Fractures of Eternity

The moment Tania’s name left Loki’s lips, I instinctively let go of him and took a step back. My action caused my prince to gaze at me, as the female vampire, who was to blame for my horrendous childhood, came toward her nephew’s son, unaware of what she was walking into. I could barely hold the anger that wanted to surge out of me, which not even Loki’s comfort was enough to quell. Pictures of Nene bleeding out on the floor flowed through me.

No! I… won’t… forgive you!

“Oh, there you are, kiddo. I was hoping to see you before the ball.” The beautiful vampire smiled, happy to see him.

Luckily, her red eyes were locked on Loki, but they soon followed his gaze towards me, and the moment they were on me, my blood ran cold. She appeared completely unaware of who I was, but I knew exactly who she was. Part of me wanted to obliterate her where she stood, but I couldn’t.

Hah… I must remove myself from this before I do something I regret!

“Oh, I left something important back at the Café. Excuse me.” I mumbled, turning around and bolting away as fast as I could.

It never once occurred to me that I was running down a city full of vampires, who were bloodthirsty for me less than a week ago, but they didn’t scare me. Even though I had just run from everyone, Eli was still on me, slightly coiled around my neck—something I didn’t notice until I stopped by a lonely alley to catch my breath.

“Damn it!” I heaved, slamming my fists against the wall beside me.

Argh… Why didn’t I run towards the room? No… This is better. If I had gotten closer to her, I would’ve…

Eli sensed my mood since he stayed silent, allowing me to catch my breath, which was a luxury with the undying fire that was scorching my soul. If I were in the coven, I would’ve destroyed a building to relieve myself, but I wasn’t there to do as I pleased.

I need to control it.

A fruitless endeavor since it quickly peaked when Loki came after me. The idiotic prince had left Tania for me.

Stupid… Why don’t you have a brain in that pretty head of yours?!

“Vivian?” he called out to me.

His voice caused me to clench my hands into fists before I turned to him.

All my anger… frustration… it’ll spill onto you, fool!

I needed to compartmentalize it, but I couldn’t when Nene’s memory was so vivid in my mind. The warmth of her blood lingered in my fingertips, as I was a small child then, but I was much more than what I was then.

An abomination, a monster. If I saw you again right now. Surely, half of the city would go with you.

“Why are you here?! She’ll be—” I snapped, gazing behind him.

For some reason, I expected the bitch to come running after us. If she did, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from hurting her, not even if my prince was there. He didn’t know what he had done.

“I told her I’d speak to her later.” Loki closed the gap between us, grabbing onto my shoulders. “Hey, what’s wrong, Vivi?”

Even though I had spoken about my need to stay away from Rem, I never expected to meet the vampire who made Nene plummet to her death. This wasn’t something I ever mentioned to him, as there was no need for him to know, primarily since it was known that Tania traveled often and even spent years away from her capital and king.

I never thought I would run into you. This… is not how I planned everything to go.

I had tried to keep my prince in the dark about things that he didn’t need to know about.

Just like that dream, where that god killed you. Hah… I’m not a kind girl at all. You’re wasted on me, and you deserve better.

Even though I wanted to lash out at him, his genuine worry made me swallow all my anger.

This boy would never do anything to hurt me. I know that, and it makes me feel safe with you. Perhaps a bit too much.

“Nothing.” I sighed, gazing at Eli.

My lie is crap, but I...

“Vivi…” Loki began as I took a step back, knowing he would break me, yet he didn’t let me, as his grip, even though it was gentle, was unrelentless.

How do you not see me as your family does?

“She… No, it doesn’t matter.” I assured him, biting my lip.

Who am I to cause more rifts in your family? I can’t!

In response, my prince grabbed me by my chin, guiding my gaze to meet his.

“I knew Remi would throw you off, but her, too?” Loki sighed, shaking his head, “Tell me so I can help.”

There was nothing I could hide from him successfully, as his words caused me to wince.

Foolish boy, just let me go.

It had been almost two months since we met, and his warmth had become essential for me.

“I—” I began, only to be caught off guard by Loki’s finger pressing on my lips.

Eli let out a low hiss before snickering as my prince scowled, clearly not enjoying the interruption. We…

“I see a crow.” The snake whispered into my ear, alerting me that we were being watched.

Hah… what a gracious save. I don’t know if to thank you or kill you, worm.

Instinctively, I launched myself at Loki, as he responded by grabbing me by my bum, entrusting the role of lovers was once. I couldn’t let them know we were arguing, which we weren’t, but for them to see any discord may have made me less appealing to them.

“Be a good boy and play along, okay?” I murmured into his ear, trailing kisses on his neck.

My sudden change in affection triggered my vampire to roll his eyes, as he shook his head before pressing my back against the nearby wall. Luckily, this alley appeared empty, unlike last time, when there were passersby on the street. I had run into the market to escape Tania.

Leaning into my ear, he sighed. “You’d better tell me later. Only then will I be a good boy for you, my goddess.”

I grumbled a bit before claiming his lips as mine, intending only to make it seem like a moment of affection. There were too many others around to even think of doing what we did the previous time.

If only…