Chapter 19 - The Day the World Stopped Turning》

○○ Sara's Pov. ○○

I SAT IN THE GRAND ROOM, MY GAZE FOCUSED ON WHAT'S IN FRONT OF ME. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating, as the Emperor and the council members took their seats, their eyes fixed on the man who had defied tradition..my brother. I could see him trying to tough it out, though the unease was visible.

I glanced over at my parents, who were seated beside me. Both of them were quieter and almost unreadable expressions, though I could tell they were just as anxious as I was. The idea of Seth challenging the ways of Evalon wasn't something they had expected. Father, especially, even he couldn't deny how important Seth's bond with Katriona was.

Abby sat stiffly on my other side, her gaze flickering between Seth and the council. Tyler was just behind us. None of us spoke a word.

I shifted in my seat, my hands clenched tightly in my lap as the silence stretched on. The council members whispered amongst themselves, their voices low but sharp, as the Emperor made his way to the front of the room. His presence alone commanded authority, a sense of power that filled the room and made it difficult for anyone to breathe freely.

"Seth, you come before us today to answer for your defiance," the Emperor's voice rang out, steady and commanding. "We, the council, seek to understand why you have chosen to be with your human mate, defying the centuries-old traditions of our people."

My heart pounded in my chest, I couldn't help but look at my brother. He stood tall, his eyes locked on the Emperor.

"Yes, Emperor," Seth replied, his voice calm but firm. "I have chosen to be with Katriona. Our connection is not something that can be dismissed. It is deeper than tradition, deeper than the laws of Evalon."

Jedric stood, tall and proud, his voice booming as he took the floor. There was a murmur of surprise and disapproval among the people. Mom and father exchanged a brief, concerned glance.

"Seth," Jedric began, his gaze icy, "you've tarnished the honor of your people. Mating with a human is unheard of. It is a betrayal to everything we've stood for, everything our ancestors fought for. You do not have the right to defy our laws, to choose a life with someone so far beneath us."

A few murmurs of agreement spread through the council, and my father's eyes narrowed in response. But it wasn't just Jedric who opposed Seth—it was a faction of the council and his supporters that had rallied behind him. They were not open to change, and they were ready to see Seth punished for breaking their long-established traditions.

Seth's jaw clenched, but his eyes never left Jedric. The defiance was clear in his posture, though I could see the storm of emotions behind his calm exterior. Katriona was his life, and no amount of judgment would make him take a step back from his commitment to her.

"I will not apologize for loving her," Seth said, his voice steady but firm, cutting through the air like a blade. "I will not apologize for choosing a life with the one I've bonded to, no matter where she comes from. I will not let the fear of tradition force me to betray who I am."

Jedric's face reddened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but the Emperor raised his hand, silencing the room. All eyes shifted to him, the Emperor's presence larger than life as he took his turn. His tone is firm but not unkind, "This is not just a matter of personal choice. You are defying centuries of tradition. Do you understand the gravity of what you're doing?"

Seth's gaze softened as he looked at her, and then, his eyes flickered briefly toward Sara before he spoke again.

"I do understand," he said, his voice carrying the weight of someone who had thought long and hard about his decision. "But what good is tradition if it stands in the way of what is right? Katriona and I are soul bonded in the eyes of Evalon. And that bond is something I am not willing to break, not for the sake of tradition or anything else."

I felt a surge of pride for Seth in that moment, even though I knew his words would not be enough to sway the council. I saw our parents exchange glances again, and I could tell the tension was mounting. It was clear that Seth was standing his ground, but would the council accept his defiance?

The Emperor's gaze never left Seth. "You claim this bond is stronger than tradition," he said slowly, his voice cold but intrigued. "But understand, Seth, the traditions of Evalon have sustained us for millennia. Your choices will have consequences."

Seth took a deep breath, as if steeling himself for the fight ahead. "I'm willing to face those consequences. Katriona is my future. She is my home. I will do whatever it takes to be with her."

There was a long pause, the room heavy with the silence of anticipation. The council members exchanged uncertain looks, their minds clearly divided. I could see the tension in our parents, but I also saw something else in them—something softer, as though they were beginning to understand what Seth had chosen.

A tense silence followed his words, and I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope rise within me. The Emperor was showing a form of understanding. Perhaps there was a chance.

But before I could let myself feel too optimistic, one of the council members spoke up again, his voice harsh. "You would allow this? A rebellion?" he demanded.

Finally, the Emperor spoke again, his voice measured but filled with the load of his decision. He rubbed his temple, not wanting to do this, but his hands were tied trying to balance. 

"Seth, understand this—this is not a decision we make lightly. You have been a loyal son of Evalon, but your choice has shattered that loyalty."

Seth nodded slowly, the weight of the decision finally settling in. "What are you suggesting?" he asked, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him.

"You must decide: remain on Evalon, your home, or the life you wish to lead with Katriona on Earth."

Seth's face remained calm, but I could see the strain in his eyes. He looked between the Emperor and the council, knowing the weight of the decision that rested upon him.

"I choose-"

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○○Katriona's Pov. ○○

I was pacing back and forth in my room, my mind racing as I replayed the cryptic call from Sara over and over again. My palms were clammy, and my heart pounded erratically. Something had happened-something big. I had tried calling Seth multiple times, but the calls went straight to voicemail.

Finally, the sound of my phone ringing jolted me from my thoughts. I scrambled to grab it, my trembling hands almost dropping the device. The screen displayed Sara's name.

"Sara!" I answered breathlessly, not even bothering with a greeting. "What's going on? Is Seth okay? Please, just tell me-"

"He's fine," Sara's voice came through, steady but heavy with emotion. "But... Katriona, you need to sit down for this."

"Why?" I snapped, the anxiety in my chest bubbling into frustration. "Just tell me what's going on!"

Sara hesitated, and I could hear her take a deep breath before speaking.

"Seth... he's been exiled from Evalon."