The Lovely Paradox

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE | TEARS FOR FUN

Apologies for the wait! I made the chapter a little longer than usual because of this. :)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE | AMARA

My gaze is glued to the scenery passing by the window. The towering trees, with their massive trunks and dense canopy, stretched farther than I can crane my neck to see. Sunlight filters through the vibrant green leaves, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The rich, reddish-brown bark of the redwoods adds to the stunning scenery.

The nature in this world feels like it has another layer of depth to it in comparison to the world that I've known.

Ezra's thumb strokes my hand softly, a reminder of his presence.

"We're about to cross the boarder." He says.

I pull my gaze away from the window to meet his instead. "The boarder?"

He nods, "Yes- humans don't notice it from their world but crossing from this side you will. Looking at it could make you lightheaded." He reaches an arm over my shoulder and pulls me onto his chest.

My heart leaps into my throat. In this proximity, his smell is all the more prominent and it's intoxicating. His cologne hints subtle luxury with crisp top notes of bergamot and cedar wood. Although, I'm sure it's not the cologne that makes him smell that inviting. The bond seems to be stronger with each day that passes by. As if I couldn't want his presence more than I already did.

My eyes catch sight of the window.

The air shimmers with an iridescent glow, a translucent veil ripples gently.

"You're looking at the barrier aren't you."

I snap my gaze away from the window and onto his hard expression. "It was for a second." I admit defensively. "It..It was beautiful."

His expression softens at this, "I suppose it is." He pauses, "You're safe to look now."

I look out once again. The colors now seem to be dull in comparison. The earth feels like it breathes a different life in the world that Ezra resides in.

As we exit the forest, The familiar town begins to pull into focus. Bustling with people and laughter as the summer sun begins to set. The town that I barely set my foot on before it was torn away from me. Suddenly, the dreams that I've had, the expectations of how my life would pan out here race through my mind. All the friends I thought I would've made, the career I would have-

I stop myself in my thoughts, each memory adds another stone onto my chest.

Then the familiar building comes into perspective, my apartment building.

I can only describe this feeling as mourning.

"Amara." Ezra calls but I don't look his way. I feel unable to.

Ezra brings a hand to my cheek, I don't notice the dampness until he gently attempts to rub it away.

"Talk to me about it." He beckons, softly.

"I don't need to. You already know." I mutter, knowing full well he could've heard my thoughts but he shakes his head.

"It's not the same, I want you to tell me directly."

I bite back the sniffles, and take a deep inhale. "I feel powerless." I admit, "When I left my family home, I had a plan, it was my way to take back my life. But in light of everything, I feel that I everything I've worked for and planned was for nothing. I'm back to square one."

"My love." He calls gently, but I don't meet his eyes. Instead, I stay fixated on my hands folded over my lap.

"I want to build a life with you. If I could change the events that have happened to you in the past few days, and the way we've crossed paths I would." A hand wraps over mine, the other finds the spot where my neck meets my shoulder and quietly pulls my gaze to his. His deep honey gaze looks to me earnestly.