Page 63 of Shadow Witch

She followed Drucinda from the room through the halls to a massive sitting room. Several racks of dresses filled the room. A maid hurried over, offering them flutes of champagne.

Paige took one and sipped it as her stomach fluttered.

Dewey took a long sip before he fluttered over to paw through a few of the dresses. “So, what are we thinking, Paige? Mermaid, trumpet, A-line, ball gown?”

“Uhhh,” Paige answered as she stared at the rows of dresses.

An attendant offered her an expectant glance. “Is there a specific designer you prefer?”

“No,” Paige answered. “Honestly, I’ve never thought much about it. I guess…uh, whatever you think is best.”

“Whatever you think is best? Paige! Have you not dreamed about your wedding since you were a little girl?”

“Ahh, nope. Kind of dreamed about having a really cool job and stuff. But didn’t really think about my wedding or my dress.”

“Well, why don’t we try a few styles and see what works on you?” the attendant said.

Paige nodded before she was whisked away behind a changing screen. Mounds of fabric smothered her before she finally shimmied into a massive ball gown-style dress and emerged from behind the screen.

“Hmm,” Dewey murmured as he rubbed his chin. “I like it…I don’t love it. It’s so…fluffy. Less fluff, more shape.”

The attendant nodded as she tugged Paige behind the screen again. “Let’s try a different style.”

This time, Paige squeezed into a mermaid-style dress, wincing as it hugged her hips. “I don’t like this,” she said as she waddled out to show Drucinda and Dewey.

“Ugh, pass. No, not a good style for Paige. Though I would look amazing in that,” Drucinda answered. “Any chance that comes in another color?”

“We do have a similar style in burgundy and teal.”

“I’ll try the burgundy,” Drucinda answered as Paige hurried back to change into a trumpet-style gown.

“Mmm,” she said as she stared in the mirror. “I kind of like–“

“No,” Dewey said with a shake of his head.

“But I like–“

“No, I said no. No, Paige. It looks like you’re going to adult prom. This is a wedding. To a prince. You are becoming royalty, and you want to do it in that?”

“It’s nice. Simple, but elegant. And–“

“It’s a no. Miss? Would you please try another dress?” Dewey fluttered his hand at the attendant who snapped to, dragging Paige back with her.

“Let’s try another ball gown. It seems those are the best.”

“But I don’t like–“

“Zip it, Paige. You need a massive dress that screams royalty. I’m talking Princess Di with a train longer than the church aisle.”

Paige heaved a sigh as she was smothered in fabric again and trotted out in front of the mirror.

“Mmm, we’re getting closer,” Dewey answered, “but I’m not loving the cake topper look. Too much satin and beads. Try again.”

The attendant nodded as she hurried to pick out a few more dresses for Paige to try. They spent another hour wrangling material around her until finally she stepped from behind the screen, and Dewey gasped.

“Ohhh, Paige…that’s it. Yes. It’s classy and elegant, understated but bold. It’s everything your wedding gown should be when you’re marrying royalty.”

Paige stared in the mirror at the fitted bodice filled with silver beads that sparkled when the light caught them before she fluffed the full skirt. “It’s kind of pretty.”

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