Page 58 of Shadow Witch

“No idea,” Dewey said. “But he sure is. That swagger is undeniably a result of growing up as the lone vampire prince in the world.”

“He has a sister, though, right?”

“Yeah, Luna. I’ve never met her.”

“I wonder what she’s like?” Paige questioned as they descended the stairs and made their way toward the dining hall where breakfast was laid out.

“I don’t know. Maybe we’ll meet her today at your shower. I invited her.”

“It feels weird having a shower when I don’t even know if I’ll be getting married or who I will be marrying if I win.”

“Yeah, although, you need a toaster no matter who you marry.” Dewey puckered his lips as he picked up a plate at the end of the buffet. “Although, if you lose…you could just use your old toaster. Unless you’re dead. Then, you don’t need any toasters.”

“Thanks, Dewey. Right. Well, keep the gift receipts and if I’m dead, return it.”

“Will do, Captain,” he said with a salute before he loaded eggs onto this plate.

“Glad I can count on you,” she said as they settled at a table with Devon and Drucinda.

“Now,” the Valkyrie said as she stabbed at a sausage, “you know your strategy, right? Heartfelt, honest. Really tug at their heartstrings. Go for the big gestures. Over the top. Remember, you have to convince the judges and Paige.”

“Um, I’ll just vote for you,” Paige said with a shrug. “Don’t worry about convincing me.”

“Aw, Paigey, thank you,” Devon said with a pat on her hand. “It’s really heartwarming how much you’re supporting me.”

“Because…” Paige crinkled her forehead. Did he not understand she needed the soul compass? “Yeah, no problem. We’re a team, right?”

He threaded his fingers through hers. “Yep.”

“Well, I see we have survived the night,” Dominic said as he sidled to their table, his hands clasped behind him.

“Yeah,” Devon said with a shake of his head, “because I protected what’s mine. My family.”

“As you should, Devon. It’s time you took your role seriously here.”

“I’m taking it very seriously, Dad,” Devon answered as he tightened his grip on Paige’s hand.

She wondered how much of his proposal had been about proving something to his father and how much was about her. She supposed she was about to find out in the next battle.

“Good luck today, son. We’ll be starting in a few minutes, so…say your goodbyes to your lovely fiancé and join me in the ballroom.”

“I’m ready to wrap this up, so I’ll see you in a few minutes. Right after I said a proper goodbye to Paige.”

Paige shifted to smile up at Dominic when Devon yanked her from the chair. She stumbled to stand before he wrapped his arms around her, tipped her back, and planted a kiss on her.

When he returned her to standing, she stood stunned for a second until Dewey landed on her shoulder. “That was hot, Paige. Your boy’s totally going to win.”

She slid her eyes closed for a second as she sucked in a breath. “Yeah. Well, let’s go find out.”

They shuffled along with the crowd into the ballroom. “Ms. Turner, if you’ll please take a seat with the judges,” a suit-clad man said as she stepped inside.

“Oh, uh…wait, I want Dewey with me. He’s my…advisor. I need him.”

“Fine,” the man said as he motioned toward an ornate seat on a raised platform.

Paige settled in on the velvet pillow, wrapping her fingers around the carved wooden arm.

“Hey, thanks for the primo seat, Paige,” Dewey said as he patted her head.

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