Chapter 19 - 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."

~~~~

"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."

THE WORDS HIT ME LIKE A PHYSICAL BLOW, 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 but tinged with pride. "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, her phone clutched tightly to my ear. "He did that... for me?"

"Yes," Sara said, her voice thick with emotion. "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 as a mix of guilt and gratitude washed over me. "Sara, where is he now? I need to see him. I need to..." My voice broke, and I wiped tears away. "I need to tell him he didn't have to do this.

"Were on our way, me, my parent's and Seth we will be in around tonight."

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

As the call ended,I stared at my phone, feeling the raw weight of what I had just learned. Seth had chosen me, and now I needed to show him just how much that meant to me.

His parents would likely be furious when they heard, but none of that mattered right now. Seth had made his choice, and I needed to stand by him.

The door creaked open, and my mother, appeared in the doorway, her face softening when she saw the tears streaming down my face.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" Meredith asked gently, crossing the room to sit beside me.

I wiped my face, still reeling from the conversation. "It's Seth... He's been exiled from Evalon." My voice cracked as she spoke the words. "He gave up everything for me, Mom."

Meredith's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, Kat, that's... that's a huge sacrifice."

I nodded, my hands shaking as I tried to hold myself together. "I need to be there for him. I need to make him understand that I didn't want this, that he didn't have to do this for me."

Meredith reached out, pulling me into a tight hug. "I know, sweetheart."

I hugged her tightly, the comfort of her words sinking in. I knew I would have to face whatever came next, but for now, all that mattered was getting to Seth. I had to be there for him, just as he had been there for her.

"I'll go get ready," I said, pulling away from the hug, my voice steadying. "I'm not wasting any more time."

I hurried to get dressed.

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I am riding with Jack and Alex and Dr. Harlan the UFOlogist to pick up Seth.

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

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

Harlan's truck came to a screeching halt as the clearing came into view. The faint glow of the ship illuminated the figures standing near its base. My heart clenched as my eyes locked onto Seth, standing tall but looking more vulnerable than she'd ever seen him. Beside him were his parents, Celestinie and Gregorious, their faces stoic yet pained.

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 softening as they met hers. "Katriona," he murmured, taking a step forward and pulled me into a hug.

"Why Seth?" I sniffled. "Why?"

Celestinie exchanged a look with Gregorious, her serene demeanor unshaken. "It is the council'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 the council," Gregorious added, his tone firmer. "There are those on Evalon who see his bond as a betrayal of our traditions. 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 on Jack and the others. "It's not your fight. It's mine. And I've made my choice."

My chest tightened. "What choice?"

He glanced at the ship and then back at me. "To leave everything I've ever known. To start over here... with you."

The weight of his words hit me like a freight train. Tears welled in my eyes. "You're literally giving up everything."

He cupped my face gently, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "I'd give up everything a thousand times over if it meant being with you."

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.

"And I'll miss you," Seth replied, his voice thick with emotion. "But this isn't goodbye. Not really."

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

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "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, otherworldly 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 expression resolute. Without hesitation, she pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me as though she might never let go.

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

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."

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

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On the ride back to Vegas, each of us not saying 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..he was trying to process the weight of his decision.

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 says the wrong thing.

Dr. Harlan glanced at him, then at the road ahead. "You're telling me. That's not exactly how I imagined my night going."

Seth finally turned away from the window, his eyes meeting mine. "I'm sorry," he murmured, his voice low but steady. "For everything this is putting you through."

I shook my head, squeezing his hand. "Don't apologize, Seth. You've sacrificed so much. I just... I just don't know how to make this easier for you."

"You already do," he replied softly, his eyes full of sincerity. "Being with you makes everything worth it."

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

Seth nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thank you, Jack. That means a lot."

Dr. Harlan spoke up, his tone curious but respectful. "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 on Earth before besides the montly visits. 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," I said firmly.

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

Leaning my head against the window, I listened 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 laid down in the guest room 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. I turned on my side, pulling the blanket tightly around myself, trying to get comfortable.

But sleep didn't come easily. My mind raced with thoughts 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 new world together, especially with the weight of everything behind us.

I rolled over, staring at the ceiling, listening to the occasional sounds of the house - Jack and Alexandra 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.

But my thoughts always returned to Seth.

The soft click of the door opening broke through the quiet. I turned my head, and there, framed in the doorway, stood Seth, his silhouette bathed in the dim light from the hallway. His expression was tired but determined. Without a word, he stepped into the room, moving toward the bed.

"Can I stay?" he asked, his voice low, vulnerable.

I nodded. Seth carefully slid onto the bed beside me, and I scooted over to make space for him as he laid beside me. I could feel the tensio from him. He didn't say anything else; I shifted close to him and he just wrapped his arm around me and I then turned and faced him. We both lay there, in the silence until sleep took us both.

TO BE CONTINUED...

(A/N: You honestly thought this was end of the story? Well, honey this is just the beginning. )