Fractures of Eternity

Once out of the room, Loki and I made our way towards where he trained every day. It was a giant stadium near the castle where all those who loved the martial arts that blades provided would practice it. On the way there, we saw Oswald get dragged into the castle's library by Emma and Zoe.

The trio had a small tail following them, Leo, whom Loki went up to before scuffing his hair. I attempted to keep my distance from him as he simpered at the vampire before heading into the library with the other twin.

Much to my surprise, Loki was a different person in public than he was behind closed doors. There was nothing to show the major flirt he was when no one was watching. I was utterly wrong about him, leaving me unsure of how to feel about our kiss.

The way he ignored the girls who came up to him showed nothing of the playful self that I had witnessed in the room. There was grace in his step as I struggled to keep up with him, and he occasionally glanced back to make sure I was behind him.

Every time his eyes met mine, I always gazed away, unable to control the effects he had on my heart.

You aren’t suitable for it at all.

When we made it to the colosseum, I stared at a large portrait of Leonard, Loki’s father, who had been the best swordsman ever to grace the royal family. However, there were rumors that his youngest son was just as good as he was.

Of course, Oswald was just as young, but I wouldn’t catch him dead in there. His physique, although fit, wasn’t one for hand-to-hand combat. The man in the picture had beautiful black hair and eyes that were bluer than the sky itself. Alistair was a spitting image of him, leaving me wondering how a man who appeared so angelic could kill his brother in cold blood.

Walking past it, we entered through some big metal doors and into the sparring area, where a few noble vampires were waiting for the prince. All of them knew him, though their eyes quickly dropped to me as I was the new intruder.

“Well, well, well! I never thought I would see you walk in with a girl. Did your grandfather finally get to you?” A blond vampire boy with ruby colored eyes commented to Loki, taking a short peek at me.

My prince raised an eyebrow, shaking his head. “Nah, I just found her interesting. Though, don’t mind her. She’s just here to serve me, Lucas.”

Another royal blood or common noble rubble?

I bowed in respect either way.

“My name’s Vivian, Prince Loki’s maid. Pleased to meet you, Lord Lucas.” I introduced myself, causing Loki to click his tongue as the friendly vampire got closer to me.

“Oh, you know I’m part of royalty?” he asked, studying me.

I nodded, straightening myself up to face him as his approach didn’t have the same effect on me that Loki had.

Why’s that? So... it isn’t every boy. Come to think of it, Oswald's touch is nowhere near as pleasing as Loki's. Wait... Why did that pass through my mind? Concentrate!

“Anyone who comes here is of royal or noble blood. Commoners aren’t allowed into the colosseum, from what I know.” I answered.

It caused him to raise his eyebrows, too, gazing back at Loki.

“Pretty and brains? You have one hell of a maid. The ones hovering over Alistair are as dumb as they come. They cussed me out even though I’m your cousin.” Lucas shrugged, narrowing his eyes at a thought that was unknown to me..

Loki shrugged. “Well, it isn’t like you behave like a royal.”

“Whatever!” The blond huffed, shifting his gaze back on me as a playful smile rose on his lips. “Hey, what kind of services does she give, and are they good?”

“Huh? She doesn’t do those types of services, Lucas. Go to Alistair for those,” Loki growled at his cousin, who nudged him a bit.

Eh? You sound like you’re protecting me. Why… Is it the bond?

“Aw, I wouldn’t have minded some of it. This one sure is pretty.” Lucas jested, shifting his gaze toward the arena, which was made of sand.

“Hah… How about you just shut it, Lucas?” my vampire grumbled, triggering the blond to cackle.

Silently, I stood there watching the two.

“What, you want her all for yourself? Is that what I’m hearing?” Lucas threw his arm around Loki before winking at him.

Rolling his eyes, my vampire swatted his arm away.

“Oi… Lucas, don't make me hand your arse to you.” He warned, walking over to the wooden swords on the side.

Lucas snickered, following him. “Hey! Hey! That isn't fair. Don’t you always hand it to me?”

Loki sighed, grabbing one of the wooden practice swords before pointing it at him as a sly smirk rose on his lips.

“Okay, let me rephrase that, then. Don’t make me hand your arse to you in a way that will make it impossible for you to come in tomorrow,” He eyed down Lucas, who appeared like a deer staring at headlights.

“Please, Loki, don’t do that. We’re all friends and family here, no?” The blond began as the prince took a step closer to him.

In an instant, his eyes dilated as sweat became visible on his forehead. The other boys around chuckled at the scene as it was hard for me to hold it in, too.

“No… Loki, come on. I’m but a maiden compared to you.” Lucas's voice cracked as he grabbed one of the swords, too.

“Sure, which is why I’ll take you out for a spin.” Loki snickered, eyes shimmering.

“Wait! Wait! I’m sorry! Treat me gently! Please?" The blond begged, noticing he had dug a grave that was bigger and deeper than he realized. "I’m sowwy, Loki! Please, Mercy!”

At that moment, I could almost see tears coming out of his eyes, leaving me feeling a bit odd. I had seen no one shake his boots as much as he did. The moment that sword was in his hand, Loki came at him at full speed as whimpers left the poor boy’s lips.

Sitting down on a nearby bench, I gazed at my prince spar with Lucas, who the crowned prince quickly defeated. With a sharp cry, the blond rolled on the floor as his wooden sword was in Loki’s hand. No matter who challenged the half breed vampire, he would always be victorious in the end.

He truly was as good as his father, Leonard, who trained Rem to fight shadow demons with the morphed god artifact, the shadow of a goddess, Midnight, made for her. The elves crafted artifacts from the souls of god-like beings from the Soul Cairn, morphing the dead into magical items.

That act often resulted in the users' deaths.

Yes, that means that every artifact that existed cost hundreds of elven lives—a pathetic thing to call art.

Though they were used in wars by royals from the Lycan and vampire tribes, these items gifted them with the chance to use time magic for one spell: some even distorted dimensions or destroyed things.

The reason for them even existing escaped me, but Lilith explained it to me as an artist, giving their lives for the most significant piece of their lives.

They all died before even knowing what they had made. A stupid endeavor, but when you live for hundreds of years, you can get bored.

However, artifacts like those were rare nowadays, which was why vampires only used steel swords when they were serious in battle.

After watching how good Loki was, it made me wonder how Alistair was going to get rid of him. The eldest brother’s blood control and Loki’s blood magic both were useless against one another, too.

Vampires and their immunity… Though that helps your older brother get on even ground with you, you also have Eli, who doesn’t depend on blood magic for his power.

With that alone, Alistair had no hope of killing Loki through violent means.

So, poison maybe? No, Loki’s too careful of that, too.

No matter how I saw it happen, Vera’s son would always be victorious in the end.

That brief encounter with the elder brother made me feel like I was looking at a lonely boy. You don’t feel like a murderer. Lilith’s one, and I know how she looks at others, which isn’t how you do. Was my prediction wrong?

Alistair was late for the sparring lesson, too. However, when he came in, he glared at his baby brother the entire way. Loki was already working up the others as he took no pity if it was a girl battling him, too.

So, he was utterly unaware of his brother’s approach.

Even if you attack while he isn’t watching, Eli will sense it and stop it. Something isn’t right here.

There was dislike present in Alistair's eyes towards his younger brother, but that alone couldn’t kill. Loki wasn’t the only one receiving glares as the elder brother's maids shot some my way, too. The girls thought I was probably gone after the condition I came in last night, but I couldn’t help sneering back at them.

I probably shouldn’t have, but they were bothering me by then. After the quick battle between the two brothers, Loki disarmed Alistair with ease, which caused him to scowl at the playful vampire, who smirked before walking away. Placing the wooden sword away, his eyes shifted towards me.

“Vivian, come here and bring me that towel, please.” He voiced as I quickly did, handing it to him as he used it to wipe away his sweat.

“Are you done for today, your highness?” I asked, smiling at him.

“Yep, these idiots won’t be able to handle me anymore. Let Alistair have them for a while.” He smirked, glancing over to Lucas, who grumbled as every joint ached.

Haha… I almost feel bad for you, but you kind of deserve it.

“I see, then I’m pleased you had your fill.” I smiled as he placed his hand on my head.

The sudden motion caused me to widen my eyes as his touch was so warm and unexpected.

“You really need to stop forcing that smile. How about we go for lunch? You’re hungry too, right?” Loki trailed his hand down my hair.

Eh? Lunch? I haven’t even thought of food.

Analyzing everything around the prince took precedence, and the butterflies in my stomach were drowning out anything else.

“Oh? I’m fine, Your Highness. Please don’t mind me.” I assured him, only to be betrayed by my stomach grumbling soon after.

I felt my cheeks burn because of it as he raised his eyebrows, grabbing my hand before pulling me along with no hesitation.

Is this how you treat a maid? Everyone is looking!

“Yep, let’s go into town for lunch. We’ll meet Oz at the library, and I’ll treat you to something better than the staff will ever make. Well, after I take a quick shower.” Loki announced, writing something on his phone before dragging me towards the door to the public boys' bathroom of the coliseum.

“If you wish.” I breathed, feeling some knots in my stomach.

Or is it butterflies?

I couldn’t tell the difference anymore. The only thing I knew was that the boy who led me around caused them.