Fractures of Eternity

Flustered and pinned by the eldest of the troublesome brothers, I couldn’t help but puff my cheeks.

“You have the wrong idea, Alistair! I don’t… I won’t… I can’t…” I trailed off, not being able to say a single thing against that.

My heart felt like it was in my throat when I clasped my chest with my hands.

Argh… It hurts.

“Eh? Can’t? Why, because of our grandfather? Heck, soon he’ll croak, so you shouldn’t worry about that. Also, I can’t imagine Loki not falling for you and letting you go after you saved him like that. I mean, he didn’t let you suffer from the bite, right?” Alistair asked, prompting me to be defeated where I stood.

It caused me to feel instant defeat.

Fall for me? You already did. I know that from the way you hold me and talk to me, but… you’ll forget all about me once I’m gone.

“For other reasons entirely, Alistair… is your grandfather the reason why you can’t?” I took the chance to turn it back to him.

He scoffed, shaking his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Even though I’m an utter klutz with my words. I’m observant enough to see how you reacted when Gerta said about males wooing the princes.” I huffed.

“You know that type of thinking could get you in trouble around here.” Alistair chuckled, shifting his gaze towards me with tender eyes.

This boy, much like his annoying little brother, didn’t see me as an evil entity or being, prompting me to feel tiny in his sight.

Loki… Please… don’t… plague my mind. I’m… barely holding it together anymore.

“If I’m wrong, you haven’t denied it.” I focused on my prey.

“I’ve had people reject me all my life. I don’t need to do it too.” Alistair answered, allowing me in

A surge of victory wished to rush over me, yet the moment I saw his expression, it all came crashing down.

Ah… You’re hurt, aren’t you?

This poor boy was trapped in the vicious cycle that the royal families always had. Rarely did they break from it without losing everything they knew and loved.

“So… I was right, you’re miserable,” I breathed, triggering his smile to crack like he was about to start crying before me.

“Miserable… Is there a worse word for it? This world’s bleak and ugly for me, Vivian.” His voice broke as he stood there, ready to accept him for who he was.

Every girl he ever lay with was repulsive to him, yet he did it because he thought it was the only way he could live.

“I once fell for a certain someone, and everything was fine until Grandfather saw us kissing. He made me watch as he gave the poor soul a lashing. When he was done, he turned to me and said that he would do that to everyone I dared show that type of affection.” He bit his lip, shivering where he stood.

Hah… was that Lucas?

“He wasn’t sick then, though, but I’m still… I can’t… If I do, they’ll turn to Loki and Oswald, and I don’t want them to live through this too!” He shifted his gaze towards me, tears threatening to erupt from him.

Hah… This… really… pisses me off. How dare they…

Upon seeing my expression, his eyes widened as I didn’t stop myself from swinging my arms around the poor vampire, who quickly stiffened up thanks to my action. Usually, any female who ever got this close to him wished to lie with him, yet I had no such desire. My following words would shock the prince to his core, though I didn’t care, as I couldn’t hide my discontent with this injustice.

All of this is because we took your father away from you! If I didn’t exist, you… still would… Haha… Alistair, who’ll dare to use you to cause this? Ah, no… I won’t allow it. Loki’s family is off limits!

“Anyone who hurts you will burn for their actions one day!” I held him tightly, prompting him to clasp onto my tiny body as he found something within me that only he could see.

“No, Vivian, you can’t say that here,” Alistair warned, voice cracking as tears trailed down his cheeks.

Papa, what am I going to do? This vampire isn’t evil. No… he’ll be someone’s damn tool. I… can’t stand it! Why… do we have to use one another like this?! Why hurt each other!?

“I don’t care! I dare anyone to try to come for my tongue!” I huffed, tugging away from him slightly, only to quickly cup his cheeks as he was only nineteen, barely a man, and right now appeared much like a tiny boy.

“Alistair, no one should have their love limited like that, especially because you like something other than the traditional!” I growled, holding onto the poor soul who had been alone.

Leaning onto my palm, a soft smile rose on his lips, “Hah… No wonder Loki likes you. You’re so sparky and bright when not trying to stay polite. He’s fortunate to have someone like you.”

“You know… that’s the first real smile I’ve seen on you.” I breathed, feeling something new grow within me.

It differed completely from what Loki ever made me feel, yet it was still warm enough to allure me.

It’s hard to believe how the man who fathered your father is like this. Does Asher care more about his people than about his legacy, or is there someone else in the shadows? Argh… The royals here have it too hard.

“You’re out of this world, Vivian. Now I wish you were my maid instead,” He winced as I wiped away his tears.

They really don’t belong on you, gentle soul. There was no deceit coming from you, that much I can tell.

“Hm… I can’t be your maid, but I can be a friendly ear whenever you need it, Alistair.” I simpered.

Loki said it was easier to keep your enemies close, but in this case, I had to save this young man from the fate he was destined for.

Hey… What changes in you that will make you murder your brother?

I wouldn’t know unless I stayed close. It was apparent the crown wasn’t what had these two at odds, as none of them wanted it, yet they were both forced into the brawl for it.

The best rulers are those who never wished it in the first place, but… It’s destroying this poor soul.

“I think I would like that, Vivian. I don’t have many relationships that don’t start with a lie.” Alistair noted, triggering a pang in my heart.

Ah… crap.

“Right… I… don’t have many of those myself either.” I mumbled, causing him to tilt his head.

I shook my head, drawing myself away from the prince before pointing at him.

Sometimes a situation requires a delicate hand or a destructive one.

In this case, it was neither, as all he needed was the support to break out of the chains that held him. Luckily, I was in the mood to help this prince out of his bind.

Hah… Loki… you’re changing me with your kindness.

Last night, I struggled to come to terms with how I didn’t care for Emma when she needed it. This time, I wouldn’t have such regrets.

I won’t look away from those who are in pain anymore. Papa… I’m sorry. Maybe this would be the end of me. Heck, Alistair may reject me when he finds out who I am, yet… I’ll still be his ally.

“Well, if I’m going to that. You'd better listen here. You aren’t a weak boy anymore, and I’m not the only one who would accept you as you are. I’m sure your brothers will too, if you allow them to.” I declared, prompting those azure eyes to widen.

Hey… Let me into your heart where I’ll bless it with what I can.

“I mean, Loki accepted me, and trust me, I have a worse condition than loving a specific genital. So, why wouldn’t he accept you? And Oswald, he’s a hothead, but I’m sure he already likes you.” I assured him, triggering him to break out in a chuckle.

Loki… come in any minute now. This is a train wreck, and I can’t seem to shut up!

“I don’t know about that, Vivian.” He bit his lip. “They keep me at arm’s length.”

Hah… that’s because of me. Damn it…

“Well, Gerta raised you, too, right? I’m sure she knows about you and—” I tried to find people who knew about him.

He winced when I said that, which stopped me in my tracks.

“Oh, the old hag knows. She was the one who pleaded for the boy who got the lashing because of me, but granddad is her world. She would never go against his decision for me or anyone.” Alistair informed, releasing a sigh.

“Then, break free,” I huffed, facing him head-on.

“What?” he mumbled.

“Like I said, you aren’t a defenseless boy anymore. Say, screw it, that isn’t who I am, and for the heck of it, become the first homosexual king in the vampire kingdom. Then once you’re there, spit in the king’s grave and change the system from the top down!” I declared, reaching my hand towards him, prompting him to break out in a fit of laughter.

Ah… I might have… gone overboard a bit, still…

Even though Alistair was weaker than Loki in many ways, he was a pureblood vampire while Loki had a human mother who descended from a Lycan. The one who would become king was likely the elder brother, while the smaller one would only be a replacement in the eyes of the court, but that didn’t mean they would let either of them go. There was no doubt that Asher had the pressure of making sure both of them created heirs for them.

“You come up with some interesting ideas. I think I really like you, Vivian.” Alistair cackled, grabbing onto my hand.

His genuine smile and laughter were both so pleasing to experience.

“I like you too,” I assured, prompting those blue eyes to soften towards me.

A second after that thought left my lips, the door slammed open, startling me. Loki grabbed me by the back of the collar of my dress, yanking me away from his older brother, who had a giant smirk on his face.