Page 24 of Shadow Witch

“Sounds great. I can’t wait.” Dewey rubbed his hands together as a grin covered his face.

Paige shook her head as Devon led the way from the room with Drucinda trailing behind them. They wandered through the halls and down the stairs. Devon led them to the ballroom. Its thick blood-red curtains and checkerboard floor reminded her of every vampire movie she’d ever seen.

Dominic spoke with Ivy and her mother as a growing crowd of people filed into the room.

“Who are all these people?” Paige asked.

“Oh, wedding guests,” Devon answered. “But now, they’re here for the games. Everyone’s really excited. This rarely happens, so it’s a real treat.”

Paige let her features settle into an unimpressed stare as Devon grabbed her hand and led her over to his father.

“Oh, good, you’re here. We’ll begin.” Dominic waved his hands in the air to quiet the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, as you know, we gathered here for my son’s wedding. However, an Amor Fortis has been demanded, and in accordance with custom, it shall be fulfilled.”

Applause broke out in the room as Paige’s stomach turned over.

Dominic hushed them again. “As you may know, my son is engaged to Paige Turner.” He flung his hand toward Paige. “However, Ivy Delacroix has challenged her. Today, the challenge will begin. But first, we must complete the picking ceremony.”

Two men rolled a giant bin of colored balls. Dominic turned a crank on the side of them, but before he could dispatch one, the doors burst open.

“Henry?” Paige asked as he strode into the room in full knight’s armor.

“Who is this man?” Dominic questioned.

“I am Henry the Great of Acadia. I am here to demand an Amor Fortis.”

Dominic offered a chuckle. “There is already an Amor Fortis in play.”

“By whom?” Henry demanded.

“Ivy Delacroix has challenged Paige Turner,” Dominic answered.

Henry lifted his chin. “No. I wish to challenge the slime Devon for Paige’s hand.”

Dominic’s eyebrows raised as Dewey gasped. “A double Amor Fortis? Oooooh, this is amazing!”

“You wish to challenge my son for that woman?” Dominic asked.

“I do.” Henry raised his sword, pointing it at them. “And I plan to destroy him.”

Paige’s jaw unhinged at the turn of events. Would she ever get the soul compass to find her mother or would one or both of them die trying?

CHAPTER 6

Dewey clapped his paws together as he shook his head. “Bravo, good show. Wow. You Durands really know how to put on a show.”

Dominic’s jaw flexed as he addressed the breathless crowd. “It seems there has been another challenge issued. And we shall have a double Amor Fortis. This will now serve as the picking ceremony for both challenges. We will begin with the women.”

Devon shifted his weight next to Paige as he frowned at the sword-carrying prince. “What’s he doing here?”

“Challenging you for my hand, I guess,” Paige answered.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I can’t believe this.”

“Ohhh, now it’s a big deal, huh? Now it’s unbelievable. Everyone thought it was funny when I was the one being put to the test.”

“Oh, I’m going to win, Paige. But it’s ridiculous. That guy is a complete idiot.”

“I don’t know about that, Perfect Hair,” Dewey said with a shake of his head. “He’s kind of capable.”

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