Fractures of Eternity

For the next few days, we managed to get by without any issues, as Oswald being with us while we were outside always meant we weren’t being watched, even if only for a spell. Yet, within the crowd, it was hard to make out who was surveying us. The entire time, I avoided Gerta like the plague, fearing what she would say to me.

Argh… How can I face her when I’m the biggest hypocrite there is!

I thought I had it planned out, but with the rumors of me lying with Alistair, everything was thrown out the window. However, I didn’t care if she called me out for being a phony, since it was true that I was sleeping with Loki. I had broken my word when I said I wasn’t going for the prince.

Heck, I wasn’t in my right mind when it began, but now? I’m more than willing to admit that I know what I’m doing is wrong, but I won’t expect a stable relationship with him, even if I want it more than life itself.

Most of the castle called me a whore, though I didn’t mind.

But her…

I couldn’t shrug it off as I did with others, leaving me to stick near Loki, who didn’t mind it at all. Most mornings while on the coliseum, Alistar would come over to chat with me about simpler things, allowing a new connection to form between us. There wasn’t a moment when I was surrounded by one of the brothers, if not all of them at once, ensuring I was safe at all times. Even though the eldest brother’s maids always glared at me like I was robbing the spotlight, I gladly gave him the coveted attention he sought.

It was sad to see how much he wanted to talk, instead of lying in bed with anyone, which I quickly figured out was why he had taken a liking to the female maid who was pushed out. She had been emotionally comforting to Alistair—something the other two maids didn’t like. He was sad to see her go, since instead of fucking they would talk the nights when he brought her over to his room. Of course, he never got too deep into his sexuality with her, which, unlike her, I had dove into headfirst, and when I didn’t use it against him, he ended up seeing me as an ally.

With each day that passed, it was clear I wouldn’t hurt him with it, allowing him to slip deeper into my hands. Whenever Loki was done with his shower, he would also join us, yet the chatter would usually turn into a light bickering between the two as the eldest couldn’t help but tease his younger brother. Even then, one could see how Alistair cared for his robust sibling, which was far from what people would say: a perfect sibling kinship, yet it was there, and that was all that mattered to me. Luckily, thanks to the princes’ demeanor around me, most of the nobles always stayed on the sidelines.

Well, all but one.

Lucas was uncontrollable at times, as his energy was too high to keep up with. However, the way he gazed at Alistair made me wonder if those old feelings from their childhood were still present.

The more I learn about the destined murderer. The more I realize you are nothing like I imagined you to be. There has to be something I’m missing.

He appeared to be more down-to-earth than most people I had ever met. In fact, I rather enjoyed the small talk that I got in before Loki stepped in between us. Though six days into the same routine, it all came to a blissful moment when he called me…

“Little lamb, you’re a good friend and a good listener. I truly enjoy our conversations. Well, before my bore of a brother comes to ruin them.” Alistair rolled his eyes, noticing how Loki was stomping his way over to us after his bath.

However, instead of a bickering match ensuing, I became silent enough to catch the boys’ attention when I held my hands up to my chest, feeling the weirdest pang arise within.

Am I a friend? Or a foe who dresses up as friendly? It’s not like I mean you any harm… Well, anymore.

When I first arrived, I wanted to get rid of him, leaving me feeling hollow about the whole thing.

Surely, that would’ve been the biggest mistake of my life, after getting to know you.

He didn’t know that I once was keen on killing him.

If you knew, would you still name me a friend? Hah… It hurts. I’m not good at all, believing my mother’s warning about you, without even contesting it until now.

Without knowing a damn thing about the boy, I was so willing to doom him like everyone else. For a moment, they stared at me, not knowing what to say or do, since I appeared close to crying. Loki had heard what Alistair said, knowing my background, he was aware I had probably been touched by being called that. The prince sat next to me before tugging on my dress, prompting me to shift my gaze onto him, unable to figure out what I wanted to say back to his older brother.

Everything felt so foreign to me that I never thought I would ever hear anyone call me that. The older brother studied me before tilting his head.

“Hm? Did I say something wrong?” He asked as Loki shook his head.

“Nah, she’s just being a little shy,” Loki assured him.

A soft hum left his lips before patting my head lightly. “I see, I may not know much about you, Vivian, but I hope you open up to me one day.”

Unable to take it, I grabbed onto his hand, feeling my heart drumming in my ears.

I’m not a Lycan to be patted! But I don’t mind it from you. Hah… Why do I have to care? It was so much easier when I didn’t!

“I-I… don’t think I deserve to be called that, Your Highness,” I mumbled, trying to hold my emotions in check.

Being friends with anyone was something I thought was out of my reach, especially when he didn’t know a single thing about me.

If you knew the truth, then. Surely, you would hate me. I’m the reason your dad was taken away from you!

He gazed at me, sitting beside me, as I could feel my vampire’s hands on my waist, ready to whisk me away at any moment. Gazing down, the elder brother quickly noticed his sibling’s mood, which triggered him to roll his eyes again.

“Hm… How about you call me Ali and…” he began leaning towards me, “You’re the only one I’ve had the pleasure of calling that in a while. So it might be wishful thinking, but I want us to be that after you listen to me ramble day after day.” Alistair simpered.

Hah… Why are you… all so warm?

“I… enjoy it too,” I confessed, feeling it wholeheartedly.

It was pleasant discussing random things with him, even when we ventured into the philosophical, which caused me to pause, as the living gods were my ongoing nightmare. We would challenge each other’s views in every aspect.

“Then that means we’re friends.” He assured me, standing up from the table before gazing at his two annoyed maids.

I had gotten used to the disapproving looks I received everywhere, yet Loki was being more possessive and affectionate while we were in public, which tripped me up most of the time. Though that was partly my fault since I had dragged him into an alley where we had sex in before the world knew we were officially fucking. At least he hadn’t kissed me in public again, though he was touchy, which I didn’t mind feeling him near.

“Oi, should I be jealous?” my prince growled, gripping me firmer.

Alistair just shook his head, shrugging. “Well, I don’t want your girl, little brother. Though if you’re a bore, she’ll leave you.”

Even though Loki knew of his brother’s situation, he still acted like he didn’t.

You probably want him to tell you himself, but you really are selling the part of being a jealous maniac.

After all, even though Ali rowed for the other boat, it didn’t stop him from being gorgeous to look at. It didn’t help that he had a history of having sexual meetings with females, yet I knew that was more out of spite than anything else. Lately, he appeared to have a lighter air around him, even if old habits died slowly, yet having someone to speak to normally was filling him in ways that his sexual encounters didn’t, which was probably why his maids were steaming.

“Oi—” My vampire went to complain, only to be interrupted by Lucas plopping down on the table.

Their cousin appeared beaten by the sparring he had endured. Though the moment he came, Alistair took his leave, as Lucas’s crimson gaze watched the older brother go before turning to his younger cousin, who still had his eyes twitching.

“Why do you never give me any pity?” The blond asked, pouting.

He usually was a bundle of energy, though this time he looked tired.

“How else am I supposed to thank you for breaking my lip almost a week ago?” Loki snickered.

Eli slithered from his summoner’s neck and onto my shoulder.

“Hah! You hurt me with those words!” The friendly vampire whined, as I couldn’t take my eyes off Alistair, who was headed to the showers.

Is all of this really okay? Can I be a friend to you?