A Cruel Fate of Endless Devotion

Chapter twenty-three: Apologies and the tomb

Poppy couldn't shake off the feeling of disbelief as she replayed Melody's words in her mind. She had always seen Sebastian as a kind and loving person, he was especially so when he was around Melody. The idea that he would intentionally ignore Melody seemed completely out of character. The more she thought about it, the more confused and frustrated she became, desperately wanting answers that would make sense of the situation.

"You've been staring at me all morning," Melody sighed as she continued to brush Highwing.

"I'm sorry I just don't understand. I've seen the way Sebastian acts around you, he cares about you so much, Mel. I just don't get why he's doing this"

Melody felt tears sting her eyes but refused to let them fall. "It doesn't matter"

"Yes it does. No one who calls themselves a friend should treat you like such" Poppy firmly said.

"She's right"

Melody's muscles tightened, her heartbeat quickened, and a shiver ran down her spine. She didn't know how to feel as she prepared herself for a confrontation she desperately didn't want to have. She was thankful that Poppy swooped in, blocking him from getting closer.

"What are you doing here, Sallow?" Poppy firmly asked as she put her hands on her hips.

Sebastian's teary eyes looked past her and Melody who refused to look at him. "I just want to talk to Melody"

"She doesn't want to talk to you right now" Poppy said as she crossed her arms over her chest, refusing to budge.

"Alright. Fine. Melody I am terribly sorry for not having been myself the past few weeks. I promise I'm going to make it up to you when this is all over. I'm heading to the tomb tonight. I would really like it if you were there with me, but I understand if you don't show" he said as he placed a folded up piece of parchment on the ground before walking away.

Melody's heart ached with a mixture of longing and skepticism. She had grown tired of falling into the same cycle of disappointment and forgiveness, yet she couldn't help but hold onto a glimmer of hope that things would finally change.

"Do not tell me you're seriously thinking of going" Poppy said.

"I have to" Melody said, her voice quiet and unsure.

"No you don't! No one is forcing you to go"

"I can't walk away from him, Poppy. He has no one else on his side. I promised him"

"And he knows that and he's using it against you now! He's manipulating you!"

Melody whipped around with a fire in her eyes. Despite knowing that her best friend was right, Melody defended him. "He would do no such thing! Sebastian is my friend! I thought you liked him too!"

"I do! But this person he's become isn't him! He's changed Melody, things are different now"

"I promised him. I can't walk away" she whispered. "I have to go. I'm sorry"

**********

Melody shivered from the cold wind as she landed her broom near Sebastian's coordinates. Her mind was flooded with concern and worry for Sebastian. He seemed so lost and distraught. She took a deep breath and approached him slowly. Trying to keep her voice steady as she announced her arrival. 

"I'm here."

"You made it! I knew you'd come!" Sebastian said as he looked up at her.

The faint green glow in Sebastian's hazel eyes was an eerie and unsettling contrast to his cold and emotionless demeanor. It hinted at a hidden power or presence within him, something otherworldly that Melody couldn't quite comprehend. It was as if the sparkle of mischief and fun had been replaced by something darker and more sinister.