Page 52 of Shadow Witch

“That is untrue. It is a family discussion. An heir is needed. It is your duty.” Dominic waved a finger at Paige. “And hers…should she win the Amor Fortis. Ivy understands these things. She was raised with this.”

“Ivy just tried to kill me again. Paige stopped her. Think of that next time you try to shove Ivy down my throat. Paige and I will have no trouble producing an heir, but we’ll do it on our time, not yours.”

Dominic offered his usual sour expression back to them. “Fine. As long as it is done. See you tomorrow for the festivities.”

“You better believe you will,” Dewey answered, a hardness to his voice.

Dominic arched an eyebrow at the little dragon before he shook his head and wandered away.

Paige snapped her gaze to him. “That was oddly aggressive, Dewey.”

“Sorry, got carried away.”

Devon frowned as he scuffed his shoe against the floor and paced. “He’s really pushing my buttons.”

“It’s kind of obvious he’s disappointed in your choice, Devon.”

“Yeah, well, don't I get a say in my own life?”

Paige crossed her arms as Devon continued his agitated stalking back and forth in the hall. Guilt coursed through her as she realized the trouble she was causing. “I’m really sorry, Devon.”

“For what?”

Paige flicked her gaze to the floor. “You’re doing all this so I can find my mom and it’s ruining your life.”

Devon ceased his pacing, wrapping his hands around her arms. “Paige…you mean so much to me. Of course, I would do this to help you find your mom, but it’s so much more than that.”

Paige glanced up at his dark eyes, her forehead crinkling.

“Go on,” Dewey answered as he hung on every word.

“No, don’t go on,” Paige said with a huff at Dewey. “We have enough going on that we don’t need any speeches for you to steal for your book.”

“But–”

“No,” Paige said with a shake of her head. “Just…Devon, I really appreciate everything you’re doing, but I think we need to get some sleep before we have to do battle again tomorrow.”

“Right,” Devon said with a nod before he slipped his arm around Paige’s shoulders. “You can both stay in my room with me. You’ll be safe there.”

Dewey arched a fleshy eyebrow. “Wow, thanks. It’ll be like a big sleepover. Ohhhh, can we grab some popcorn. Can we have a pillow fight? Let’s play truth or dare.”

“Dewey,” Paige said as Devon led her down the hall, “we’re going to sleep. I have been through two ordeals already tonight. And I have two more to go through tomorrow. I want to go to sleep, not play truth or dare with a dragon and vampire.”

“Aw, come on, Paige. It sounds so much cooler when you say it that way.”

“I’m not staying up all night to play a ridiculous game and eat more.”

“Do it now, Paige, before you try on those dresses. Don’t do it after. You don’t want to buy a dress and have it not fit.’

Paige heaved a sigh. “I’m not going to buy a dress and not fit into it a day later.”

“The way you eat…”

“Don’t say another word,” Paige said with a wag of her finger. “Or I’ll find another maid of honor.”

Dewey gasped. “Paige! You wouldn’t. That’s cruel.”

“So is saying I’m going to gain enough weight not to fit into my wedding dress in one day,” she said as they stepped into Devon’s room.

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