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“I know your father has the gift of future sight,” I said. “But sometimes his and your mother’s visions are interpreted incorrectly.”

Anik said nothing, but he did stand. “There is only one way to find out. As your prince and your brother in arms, I am requesting your presence at the auction tomorrow where you will participate.”

“I thought someone went in my stead when I didn’t show up,” I interjected. “I don’t want to steal any warrior’s place at the auction.”

“You are right. When you didn’t show, another was chosen. Unfortunately, one warrior expired after complications from injuries he sustained while on Earth.”

I sighed and squeezed my eyes shut. “I had no idea. Who’s soul was lost?”

“Za'uik. Too much blood loss. Too much life force was gone from him before they could get him transported,” Anik stated. “My father could’ve overlooked you because of your actions and your refusal to report on the spaceship, but he did not. He requests that you come to have your name placed in the auction to be paired with one of the Earth women.”

“And if I do not?”

“I think you will.”

I folded my arms across my chest. “Earlier…you could’ve just said that you were here to tell me that the King wanted me there at that damned auction. I could’ve been eating dinner by now. In bed. Asleep. This is my punishment, isn’t it? Because I failed to show, he will punish me by making me entertain a delicate waif from the planet Earth.”

“Do you really think of this as punishment? Or is this your fate forthcoming from the gods themselves? Either way, my father has decided not to fold on this matter. You will attend the auction as scheduled.”

Anik was almost out the door when I said, “I pity the one who is chosen for me. She won’t want me. She will not be able to handle me.”

“You might be surprised about how much a woman can truly handle. But you know what I think, brother? I think you are afraid because you’re the one who can’t handle a woman. Or a mate, for that matter.”

The door was closed before I could come up with my rebuttal.

Anik and I used to fight and argue all the time like brothers when we were young, but I was going to let him win this one—just this one time. Only because he was the prince.

I was too tired to go after him anyway.