Page 38 of Shadow Witch

Paige chuckled as she pulled her door open. “I don’t know about that. Henry got kind of tough. I feel like he can definitely give Devon a run for his money.”

“Whoa, you're betting against your fiancé?” He landed on her shoulder as she snaked through the halls.

“I didn’t say that. But you’re the one who said Devon is only deceptively capable.”

“But he seems super motivated. It’s like you’ve ignited a fire within him. A fire of passion.”

“Ew,” Paige said with a wrinkled nose. “Stop saying that. Devon cannot be in love with me. Devon just thinks he’s in love with me. Probably actually the thing is, Devon doesn’t want to marry Ivy so suddenly he’s in love with me.”

“If Ivy wins and marries Devon…I bet the entire world will collapse.”

“Really?” Paige asked as they spilled into the foyer and started toward the ballroom.

“Yeah, think about it. The joining of two major families. It could pitch the world into chaos if they decide not to remain in the shadows. Then we’ll live as slaves, forced to work in the mines, starved, cold, barely alive.”

“Why are there always mines in these scenarios of yours?” Paige asked as she reached the room. A waiter hurried past with a tray of hors d’oeuvres, and she snatched a few. “Mmm, these are good.”

“Don’t get used to it. When we’re working in the mines, we’ll eat gruel.”

Paige sauntered closer to Drucinda who rubbed Devon’s shoulders as he rolled his neck around.

“Hey, you made it. I thought you abandoned me,” Devon said with a grin.

“Nope. Just…had to change. How are you feeling?”

“Ready,” he said, his muscles bulging as he puffed his chest.

“Well, you look ready, Beefy. Don’t disappoint me because I’m laying some serious cash on you,” Dewey said with a raise of his eyebrows.

“I’m gonna make you some money, man,” Devon said as he flexed again. “I got this. No chance for him.”

“That’s it, darling. You’ve got this,” Drucinda said as she massaged him again. “You are the champion.”

“I’m the champion,” he repeated.

“You will win,” she said.

He smacked his hands together and rubbed them. “I will win.”

“You are a beast,” Drucinda said.

“Hell yeah, I am. Beast mode activated,” he said as he transformed into his beast form and back to Devon.

Paige wrinkled her nose at the exchange before Dominic drew her attention toward the center of the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, as you all know, we have a double event planned this evening before our banquet. In a stunning twist, my own son has been challenged for Paige’s hand by Prince Henry of Acadia. Tonight, they will compete in the Feat of Valor.

“Each man has been given an artifact that they must retrieve. Devon will play for the soul compass.”

Paige’s eyes lit up as she stared at the item he showcased before it was tossed into the realm to hover at the end of a long, difficult path.

“And Prince Henry will play for his own diamond-dipped sword, an item I acquired some months ago when he nearly skewered my son with it.”

Ooohs and aahs sounded from the crowd as the blade hovered next to the compass.

“Are the competitors ready?”

“Ready!” Devon shouted, pounding a fist against his palm.

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