lower lip, waiting for the new averages to appear.

Her heart sank as Henry managed to edge out Devon by a tenth of a point. Paige's shoulders slumped as she slid her gaze to Devon.

His biceps bulged as he pounded his fists against his thighs with a curse escaping his lips.

"Shake it off, Devon. You've got one more battle to go to prove yourself. You've got this," Drucinda told him.

"Just adds to the excitement." Devon smashed one fist against his palm as he eyed Henry. "All the more excitement before I take you down."

"I shall prevail. It is obvious my devotion to Paige shall help me win."

"You aren't winning anything, pal," Devon answered, his chest puffing as he lunged at the man.

"We shall see, beast," Henry answered, locking his hands onto Devon's shoulders as they struggled back and forth before rolling across the floor.

"Hey!" Paige shouted as chants for the fight to continue broke out. "Stop it."

"Fight, fight, fight, fight!" Dewey chanted, pumping his fists in the air.

"Stop, Dewey. I don't want them fighting. The Amor Fortis is bad enough, but this is just a stupid display of testosterone."

"Exactly, it's awesome, Paige."

"It's not awesome, it's just stupid. I can't believe that they are–" Pain bloomed in the back of her head, and she stumbled forward a few steps. "Ow, what the hell?"

She whipped around to find Ivy lunging at her.

The woman barreled into her, knocking her to the ground. They rolled a few feet before Ivy landed on top of her. She yanked back her arm, her fist cocked, but before she could slam it into Paige's jaw, Drucinda grabbed her by the hair and tossed her aside.

"Pick on someone your own size, Ivy," Drucinda spat at her.

Paige scrambled to her feet, her eyes wide. She scanned the room. Fights had broken out all over the ballroom and chaos ensued. "What is happening?"

"Fight!" Drucinda answered before she punched a random person who rushed toward her, then kicked someone's feet out from under them. "Happens all the time in Amor Fortises. Just find a random person and deck them. It'll make you feel better."

"What? No." Paige shook her head as she caught sight of Dewey smashing a tray of food over someone's head before he flew away. "Everyone has gone crazy."

"Fun, right?" Drucinda said as she took out two people with a single kick .

Paige slowly backed away, trying to escape the fray when a firm hand clamped down on her. She twisted, fear rising in her, to find Devon.

He scooped her up and carried her from the room.

"What are you doing?"

"Escaping with my bride-to-be," he said with a grin. "That'll rage for at least another thirty minutes. Giving us the perfect time to spend together and regroup before the next battle."

"Right."

"Oh, and you need to go dress shopping. That's when the fight will die down."

"This is insanity. Also, will you please put me down? I'm not a damsel in distress. I don't need to be carried around."

"Yeah, as soon as we get to the tower," he answered with a wink as he took the stairs two by two.

Paige held back rolling her eyes, pleased to be away from the ridiculous battle raging in the ballroom even if it meant being carried to the tower room by a vampire. They arrived, and Devon set her down. She took a step before he grabbed her and planted a kiss on her.

"Okay," she answered when he finally pulled back. "What is happening?"

"I'm apologizing. Paige, I'm sorry I blew that. I'm terrible at written things. I'm much better at just being hot."

"It's fine. You'll win it in the next round. Although, you may be marrying Ivy because I may be the one who fails."

"You're not going to fail, Paige. You're so smart, and kind, and nice, and pretty."

"And human."

"But a very awesome human," Devon said with a coy smile as he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Stop hitting on me. Now's not the time for romance, Devon. "

"I think it is. A time to remind you why you're so special to me. A time to–"

Paige clamped her hand over his mouth. "Save it. You should have said all this stuff during the stupid competition, and then maybe we'd be getting married tomorrow if I can manage to keep myself together and win today."

"You're going to do it, baby, I know it."

"Thanks for the confidence boost. Let's hope I can wrap this up, and we're one step closer to getting married."

"Aw, Paigey. I'm so excited that you can't wait to get married."

"To find…yep. Super excited. Let's hope I can box out Ivy today."

The door burst open before Devon could answer her.

"Paige? What the heck?" Dewey said as he buzzed inside with Drucinda following. "We have the dress shopping. What did you run off for?"

"To escape the insanity going on down there. I mean, seriously? A massive brawl?"

"Awesome, right?" Dewey answered. "Anyway, we had to leave because we really need to get your dress. Come on, we're set up in the upstairs sitting room. I've got everything ready."

Devon slipped his hand into Paige's and took a step toward the door.

"Whoa," Dewey said, pressing a paw against his chest, "where do you think you're going, Lover Boy?"

"To the dress shopping party."

"I don't think so, buddy. Do you want your wedding ruined? You can't see Paige in her dress before the wedding!"

"That's just an old wives' tale," Devon said with a wave of his hand. "I want to go."

"And I want to be a regular-sized dragon, but here we are. Get over yourself. Maybe go practice for the last round in the Amor Fortis so you don't lose it."

"That was low, Dewey. I didn't try to lose the second round. I just…" Devon's eyes turned glassy. "Fell short in explaining how much Paige means to me."

"It's fine," Paige said, "but Dewey's right. We have enough working against us, I don't want to mess it up with this dress thing."

Devon offered her a warm smile. "Aww, Paige. Okay. If you want to dress shop alone, I get it. I'll just…go workout."

"Perfect. You work out. I'll buy a dress, kick Ivy's butt, we'll have lunch–"

"Oh, wait," Devon said as he flicked his gaze to Dewey, "am I invited to the shower?"

"No, Dimples, you are not. Girls only…and me. Although, you should arrive right at the end with a single rose for maximum romantic impact. I'll text you."

"Perfect. I really wanted to come though. I hope we got that toaster."

"Well, you'll find out at the end," Paige answered. "And with any luck, I won't have to go through two battles today because I can win the gauntlet thing."

"Okay, enough hoping. Let's go buy a dress," Dewey said with a grin as he landed on Paige's shoulder.

She followed Drucinda from the room through the halls to a massive sitting room. Several racks of dresses filled the room. A maid hurried over, offering them flutes of champagne.

Paige took one and sipped it as her stomach fluttered.

Dewey took a long sip before he fluttered over to paw through a few of the dresses. "So, what are we thinking, Paige? Mermaid, trumpet, A-line, ball gown?"

"Uhhh," Paige answered as she stared at the rows of dresses .

An attendant offered her an expectant glance. "Is there a specific designer you prefer?"

"No," Paige answered. "Honestly, I've never thought much about it. I guess…uh, whatever you think is best."

"Whatever you think is best? Paige! Have you not dreamed about your wedding since you were a little girl?"

"Ahh, nope. Kind of dreamed about having a really cool job and stuff. But didn't really think about my wedding or my dress."

"Well, why don't we try a few styles and see what works on you?" the attendant said.

Paige nodded before she was whisked away behind a changing screen. Mounds of fabric smothered her before she finally shimmied into a massive ball gown-style dress and emerged from behind the screen.

"Hmm," Dewey murmured as he rubbed his chin. "I like it…I don't love it. It's so…fluffy. Less fluff, more shape."

The attendant nodded as she tugged Paige behind the screen again. "Let's try a different style."

This time, Paige squeezed into a mermaid-style dress, wincing as it hugged her hips. "I don't like this," she said as she waddled out to show Drucinda and Dewey.

"Ugh, pass. No, not a good style for Paige. Though I would look amazing in that," Drucinda answered. "Any chance that comes in another color?"

"We do have a similar style in burgundy and teal."

"I'll try the burgundy," Drucinda answered as Paige hurried back to change into a trumpet-style gown.

"Mmm," she said as she stared in the mirror. "I kind of like–"

"No," Dewey said with a shake of his head.

"But I like–"

"No, I said no. No, Paige. It looks like you're going to adult prom. This is a wedding. To a prince. You are becoming royalty, and you want to do it in that?"

"It's nice. Simple, but elegant. And–"

"It's a no. Miss? Would you please try another dress?" Dewey fluttered his hand at the attendant who snapped to, dragging Paige back with her.

"Let's try another ball gown. It seems those are the best."

"But I don't like–"

"Zip it, Paige. You need a massive dress that screams royalty. I'm talking Princess Di with a train longer than the church aisle."

Paige heaved a sigh as she was smothered in fabric again and trotted out in front of the mirror.

"Mmm, we're getting closer," Dewey answered, "but I'm not loving the cake topper look. Too much satin and beads. Try again."

The attendant nodded as she hurried to pick out a few more dresses for Paige to try. They spent another hour wrangling material around her until finally she stepped from behind the screen, and Dewey gasped.

"Ohhh, Paige…that's it. Yes. It's classy and elegant, understated but bold. It's everything your wedding gown should be when you're marrying royalty."

Paige stared in the mirror at the fitted bodice filled with silver beads that sparkled when the light caught them before she fluffed the full skirt. "It's kind of pretty."

"Kind of pretty? Paige, you're a stunner! This is the one."

Paige smiled at herself in the mirror. "I like it. Okay, this is it."

"It's lovely," another voice said from behind them. "Too bad you'll never get to wear it."

Paige twisted to face Ivy, a frown forming on her face. "Get out of here."

"Actually, we should both get out of here," Ivy said with a smirk. "It's almost time for me to kick your behind in the gauntlet."

"The only behind you're going to kick is your own!" Paige shouted, jabbing a finger at her.

"Yeah!" Dewey yelled before he flicked his gaze to Paige. "Wait, what?"

"I don't know…I just…it came out and it didn't make good sense but I was committed."

"Well, anyway, Paige may have said that wrong, but she's going to kick your butt and wear this dress tomorrow when she becomes royalty," Dewey said.

"Right," Paige answered with a bob of her head. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to change so that I can get ready to win."

Paige grabbed her skirt and waddled behind the screen to change into the costume awaiting her.

"Do you need the butter and plastic wrap?" Drucinda asked.

"No," Paige answered as she wrangled the leather pants higher. "I'm so mad I just yanked them right on."

She emerged from behind the screen, dressed and ready. "I'm ready to kick some Venompire butt."

"Wow, you're fired up," Drucinda said with an arch of her eyebrow.

Dewey buzzed around the room in a circle. "Paige is about to win!"

"It's the leather pants," Paige said. "You were right. They really transform you. Let's do this!"

She hopped into a crouched lunge position with her hands stretched out like claws.

"Yeah, don't do that. You look ridiculous. Even in leather trousers," Drucinda answered with a shake of her head. "Come on. "

She led them from the room as Dewey landed on Paige's shoulder. "Shake it off, buddy. I thought you looked cool."

"Me too. Thanks, Dewey."

They met Devon at the top of the stairs. "Did you get a dress?"

"I did. It's very nice. I hope you get to see it."

"I will, Paige. I believe in you."

She smiled at him as they strode into the ballroom. "That makes one of us."

The competitors met in the center of the room on either side of Dominic. A challenge realm entrance portal floated behind him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to round two of the Amor Fortis for the ladies. In this round, Paige and Ivy will run the gauntlet. The winner is the one who emerges first. If there is a tie, the judges shall weigh in on their performance."

Paige breathed out a long sigh as she tried to steady her nerves. If she could put this challenge away, she'd be one step closer to finding her mom. If she failed, though…

She shook her head. No, she couldn't think of that. She had to stay positive. She could win. She could do it. She was smart. Talented.

"Ready to lose, loser?" Ivy taunted.

Her confidence plunged as she stared at the tall blonde who looked far smarter and more talented. Where was Drucinda? Why didn't she rub her shoulders and tell her reassuring things like she did with Devon?

Her palms turned sweaty as Dominic shifted his gaze between them. "Competitors, are we ready?"

"Of course," Ivy answered.

Paige bobbed her head up and down, her heart thudding against her chest and her palms turning sweaty. She glanced at the swirling portal behind Dominic. Could she win?