Chapter 23

CHAPTER 23

H er emotions overwhelmed her, and she sank her head into her hands and sobbed. A knock at the door drew her attention. She hurried to wipe away her tears as she snapped her head up.

"Nothing?" Devon asked.

"No. We couldn't find him. We'll have to–"

"Geez," a snarky voice called from the hall before the little teal dragon buzzed around Devon and entered the room. "If you don't hurry, you're going to be late to your own challenge."

Paige's nose wrinkled as she stared at the dragon, her jaw dropping open. "Dewey?"

"Yeah?" he asked.

She leapt to her feet, fingers balling into fists at her side. "Where the hell have you been?"

"I'd like the answer to that myself," Drucinda said, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

"Right here. Oh, I ran into town earlier for a few last-minute wedding items. You girls were passed out…I figured you wouldn't miss me. "

Paige clenched her teeth. "Wouldn't miss you? We thought you were kidnapped. We've spent the last few hours in dozens of realms searching for you."

"Kidnapped?" Dewey asked. "Huh?"

"Yes, little man, kidnapped." Drucinda pulled up a picture of Dewey holding up the sign that read "Help." "See?"

"Ohhh, that?" The dragon threw his head back with a chuckle. "What a ridiculous shot. We did those pictures at the dragon's lair. I thought it would be fun."

Drucinda's nostrils flared as color rose in her cheeks. "You fool! We have been traipsing around all morning after you drugged us–"

"Whoa, you drugged them?" Devon questioned.

"I may have asked for a little…party enhancers to be thrown into the mix," Dewey said with a shrug. "I wanted everyone to have a good time."

"Wow." Devon shook his head.

"What happened at your party?" Paige asked.

"Me and a couple of buddies drank a few beers and played ping pong. I was in bed by ten."

Paige's jaw dropped open as she shook her head. "Unreal. We were up half the night carousing around who knows where acting like idiots. Thanks, Dewey."

"Anytime, Paige. Glad you enjoyed it. Well, with that settled, we'd better get going. A certain daywalking vampire has a battle to win."

Devon lifted his chin, his muscles flexing as he crossed his arms. "Yep. I have a bride to win."

He wiggled his eyebrows at Paige. With the effects of the drugs still coursing through her system, it only made her stomach turn over instead of set her heart aflutter. "Someone get me another bottle of water for this. I'm not sure I can take it. "

"Come on, Paige," Devon said as he slid his arm around her. "I'm going to crush this."

"I really hope so. After everything I've been through this weekend…I can't handle a wedding to Henry, I don't think."

"Babe, that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me." He led her through the halls to the stairs.

"You're growing on me. Actually, it's pretty nice what you're doing. I mean, you could have just given up when Henry challenged you. Or even when your Dad made things hard, but you did it so I could find my mom. And I don't think I've ever thanked you for that."

"Don't worry, you can thank me after the wedding," he said with a wink.

Paige wrinkled her nose. "And now you've ruined it."

They reached the bottom of the stairs, and he stopped, twisting to face her. "All jokes, Paige. It's my pleasure."

Before she could answer, he grabbed hold of her, dipped her toward the floor, and planted a kiss on her lips. She blinked hard as he stood her up again, and she stumbled back a step. "You have really got to stop doing that."

"Just my way of saying you're welcome," he answered with a grin as his father approached.

"There you are. Devon, it's almost time for the last trial. You very nearly missed it," Dominic said, his irritation obvious.

"Sorry. Paige and I were…bonding."

"Save it for after the wedding, won't you? Let's get this over with."

"I'm ready," Devon said, smashing a fist against his palm. "I am ready to crush this sucker."

"As much as I hope you win as a show of strength, I…" Dominic flicked a gaze over his shoulder at Paige.

"What?" Devon asked.

"Never mind," he answered as they stepped into the ballroom. The crowd cheered as Devon arrived, ready for the battle to begin.

"Well, it appears we have all parties involved. The final challenge can now begin," Dominic announced.

Applause broke out as Devon and Henry stepped forward, flanking Dominic who stood in front of another realm entrance.

Dominic shifted his gaze between the two of them. "This is the Test of Selflessness. Each of you will enter the realm and be presented with a decision. It will involve a sacrifice. Choose wisely, and you shall win the battle and our bride's hand. Choose poorly and you shall lose. Good luck to you both."

Devon thrust out his hand. "May the best man win."

Henry stared at it, his lips tugging into a sneer. "I am certain I will."

Devon pulled it back with a frown.

"Are we ready, gentlemen?" Dominic asked.

"Ready," Devon said with a nod.

Paige settled into a seat as the two men prepared to enter the other realm for the challenge. She guzzled more water, hoping it helped her headache.

"What do you think?" Dewey asked as he perched on her shoulder. "Devon's looking good out there."

"I don't think anymore. I've lost the ability to think. I just hope this works out." She rubbed at her temples as Dominic gave them the signal to go.

Both men dove into the realm to discover what challenges awaited them. "And they're off, Sam."

"This proves to be a really interesting match-up, Charlie. We've got two hungry competitors. Still can't figure out why, though."

"I'm going to smash that guy in the face," Paige said with a tired sigh .

"Well, the jokes on him. You've got two hot guys fighting to marry you, so…"

"Yeah, good point. I wonder who is going to win?" She narrowed her eyes at the screen showing Henry's choices.

He stood between two massive pillars, his gaze flitting between them as he sized up his decision. Devon, directly across from him, had a similar decision.

"Well, Charlie, it looks like these two men are facing a similar choice. They can kill the other, hence winning Paige's hand in marriage, or go for that compass."

"Indeed, a very similar decision, Sam. And we're being told that the soul compass is something the bride really wants. So the choice would be giving her what she's been seeking or winning her hand."

The other announcer bobbed his head up and down. "It'll be interesting to see what choices they make. One is a sure-fire win, and the other is complete stupidity."

"Gentlemen," Dominic's voice boomed. "Make your selection."

Devon grimaced at Henry who matched his expression. As the clock counted down to zero, each man pointed at their choice.

Paige's jaw dropped open as Devon chose the compass, but Henry chose to kill Devon. "Oh, no. If Henry kills Devon…"

"Wow, I did not see that coming, Charlie. Devon LeBlanc has foregone the chance to kill his competitor in favor of giving the bride the soul compass."

"An interesting choice indeed, Sam. Meanwhile, his competitor has made the decision to kill Devon. Which in turn could also mean that he could then slay the vampire and claim the soul compass for his bride. This will be an interesting turnout."

Paige's stomach twisted into a knot as she tightened her grip on her water bottle. She'd end up stuck with Henry, and Dominic probably wouldn't even give them the soul compass. Would Devon really be dead?

Tears welled in her eyes. Had she cost him his life? He'd only been trying to help. She considered shouting out to stop the contest. Could she object? Could she do anything to stop Devon's death?

She rose, her fingers curling into fists.

"What are you doing?" Dewey whispered.

"I have to stop this. Devon can't die. Not because he was trying to do this for me."

"Sit down. They haven't even announced the winner yet."

"What?" Paige asked, her brow crinkled.

"They'll announce a winner based on their choices. It's not going to be mass chaos. No one's getting killed…yet."

Paige frowned as she sank into her seat, her heart still thudding against her chest.

The judges conferred at their table, whispering back and forth before the head judge leaned forward toward his microphone. "We have a decision. Competitors, please note the decision is final. Both competitors should leave the arena after it is announced."

Paige wiped her sweaty palms against her trousers as she blew out a shaky breath.

"The winner of the Test of Selflessness and the Amor Fortis…the man who will marry Paige Turner is…"

A hushed silence came over the crowd as they waited for the announcement.

The sound of Paige's heart thudding and blood rushing through her ears deafened her. Her chest tightened, her breathing turned labored as she waited for the result.

"Devon LeBlanc," the judge announced.

Cheers erupted from the crowd as people leapt to their feet to celebrate the win. Paige's muscles went weak as she sank her head into her hands, a few tears escaping.

"He did it! He did it!" Dewey chanted. "Paige, you're going to be a princess!"

Paige wiped the tears away as she lifted her head. "Yeah. Thank goodness. At least now we can move on."

Dewey buzzed into the air and spun in a circle. "Let's go congratulate the groom!"

"I think not!" Henry shouted from the realm. The celebration died down as all eyes turned back to the screen. "You will not be allowed you win, you foul creature!"

He drew his sword and pointed it at Devon.

Devon held his hands up in the air, a wince on his features. "Come on, now. You heard them. I won, fair and square. Don't be a poor sport."

"I most certainly will be a poor sport. This is Paige's life. Her future. I will not see it marred by a marriage to you."

"Well, unfortunately, that's not up to you now. I won the challenge," Devon answered.

The judge leaned closer to his microphone. "The decision is final. Please step from the realm."

"No!" Henry cried. "I will not. I should have won. This competition is fixed!"

"That is untrue. Devon's choice to forego his personal urge to kill you in order to please his future bride was the clincher. You failed to be selfless, and your behavior now confirms it." The judge shook his head as he stared at the screen. "If you do not step from the realm, you shall be in violation of the rules and forcibly removed."

"Not before I kill this beast."

Men scurried toward the realm entrance hovering near Dominic. "Stop him before he kills my son," Dominic growled, thrusting a finger at the swirling portal.

The men nodded before they attempted to enter. The first man leapt at the portal, but bounced back, falling onto the floor with a furrowed brow. A second tried but had the same result.

"That's right. I took precautions in the event that this happened," Henry announced. He lifted a pendant from under his armor.

Dewey gasped, a paw flying to his lips.

"What is that?" Paige asked.

"A portal blocker. It stops anyone else from entering the realm."

Heat washed over Paige as she stared with wide eyes at the screen. "So, Devon's trapped?"

"No, if he can get to the exit, he can get out. But Henry's blocking it. And no one can get in to him."

Paige chewed her lower lip.

"He's using a realm blocker!" Dominic shouted. "Quickly, find a reverse blocker to counter it!"

"You're trapped here, beast," Henry snarled at him. "And by the time they can get in here, all that will be left is your broken body."

"Wow, that's rough," Dewey said. "He's really angry."

"Henry! Stop!" Paige said as she leapt from her chair.

"Sorry, darling," he shouted back, "but I must do this. For our future. For our children."

"What children?" Dewey asked before he sucked in a sharp breath. "Are you pregnant?"

"No," Paige answered. "He's delusional."

Paige pressed her hands against her cheeks as Henry returned his gaze to Devon, crouching lower as he stalked forward.

"Say your goodbyes, beast. I am going to end your life."