Page 85 of This Witch Is Not Wicked

My younger brother snatched it back up, draining it. “Why? Just letting loose a little.” His words slurred.

Oh, godwitches. This was the first time I’d brought a woman to dinner, and he couldn’t make an effort to stay sober for it?

“Well, I’m glad to hear that about your bog, Enid.” Mother cut into her chicken breast with a knife. “I always knew there was so much potential in this place if we just explored and studied it a bit.”

Enid took a bite of her roasted potatoes but didn’t respond, didn’t bat an eye at that. I thought she’d be happy to hear others say nice things about her home. Dread coiled tighter in my gut. Something was definitely wrong, but I had no idea what.

“I never would’ve guessed.” Cillian leaned over, almost falling onto the table. He righted himself and attempted to grab the jug, his hand missing it entirely. “I mean, this bog is downright terrifying, full of plants that will eat you, cut you, strangle you.” He barked out a laugh. “So glad our castle landed here of all places.”

Enid’s hand curled around her fork so tight her green skin paled.

Wolfe grabbed Cillian’s arm while he tried and failed to grasp hold of the jug. Godwitches, how drunk was he? “Father’s right,” Wolfe said. “You’ve had enough.”

Cillian glared at him but slumped back in his chair, thankfully not arguing.

Mother cleared her throat, gaze flicking to Cillian with concern.

I took a sip of my own wine, needing something to calm my nerves. “Maybe the bog would be more receptive to us if we weren’t so defensive.”

“Yes,” Niamh said quickly. “I agree. I think the Cragh has become a lovely home for Fairwitch Isle, and we’re just now discovering all the potential. Imagine what more we’ll discover in the next few years.”

“If we’re all still alive,” Cillian said out of the side of his mouth.

“Cillian.” Mother shot him a warning look.

Enid shrank back, the confident, fierce woman I knew nowhere in sight, and that did it. I was done with this. I was done with Cillian’s snarky comments and attitude.

I threw down my napkin. “Just stop,” I said, voice firm. Cillian’s eyes snapped to meet mine. “Stop with the snide remarks. You’re drunk. Go home and sober up and then be the leader this place needs.”

Cillian laughed. “What do you think I’ve been doing the last seven years? All I’ve done is be a leader, and where has it gotten me? With a castle that won’t choose my queen. Defenses that are getting weaker by the day.”

“What?” I asked.

Wolfe cleared his throat and widened his eyes at Cillian menacingly. So he knew about this.

“Our defenses are getting weaker?” Father asked, his gray brows shooting up.

“That was supposed to stay a secret,” Wolfe said with an edge to his voice.

“Why? Everyone should know that if someone stumbles upon us, there’s a chance they might see Fairwitch. We’ve already had a few humans scouting around.”

Enid stiffened next to me, and I put my hand over hers. I knew she’d had some tense run-ins with nearby towns in the past.

“That doesn’t mean they’re here for us,” Mother said, voice hopeful. “They could just be walking through the bog.”

“Right.” Cillian stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork. “Because this is such a lovely place to take a stroll.”

“Enough.” I slammed my hand hard enough that the glassware rattled. “Enough about this bog.”

Cillian laughed quietly. “And of course, we land here, and what room does the castle give back? Your lab. Not something useful like the lookout tower we’ve been missing for six years. That would sure be nice right about now.”

“Cillian, what has gotten into you?” Mother asked.

Enid shot to her feet, fury rolling off her in waves as she showed emotion for the first time tonight. I was just glad to see some spark back. “That lab is important,” she said. “It’s important to your brother, so it should be important to you too.” Cillian held her gaze. “He’s brilliant, you know. You have no clue all the amazing ideas he has, all the potions he could be creating to make this world a better place, but he can’t because he’s stuck doing your bidding as a healer, a career he doesn’t even want.”

Everyone stared, shocked. Father’s mouth dropped open.

Mother’s hand floated to her mouth. “Is that true, Nevan?”