Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

P aige swallowed hard as sweat beaded on her brow from both exertion and nerves. Would she win or lose?

The judge flicked his gaze between the two contestants. "The winner of this round is…Ivy Delacroix."

"What? No!" Paige shouted as she slapped a hand against her forehead. "How could that be? I beat her. By a lot!"

"You failed to successfully complete any of the challenges, therefore, despite your faster time, you are ineligible to win this challenge. The win goes to Ivy Delacroix for completing all challenges successfully."

"This is crazy! Cheating is always encouraged," Paige shouted. "I cheated. I should win for cheating alone!"

"The judges' decision is final. Ivy Delacroix is our winner. We stand with each woman with one win and will head into our final round tonight to determine who will win Devon's hand," Dominic said.

Paige screwed up her face as applause rang out. "You've got to be kidding me. I was robbed! "

Warm hands wrapped around her shoulders and squeezed. "You were robbed, babe. That's right."

She twisted to glance at Devon. "I was robbed, yes."

"Cheaters never win," Dewey said as he fluttered in front of her.

Paige crossed her arms and offered him an unimpressed stare. "They said cheating was encouraged."

Get over it, Paige," Dewey answered as he landed on her shoulder. "It's over. You lost. At least you're still alive. Thank goodness you have Snow White Syndrome or you'd have been that snake's lunch."

"This is unreal. If they can take this win from me, then they can set me up to lose in the last round. There goes our wedding."

"Aww, baby," Devon said as he pulled her close, "that's not going to happen. You're going to blast through that final round I know it."

"How is everyone okay with what just happened? I was robbed!"

Drucinda sauntered over, her arms crossed. "Darling, get over yourself. You didn't do anything in that maze but ride around on a snake. Let it go."

"I won't! This could cost me big time!"

"Work harder in the last round," Drucinda said with a shrug.

Paige poked an angry finger at the Valkyrie. "You work harder in the last round."

Devon squeezed her shoulders again. "It's okay, guys, she's just hangry. But it's lunchtime. Let's go eat."

"I'm not hangry. I'm just angry. Plain old angry. Cheating was allowed and encouraged."

"Yeah, but in a scored situation like this, you'd lose on scores alone," Dewey answered. "I'm with Devon. Let's get lunch. "

"You and your stomach," Paige said with a shake of her head as Devon led her to the dining hall.

"Relax, Paige. We both lost now. It's no big deal. We'll just sweep the final round and get married tomorrow. It's fine."

Paige stared over at him. "Wow, I wish I had your confidence."

He shrugged as he handed her a plate from the buffet. "Don't worry. After a few years of marriage, you probably will."

Paige wrinkled her nose as he said the word "years."

"Years," Dewey whispered. "Did you hear that? Dimples is in it for the long haul."

"I know. With little vampire babies and everything." Paige stared down at the tomato bisque bubbling at the buffet. It looked way too much like blood for her taste. "I don't know if I can do this."

"So skip the bisque and go for the chicken noodle," Dewey answered as he took a bowl of broth, balancing one with his tail.

"Not that…this."

"Huh?" he asked.

"Getting married. Marrying Devon."

"Well, that's assuming you win, and he wins," Dewey said as he tried to juggle his plate and the two bowls.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, pal. But I'm serious. Even if by some small miracle, this all works out. How can I marry Devon?"

"By simply walking down the aisle, saying a few words that probably involve blood and sacrifice, and exchanging rings. It's a pretty simple ceremony, very much like human weddings."

"That's not what I meant. I meant…in general. Like how can I do this? This isn't right."

"Oh, stop being so selfless. Marry the dude, take his soul compass, see what happens, and then end in a bitter divorce where you take half of his assets, and we live in a castle for the rest of our lives."

Paige froze, staring at him with an incredulous expression. "But it's wrong."

"Who cares? Doesn't matter."

"I care. It matters to me. I try to do the right thing all the time. But this feels…"

"Desperate? Horrible? Like you're using poor Devon for personal gain?" Dewey asked as he buzzed next to her.

"Yes, all of that."

Dewey shrugged, adding a few more items to his plate. "That's life, kid."

Paige's shoulders slumped more. "I feel horrible."

"Look, Paige, look at it this way…Devon's your friend. And he's willing to do it so you can find your mom. Just go with it. Take the help."

Paige flicked her gaze to Devon who already sat at a table with Drucinda. He offered her a wide grin and a wave.

"Paige, seriously," Dewey said as he glanced between the two of them, "he's helping you out as a friend. Just let him help."

She bit her lower lip, trying to parse through the situation in her mind. Did she have trouble accepting help because she'd grown up an orphan? Maybe. Maybe she should let him help her.

"Okay. I'll go with it. I just hope…"

"Yeah?" Dewey asked.

"Never mind. Let's just try to enjoy our lunch."

Dewey grinned at her. "And then your shower! I'm excited. I can't wait. I've got games planned and the cake and the gifts…it's going to be so fun."

Paige stabbed at a few noodles in her pasta salad. "You're really into this. "

"Oh, I am, I am. I really hope you win tonight because I'm really loving the maid of honor role. Thanks, Paige. I am so honored you picked me."

"Let's just hope your time in the sun isn't cut short," Paige said as worry consumed her again. After the shower, she had one final battle. It would decide whether or not she'd have the chance to marry…someone. They wouldn't know the groom's identity until after the final challenge the following day.

"Here's to hoping because I've got a killer bachelorette party planned."

"Can't wait, little man," Drucinda said. "I've got to hop back and forth between parties tonight, but I am looking forward to the shower. You're going to love my gift."

Paige wrinkled her nose as she eyed Drucinda, wondering what the woman considered an awesome gift.

She wasn't certain she wanted to find out. As they finished their lunch, Dewey buzzed into the air. "Time for the shower!"

He slapped his paws together and rubbed them as he grinned.

"Yeah, let me just run to the ladies' room and meet you there."

"Sure thing, Paige. We'll be in the small ballroom just around the corner."

Paige rose and nodded before she strode from the room. She sucked in a deep breath as she pushed into the large bathroom. With its muted lights and dark woods, it created a warm environment, so different from the castle's cold halls.

Her features pinched as tears stung her eyes. In the quiet moment of solitude, her world came crashing down. She sank onto the stool in front of the makeup mirror and covered her face with her hands.

The events of the past few days coupled with the frantic search for her mother had taken a toll. She hoped she had the strength for what remained…including the wedding. Guilt coursed through her as she lifted her face to stare at her red-rimmed eyes.

"You're such a user, Paige Turner."

"Oops, I think you forgot a letter," Ivy said as she emerged from the water closet and eyed Paige in the mirror.

Paige wrinkled her nose, her lips forming a deep frown.

"I think you meant…you're such a loser , Paige Turner."

"Shut up, Ivy," she shot back.

"Ohh, how stinging…not. You really are a loser, Turner. You're not going to win. I hope you enjoy your shower because it's the last bride event you'll have. After I wipe the floor with you in the Duel of Shared Memories, you can slink back into the abyss you came from." Ivy slicked on some lip gloss before she puckered into the mirror.

"Yeah, well, don't be so sure of yourself. Because Devon and I have a lot of memories. Memories that are very…awesome and romantic. He's so romantic, it's ridiculous. Sometimes I have to say, ‘Down, boy.'"

"Uh, I highly doubt that."

"I don't. Because I lived it. So many romantic moments." Paige set her jaw as she stared at the woman.

"Really? Name one."

Paige narrowed her eyes, her mind going blank. "No, I'm not. I'm saving them all for the challenge. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a bridal shower to attend with my wonderful friends who are all pulling for me and Devon because we're such an awesome couple."

A derisive laugh escaped Ivy's lips. "Keep telling yourself that, darling. Someone may actually believe it. Not me, though. I'll be a princess soon. And you'll be…well…dead."

Paige whipped the door open at the last statement and stormed out. "Idiot," she murmured as she stomped down the hall toward the small ballroom.

Guests chattered inside as they munched on snacks. Dewey flitted from table to table, checking on guests before he buzzed to the gift table and shifted a few boxes. "Paige! There you are. Good, good. Come over and sit right here in the guest of honor chair and we'll get started."

Paige shuffled in and eased into the chair as Dewey slid a sash over her emblazoned with the words brIDE-TO-BE.

Heat rose in her cheeks as all eyes turned to her and a hush came over the crowd.

"Ladies, ladies, it's time to get started. I'm your host, Dewey, Paige's maid of honor. And I'm thrilled to be here to help celebrate this wonderful woman on the eve of her wedding."

Paige slid her eyes sideways as Dewey rambled on, wondering if he'd read the speech in a book.

"Now, if you ladies will all turn over your place cards, you'll find a little bingo game to play while Paige is opening gifts."

Dewey crossed to the table and fetched the first gift box, handing it off to Paige. She wrinkled her nose as she stared at the blood-red paper, then tugged off the bow and unwrapped it. Opening the box, she found two goblets, each with pointy fangs on the inside.

Her eyes narrowed as she pressed a finger against one, drawing a droplet of blood.

"They're blood goblets," a blonde woman said with a grin. "You know, for drinking blood once you join our ranks."

Paige offered her a nervous laugh, a surprised grin plastered on her face. "Oh, that's so nice. Thank you so much."

Dewey whispered in her ear. "That's Devon's aunt, soooo…"

"Devon and I will really enjoy this. Thanks," Paige answered as she handed them off to Dewey, still thoroughly disturbed by the gift, and moved on to another.

After ninety minutes of opening packages and finding vampire-related gifts, she was at her limit. She wondered how many more she could smile through. From downright disturbing to slightly sickening, her mind whirled at using any of them.

At least they'd gotten the toaster Devon wanted along with the china pattern he'd coveted.

Relief coursed through her as she waved the card in the air at the crowd when she opened the dishes. "Oh, thank you…Aunt Pam. Devon really loves this pattern."

"You're so welcome. Welcome to the family, sweetheart."

Paige offered her another awkward smile before she opened the final gift.

"That's from me," Drucinda said with a wink.

"Thanks, Drucinda," Paige said as she tore open the paper and pulled out a pair of emerald earrings. "Oh, earrings. How interesting."

"Not just any earrings. Those are transformative earrings."

Paige stared at her with a grin fixed to her face. "I have no idea what she's saying," she murmured to Dewey.

"You put them on and can change your appearance. Hair color, clothing, even look like another person for a bit. Very handy for keeping things fresh with Devon if you know what I mean."

Color rose in Paige's cheeks as she settled them back into the box with a shake of her head. "I do. I do, yeah. Well, thanks. I'll be sure to…I don't know. Well, that's it for the gifts."

"It is, indeed, but not for the party. Ladies, we've got cake," Dewey said as he flung his paws to the side.

Applause broke out at his words .

"Want me to cut it, little man?" Drucinda asked.

"Oh, wait, wait. Get a picture. I had it decorated specially in a lovely fangs and blood pattern."

Drucinda tugged her phone from her pocket as she approached the cake. "Oh, it is nice, yes."

She snapped a few photos before she cut into it. Red filling oozed everywhere. Paige's stomach turned over as she wondered what the filling was.

"First piece for the bride-to-be," Dewey sang as he carried a plate and plastic fork over.

"Ummm, I'm full, but–"

"Nope. It's bad luck not to eat it, there you go. Shove it down." He dumped the plate in her hands before he returned to dole out more.

She stared at the blood-like substance congealing on her plate, her stomach turning.

"Mmm," another woman exclaimed, "this raspberry filling is the best."

Paige's eyebrows shot up, and she dipped a finger into the filling and tasted it. Sweet berry flavor bloomed on her taste buds. Pleasantly surprised, she dove into the cake, polishing it off easily.

Dewey made a closing speech as Devon wandered into the room with his single rose amidst oohs and aahs. Heat rose in Paige's cheeks again as chants for a kiss resounded. She offered him a chaste peck on the lips before the crowd heckled her for more.

Devon wiggled his eyebrows at her before he dipped her backward and planted a kiss on her lips. Applause rang out before the ladies collected their things.

Paige's face hurt from smiling and thanking people for their well wishes before they finally were alone.

"Babe," Devon called from the table housing the gifts, "we got the toaster. "

"We did," Paige said with a slow bob of her head. "Now, all I have to do is win this stupid match, and we can keep it."

"I'm keeping it no matter what happens," Dewey said as a maid scurried into the room. "Have these gifts put away for Paige, thanks. We've got to get to your final challenge. That shower went way long."

"Would have been faster if Paige hadn't stared at every gift like it was going to bite her," Drucinda answered.

"I'm sorry. Blood goblets?"

"Oh, no way," Devon cheered, "who got those?"

"Aunt Pam," Dewey answered.

"Aww. I'll have to thank her. Those are so nice."

Paige screwed up her face, wondering if she preferred to lose the challenge. She couldn't survive as a vampire.

Dewey landed on her shoulder and patted her head, giving her no time to think more about it. "Let's go, Paige. You've got a Venompire's butt to kick."

Exhaustion coursed through her as she slogged back to the ballroom. She hoped she could stay awake long enough for the challenge. Nerves gnawed at her as she tried to think of any memories of Devon that could possibly win this challenge. She didn't have many. They weren't a real couple.

She'd soon be exposed as a fraud, she concluded. She'd lose the last challenge, and Ivy would probably kill her. She hovered inside the doorway, wondering if she should cut and run now rather than even make an effort.

"Good luck, babe," Devon said with a squeeze of her shoulder. "See you after to celebrate."

"Hahaha," she answered, feeling less than confident as Dominic called the competitors to the center of the room.

A magical realm entry floated behind him again. After the rules were explained, Dominic asked if they were ready.

The words sliced at Paige like a knife. There was no way she could win. Entering the realm was a death sentence. And she had no way to escape.