Chapter 26 - A Message in a Bottle

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~ ~ Xander ~ ~

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~ ~ Xander ~ ~

As soon as I got back on my feet and recovered from the poison, I was ready to tear all of Arcelia apart to find my soulmate. I sent Leon to the ocean to find him and when he returned, he had some news for me. We met in my study to talk.

"I did find him," Leon said. "I told him he could come home since you're alive, and he seemed happy. Then the next morning, he was gone."

My heart dropped to my stomach. "Does he not want to come home? Did he leave a-a note, or anything?!" I dropped into my desk chair and gripped the collar of my shirt.

Leon nodded his head, handing me a message in a bottle.

I raised an eyebrow at him as I snatched it and pulled off the cork, letting the piece of paper fall into my hand.

Dear Xander,

If you're reading this, it means I didn't come home. I'm sorry, I really am, but I just can't be around you anymore. Not even my loved ones. Everyone I care about ends up hurt or dead, so I'm staying away. Don't look for me. You won't find me.

P.S. Don't worry, our baby, if there is one, will be fine. I'm taking care of them.

I love you always,

-Malik

I gripped the bottle in my hand so tightly, the glass shattered and cut my palm open. "He won't come home because he thinks this is his fault?!" My loud voice echoed through the room.

"Xander-" Leon attempted to calm me down, but I stood up and threw the remaining pieces of the bottle at the wall to my right. They smashed even more, spraying shards of glass all over the floor.

"We need to find him! Get everyone together and send them out to cover every continent!" I ordered him.

Leon nodded his head and gladly took the escape, walking a little too quickly out of my study. I slumped down in my chair again and inspected the cut on my hand. It bled a lot, but closed itself after a few minutes. As I sat there, I felt all my anger dissipate, replaced with emptiness and helplessness, along with immense grief and sadness. My body pulled itself down under the weight of it, as if I could physically feel gravity.

Sebastian poked his head in as I stared at the floor, assessing the strength of this depressive episode. "Master Delaney?" I hummed in response, but didn't look at him as he continued talking. "Have you had any food lately? Or some rest? Let's get you taken care of, how would the merman react if he knew you were neglecting your needs?"

I sighed heavily, wanting to argue even though I knew he was right. "Okay, I'll head back to my room. Would you bring me some food?" I asked.

"Of course," Sebastian walked away, towards the kitchen. I went in the opposite direction, down the hallway, and into my room.

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