They Begged After Ruining Me

My declaration hit the room like a physical blow.

Father stood motionless, the Serpentkins' proposal still clutched in his hand.

Mother's tail puffed up in alarm. "Have you completely lost your senses, Chloe?!"

She gripped my arm tightly. "Gabriel is known to be both impotent and vicious! There are whispers he nearly tore out a servant's throat during one of his rages! This is a death sentence!"

I opened my mouth to protest, but Father spoke first. "She has a point. Liam and Scarlett have already exchanged marks. What becomes of them if Chloe refuses?"

Conflict flickered across Mother's face. Her grip on me loosened.

Ice settled in my veins.

Though I was their blood daughter, they always favored Scarlett. The adopted rabbit knew exactly how to manipulate with sweet words and helpless tears.

A cold smile touched my lips. "I'll do it. On one condition. The day I marry, Scarlett must publicly confess she stole my potion."

Father slammed his hand on the table. "How dare you! You would ruin your sister's good name!"

Mother's disappointed gaze joined his. I kept my smile. "The letter is clear. The Serpentkin heir wishes to wed the potion's creator. She shouldn't have been greedy. She must choose: her reputation or her marriage."

For Scarlett's future, they yielded.

I turned and left without a backward glance. In the hall, Liam emerged from Scarlett's room.

He wore only a robe. Fresh marks covered his chest. The cloying scent of Scarlett's rose perfume clung to him.

The last three days' activities were painfully obvious.

I wrinkled my nose in disgust and moved to pass him. He stopped me with a sigh. "I know you're hurt. This was the only way to protect her. You know how the Serpentkins are. My mark on her might make even Gabriel hesitate."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "And what of me?"

Liam and I should have been marked at my twentieth year. Scarlett always found a way to delay it.

Now, nearly twenty-five, he had marked her at the final hour.

My path was clear: wed a rogue or marry the Serpentkin heir.

My future held only two fates: bound to a wandering outcast or the serpent lord's son.

Guilt flashed in Liam's eyes. He seized my hands. "It's alright! I won't let you marry some brute! I can mark you as my servant! You could live with us without a formal marriage!"

"It would just be for show! I'd treat you exactly as I treat Scarlett!"

Rage fueled my laughter. The audacity!

Only disgraced beastfolk, criminals, accepted the servant's mark. It was a lifelong brand of shame.

They were property. To be sold or discarded. Their children inherited their low status. Forever lesser.

I shoved his hands away. "Never!"

He masked his embarrassment with anger. "What is wrong with you?! I thought you loved me! Is your pride more important than being near me?!"

"Really? Then why not mark Scarlett as your servant? That would have 'saved' her too."