Fractures of Eternity

A soft sigh left Loki’s lips as he rested his head on my shoulder, causing me to stiffen up while they escorted the woman out of the coliseum.

"You... I don't know if you’re crazy, brave, or stupid. Why would you do that?" He asked in a mumble.

I fidgeted with my hair, not knowing if he meant the magic I used or the kick. The other maids were glaring at us from a distance.

"I don't know what you mean. Really, I was just doing my job." I answered, prompting him to shake his head.

Eli was on both our laps, sliding in between us.

"No, Vivi, your job is to serve me. Not to protect me. Why would you put yourself in harm's way? Especially when you have such a weak, brittle human body. She could’ve hurt you badly." He breathed.

You’re right. I can feel the pain radiating from my foot. There’s no doubt that she could’ve broken it if she had expected me to kick her, but still…

I sighed, “I just saw red. I was angrier about what she did or might’ve done to you than about my safety.”

He hummed as his hand found mine when he pulled it to his lap, triggering pure warmth to fill me. His head still rested on my shoulder as he inspected my limb before caressing it with his thumb. The affection that radiated from his skin into mine was otherworldly.

Ah… How... dare another woman touch you? Wait... No... I can’t think like that!

"I would’ve been fine, you know," Loki assured me.

Argh! I know that, but still I couldn’t stop myself from kicking that girl's face! She’s lucky I didn't do anything worse.

"It still doesn't stop me from—" I stopped myself from continuing when I felt the other maids' eyes on me, prompting me to bite my lip.

Stupid bitches can’t stop gawking at Loki even after he gets assaulted. I wish I could burn their eyes out.

"From?" He whispered as the commotion soon turned into an uproar, as the other noble vampires wanted to take pictures of the assailant.

Ah… She deserves more humiliation for daring to touch you.

"Wanting to keep you safe, Your highness." I finished, closing my eyes.

Loki hummed again before releasing a sigh. "Hm... I see. Thank you, Vivi."

Hah… That’s the nickname Nene used to use.

A soft sting rose on my chest as I shook my head.

"A new nickname for me?" I mumbled, trying to keep my heart steady while suppressing the painful memories of the sweet girl who used to care for me.

Ever since she died, no one had ever called me that.

"Hm, don't like it?" Loki asked, getting up from the bench before offering me his hand to help me onto my feet.

Hesitantly, I accepted his aid as his hand wrapped around mine again.

When it comes from your voice… I…

"I don't mind it," I said, unable to voice everything I felt.

“That’s good.” He smiled.

The entire moment was sweet until I went to take a step, where shooting pain rushed up through the foot I had used to knock the vampire out. A second later, I lost my balance as I was quickly tugged up into Loki, who had me.

"Shit, are you hurt?" the startled prince asked, shifting his eyes down to my leg.

"No, I’m fine," I assured him, only to wince when I placed weight on my foot again.

Rolling his eyes, he sighed. "Vivian, sit.”

"Argh... Fine, I must’ve sprained it when I hit the girl. I’m fine, though." I confessed, prompting the vampire to raise his eyebrows before pushing me onto the bench behind me.

“Hey!” I huffed as he kneeled before me, before grabbing onto my leg.

“Hush.” He breathed, unaware that the uproar from earlier had died down, triggering more eyes to land on us.

This was courtesy of Lucas, who couldn’t shut up about how badass I was in there.

"Your highness, I’m fine. Please..." I tried to get Loki to realize what his actions were causing, but instead of listening to me, he focused on what he had in mind.

His eyes suddenly shimmered brightly, triggering me to stop, remaining still as a stick.

You’re… using your magic?

The vampire took off my shoe before trailing his fingers on my foot, reaching my ankle, before a pop rippled through my body, leading to instant relief.

"There, how does it feel now?" he asked, flexing my foot and gazing back at me.

His gaze had returned to normal as I couldn’t understand what had happened. There was much unknown about blood magic, yet in an instant, I understood why vampire bites always healed seconds later.

"You… are amazing. Not only can you fly the skies, but heal too?" I gleamed, utterly astonished by what this vampire had done.

"Huh? Uh… I can accelerate the healing process to a certain extent. Though I try not to use my magic much." Loki answered, cheeks somewhat rosy.

For once, the smile on my lips didn’t feel heavy as I couldn’t help wanting to know more about this boy who stirred me in ways I never knew possible.

"Wait? So, does that mean you can accelerate aging?" I asked, allowing my curiosity to get the better of me.

A soft chuckle left his lips, "No, I can cause you to get a tumor, though, or turn you into a blob of flesh."

A soft frown replaced my smile soon after those words left his lips.

"Ew... That isn’t as interesting." I sighed, gazing towards the side.

"I thought so," Loki smirked, shifting his gaze towards the other males who were gawking at me.

Ignoring them, I peeked at the vampire, unable to stop my feelings from coming out.

Why can’t I control myself around you?

"Still amazing. Thank you for healing me, Your Highness." I smiled whole heartily, causing him to put my shoe back on and grab onto my hand once again.

"Okay, Vivi, let’s get out of here and get that lunch I promised you." He tugged me onto my feet before getting out of there in a hurry.

"Okay," I agreed, allowing myself to be led by him.

The moment we stepped outside, I couldn’t help the smile that crept onto my lips again.

You’re too bright for me, Loki.

After leaving the Colosseum with no further issues, we met a half-dead Oz who was with Emma and Zoe by the castle entrance. The tired twin yelled at the girls to go away, leaving them grumbling under their breaths as they walked back into the castle to pass the afternoon with Gerta.

Instead of leaving me there, too, I headed out with the twins into the town. Quietly, I followed the two boys, who bickered with one another about their morning. It wasn’t long until we arrived at a café where Oz slumped into one of the chairs. The way he was made me worry about his well-being while Loki ordered at the register, as if this happened every day.

“Oswald… Are you okay?” I mumbled, reaching for his shoulder, only to be met with his hand.

His familiar lay on his lap, taking a soft yawn as she shot up to meet my gaze.

“You better not be like the other two. Let me sleep!” He grumbled, eyes twitching.

I felt shivers run down my spine as he was in a worse mood than this morning. His blue, purplish orbs were barely open.

“Yes, sir!” I quickly pulled away from him, allowing his hand to fall onto the table before his face soon followed it.

Everyone around gazed at us as the warlock was out, and I was unable to tell if he had expired or fallen asleep. He made some inhuman noises to respond to me when Loki finally came back. He sat on a chair beside his brother before tapping the one next to him.

Is that a gesture for me to join you?

I hesitantly did so as this aligned with my goal to be close to the twins, yet I couldn’t stop my heart from fluttering thanks to the vampire. I could barely think of anything while my eyes always drifted to him.

A soft hum came from Loki when gazed towards his brother and smirked before poking his head.

“Oi, Ozzy, I got you coffee, which will be here soon. So, please don’t die on me yet. I have so much to tell you.” He snickered, like nothing had happened to him.

All the playful vampire's words did was cause Oz to glare at him, unable to lift his head from the table entirely. How he was still conscious was a miracle.

“I’ll fucking kill you if you don’t shut it and let me sleep.” Oz scowled, slightly raising himself.

His brother, on the other hand, cackled at the harsh words.

Hey, just threatened you, didn’t he?

I gazed towards the side to see a server coming with three drinks, as it seemed Loki ordered something for me, too.

“Hah, you’ll die without me. I also know how much you love me. I mean, I’m me. Who wouldn’t love me?” He teased Oz, rolling his eyes.

All his words caused a frown to form on his lips as he also received a growl from his twin's lips. Though he wasn’t wrong, Oz would die without him, and so would I. We were eternally trapped in this triangle, thanks to the bond our mothers had formed.