Page 49 of Shadow Witch

“Stupid battle?” Dominic asked. “This is very serious. If you loved my son–“

“Oh, cut the crap,” Paige said, crossing her arms and cocking a hip, “it doesn’t matter if I love Devon more than Juliet loved Romeo, you’d still be all over my case because I’m not of royal blood or whatever.”

“Now, see here…” Dominic began when Devon’s voice entered the conversation.

“Paige?”

Paige breathed a sigh of relief, never so happy to see Devon as she was at this moment. “Thank God.”

“Yeah, really,” Dewey said. “I have never been treated so badly in all my life. If this is an example of the Durand hospitality, well…”

Dominic arched an eyebrow at him, prodding him to continue.

“Honestly, I’d still take it because I’ve been treated way worse.” Dewey let out a chuckle. “Like a lot worse. So, this is pretty decent still considering, but…”

“Dewey!” Paige said with a stamp of her foot.

He cleared his throat. “Right. But still all your fantastic food and your big castle with the luxurious rooms and the really great bedding, and those little mints on the pillow that are really good…do you use a special chocolatier?”

“Dewey,” Paige hissed again through clenched teeth.

“Right, right, sorry. Despite all of those wonderful things…you, sir, are a terrible host.” Dewey crossed his arms over his chest and raised his chin.

“That’s it? That’s all you got?” Paige asked.

“Paige, what happened?” Devon asked as he slipped an arm around her shoulder.

“Ivy broke into my room and tried to kill me. And when we came searching for you to help, we found Dominic who doesn’t care because he’s sleeping with Ivy’s mom, and now they’re trying to turn the entire thing around on me like it’s my fault.”

“Is that true, Dad?” Devon asked.

“Hardly. She is quite excitable.”

“It’s totally true!”

“Then why isn’t something being done?” Devon demanded.

“Murderous plots are completely within the rules in an Amor Fortis. You know that.”

“Let me guess,” Paige said with a roll of her eyes, “they are encouraged.”

“Yeah, I know the rules,” Devon answered, his chiseled jaw taut. “But this is my fiancée. If someone can murder her under our own roof, what does that say about how Durands prioritize protecting their own?”

“She isn’t one of your own, yet,” Marion pointed out.

Devon tightened his grip on Paige, pulling her closer. “She is as far as I’m concerned. That’s my grandmother’s blood ruby on her finger. She’s a Durand.”

Dominic puckered his lips. “Fine. I cannot do anything about the murder attempt due to the binding rules of the Amor Fortis, but if you feel she is not being protected well enough, I suggest you step up your game.”

“My game?” Devon repeated.

“You are a vampire prince. I did not become a feared vampire king by allowing my father to handle every bit of business that came down the pike. I would suggest you start using your talents to protect your fiancé.”

Devon’s features twisted with anger. “Fine, I will. Come on, Paige.”

Devon tugged her down the hall.

“Wait for me,” Dewey said as he buzzed after them. “My life was in danger, too. Also, do you know where they keep the pillow mints?”

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