Page 102 of Shadow Witch

She sank onto the couch as her stomach clenched. Her poor little friend had gone missing on the eve of her wedding. She swallowed hard as she wondered if they’d ever find him or if Dewey would be lost forever.

CHAPTER 23

Her 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.

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