Chapter 1

I am the descendant of the Serpent Queen. Caleb Sterling was the city's beloved saint.

In my past life, I ran away with him for love. I gave up the chance to awaken my bloodline and shed my skin to become something divine.

But on our wedding day, Caleb carved my heart out of my chest.

He called me a curse, a dark star that blocked his true love from finding peace. He wanted my essence to pave a path to the afterlife for his dead soulmate.

I looked at him in despair while he rolled his prayer beads. He said, "Rowan, being the cure for Elowen is the only blessing you'll ever have."

When I opened my eyes again, it was a week before the wedding. I was kneeling in a ruined chapel, clutching my aching chest.

A voice like thunder shook the walls. "Daughter of the Serpent, will you shed your skin to be a mere mortal for love? Or will you abandon your heart and ascend as a Goddess?"

1

I looked at the dusty statue in the chapel. My gaze was cold and final.

"I choose to be a Goddess," I said. The golden statue didn't move, but the voice laughed.

"Once your power awakens, you must leave this world with me," the voice warned.

I crossed my arms over my chest and closed my eyes. "I am your most loyal servant. Just let me finish one last thing before I go."

I stepped out of the chapel, and my phone buzzed. It was Caleb.

"Baby, where are you?" his voice was like honey. I felt a sharp sting in my heart.

A gentle tongue is the sharpest blade. I had to wait for my scales to fall off before I gained the strength to crush him.

If I acted now, he would just cut me open early. I had to pretend nothing had changed.

"Did you forget? It's our bachelor party tonight," he continued. "Why aren't you speaking? Do you need me to pick you up?"

I forced a light tone. "No need. I'm already on my way."

"Good. See you soon," he replied.

I hailed a ride and headed to the VIP club downtown. I pushed open the door to the private lounge.

Caleb was sitting in the center with his best friend, Reid Harrington.

"Look who's here, the freak of the week," Reid joked. He was surrounded by girls in skimpy dresses.

One girl looked up and screamed. She immediately hid her face in Reid's chest.

"What is that thing? Is it contagious?" she shrieked.

I was born with the serpent's mark. My skin was uneven, covered in bumps and scale-like patterns that made people sick.

Everyone looked at me with disgust, afraid they would catch a disease just by standing near me. Everyone except Caleb.

He was sitting there, eyes closed, spinning his beads. He smelled of expensive sandalwood and lies.

Reid laughed and patted the girl's shoulder. "Don't worry. Caleb just has a very dark, twisted taste in women."

The girl giggled when she realized everyone was mocking me. "She's terrifying. I'm actually shaking!"

Another girl chimed in. "Don't be mean. Look at how much foundation she used. She's trying so hard to hide that ugly face."

"Being ugly isn't a crime, but coming out to scare people should be," another added.

Reid smirked at Caleb. "She really is a monster. But hey, she's got a great body. Just keep the lights off, man."

I felt a cold rage bubbling inside me. In my last life, I was so insecure that I apologized to them for being born this way.

I thought I was a burden to Caleb. He would just smile and say, "It's okay. I'll love you even if you're a monster. No one else will ever want you."

Back then, I thought it was true love. Now, I realized it was just a sick way to keep me under his thumb.