*Ashur* My brother and I stood out of sight as we watched everything. My sight glued onto Merna. Yelling at me, ‘She will never replace mother!’ Kudiya frowned at Merna. I was getting tired of his bellyaching, ‘For her to replace mother she would have to be classified as a mistress to father. She is his consort without being fully his.’ ‘It has not eaten anything yet?’ Kudiya huffed out smoke. Remaining calm, ‘No Merna has not had anything to eat. If father can not get her to eat now, she will never eat. Making it that father will never have full control over Merna.’ ‘Why do you give it a name!’ Kudiya had noticed that I was not giving Merna any other name but her birth name. ‘Be careful how you address her!’ I warned my brother, ‘You may despise the ground she walks on but I warn you dear brother, hold your tongue around father. He has shown Merna favour and will not tolerate disrespect. Anything else beside her given name, will grant you fathers wrath!’ ‘Whatever dear brother!’ Kudiya spat out in anger. ‘Why does mother glare at the human born?’ I studied what Kudiya was staring at, ‘her little pet?’ Kudiya’s sight was glued, ‘Yes! Why does mother do that?’ ‘Is it not obvious, mother has feelings for her pet, if I am not mistaken … I think mother and the human born love each other!’ Their stares of desperation were noticeable. This put Kudiya in more of a mood if that was possible. ‘Stop acting like a spoiled little brat. It was clear when you were a child as it is now … mother and father were never going to be mates or consort. Get that fantasy out of your mind!’ I snapped at my brother as I stomped away. ‘It will do you no justice. Be happy that we are not considered lower class due to mothers bloodline and get over yourself.’ I made contact, ‘Father?’ Our sight locked, ‘The auction will start soon, make sure you keep an eye on the guest and less on Merna.’ Father had caught me numerous times staring at her. I could not help the grin that formed on my face, ‘have you thought about my suggestion?’ My father tried to control his facial structure as he shot his head towards me, ‘Focus boy!’ The corners of his lips twitched upwards. The prospects are getting higher. ‘All we need is for Merna to cave in and be willing … it shouldn’t be that hard!’ My father’s chuckle bounced around in my mind, ‘do your job boy!’ *Puabi* I had instructed Camile how to behave herself with dignity. I made her promise me that she would not cry. It was breaking me inside that I could not tell her that there was a plan to save her. Yet this plan was unsure of the outcome. Even Merna had said that she doesn’t know if there is anyone who would possibly bid higher. “When you get to the stage, look around once and no more. The Mage will inform the buyers that you are pure. He will then insert a white rod in your folds, before he does this, glare up at the ceiling, and control your anxiety.” I kissed my mate's head as we lay in our bed. “I have sent word out to the best families, informing them of your talents and how you would be perfect for their sons.” “I do not know if I will survive this!” Camile’s voice was shaky. “Remember the time that we spent together to help you through the hard time. It will be difficult at the beginning, but I know you, you will find a way to survive and make it.” I knew my words were not as warm as I wished them to be. It was words of experience. “I will never love again!” Camile whispered. The event was getting closer and I knew that soon I would have to take Camile to the bathing room to prepare her. As I was readying myself to inform Camile, two hunters barged into my room without knocking. “The Master told us to collect your pet!” “I see!” I did not fight them, I knew what that would mean. “Go! Hold yourself together and remember your promise!” The hunters were about to grab Camile with force when I placed my hand up in the air. My voice gave way to how I was feeling, “Let the poor thing have time to move, we are still ahead of schedule.” The hunters did not proceed further allowing Camile to head in their direction. With one more glance backward, I could tell that she was on the verge of crying. No different than myself. “I promise I will not cry!” She forced a smile on her face, “only for you!” “Only for you!” I repeated her words. She was not the only one that was struggling with this situation. I knew that this was going to be hard, yet I thought I had hardened my heart for this moment. How wrong I was. Maybe I should have advised myself and made myself promise not to shed tears as well. ‘You could not have allowed me the last moments to get Camile ready!’ I linked the Master. I was bitter and hurt. Now I was starting to wish that I had told him that Camile was my mate. The last attempt to keep Camile with me forever. I was starting to doubt Merna’s plan. The door to my domain had been closed when I could hear Chaos’ voice, ‘I warned you not to get attached to her. You failed to do so Puabi!’ His tone was cold and unrelenting. I dropped to the floor and allowed the unshed tears to flow down my face. I know that Merna had a plan, but I didn’t know if I could trust her to keep to her word. I began to wail as I could not contain the pressure that was building in my chest, I was losing my mate … my other half … Merna was wrong, two hearts would be broken and there would be two deaths. I rushed over to the blade that I hid under my mattress, I had it placed at my heart as I glared up at the ceiling. Slowly I pushed the blade into my skin.