Chapter 199: Finding Liam
Mai’s P.O.V.
Liam was gone.
The cold realization slammed into me like a physical force, stealing my breath. I bolted out of the water, my feet kicking up sand as I scrambled onto the shore, my soaked clothes clinging to my skin.
"Liam!" My voice cracked as I called out, my chest heaving.
He still didn’t answer.
I turned in frantic circles, eyes scanning the trees, the rocks, the lake’s edge. His bag was still there. His sketchbook, his pencils—all untouched.
But he wasn’t.
I spun toward Eldur, who had finally sauntered out of the water, dripping wet, his white hair gleaming under the afternoon sun. He stood lazily by my side, his arms crossed, looking as unconcerned as ever.
He flicked a drop of water off his wrist and sighed. "Relax, Mai. He probably just decided to go home."
I whirled on him. "That’s not possible!" My voice was sharp, edged with something close to desperation. "Liam never leaves his bag or his sketchbook behind! He wouldn’t just walk off without them, without me!"
Eldur raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Maybe he finally realized how suffocating you are and ran while he had the chance."