Chapter 20 - The Day the World Stopped Turning Part 2》

Briefly on Infinity II: Evermore -

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, though the unease was visible.

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

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"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. "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."

The words hit me like a blow to the gut, my breath catching in my throat. "Exiled? What do you mean friggin exiled?"

"He stood before the Emperor and the council today," Sara explained, her voice soft. "He told them he couldn't leave you, that his bond with you was more important than their traditions. And they... they didn't take it well."

My legs buckled, and I sank onto my bed, my phone clutched tightly to my ear. "He did that?"

"Yes," Sara said, her voice breaking. I can tell she was trying to keep herself together.

"He didn't have to do that." I forced myself to not cry.

She added on. "He chose you, Katriona. He chose to stay on Earth, to be with you, even though it cost him everything. He knew what he was risking, but he didn't hesitate."

Tears welled in my eyes, guilt washing over me. "Sara, where is he now? I need to see him. I need to..." My voice broke, and I wiped tears away.

"We're on our way, me, my parent's and Seth we will be in before midnight."

"Ok, just send me the coordinates and I will be there."

As the call ended, I stared at my phone, coming to terms with what I had just learned. Seth had chosen me, even though he didn't have to but he still did anyway.

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I am riding with Jack and Alex to pick up Seth.

"Soo, where am I driving to?" Jack asked

"Okay, the coordinates say they should be just up ahead," I said, my eyes glued to the GPS on the car screen. The road stretched out before us, lined with dense trees that cast long shadows in the fading moonlight. I glanced out the window, trying to spot anything that looked remotely UFO or at least out of sorts.

The car came to a screeching halt as the clearing opened before us. The faint glow of the ship bathed the area in an eerie light, casting long shadows across the figures standing near its base. My heart clenched the moment my eyes found Seth, standing tall but looking more vulnerable than I had ever seen him. Beside him stood his parents, their faces stoic, yet pained. An Evalonian guard lingered in the background, watching.

Sara hovered nearby, her arms wrapped around herself.

I barely waited for the truck to come to a full stop before I flung the door open and bolted out. "Seth!" I called, my voice breaking.

He turned at the sound of my voice, his eyes meeting mine. "Katriona," he murmured, taking a step forward and pulled me into a hug.

"Why Seth?" I questioned him while hugging him. "Why?"

Celestinie exchanged a look with Gregorious, her serene demeanor unshaken. "It is the Emperor's decision," she said gently. "Seth's choice to bond with you..a human..has caused a rift. They believe his place is no longer on Evalon."

"It's not just that," Gregorious added, his tone solidified. "There are those on Evalon who see his bond as a betrayal. If he stays, he endangers not only himself but us all."

"That's ridiculous!" I snapped.

Jack added. "Seth hasn't betrayed anyone! He's done nothing but–"

"Katriona, Jack." Seth's voice was calm, but the pain in his eyes was evident. He stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder while keeping his eyes contact with Jack and the others. "It's not your fight. It's mine."

His words hit me like a freight train. Tears welled in my eyes. "But Seth, it's still not fair!"

He cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "I know, love."

Gregorious nodded solemnly. "We came to say goodbye. Not forever, but for now."

Seth's parents stepped forward, each placing a hand on their son's shoulders. "You are stronger than you know, Seth," Gregorious said. "And no matter where you go, you will always carry Evalon in your heart and wherever you go."

Celestinie leaned in, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Be safe, my son. And know that we love you very much."

Sara couldn't hold back any longer. She rushed forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Seth. "I'll miss you," she choked out.

"I'll miss you too," Seth replied, his voice thick with sadness.

As the family stepped back, I clung to Seth's arm. "Are you sure about this?" I whispered.

He nodded. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

The ship's low hum filled the still night air as its ramp ascended, signaling the final moments of departure. Celestinie and Gregorious walked ahead, their figures illuminated by the soft glow emanating from the vessel.

Sara hesitated, lingering at the bottom of the ramp.

Suddenly, she turned back and descended the steps, her face streaked with tears but her face says it all. She pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Take care of him, Kara," Sara whispered, her voice cracking. She pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, her gaze fierce and pleading. "Please?"

I nodded, my own tears flowing freely now. "I will, Sar," I promised, my voice steady despite the lump forming in my throat. "I promise."

We made a pinky promise before she got back onto the ship.

The ramp closed, and moments later, it lifted into the sky, disappearing into the night. The clearing fell silent, the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves in the wind.

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On the ride back to Vegas, each of us did not say much. The purr of the engine and the crunch of gravel under the tires were the only sounds. I sat in the backseat beside Seth, clutching his hand tightly. His gaze was fixed out the window with the soft beams casting a silver glow across his face, his expression unreadable, though the tension in his shoulders told me everything I needed to know.

Jack cleared his throat from the passenger seat, breaking the silence. "Well, that was...something," he said, his voice cautious as though afraid he might get sucker punched if he said the wrong thing.

Alex glanced at him, then at the road ahead. "You're telling me."

Jack glanced back at Seth briefly, a small, supportive smile playing on his lips. "For what it's worth, you're handling this better than most people would. Leaving behind your entire world... it's not easy."

Seth nodded.

Jack spoke up again. "Seth, can I ask... what's next for you? Now that you're here, I mean."

Seth tilted his head slightly, considering the question. "I don't know," he admitted. "I've never had to live as a human before. I imagine there's a lot to learn. A lot to adapt to."

I glanced at him, my heart aching at the vulnerability in his voice. "We'll figure it out as we go," I said firmly.

The truck hit a bump in the road, jostling us slightly, and Jack muttered something about the state of Nevada's highways.

Leaning my head against the window, listening to the back and forth conversations.

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As soon as we reached Jack and Alexandra's house I decided to stay over since it's late and I was too tired to drive myself home. I slumped onto the sofa and closed my eyes.

The stillness of the room was soothing after tonight. The soft hum of the house outside filtered into my mind, but it felt distant, like I was in a separate world altogether. The weight of everything that had happened..Seth's decision, his departure from Evalon, and the promise he made to me all fell..I can't even find the words anymore.

My mind raced with images of Seth, of the life he had given up, of the future that was now uncertain and terrifying. Was I ready for this? Was he? The fear of the unknown gnawed at me. But I wasn't sure how to navigate this together, even with everything else already behind us.

I leaned my head back and stared at the corner of the ceiling, listening to the occasional sounds of the house. Jack and Alex are probably discussing everything from the day's events to what might be coming next. I didn't want to think about it. I wanted to sleep, to escape into unconsciousness, even for a few hours or more.

But my thoughts always returned to him.

The soft footsteps broke through the quiet. I turned my head, and there stood Seth. His expression was tired and drained. Without a word, he stepped into the room, moving and sat next to me.

"I didn't think you would actually go through with it." I whispered, the guilt threatening to rise. "You didn't have to choose me, Seth. You could've stayed. I knew you meant what you said, but I never wanted you to feel like you had to."

He let out a quiet breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't have much of a choice," he echoed, his gaze fixed on the ceiling like he couldn't quite meet my eyes yet. "It was either choose them or choose you. I-I couldn't. I couldn't stay."

"I'm sorry." I muttered, shifting close to him. He just wrapped his arm around me and rested his head on mine.