There was no other way. Having grown increasingly dependent on her company he knew her he could never loose her, but could he have her in he first place?

Mercedes gave Anubis’ hand a little squeeze. He had been a little distant all day and from the look on his face he had just drifted off again. “Mer, “ he whispered, sounding a little forlorn. She gave him a small smile and quick hug but as she began to release him he held her fast. She looked up and saw troubled waters in the liquid green pools of his eyes.

She tilted her hear upward and with a mock pout asked, “what’s wrong? You’re not breaking up w/ me are you?”

“Mer,” he met her full lips, kissed her lovingly then sharply he drew in his breath. Mercedes body stiffened then went limp and as he inhaled her vitae his eyes began to glow with an eerie green light. Brushing aside the shoulder of her dress he reached with glowing hand toward and through her chest grasping hold of her heart. He had been impartial for so long, his interest in the ritual long gone stagnant; this was the first time in four millennia that he found himself praying for the outcome.

His prize removed the room darkened into oblivion. A geometrical throne engraved in hieroglyphics appeared behind him and to its left side a balance of pure gold. As he sank into the throne he became transfigured; no longer ‘Jimmy Dean’ he was a god of Egypt once more. Mercedes lay on a chaise at the foot of the throne. Her fur still held its vibrant teal hue for he would not allow the grey tinge of death to set in. .A solitary ibis feather appeared on the scale’s left palate. He placed her heart on the right: should it sink like a stone she would be banned from the underworld; should it be lighter than air she would be allowed to enter paradise. The scale wavered slightly but remained equally balanced.

Well that was strange. He didn’t remember that ever happening before.

“Spirit come forth and speak your case.” The shade of Mercedez sublimated before him. He could not help but feel a pang of regret as she glanced at her still warm body. “The scale will not speak so explain to me the nature of your heart.”

She gazed at him with transparent crimson eyes. “For so long I wished for the end, I have finally learned to live, paradise means nothing without suffering to contrast it, besides I don’t need paradise if I am with you.” Anubis was speechless. “Please,” she said, ‘ let us enjoy what time we have together in life for as long as it lasts be it a moment or eternity. For now let forever be.”

He nodded and again took her heart in his hands. Returning it to her body he gently caressed her breast as he withdrew his hand. Blowing her a kiss a vapor wafted from his mouth; as it settled her back arched and she breathed once more. In his soul he could feel the beating of her heart and lying beside her he was contented to live in the now.