Ever since you ran into him in the forest and managed to escape, Varkin had been obsessed with you. It wasn’t like you meant to stumble upon his underworld dealings, but now that you had seen him, it was like he was latched onto you.

To everyone else, he may have come off as the epitome of a noble, but you knew the truth. You didn’t want to outright reject him— the thought of your family dying loomed over your head —but continuing to string him along wasn’t working either.

You knew there was only so much you could do to keep him at bay, and appeasing him often meant following his demands. It’s the only reason you walk through the garden with him, keeping your distance, though remaining close to his side.

When he comes to an abrupt stop and turns to face you, you almost think nothing of it, until that smile appears on his face.

The same one he’d given you that day in the forest when he decided you would be his new obsession.

“Please, marry me.”

He looked like a shark in that moment— eyes slightly wide, as though he could smell blood in the water —and you stiffen when he reaches out to pull you close. His hand on your head feels more like a heavy weight than a warm gesture.

“…before I kill your entire family.”