Paradox Love: Paradox Love Book 1

by Dorothy Gravelle

  Cool, calm, collective Pietra reached for her own cup of tea containing the soothing elements of this special brew, for even her own hand was shaking as she spoke the words.

  “How is our citizenship determined, Grace? Who are the rightful souls of Castellans? The rightful souls of Castellans are those who have earned their place amongst us. Our world remains on the verge of ascension. Castellans waits only for two souls. It waits for two souls to receive their assessments and claim citizenship. You and Luke could be those two souls.

  If you both proceed with your assessments, Castellans will ascend, our borders ever more secure, our world fulfilling its ever-present voyage of progression. You will have what you have wanted from the beginning. You will have eternity with this soul you risked everything to be with.

  But in doing so, you will seal our world from all possibility that Gabe might ever return. One million souls for every world, Grace. And not a single soul more. Once you and Luke move out of this corridor and become citizens of Castellans, Gabriel will forever be locked out, lost to another world.”

  As Grace focused her thoughts on Gabe, the pain surfaced in her chest with an intensity she’d yet not yet felt. She moved her hands to cover her heart, but did not have the strength to raise them completely. The color left her face. Pietra was even quicker to the rescue this time. Once again, her hands were around Grace’s.

  “I won’t leave you until you feel better. The longer I hold you, the more relief you’ll receive.”

  Grace did not speak. Could not speak. Once again, she accepted the gift of healing. And even when she was well enough to speak, Pietra had Grace’s hand cradled in hers.

  “Pietra, Luke has a pain even worse than my own. Have I stolen him from a world in which his true soul mate now mourns his loss?”

  “His pain tell us that is so.”

  Tears began, as Grace tried to capture them with her free hand. Then with a gentled tug, Pietra pulled her into an embrace, partially cradling Grace in her arms. The sobs went on unchecked as the full breadth of understanding was crystallizing. Grace spoke into Pietra’s ear.

  “What can be done? What do I do?”

  Pietra pulled back and looked directly in her eyes.

  “You must decide. Will you choose the soul mate you have claimed by free will or the soul mate chosen for you by birth?”

  Grace’s eyes widened. How could she choose? There had to be other options.

  She’d been in physical contact with Pietra for quite some time now. And as she felt the pain peel back, felt herself rejoice at the precious gift of relief, clarity came with it. The longer the contact went on, the more wisdom was imparted from one soul, Pietra, to Grace, its beneficiary.

  Maybe in a sense, she had only the wisdom and experience of seventeen years. But the truth communicated to her in this moment told her that she was an ancient, powerful soul, capable of powerful things. She’d found a way before. She could find away again.

  “There has to be a way to fix this.”

  “Yes, there has to be,” Pietra agreed. “You’ve already proven what you're capable of.”

  “I’ve really only got one tool at my disposal. I’ve got my free will.”

  “True. But you have even more than that. You’ve got help.”

  That was everything. It meant everything that she would not be alone.

  “Thank you.”

  “It’s all about taking the first step.”

  “Yes, and I know what that is.”

  “Good! I’m proud of you.”

  “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”

  “My door will always be open for you.”

  Grace smiled before they stood and embraced once again. Then Grace walked back toward the door. As she approached it, Grace stopped for a moment and closed her eyes. When her intention was released to the universe, she opened the door and stepped into her corridor.

  Pietra watched her with pride. For a soul in limbo, Grace had the bravery of a warrior, the tenacity of a seasoned fighter. Pietra lifted a tear as it spilled from her eye. The tear was for Gabriel. How proud he would be of his Grace at just this moment.

  Grace glanced down the long hallway to the transference room. Her hand rose to her chest. It made her heart hurt, Luke’s love. Then she turned to use that hand to open the door to Gabe’s office. And there seated in his chair was Abigail, just as she had intended. This manifesting skill was going to come in handy.

  Abigail was adorned in one of her magnificent dresses. But the grandeur of the garment was nothing in comparison to the beauty of that smile. And it was in this moment that Grace declared to herself that Abigail was by far the most beautiful soul she’d ever known. She took her customary seat on her side of the desk before speaking.

  “Abigail, I have to go back.”

  – The End (not quite)