Fractures of Eternity

The bickering continued between mother and son until Rem decided to go in for the kill.

“Ah… I see. S, is your previous appointment with the girl that’s hiding under the bedcovers? When did you get a girlfriend?” She pulled no punches, prompting my heart to race faster than ever before.

Leo probably had told her about me, which was predictable, yet even without knowing who I was, her tone was one of full venom, leaving me feeling like an intruder in her territory.

Argh… Wolves are incredibly possessive and protective of their pack!

Dad once shared with us how she chased off one of her daughter’s suitors.

“Urgh… She isn’t my girlfriend, Ma. Please, leave.” Loki huffed, getting off the wooden door as Rem didn’t back down.

“A sex friend?! That’s even worse!” She gasped. “This is something I expect from Oswald, but I thought you were different!”

In her voice, I could feel the icy touch, as I had no idea what she meant by that, but she probably thought I was some whore trying to get the prince to impregnate me. It didn’t help that I felt Loki’s seed was dripping down my thighs, yet that was something she had no way of knowing, even if it affected my poor heart.

“B-By the gods, Ma. P-Please just go!” Loki spluttered.

Rem was bold enough to label us before we even could get to that point. After all, our feelings were well enough said through our actions, and most of the time, my words didn’t match what I did either way.

“Argh… Fine… I’ll see you tomorrow then.” She pouted.

“Oh, you will.” Loki breathed, however, before he could close the door, she took another jab at her son.

“Sex friend or not, I hope I can meet her tomorrow, too. She needs to pass my quality test for my children.” Rem shot back at Loki, catching him off guard.

For a moment, he stayed silent as Eli snickered, leaving me tugging him even closer to me.

“You know what. I forgot you utterly lack a filter! Ma, can you not sound crazy in front of someone you don’t know?!” My vampire snapped.

Although her words seemed harsh, I couldn’t help but accept her challenge. There was no doubt in my mind that she was missing a few screws in that head of hers, yet she loved her cub, and that was undeniable.

“Well, you know I have high standards for you.” She huffed, as I immediately knew she meant to keep me specifically away from him—something he had failed at since I was in his bed.

“Look, let’s take this outside,” He grumbled, playing right into Rem’s little paw, giving her exactly what she wanted—a moment alone with her cub.

“Oh, now you want to talk. Maybe dress better. I don’t think your girl wants other ladies looking at you like that.” Rem snickered.

“Ma… I… Fine.” Loki sighed again, grabbing a sweater to put on before walking outside the room.

The door closed behind him, allowing me to rise from under the covers. Rem was an unenforceable foe I would have to avoid like the plague tomorrow.

Luckily, we’re to wear masks, and I’m not the girl she saw that day, but… will all of that be enough? Argh… Will I be able to be with Loki during the ball?

“He’s annoyed at her,” Eli mumbled, noticing my nerves as I rolled my eyes before curling up into a ball.

It had been a while since I was alone, without being in Loki’s watchful gaze.

“Stupid vampire,” I mumbled.

My words caused Eli to chuckle before humming, “Vivian, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask. From earlier...” Eli trailed off.

I pressed my cheek against his body, which also made me feel safe.

Hey… what God were you in your life before? Or were you something they controlled? Ah… can I selflessly think that you two are connected fully, making Loki more than a mortal? Or is that wishful thinking?

All of these were questions with no answer, as this familiar didn’t have memories of his past life.

“Ask away,” I breathed, smothering myself into his cool scales, which were softer than the sheets under me.

“Why are you using yourself as bait for your coven?” He asked, prompting me to tug away slightly.

“So, you realized it, seems you aren’t completely brainless.” I shrugged.

“Well, we suspect it, but don’t like it.” Eli huffed, flicking his fork like a tongue.

“Well, it’s better for me than you. After all, the warlocks behind this will wish they had never messed with my links.” I assured him.

He tilted his head before snuggling into me.

“No… We let you do this because it was fun for us too, but you know, we won’t allow that, right?” He sighed.

A soft hum left my lips before allowing myself to fall onto the bed once again. Eli slithered on my chest before wrapping his body around me. My eyes were locked on the ceiling, rather than on him.

“Eli, why do you care for me?” I mumbled, keeping my eyes there.

Even if these two were more entwined than others like them, it still made me wonder why this soul cairn resident was so openly affectionate towards me, when familiars usually kept their distance from their other half’s lovers.

“Well, I wonder that too, but I feel like I’ve known you for a long time, Vivi—something about you makes me want you just as bad as my mortal half does.” He answered.

I shook my head, covering my face with my hands. “Well, obviously.” I scuffed.

I’m the goddess who caused you to get stuck in the soul cairn in the first place. Eh… am I? Why did that come to mind?

“Not like that. You know, I lost my memories from my previous life.” Eli pouted, spreading his wings wide.

I reached out to touch him, as he was the size of a large boa, yet his body always felt so light on me.

Hah… I’m sure you could crush me if you wanted to.

His feathers were so soft, just like Loki’s.

“I know, while mine’s in a blunder,” I whispered, allowing a wary smile to rise on my lips.

My words produced the snake to shake his head slightly. It probably wasn’t what he meant when he said that, but before he could say something, I continued.

“Hey, was Eli a name Loki came up with for you?” I asked, prompting him to tilt his head upon hearing my question.

“Hm… I can’t remember. Though Loki’s bond with me differs from the others in his family.” He confessed, pressing his body a little against mine.

“How so?” I traced my hand down the length of his scales, triggering a soft shiver to come from him.

“We can’t block each other’s minds from one another. It’s as if we’re the same, and everything he feels, I do too.” Eli informed me as I hauled him towards my lips before pressing them against his smooth scales on his head.

“Aren’t all summoned shadows like that?” I mumbled.

Loki was always so hot and heavy, while Eli’s touch was tender and cool, thanks to his lower body temperature. Luckily, I had gotten used to my vampire’s bite, which still raged inside of me from earlier.

“No, Shade, Ruzgard, and even Zephier are different. It’s why I can say he’s very annoyed at his mom, right now. She ambushed him with the complete family outside.” He snickered, shifting his gaze towards the door. “Little Luna doesn’t want him to go. All the while, all he wants is to be with you. Like I do. Unlike him, I’m successful in this task, and it doesn’t please him to know that.”

“Well, Rem’s clever. At least he’s safe around them.” I giggled, turning towards the side as he followed me.

“That he is. It’s why I stayed with you.” Eli murmured into my ear before guiding his eyes back towards the door.

“Hm… Will he go with them?” I asked, feeling pangs in my chest.

“No, he’s just waiting for Luna to let go.” He informed me.

I shook my head, focusing on the pictures of his family, which were all up in the same cabinet I had almost tumbled over a couple of weeks ago.

Hah… I can’t help but wonder if the ghosts of your parents are watching our perversions?

Though nothing would beat them watching their son fuck, the reason for their deaths.

“I see. He should go with them. I’ll be fine here by myself.” I mumbled, smothering myself towards the pillow.

Only I could stop this erosion of the family, but I no longer wanted to. I desired more of the twin who had won my heart, yet that wouldn’t halt me from trying to prevent more cracks from forming.

Don’t go. Stay with me. I need you more than they do.

I never knew I could feel so lonely without his warmth.

I need you more than they do.