Page 56 of Shadow Witch

“Of course, you will, Paige. You’re so tough and smart. You’ll wipe the floor with Ivy. And then you’ll walk down the aisle in a big white dress and marry Devon. And before you know it, I’ll be Uncle Dewey–“

“Oh, you’re making it worse. Please stop talking like this is real.”

“Sorry. Okay, so you’ll live, walk down the aisle, find your mom, and…then whatever. Let’s not think that far ahead. Let’s just get through what we need to get through.”

Paige blew out a long breath as she wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Right. I can do this. The leather trousers will give me the power.”

“Mmm, I doubt that. But you can still do it. But first…dress shopping.”

“Actually, first, Devon and Henry’s second battle. I wonder if Devon will win and just end this?”

“I hope not. I’d love to see it go three rounds for maximum excitement. Oh, also, if you wouldn’t mind throwing your match for the same reason…”

“I would,” Paige snapped. “I very much would. I don’t want it coming down to a face-off in round three. I’d like to sit comfortably back and know that I’m not going to die.”

Dewey kicked back the covers as the sun warmed the room. “Fine, if you have to be selfish about it, okay.”

She eyed him with an annoyed glance as Devon stirred next to her. He squinted against the bright light pouring in through the windows. “Hey, good morning. Did you sleep?”

“A little, yeah,” she answered.

“I knew you would as soon as I was here to protect you.” He offered her a bleary-eyed grin.

Paige resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him as he patted himself on the back for a job well done. Devon offered her his dimpled grin as he reached toward her, sliding a lock of hair away from her face and cupping her cheek.

Dewey popped up behind her, peering over her shoulder. “Hey, Lover Boy, any chance for breakfast in bed?”

“Wow, way to ruin a moment there, Dewey.”

“Moment?” the dragon asked. “Ew. Come on. I’m right here. There should be no moments. None.”

“Dewey’s right. This is hardly a time for you to make a romantic move, Devon. You’ve got the Duel of Devotion coming up shortly.”

Devon heaved a sigh as he pushed up to sit, his muscles rippling under his t-shirt. “What’s more devoted than wanting a kiss from my almost-wife first thing in the morning?”

“Getting prepared to win this battle so your almost-wife doesn’t almost marry someone else.”

“Fine,” he said with a grumble as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Wow, he’s a ray of sunshine in the morning,” Dewey grumbled as he floated into the air and buzzed to a cord on the wall.

“And a super heavy sleeper who snores like I don’t know what,” Paige said as she hugged her knees to her chest and let her forehead fall forward.

“Tell me about it. Being a vampire princess is not going to be without its challenges. The Devon in my book doesn’t snore.”

Paige raised her eyebrows as she shot a glance at Dewey. “Maybe I could go live in your book. Like my mom did with the Shadows Slayers for a while when she was pregnant with me.”

Dewey rubbed a claw along his chin. “Would there be two of you then?”

His eyes went wide, and he shot Paige a panicked glance. “Quick! I need paper!”

“Huh?” Paige asked.

“Paper, pen. Something, anything!” Dewey buzzed around the room, tugging open drawers in search of paper. “I just had an idea that’ll round out my trilogy.”

“Are you kidding me?” Paige tossed the covers back and stretched before she climbed from the bed. “I’m in a life and death situation, and you’re worried about your third book.”

“Shhh,” he shushed her as he scribbled words onto a paper. “Don’t interrupt while I’m getting my thoughts down.”

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