Page 16 of Dottie's Forbidden Wizard
"Mira!" he yells at my mother. "Heal me. Now."
She slowly turns her head to look at him. "Oh, my. What did you do?"
Standing, she glides over to him and places her hands around his swollen knuckles. Not all wizards and witches possess healing powers, but the Boncharme family does. Mother chants an ancient spell, channeling power through her hands to mend his broken bones. My father whimpers as his fingers snap back into place, and Mother coos at his bravery.
Griselda stands, straightens her dress, and storms from the room. My father doesn't even spare her a glance.
You're a dime a dozen, Gristle.
"All better, darling." Mother sits down again, having fulfilled her purpose for the evening.
"Since when do you have shielding powers?" My father glares at me with barely restrained fury.
A protection shield is elementary school magic, so the fact that he can't do it is a testament to his lack of magical ability. Still, I shouldn't have revealed my power.
"I’m sorry. It’s the first time I’ve done it,” I lie, then distract him with, “I’ll get Gigi's elixir for tomorrow."
"You better, Maddox," he warns.
As I leave the room, I know I'm living on borrowed time.
I hope I'm not too late.
Chapter eight
Dottie
"How'd it go last night?"
I jump at Granger's question and slosh orange juice on the floor.
"Sorry, Dot Dot. Didn't mean to scare you." He chuckles as he carries his plate to the kitchen table.
I mumble something incoherent as I clean up the orange juice.
"So?" Nick prods. "Was everyone on their best behavior?"
I refuse to meet his eyes. I’d take my food to my room, but that would raise suspicions for sure, so I reluctantly join them. I swallow a bite of toast, my hand shaking as I pick up my glass to take a sip.
Well, guys, I got eaten out for the first time by the son of the man trying to destroy your home, and I can't stop thinking about his talented tongue. So, no, I wasn’t on my best behavior.
"Yep," I reply succinctly.
"Were people in love with Toto's food?" Granger asks.
I nod, shoveling eggs into my mouth so I don't have to answer. Focusing on my plate, I realize it’s fallen rather quiet, and look up to find all three of my brothers staring at me with their arms crossed.
"Spill," Leo demands in a gruff voice.
My eyes dart between them. "What?"
"Did something happen last night?" Granger asks, concern shadowing his dark brown eyes.
I hesitate, not wanting to lie to them, but abso-fucking-lutely not willing to tell them the truth. "Nothing I can't handle," I say carefully, looking them in the eyes as I skirt the truth without telling an outright lie.
"Did someone hurt you?" Nick's eyes flick to the scar on my arm.
I shake my head quickly, but his comment jogs a memory from last night. "Hey, how do you guys know Vera Eastwood?"
