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The male kneels and positions the blade above my navel. “Apologies, my Lady. Please, don’t move,” he says. I bite my lip as he carves a neat line.

Then he goes to my back and I panic.

They’re trying to recreate my marks to make it look as if the courtship is still active. “Stop it!” I screech as I use my nails, clawing and catching someone’s arm. I’m rewarded with a grunt of pain before a shin comes down on my wrist, making me cry out.

A slash rakes over my spine, making spots glitter over my vision.

Then another.

Then more until I think I might pass out. I pant through the pain as the weight is finally lifted from my wrist.

After the servant uses the vials on me, I realize one is to removes the bruises and to clean the blood of the fresh wounds, making them heal just enough not to look so fresh. Another is to tighten a simple corset around my chest and wind decorations through my hair with pins and chains, and the third doesn’t seem to do anything. Maybe it’s some sort of perfume I can’t smell. A pheromone one, perhaps. Those are popular at weddings. Although, I don’t know what for, given that I have no intention of going through with it.

“You will behave,” the Duchess declares with finality. “You will do as you’re told and you’ll submit. That is your role now. You will only speak when you’re spoken to, and in the old style format of matrimony, your verbal agreement isn’t required.”

I open my mouth to tell her to fuck off.

But when my lips part, no sound comes out.

The third vial wasn’t a perfume.

It was a silencing potion.

I’m dragged out of my cell, unable to make a single sound as I fight with every ounce of strength in my body.

I’m going to be forced to marry Edward, I realize with horror as they take me down the halls and hot, angry tears stream down my face.

I have a feeling if the Rinholds win, my mates will be lost to me forever.

Fuck if I’m going to let that happen.

I won’t marry him.

I have three dream monsters trying to break through the surface. And when they do… they’re going to kill all of you.

CHAPTER 32

SCARLETT

My brows furrow as I’m brought to a more intimate setting than I had been expecting. Open windows allow in a soft breeze. Sheer drapes surround a central area, billowing on the gentle wind while chairs surround it on all side.

I’m expecting for the soft barrier to hold a platform inside, given it’s big enough for two people.

Instead, there’s a bed.

A knot forms in my stomach as I scan the Elite families who have already taken their seats.

Each row has another sheer drape. It might obscure their view, but they can clearly still see everything.

I have a sinking realization by what was intended with an “old fashion” wedding ceremony.

“No,” I try to say as I pull back against the two manservants escorting me in.

The Duchess pinches the back of my arm so hard that tears sting my eyes. I can’t cry out, ask for help, or even make a sound, thanks to the magic vial that had been used on me.

Duchess Rinhold leans into my ear and snarls a threat that makes me go still. “Your mother has all the anti-aging vials she needs. You didn’t think I wouldn’t find out, would you? Edward was trying to woo you, girl. Well, no need for that anymore. But we will maintain relations with your family, mostly because they are useful to us. However, if you choose to make a scene, we’ll have no need for them. So behave, or your mother will die, and you can live with that for the rest of your unfortunately long life.”

She releases me and I stare at the bed in the middle of the room.