Page 120 of Shadow Witch

“Well, that’s completely untrue.”

“But they didn’t think so. We almost didn’t get married because of how your Dad felt, though.”

Devon’s jaw flexed as he wrinkled his nose. “That’s not entirely true. My dad wasn’t thrilled, but he was willing to listen. Because you are completely different than Caleb.”

Paige crossed her arms, her lips tugging into a pout. “Fine. Fine. We won’t find my mom. It’s totally cool. You’re right. Not meeting your sister’s boyfriend is definitely the right decision.”

“Paige…” he answered, his voice tempered.

“No, it’s fine. It’s totally fine. I’ll figure it out on my own.”

“I will help you–“

“I don’t want your help. And I don’t need it. You know, I actually felt bad about all of this. I felt horrible about using you like this, and I actually started to believe you were a way nicer guy than you are. Now, I realize I wasn’t using you, you were using the compass to make sure I did what you wanted.

“It’s pretty obvious now that your dad basically told me where my loyalties lie. All you wanted was to get a librarian in your pocket. Why you didn’t just ask your good buddy, Drucinda, is beyond me.”

“Paige, none of this is true,” Devon said with a shake of his head. “Yes, I may have used the soul compass as a way to convince you to marry me, but that’s because we’re meant to be together.”

“Oh, don't give me that. We’re not destined by the stars, Devon. We were destined by you.” She poked a finger at his chest. “You used my mother to insert yourself into my life after your kidnapping plan went awry. And then you twisted everything all around to make sure you got the outcome you wanted.”

She shook her head, crossing her arms. “Well, you’re not getting the outcome you wanted.”

She yanked her wedding ring from her finger and tossed it at him. “I’m getting a divorce from this sham of a marriage.”

“Paige, Paige, whoa, wait,” he said, grabbing her arm to stop her from storming away. “Don’t do that.”

“I’m doing it,” she answered.

He stopped her again, leaning closer as he placed his hands on her shoulders. “Wait. Okay, I’ll…meet Caleb.”

She furrowed her brow as she raised her eyes to his. “You will?”

“Yes. Because this marriage is not a sham. It’s not, okay? Not for me.” He held up the ring. “Now, please, put this back on.”

Paige frowned at the golden circle clutched between his thumb and forefinger. “Devon, I really think we need to rethink this.”

“Rethink what? I’m doing what you want.”

Her shoulders slumped. “But you shouldn’t be.”

Devon screwed up his face. “What? Didn’t we just have an argument about how you thought I should give in to my sister so we could find your mom? And now, I agreed, and you’re saying I shouldn’t. I’m confused.”

Paige slid her eyes closed as she pressed a palm to her forehead. “Okay, look, you don’t think Caleb is a good guy for your sister. And you should be able to stick with that. You shouldn’t give up on your principles because I’m mad at you. That’s the point. We’re an awful couple. We don’t agree on anything. And you keep giving in to me just to stay married. This is like…an abusive relationship, and I’m the abuser. I don’t want to be the abuser, Devon.”

Devon pressed his lips together. “You’re not abusing me. You have somewhat of a point. And I don’t mind doing it because we should stay married. We’ll figure it out as we go. It’s fine. Relationships aren’t easy.”

“We’re not…” Paige heaved a sigh as she shook her head and grabbed the ring from him and slid it back onto her finger. “Right. We’ll just keep working through it as we go.”

“Of course,” he said as he pulled her into a tight hug. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Okay, let’s do this, then.”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they approached the others.

“Well?” Luna demanded.

“Fine. We will get Caleb, and I will talk to him, and then I will talk to Dad, but I get to make my own decision about him, okay?”

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