The prompt: List seven reasons to turn down a marriage proposal.
- Prompt #296, Creative Writing Prompts

"So," Adriestia asked, over her morning tea, "if he ever were to ask, why should I say no to him?"
Zahrah laughed softly, flipping through a small notebook absently. "I got a letter asking the same question last week, you know, although it was more along the lines of 'Help! My family wants me to marry this man, but I don't want to! How do I get out of it?' I ended up recommending to the girl that she join the priesthood and take a vow of chastity."
"You don't think that will actually work, I hope. Since I've come to Silvermoon, I've seen 'priestesses' caught up in all unseemly manner of things." She regarded the demon across the table evenly. The Sayaad refused to meet her eyes, snapping her notebook closed. Most thought it odd that Adriestia allowed her pacted servant a side-job, as it were, but many were glad of the succubus' romantic guidance, in the form of her weekly column. "But, if Sathien were to ask, why should I say no?"
Zahrah lifted her chin then to regard the warlock dourly. Adries had become aware some time ago that Zahrah didn't actually approve of her relationship with Sathien, but she knew the succubus wouldn't say anything.

It wasn't her place.
"Well, I doubt your father would approve, mistress," she opened, laying the book down on the kitchen table. Adries' eyes flashed with anger, lifting the teacup to her lips. After a moment's contemplation, the warlock cleared her throat.
"And he would approve of Alekzander, then? He'd approve of me, in all my red-haired glory with a demon at my side? I think not. Try harder."
"Sathien Ambermist isn't one to make a woman happy."
"He's asking, not me. Flunk."
"You saw how his last marriage worked out, with him running to the arms of another woman. Not that I'm blaming you in that, mistress ..."
"They were engaged," Adries growled, "and I didn't know about it."
Zahrah held her hands up in a surrenduring gesture, blustering out a sigh. "Let me get the last four out of the way so that you can reject them out of hand: The Tauren was right, and he's not your 'one true love,' whatever that's meant to be. You're too young to know what's right for the rest of your life. The two of you won't be able to support one-another, much less any children you might have. Oh, and?
Deep, deep down in that secret oubliette behind the walls you want to erect for yourself in your heart, you will always desire Alekzander Felsun, and you will always belong to him."
"I won't!" the warlock shrieked. "I hate him, I hate everything about him! He disgusts me!"
"He owns you, mistress, as surely as you own me, and you learn to fear -- and to love -- those who hold you in thrall."