Chapter 3

Soon enough, the night I go on sale comes.

I haven't fought back once. I've been good. Pouring wine, scrubbing floors, learning how to moan on command.

The Madam is pleased. She arranges a proper auction for me.

The night I step on stage, I look out and see my father, Dorian, and Mira sitting together in the crowd.

When they spot me, all three breathe a sigh of relief.

My first client is a lordling who tried to court me when I was still Lady Elara. I turned him down.

Now He puts his filthy boot on my face.

"Your cousin's a Duchess, and you're a whore. Funny how that works, isn't it?"

I smile my prettiest smile.

"Being a whore's not bad. Better than being a Duchess, even."

The lordling howls with laughter, eyes full of mockery.

His friends poke me with their riding crops. "She's trying so hard to save face."

"Still clinging to that little scrap of pride."

Another one spits: "Bastard-born bitch. Born to be trash."

Then a stumbling figure bursts through the door.

She shoves the lordling aside and screams, voice cracking:

"This is my daughter, Elara Thornwood! Not the criminal Mira Ashford!"

"You've all got it wrong! All of you!"

"She's the Duchess. She's the one who saved the Dragon King!"

My mother looks terrible. Her skin that used to be so pale and smooth is now sunburnt and rough.

Her lips tremble as she pulls my thin clothes closed over my chest, almost choking on her own sobs.

"Elara. Why? Just tell me why."

"Please, come with me to the magistrate. We'll tell them the truth."

I swallow my tears. I force myself to imitate Mira's careless swagger.

"You here for a good time too?"

My mother freezes. Then cries even harder.

She's almost begging now. "Tell me the truth. Did your father threaten me to make you do this?"

"It doesn't matter anymore. I'm a divorced woman now. Your father has no hold on me."

"I'm taking you to the magistrate right now. We'll demand justice."

I look past her shoulder. "Here comes the law."

My father and Dorian rush in.

My father grabs my mother by the throat and hurls her out of the brothel.

Dorian bows to the lordling and his friends. "Gentlemen, this woman is my wife's cousin. Do us a favor. Come back another night."

Through the the curtain, I see my mother thrown onto the street. She can't get up for a long time.

I swallow my tears and follow the Madam into the punishment room.

She says I caused trouble. I need to be taught a lesson.

After that, I'm moved to the back. Days hauling water and scrubbing pots. Nights sleeping on the floor.

No one comes for me anymore.

I hear my mother came back a few more times. I sent word. Told her to pretend I'm dead.

The back is exhausting. But it's quiet.

That doesn't last. The lead courtesan dies, and the Madam is short on girls. She drags me back to the front and puts me up again.

This time, the one who picks me is someone I know.