After Mahdi left the room Des swam up to her sister laying motionless on the bed. He took her cold hand in his, sat down, and squeezed it hard. That's when he broke.

Being the head of the gaurd he never lets anyone see what he is really feeling. But this time no one was around. She was all he had left. She had rule over their people. A difficult thing to do over a few months. She had to grow up too fast. Which was something he never had to do. All he could do was feel sorry for her. Of course when the High Commander  turned on the realm, Des had to take more responsibility. He couldn't slack off all of the time.

Now Sera was paying the price. It could've been anyone else there, but it just happened to be Sera. His little sister.

When he looked up at her face she was peaceful. She looked younger then she has been the past few months. She looked like the scared teenager on the day of her dokimí. Not like the queen she had became in just a matter of minutes.

Des just couldn't stand to sit by his little sister's side when she is on the verge of death. He couldn't think of his little sister dying before he would. It was just too much for him to handle. Des needed her she was the only family he had left in Miromara. Her friends needed her to defeat Abbadon. Most importantly Madhi needed her. Des knew this. They truly loved each other.

Des took his hand and rubbed Sera's hair. Trying to calm her when she didn't need to be calmed. His tears blurred his vision. Losing his parents was hard enough. Harder on Sera. But he couldn't lose her. If he lost her-if the realm lost her, what would happen? There wouldn't be a daughter of a daughter. There would be a son of a daughter. Then a daughter of a son. He couldn't let that happen. Not after it happened with Lucia's short reign.

Des sat next to his sister deep in thought. 'What if she never woke up? What if I have to run the realm? What if Sera doesn't wake up, I have to rule the realm, and I don't produce a daughter to rule the realm next? What if Lucia comes back to finish the job? What if...' was all Des was thinking. What if. "What if it was me or Mahdi on that bed instead of you?" Des finally asked out loud.

"But it isn't you. Or Mahdi. Or anyone else," a voice from behind said. He turned to see it was Neela. "Des, she sacrificed herself so that we can live. We may have to face Abbadon without her. But because of what she did we can fight him."

Des smiled. "Did you take care of Mahdi?"

"Yeah. As soon as his head hit his pillow he was out. He won't be awake for a while. It's good for him. I knew he loved Sera. But I didn't know having this happen to her would take such a big toll on him. He blames himself."

"Yeah. I think we all do. You know. If we all had been quicker that day would she be the one on the bed? If so, would she be on the verge of death?"

"I don't know."

"You did a blood bind with her right?" Neela shook her head. "Can you tell if the one you were bound to is on the verge of dying?" Des asked with hope.

Neela shrugged. "I don't know. If I can then Sera is fine. I don't feel anything."

"Okay." There was a pause. Where silence sank in. "So why are you down here? Other than to see Sera?"

"Well um, three things really. One, to see Sera. Two, you look like you need a friend. And three, to tell you that we're leaving tomorrow. I just got a conch from my parents saying that they want us all back at the palace soon. Yazeed and I decided that we're going back tomorrow night. Let Mahdi rest for a night then head home. I'm sure that when Sera wakes up that Mahdi wants to be here as soon as possible."

It hit Des like a brick wall almost. But the impact was soft. After Neela's explanation Des could see why her parents would want them home. Mahdi was an emperor after all. He had his realm to rule over. Neela's parents were just probably worried sick about their children's current state. Whether they are alive or dead. Des's parents would be worried too. That is if they were still alive.

'That's going to break Mahdi.' Des thought.

"I'm sorry that we have to go, but it's what's best for us right now. We'll be back soon," Neela said. She swam back to the door. "I'll see you later then Des."

"Yeah. See ya," Des said half heartedly.

"Hang in there Des. You know she won't give up without a fight," and with that said Neela swam out of the room, and off to her room.

And Des was left alone with his dying sister, and his thoughts.