Chapter 45

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Xia couldn't sleep that night. Part of him hoped that Osiris would visit him in the middle of the night and tell him that he changed his mind. He wanted the sultan to tell him that he could stay and that he loved him, but he never came. Xia was left in his room alone with his thoughts. After everything, this was all for nothing.

At least his family would be happy once Xia returned home. He accomplished his goal, after all. He might not have had to steal from Osiris, but he was walking out of this with a lot of gold. Osiris was providing Xia with everything he would need before he left. It was enough to last Xia and his family a lifetime, and it would pay their way out of Rasea. If Osiris meant what he said, then there was no reason for Xia to stay in this kingdom. He would leave with his family as they planned all along.

There was a part of Xia that still wanted to help Osiris. If he could make the curse go away, then would Osiris change his mind? Xia didn't want to believe that the sultan meant what he said. His feelings couldn't have changed that quickly. Osiris only said those things to protect Xia from his curse. Right?

Morning came quickly before Xia was ready for it. A new day meant that he would have to leave the palace. Shiva and Amani would be leaving alongside him. He didn't know where the girls would go after this. They didn't have any other home, but maybe that was something Osiris was providing for them. There should have been a couple of open houses in the noble district where the girls could live comfortably. Osiris would keep his promise and make sure they were taken care of. While they might not be with him anymore, he would still make sure they were safe. Xia would be the only one out of them who was leaving Rasea.

There wasn't much for him to pack as Xia looked around the room. Osiris might have bought him plenty of gifts during their time together, but Xia didn't want to bring any of them with him. They would just be a reminder of the relationship he had with him. This was how things were supposed to be. In the beginning, Xia never planned to stay in the palace. He would leave one day, and now it was finally time for him to leave. Everything was back to how they were supposed to be.

He looked back at his bedroom once more, before exiting and closing the door for the last time. It was early, so he hoped to leave without running into anyone. He didn't want to see anyone as he left. It would only make things harder for him. He especially didn't want to see Osiris again. If he saw him, then Xia might break down. His eyes already felt raw from crying so much last night. He was sure he looked like a mess, but he didn't care. There was no reason for him to pretend like he was okay.

Unfortunately, Xia didn't have any luck as he entered the main lobby of the palace. As much as he didn't want to face anyone, it looked like he didn't have much of a choice. Shiva and Amani were together, talking in hushed voices. He could see from Amani's expression that she was heartbroken as well. It looked like she had been crying, too. Shiva was much stronger than them, but she was clearly just as upset. Shiva smiled at Amani and said something to her that Xia couldn't hear, but he could tell she was trying to comfort her.

With a deep breath, Xia approached the girls. He wouldn't ignore them. During his time in the palace, he got to know them. If things would have continued, then he might have even considered them as friends in the future. This might be his last chance to see them, so he should say his goodbyes.

He could barely meet their eyes when he stopped in front of them. Quietly, Xia said, "Hey . . . um, thanks, for everything. You two were nice to me in the palace, so I hope that you're both able to have a happy future. Things suck now, but maybe they'll get better."

He tried to sound optimistic, but it was hard when he wasn't feeling that way. His words came out sounding forced.

"Xia . . ." Amani looked at him, then couldn't stop herself as she threw her arms around him and embraced him. The tears began to flow once again. "I don't want to go. I don't want to be separated from all of you. Being in the palace has been the best thing that's ever happened to me. I made so many friends here. Why do things have to end like this?"

Amani's snake was wrapped around her arm, and it slithered closer to Xia. The snake freaked him out a little bit, but not as much as when he first met him. Xia wrapped one arm around Amani, and with his free hand, he hesitantly pet the snake's head. Julius seems to nuzzle into his touch.

"I know. I don't want to leave either," Xia admitted. He wasn't ready to leave. He wanted to keep fighting, but a part of him was also giving up. After Osiris' words last night, Xia didn't want to try anymore.

"What will you do after this?" Shiva quietly asked.

Xia turned his attention to her. "I'm going to leave Rasea with my family. I've already spoken to a guide about leaving, and she told me when she'll be heading out. I don't know where we'll go after this, but we'll figure it out."

"You're leaving?" Amani sadly looked up at him.

He nodded. "There's nothing keeping me in Rasea anymore."

His only reason to stay was now gone. There was nothing else keeping him tied down. He could start over fresh in another kingdom, even if that meant leaving his home behind. Staying in this kingdom would only bring back memories. At least if he was gone, he could forget.

"I wish you luck wherever you go, Xia. I'm glad that I had the chance to meet you, and I'm sorry things turned out this way. Amani and I will stay together for a while. Osiris has provided us with a new home, but I don't think I will stay for long either. I've considered leaving this kingdom as well," Shiva said.

He gave her a sad smile. "Good luck. Maybe on your next adventure, you'll be able to meet your old love again."

She chuckled, but it wasn't out of humor. "Maybe. Are you . . . going to wait for Osiris? He wants to say his goodbyes before we depart."

Xia didn't think he was strong enough to face Osiris again. He didn't want to cry anymore. "I think it's best if I leave before then. I . . . don't want to see him again."

Shiva nodded, understanding how he felt. He was heartbroken. Xia might not have admitted it out loud, but Osiris was the first person he ever loved. Shiva knew too well what it was like to lose someone you cared about deeply.

He gave them another sad smile. "Well, I guess this is goodbye. Amani, Shiva, take care of yourselves."

Xia gave Amani one last hug, before letting her go. He was surprised when Shiva hugged him as well. For a moment, Xia hesitated. He looked back at the palace he was beginning to call his home. It was over too soon. The happy life he thought he could have here was over. It would take a long time before Xia healed from this.

With one last goodbye to Shiva and Amani, Xia left the palace before Osiris showed himself. 

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