Mine By Harrieth H. Mbunda

“Be gone!” I shouted to everyone around me. “And please, just please, do not touch me.” I winced as I cried, the agony of life overwhelming me. The cries that escaped my lips were a mixture of shock and the pain of betrayal surrounding me. “Just give up,” a voice inside me whispered. The sound of ocean waves crashing against the boat reached my ears. I was losing control, and everything seemed to go silent as I cried out in silence. I watched as the man I had trusted turned against me simply because I was not enough for him after tasting another woman’s nectar. The very woman I trusted and considered my friend and sister had discarded our bond and taken him for herself. Now, I lingered in pain from the beatings and heavy burdens. Bleeding and pleading, I knew my fight and words meant nothing to them. I was losing hope. Just when I thought I could surrender myself to the ocean and become its favourite meal, I heard scratching voices calling for war. Men were shouting, and I observed the prince of my heart adjusting the boat, signalling that I should be thrown into the ocean, amidst the wars between the merpeople. I watched him and my friends shout, “Be gone! Let her die here, for another woman like her is food for the oceans.” Tears burned my eyes as I cried, staring at the gloomy skies while merpeople swam swiftly like needles cutting through waves. Their tails shimmered in bright colours, and their sounds echoed the sounds of raging wars. I had nothing to say as I awaited my judgment and death. Deep in thought, I closed my eyes and embraced sleep as my tears flowed and my heart cried out. I welcomed the coldness and darkness as I was swept away and thrown into the waters. As they threw me, I heard laughter and congratulatory cheers, celebrating the removal of an obstacle. No one would ever find me. Sad but true, I had lost everything, and my life was not worth saving. As I hit the waters, I allowed myself to sink deeply, crying all the while. Descending into the depths of the ocean, I bumped into a hard body that embraced me, providing warmth in the cold waters. Then, I blacked out without regrets, taking my last breath and embracing the approaching death. I no longer had the strength to save anything. I embraced the darkness that enveloped me; nothing held meaning anymore. AZUREUS’ POV: In the blue enchanted realm, I fought to protect my people. Only then did I realise how shallow we were when I spotted the boat. I alerted my second-in-command to stay put and continued fighting. However, before I could turn around, there was a splash cutting through the chaos. In a swift move, I grabbed whatever was thrown at me. It was heavy, but to me, it was not an issue. As I examined what I had caught, electricity crackled between us. She was the most beautiful being I had ever laid my eyes on. And then it hit me like a slap—she was my mate, and she was dying. Shocked, I roared with all my might, the realization overwhelming me. Everything around us came to a halt. I gently cradled her lifeless body, realizing that I had found the miracle I had been waiting for, only for her life to slip away. My heart couldn’t bear another heartbreak, and I swore to do everything in my power to save her. Holding her tightly, I swam with all my might back to my realm. The wars meant nothing if I couldn’t save the one creature that fate had granted me as a third and final chance to survive, after centuries of being alone since my mate rejected me. Today, I finally found the miracle, and it hit me hard that her life was slipping away. Tears filled my eyes as I reached the medical chambers of my kingdom. Calling everyone forward, I gave strict instructions for her care. I didn’t want to leave her side, but someone touched my shoulder. As I turned, I met my birth mother and great-grandmother face-to-face. Looking into my mother’s eyes, I couldn’t find the words. “She is dying, Amma,” I managed to whisper. The queen's mother silently embraced me as I glanced down at my mate, her body growing cold. “Azureus, please give her to me. Let me work on her,” his mother said, taking her in her arms and placing her on the table. She gestured for me to leave the room. I stood outside, unable to move or speak. My face flushed, and my eyes remained fixed on her lying on the table. I managed to blink, closing my eyes and savouring her scent for the first time. She smelled of chocolates and the daughter of the ocean. I didn’t realize the depth of my pain until I saw her. When I looked at her, I saw red. I walked straight toward the bed, but my mother roared, and my second-in-command held me back. I fought to get back in, roaring, “Nooooooooooo!” I struggled, but my second-in-command kept me restrained. I was broken and wept like a child for her. I vowed that whoever threw her into my ocean would pay dearly, for I, Azureus, walk between both worlds as the King and Prince, and nobody touches what is mine and survives.