Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

D ewey fluttered closer and patted her on the shoulder. "Cheer up, Paige. There is a bright side to all of this."

Paige flicked glassy eyes toward him, trying to discern what it could be. "There is?"

Was there some reward that she was missing? If she won, maybe she got millions of dollars in prizes or something.

Dewey settled on the arm of the chair with a bob of his head. "Sure, there is. It's going to be so fun to watch."

Paige's lips tugged down into a frown as she let her gaze fall to her lap. "Soooo glad it'll be entertaining for you."

"Oh, it will be. I hope Dominic really puts out a spread for the event. I can't wait to sit back with a huge bowl of popcorn and watch you battle it out with Ivy. And then…Devon with Henry. A double duel. This is just…amazing."

"Dewey!" Paige shouted, startling him. "I could die! This isn't fun and games. Stop planning your watch party."

"Speaking of parties, I still need to get a few things for your shower and bachelorette parties."

Paige stared at him with her jaw agape. "Are you serious? I don't think we're going to have time for that. Plus, I may be dead."

"Oh, Paige. Stop being so dramatic. We'll have plenty of time. There's downtime between each event. We'll have the parties then."

"If I'm alive."

"Well, yeah. I mean…if not…we could still have the party, though. You'd just miss it."

She let her head fall back against the cushion behind her as she slumped down with a groan. "I hate my life. I hate it."

"Paige," Devon said, reaching forward to take her hand in his. "You'll be okay. You're going to win. You know why?"

"Because Drucinda is going to kill Ivy for me?" Paige flicked a hopeful gaze toward the Valkyrie who shook her head in response.

"No, because you are a genuine person. And all that emotional stuff is going to be so easy for you. You're just going to fly through this. As will I in my challenges." He leaned back, puffing his chest out.

"What are your challenges?" Paige asked.

Dewey took to the air again, fluttering back and forth at an aerial pace as he named them. "The Feat of Valor, The Duel of Devotion, The Test of Selflessness."

"And what do those involve?"

Dewey struck a pose, raising a fist in the air. "The Feat of Valor. A dangerous quest in which both parties must venture into a mystical and perilous realm to retrieve an artifact."

"That sounds sufficiently horrible," Paige answered.

Devon scoffed. "Child's play. For you, Paige, I could walk around the globe seventy times."

Paige screwed up her face at the words. "Okay, right. And the next one?"

"The Duel of Devotion," Dewey shouted. "A battle of words and emotions where each man will express their love for Paige through heartfelt speeches and gestures."

"Seriously?" Paige asked. "Like they say this stuff to me?"

Dewey bobbed his head up and down. "Oh, yeah. And you judge it."

"Well, that's easy. Obviously, I want Devon to win, so…"

"Thanks, Paige," Devon said with a grin. "I really appreciate that."

"Unfortunately, it's not only your decision. So…you only are part of the equation. Still, voting for Devon is probably the best thing to do," Dewey answered.

"Right, okay, and the last one."

Dewey lifted his chin, projecting his voice again. "The test–"

"Please stop saying everything like you're announcing at a monster truck rally."

Dewey frowned at her. "Fine. The test of selflessness. Devon and Henry will be presented with a situation where they must make a sacrifice for your happiness. The catch is it must be genuine."

Paige heaved a sigh. "Well, this is a fine mess we're in, isn't it? We both have to risk our lives for this fake marriage so we can get the soul compass and save my mom."

"It's okay, Paige," Devon said with another squeeze of her hand. "We can do this."

"Really? Because I'm not so sure." She stared into space for a moment before she flicked her gaze to Devon. "Would it be possible for us to elope? Would your dad give us the soul compass then?"

"No, that's impossible."

"He's right," Drucinda said. "Running and marrying on the sly is grounds for immediate death in this situation."

"Shoot."

"I really appreciate the offer, though, Paige," Devon said. " It makes me really happy that you'd elope with me if we could."

"Yeah, no problem," Paige said, her nose wrinkled as she wondered if he actually thought she was doing this for more than just her mom. Maybe she could use this memory as one of her nice moments with Devon. Would it actually beat anything Ivy had though?

With no knowledge of their relationship, she was stuck hoping they'd never actually had any tender moments that could beat her few.

"You should get some rest. You'll have to get ready within the hour to begin the first challenge," Drucinda said. "And the way you look, you'll never make it."

"I still think we should spend the time brainstorming ways to get out of this. There has to be something that can cancel this or undo it. Some loophole."

"There is none. This is binding. Sorry." Drucinda offered her a simple shrug as though that put the matter to rest.

"Ooooh, I've got it." Paige leapt to her feet with a grin on her face. "I've got it. I've got it."

"Got what?" Dewey asked. "A way to kill Ivy during one of the competitions so you'll win by default?"

"No." She screwed up her face as she shook her head. "No. I know how I can get out of this. Break my leg."

"What?" Devon asked.

"Break my leg. If I'm injured, I can't participate."

"If you are injured, you participate injured, you dimwit," Drucinda answered. "I would highly recommend you do not break your leg."

Paige collapsed into the chair with a sour expression. "You're kidding. I thought…there would be some kind of release or something. I mean, what if I couldn't physically participate? "

"Then you'd lose and die." Drucinda flicked her ponytail. "Any other stupid questions?"

"What if I was already dead? I could fake my death."

"Then I'd have to marry Ivy," Devon groaned.

"Or Henry would if he beats you."

Devon shook his head. "No, Henry challenged me for your hand. If you're dead, the competition ends."

Paige's eyes went wide. "So…if Devon fakes his death…"

"You'd marry Henry," Dewey said before his jaw fell open. "Or was this your plan all along?"

"What? No. I don't want to marry Henry. Never mind…I'm just…throwing ideas out here, trying to find something that'll work. What if we kill Ivy?"

"Anyone want to volunteer to kill Ivy Delacroix?" Dewey asked, flicking his gaze around the room. "Yeah, didn't think so."

"I'd love to kill her. Unfortunately, she won't stay dead," Drucinda said. "And I doubt we'll get near her at the moment. Her security will be way too heavy."

"Damn it," Paige muttered under her breath.

"Paige, come on. I have every faith that you can win. I believe in you." Devon grinned at her as he bobbed his head.

"Well, that makes one of us. And as far as resting, I can't rest now. I'll just lie there and fret over what's about to happen. This is horrible. I thought this was going to be hard enough convincing Dominic that Devon and I were a real couple, but this…well, this takes the cake."

"Oh, shoot," Dewey said, clapping his paws on his head.

"What?" Paige asked, her heart racing.

"I forgot to order the cake for the shower. Dang it all." He grabbed the RP and tapped on it.

"Who cares about the cake? I'll probably be maimed or worse and not able to eat it."

"I care. The guests care. I don't want them to have a crappy cake and say…oh, look, Dewey was the worst maid of honor ever."

"That is the least of our concerns!" Paige shouted.

"The least of your concerns, Bridezilla, but it's my job. And quite frankly, I plan on nailing it."

"Did you get the cake? It is important, little man."

"I did. And I have the shower scheduled for one tomorrow, between events. Also, dress-shopping at nine a.m. sharp. Don't be late, Paige, because you've got the Gauntlet of Trust at ten-thirty."

Paige slapped a palm against her forehead. "I can't handle this. The Riddle of Hearts tonight."

"And the Feat of Valor, followed by a banquet," Dewey added.

"Then dress-shopping at nine, a deadly battle at ten-thirty…"

"Duel of Devotion is bright and early at eight, then the dress shopping, deadly battle, luncheon at noon, shower at one, Duel of Shared Memories at four, dinner at six, bachelorette party at seven til…who knows." Dewey laughed as he wiggled his eyebrows. "Test of Selflessness Sunday morning at ten, and then a wedding at two."

"OMG," Paige groaned as she let her head thud back against the chair.

"Sounds like an awesome way to spend a weekend to me," Drucinda said. "Now, we should start getting you ready. There isn't much time."

"Oh, right. As if this wasn't bad enough, I have to wear a costume."

A knock sounded at the door and Drucinda crossed to it. "Right on time."

A man handed off a set of clothing. Paige lifted her chin, trying to assess how awful it was. Drucinda shook her head as she closed the door. "Oh, my. This is…pretty terrible of a choice."

"Really? How bad? Is it super skimpy? I don't have the body for bikini-style clothing."

"Too many breadsticks from Cheesy Does It," Dewey added.

"Watch it," she warned with a wag of her finger.

"No, that's the problem. It's nothing revealing. It's a pair of leather trousers, a tank top, and a leather jacket."

"Not my first choice in apparel, but at least I won't look like Xena warrior princess running around."

"Who?" Devon asked.

"Never mind. Give me the stupid clothes, and I'll go change." Paige snatched them from Drucinda's hands and stalked to the en-suite bathroom. With a heavy sigh, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Tears formed in her eyes as she considered the task ahead.

She was about to battle, maybe to the death. But she couldn't let her mother down. She flicked her gaze back to her glassy eyes. "Same as any other day in the library."

She lifted her chin, trying to bolster her own spirits. "You've fought werewolves, vampires, those weird ice panthers. All kinds of things."

She puffed out a breath as she peeled her clothes off. "You can do this. You played a live-action game of Mario Brothers, and you won."

With a poke of her finger at the mirror, she bobbed her head up and down. "You're awesome, Paige Turner."

She pulled the tank top over her head before she tugged on the leather pants. They got stuck halfway up her thighs. She yanked a little harder, her features crinkling with effort. "Come on."

After a second, she collapsed against the vanity, her chest heaving for air. "I can't believe this. I'm going to be beaten by a pair of leather trousers."

She shook her head and tried again, wiggling around as she attempted to pull them up. Her teeth clenched as she tossed her head back, a groan escaping her taut lips.

"I can't believe this."

She wiped away the sweat beaded on her brow as she breathed hard. A knock startled her. "Everything okay in there?" Drucinda asked. "It's almost time."

"Yeah. Be out in a sec." Paige cursed under her breath before she fought with the pants again. But it was no use. She couldn't tug them up any higher. "Uhhh, Drucinda?"

"Yes?" the woman answered.

"I kind of have a problem."

"You cannot get out of this. Just come out and face it. No one can do it for you."

"No, it's not that. It's…can you just come in here? Just you. No one else."

The door clicked open, and Drucinda slipped inside. Paige narrowed her eyes at the woman's own leather pants, fitting perfectly around her every curve.

"What's the problem?" she asked.

Paige swallowed hard, heat rising into her cheeks. "I need another pair of pants."

"Why?"

"These don't fit. There is literally no way I can get them on. I don't know how you do it." Paige tugged at her pants again before she flung her hands out to the sides. "See?"

"You've got to be joking."

"Look, I did have a few too many breadsticks, okay? Just get me a pair of leggings or something."

Drucinda slid her eyes closed as she shook her head. "Honestly. You really are a nitwit. "

Paige frowned at the woman as she stalked back to the door.

With a flick of her ponytail, she tugged it open an inch. "I'm going to need butter and plastic wrap immediately."

"On it!" Dewey shouted.

Drucinda closed the door and leaned against it. "We'll have you in those in no time, darling."

"Is this how you get yours on?" Paige asked.

"Of course not. I have no need for such tricks. But…I doubt the tailor for those is as good as mine, so here we are."

A few minutes of awkward silence later, a knock sounded. Drucinda popped the door open and snatched a few items. She spun to face Paige, arching an eyebrow. "Let's go to work."

Fifteen minutes, half a roll of plastic wrap, and a stick of butter later, Paige finally tugged the laces closed on her leather trousers. "Man, I hope I can breathe during this challenge."

"You'll get used to it," Drucinda said. "Now you really look like a librarian. Those ridiculous leggings you always wear make you look like you're a member of the soccer mom's club. I half expected you to show up to work with a dozen muffins for a bake sale."

"I like my leggings. They're comfortable. And I can move in them. Perfect for anything that comes up during my day."

Drucinda rolled her eyes. "Everyone knows the best protectors of the magical world wear leather trousers. Come on, we'd better hurry before we're late."

Paige nodded, giving herself one final look in the mirror. You can do this . She repeated the thought over and over in her mind as she firmed her chin and her resolve.

Giving herself a final nod in the mirror, she left the bathroom, irritated by how snug her pants still felt as she strode out of the room .

They arrived in the banquet hall, and Paige wondered how chafed her skin would be by the end of the night. A large crowd gathered inside. Food and drink flowed freely and the din of excited chatter filled the room.

As she entered, a hush came over the crowd. Dominic centered his eyes on her, a smirk on his face. "Well, ladies and gentlemen, it looks like we are finally ready to begin. The Riddle of Hearts shall commence now."

Paige swallowed hard, her heart beating like a wild drum against her ribs. She was about to take on the challenge of a lifetime. Could she survive?