“NO! I won’t be the third wife of Martin Upton! I won’t father! I refuse! No!”

I dash off, crying.

“Lapis! Get back here young lady! You’re out of options and time! Listen to your father!”

I slam the door behind me as I get out of the office that is about to doom my future.

I run all the way down the corridor, startling one of the maids, and throw myself into my bedroom. I fall into bed, soaking the pillowcase with tears.

He can’t make me do it! He can’t!

But part of me knows… he can. He will. He must.

I’m doomed. I’m fifteen in just a week; and I have to be married by then. All of my friends are married. Lily confirmed she was pregnant just last week. Sasha has even started to fall in love with Mike. They’ve got a nice relationship. I know it’s the law. I know it’s needed. Its sensible. I know all of that.

But I can’t haggle for a good husband. I suck. I’m a nobody. A Thunder Mage with a power level of 18, in the digital age, is beyond useless! With such a mediocre level, no decently powerful man will even accept me as breeding stock. They wouldn’t want to risk it.

I understand all that. I’ve been dealt a terrible hand. But I absolutely refuse to be a toy for that old pervert Martin Upton. He’s already got two heirs from his wives. I have no chance to be anything in that family; I’m just being sold off as a sex slave. And my own family doesn’t care; I’m just a fourth daughter. Our own thunder magic and its crest is due to go into the hands of big brother Jasper, his level is nearly 40, and he’s got Alice.

I dry my eyes, and ball myself up my quilt. I eat the chocolate I’ve stashed in my drawer. It helps I guess… no girl dislikes chocolate, right? But I can’t really taste it right now. Everything is bitter.

Could I break out on my own?

Absentmindedly, I pick up my smartphone from the bedside table. I tap my finger to the charger part and give it a zap to bring its battery up to 100%. I probably shouldn’t.

Even if I’m from a good family, even if I’m sort of pretty, I won’t be able to get a good job. If I’m not married, everyone will reject me. I couldn’t even get more schooling to try and raise my level. All I could do is what I just did… sitting behind a counter, charging people’s Lithium-Ion batteries all day long. Could I even afford a place to live doing that? I doubt it…

Tears threaten to break out again.

“NO!” I shout to the empty room.

I will get a man to marry me on Ember! I’m pretty cute!

I look down at my immature body. Who am I kidding!? I’ve got a nice face, maybe. But no chest. No blazing red eyes full of scintillating magic circles showing my power like Alice has. I look my age, at best. Not a mature, sexy woman. Just bones and pale skin and a nice face. I’m only good for perverts with deviant interests. Like Martin Upton wanting a sex toy…

Even if it’s useless, I’ve still pulled the app up. I sigh and start swiping.

Gavin. Black Hair, Solid Jaw. I like his smile. Youngish, but a bit pale. Probably a Necromancer. Yep, it’s on the profile. Power 21? Not a very great one either… Well, whatever, being an undertaker’s wife is fine, could be worse, swipe right.

Malcolm. Ugh… he’s a curse user if I ever saw one. He looks sinister somehow; even with his kindly smile. He’s quite old. He’s an old guy looking for a second wife for sure. Sorry, that’s what I’m trying to stay away from right now. Swipe left.

Eric. Wow, he’s a hunk. With that shining profile pic, he must be a Light Mage. I gulp at his topless picture on the profile, showing off his muscles like a gladiator. I swipe him right of course. 26 Power? Yeah, I got no chance.

The screen of the phone flickers and corrupts. Ugh! This thing is getting old! Yes, phone, I know I shouldn’t charge you myself, it causes this kind of thing to happen, I know! Now work! Dammit! Work!

I bash it like a toddler. It flickers back to life. You just need to show that phone spirit who’s boss!

Uh… who’s next?

Jim. Uh… well he looks alright. I wouldn’t notice him in a crowd. Wait… did he really take a rubbish selfie in a novice healer’s uniform, in front of the general hospital? With a peace sign? What a goof!

I start laughing at this idiot despite myself. But then… what!? A Healer? Level 31!!! He’s really powerful! Why the hell would he be a novice healer?

Ah! I get it, he’s trying to be funny! It’s like a dare from his mates. He looks really embarrassed, after all.

Haha, well, you made me laugh. No way you’ll accept me with a level like that, but oh well, swipe right.

Who’s next?

Rob. Well, he looks nice… but holy crap… 11 power! That’s a bad catch no matter what. What can he even do at that level? Sorry, no way, I may be a two-bit mage, but that doesn’t mean I can stoop to being a hedge magician’s wife. He’s practically a normie! Swipe left.

There is a ding from my phone.

[You have been matched with Jim, 31. Do you wish to review his profile before agreeing to the proposal?]

I drop my phone on the bed.

No way. WHHHHHAATT!?!? The healer?!? He also swiped me? Somebody swiped you right, Lapis. And a decently powerful guy!

No fricking way. It’s a dream.

I slap my own cheek hard.

Fuck it hurts! Ow! Fuck!

Uh… well, despite what people say, that wouldn’t stop a dream mage if he really wanted to mess you up anyway.

I carefully pick up my phone again as I hold my throbbing cheek in the other hand.

Nope. The announcement is still there, with a yes/no. I press yes. I… actually didn’t look at it before did I, I just swiped him because he made me laugh, oops…

I get another four pictures of him. In a museum with a bunch of guys and a girl. A beach picture with him in colourful shorts making a sandcastle. Then smiling as he’s cooking a barbeque for some reason.

His profile says “I like taking care of people in need, so I do night-shifts in the Hospital. I play video-games, like movies, and love a good barbeque with my pals. I like to take walks and admire nature. But I realised I work too much, so I’m looking for a girl to spend my days with!”

That’s it? Seriously; what a goof. I mean… at least he’s polite. There’re no extra photos of things fourteen-year-old girls shouldn’t be looking at until they’re married. But I still can’t believe those pictures. He has no idea how to put good ones up! He needs to take advice from Eric! And he writes a proposal like he’s trying to have a fling rather than get a wife. Rubbish!

Well; that’s probably… he’s… what? Late 20’s? That’s okay. Maybe he has one wife already. He must do with that power. Must be that girl in the photo. She must not be able to bear him an heir… HE MUST put it on the profile if he’s got an heir… it’s in the rules… they enforce that kind of thing very carefully and he didn’t put it down so…

So; he’s trying a new young girl out. So yeah… I guess it is a fling for him… I guess it’s my fate after all.

Ugh… well… second wife… but if there’s no heir… its already a way better situation. No, its better in every way than being a sex slave for Martin Upton! He looks like he could at least be kind to me.

Am I absolutely sure about this? My heart rate has just soared. I can tell I’m blushing furiously. Why do girls have to decide this at my age!?!?

But… a healer? Power 31. There’s no way Dad would say no. Hell, he’d pay a good dowry for such a powerful man taking his daughter. Especially a healer. A doctor! I can marry a powerful doctor! I’ll be good for life! If I can carry on his lineage as well, I’ll become the first wife. Maybe even have a relationship of more than just a sex toy. I have to hope this is my last chance and not a mistake. It has to be.

[Confirm Marriage?] is blinking on the screen.

I swipe right.