Page 22 of Shadow Witch

“Why? You’re always saying how bad-ass you are. You’d be perfect. You’d probably squash Ivy like a bug.”

“Of course, I would. That’s not the point. The point is I have not gotten myself into an Amor Fortis, you have. You deal with it.”

“Yeah, come on, Paige, it’s not that bad.” Devon ran a hand through his wavy hair. “Besides, I bet you’ll look super-hot in those costumes you have to wear.”

“Costumes? Why would there be costumes?”

Dewey buzzed over and plopped on the other armchair. “Because no one wants to watch two people fight in street clothes. Duh.”

“What kind of costumes?”

“Did you ever see the Mummy movie where the two Egyptian women fight?” Drucinda asked.

Paige’s cheeks flushed as she recalled the scant coverings they’d worn. “No.”

“Oh, yes. We want to see every ripple of your muscles while you battle it out.”

“Well, then I can just wear a tunic and leggings because there are no muscles to ripple here. There’s a healthy layer of flab, so if there’s a cold weather challenge, I’ll probably survive that one.”

“I bet Ivy’s going to wear the costume. She’s probably smokin’.”

“Dewey!” Paige cried as she shot him a glare.

“What?”

“Can we please stop talking about costumes and start explaining what exactly I’ll be doing? What are these challenges?”

Drucinda flicked her gaze to Paige. “Think American Gladiator only instead of those giant cotton swabs, it’ll be flaming swords or something.”

Paige’s eyes went wide. “What?”

“There are a variety that can be picked. We’ll get more information today at the picking ceremony.”

“Picking ceremony?” Paige wrinkled her nose.

“It’s like a giant lottery drawing only with magic,” Dewey explained, “they’ll roll the big drum of balls and see which challenges come out. Oh, I’m so excited.”

“Stop being excited. I could die!”

“I know. And you probably will, but…an Amor Fortis? I never thought I’d see this in my life. Wow, you’ve really opened my horizons, Paige.”

Paige offered him an unimpressed frown. “Really glad you’re enjoying my imminent death.”

“You’re not going to die, Paige. The girl challenges are so easy. At least this isn’t a male Amor Fortis.”

“Oh, that would be quite interesting,” Drucinda said. “Your rippling muscles would look quite good in one of those little outfits.”

Paige rose from her seat and stalked back and forth. “Okay, we need a new plan. I literally can’t do this.”

Devon popped from his seat and stopped her, clamping his hands down on her shoulders. “Babe, you’re going to be fine.”

“Please stop calling me babe. We’re not in a real relationship. This was fake. A fake engagement, that turned into a fake wedding, that turned into my real death.”

“Uh, you’d better get used to it because my dad would totally expect me to have an endearing name for you. Unless you prefer Kitten.”

“Don’t,” Paige said with a shake of her head.

“You know, you ought to have one for Beefy, too, before it becomes sus that you aren’t really in a relationship, Paige.” Dewey fluttered into the air as he rubbed his chin. “Let’s think of a good one. You could go with the classic ‘babe.’ Keep it consistent with Dimples’s nickname for you.”

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