Page 109 of Shadow Witch

“You are. I feel like I’m living in a romantic comedy. And I hate romantic comedies. There is nothing more pointless to watch than a wonderfully confident, self-assured woman who is living her best life only to run into a rugged, unkempt man and decide that he is the missing piece of her life.”

“And they always happen in like a weekend,” Paige added. “I mean, they meet, run into each other twice, and then they get married. That’s insane.”

“Okay, it’s insane.” Dewey bobbed his hand as he zipped over to Paige and tugged on her arm. “Let’s go before you’re not a princess. We can’t lose this opportunity.”

Paige heaved another sigh before she rose and smoothed her dress. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“Good,” Dewey said as he shoved a bouquet at her. “These are yours. That’s everything. Let’s go.”

He flew to the door and flung it open. They made their way through the castle’s halls down to the chapel. Guests murmured inside as they approached.

“We’re ready,” Drucinda said. “See you at the altar.” She strode inside to take her place next to Devon as Dewey readied to fly down the aisle in front of the bride.

“Ohh, okay, now I’m nervous,” he said as he flew back and forth. “Whew. Oh…I hope I don’t fall or…embarrass myself.”

“Are you kidding me? Dewey, you just insisted I get my butt down here and marry Devon, and now you’re freezing up?”

“I’m sorry, Paige. I’ve never done this before. What if people laugh at me? What if I pass out and roll down the aisle?”

“You’ll be fine. Just…fly slowly and smile a lot. We want nice wedding photos.”

“Right. Fly slow. Smile.”

Paige fixed his bowtie before she spun him toward the chapel. “Okay, go. You’re good.”

He puffed out a breath before he lifted his chin, plastering a smile onto his features, and slowly fluttered down the aisle.

Alone, Paige tightened her grip on the bouquet, a similar set of thoughts racing through her mind as she waited to walk down the aisle. “I can do this. No big deal. I’ve walked plenty of times before.”

She bit her lower lip. “And fallen down the stairs more than once.”

She shook her head, rolling her neck around. “No, I’m good. I can do this.”

The music inside the chapel changed, and the doors opened. Everyone rose from their seats as she stepped to the door. Her knees wobbled again, and her eyes went wide. Photographers snapped photos of her as she stood, frozen.

Her eyes found Dewey, Devon, and Drucinda at the end of the aisle. Dewey grinned at her and shot her a thumbs up. She smiled at him, flashbulbs going wild before she took her first step.

She managed to make it all the way down the aisle without stumbling. Devon grinned at her. “You look beautiful, Paige.”

Heat rose in her cheeks at the words, and guilt swirled through her. “Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself.”

The guests took their seats, and the minister began his spiel. Paige’s heart pounded as her mind whirled. She hoped she could choke out her “I do” without too much trouble.

The minister lifted his head as he said, “If anyone should have any reason why these two cannot marry, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Behind her, the doors burst open to the chapel. Paige whipped around to glance at the person responsible, finding Ivy and her mother in the doorway.

Ivy curled her red lips into a smirk. “I have something to say about it.”

Paige’s stomach clenched at the words. They’d come so close. Would Ivy ruin her chances of finding her mother?

CHAPTER 25

“Come on, Ivy, give it up,” Devon said with a shake of his head.

Ivy raised her chin. “I will not. I have reason to speak up.”

Drucinda skirted past Devon, her hands on her hips as she blocked the aisle. “And what reason is that?”

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