Page 42 of This Witch Is Not Wicked
“Hey! That almost hit my nose. I have a perfectly symmetrical face, and I’d like to keep it that way.” He wiped the sweat off his brow. “By the way, how is Mr. Porter’s injury? I heard he can barely forge anything because of the terrible pain in his hand.”
I winced, rubbing the back of my neck. “That wasn’t Enid’s fault.”
“Really? Then whose plant was it that did that? I don’t know how she’s managed to hold command over this death trap of a bog, but if I do know one thing, it’s that it’s absolutely her fault.”
“Or maybe,” I said, an edge to my voice, “it’s Mr. Porter’s fault for being a complete ass.”
“Okay.” Wolfe held out his hands. “Let’s just calm down.” He shook his head at Cillian. “You’ve been really confrontational lately. I asked Nevan how he’s doing, but what about you?”
Cillian ignored our older brother, keeping his gaze locked on mine. “What are you going to do in six weeks when the town votes to exile her?” he asked. “Have you thought that through?”
Of course I had. That was the entire fucking point of this. To improve her reputation. And we were making small gains. Enid had appeared in public without incident twice now. She was gaining allies in Niamh and Ceri and possibly Myrna Carragh. She had an ally in me.
“You know, you could actually try and get to know her instead of just villainizing her all the time,” I said.
Cillian barked out a laugh. “She is a villain, and I can’t even pretend to understand what’s going on between the two of you. What a weird arrangement you have.”
I stiffened. “What does that mean?”
“I don’t know.” Cillian shoved a hand through his glossy hair, not even a strand out of place. “I just don’t see it. I don’t see any chemistry between you two.”
“Cillian,” Wolfe warned.
I shot to my feet. “Then maybe you need to open your fucking eyes.”
Cillian’s head snapped up. “What did you say?”
My hands balled into fists at my sides. He had no right to talk about Enid like this. He judged her without knowing her. He wouldn’t even consider how this might feel from her perspective. The same way he didn’t care about mine. He knew I didn’t want to be the town healer, yet he pushed it on me anyway, refusing to find someone to replace me.
“You heard me.” I jabbed a finger at my brother. “And stay away from Enid.”
“Hey, come on, you two,” Wolfe said.
“She is the one who needs to stay away.” Cillian’s cheeks were red, his chest heaving. “She needs to keep her bog in line. And if she can’t, I will put the safety of Fairwitch before your relationship. I won’t hesitate to exile her if that’s the way the voting goes.”
“We’ll see about that,” I said, red painting my vision.
“Training is over.” Wolfe jabbed a finger at the castle. “Both of you go cool down, and next time we meet, be ready to do less talking and more sparring or I will make you regret it.”
“Fine by me.” I whirled and stomped back toward the castle, thinking about how much I’d enjoy knocking Cillian on his ass right about now.
CHAPTER 18
Enid
“Did you eat your broccoli today?” Fiona asked.
I jumped from where I stood at the back of my cottage, whirling to see the little girl standing in the doorway. “What?”
Fiona skipped into the living room, her blue checkered dress lifting with her movement. “You’re looking especially green today.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples and wondering if all children were like this. I should’ve never told her I was green because I ate a lot of broccoli.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Just thought I’d come and say hi.” Fiona came to a stand next to me, squinting. “What are you looking at? I’m bored. Can we do something fun?”
I sighed, sending another glance out toward the far reaches of my bog, right outside the city limits. Those humans were back again, and this time they’d brought more—with more shovels. They were determined to find my bones and seemed far too interested in this bog for my liking. I wanted to tell someone, but I was afraid that the high prince would blame me for their appearance if I did. Everyone here was so jumpy about intruders.
