Fractures of Eternity

Loki’s scent enveloped my senses, and I didn’t want the moment to end, but it always did. He drew away the moment his phone rang.

“Fuck,” he whispered, gazing at me for a moment.

His eyes were full of emotion that I still wasn’t ready to label openly, even though I knew how he felt for me. A soft sigh left him before he pecked me one last time, then headed to his phone. Unable to help it, I licked my lips, lying there for a moment, trying to harden my heart.

These two, which make a whole, will be the end of me.

Eli stayed with me, cuddling my cheek, while I didn’t have it in me to fight this anymore. The moment Loki answered the call, I stood, found the strength to get up, and dressed in the beautiful dress he picked out for me. I wasn’t used to wearing these, but with a bit of magic, anything was easy to put on. Under the dress was a mask with the same colors as the gown, and it had a beautiful butterfly wing as décor too, with comfortable dress slippers. They were the same color as the bottom of the dress. I still couldn't understand how these two managed to get all my measurements out of my mind, but everything fit perfectly. Eli couldn’t take his eyes off me while I placed everything on, and before I forgot my brooch, I clipped it on my dress collar.

With a soft sigh, I turned to the mirror to fix my hair, only to remain frozen by what I faced in the reflection..

“It’s so you.” Loki’s words replayed in my mind.

The reflection that stared at me was that of a beautiful woman.

Is this what you see me as?

It caused me to wince, gazing away from the mirror.

Hah… My skin hides what I really am, so well—a monster. What a fool… I’ll show you what I really am. Maybe end this once and for all. Yes, I can’t forget. Today will be an excellent day to get revenge.

Unaware of how dark my thoughts were, Eli pressed his snout against my cheek, prompting me to move again as I took a deep breath before sitting on the chair and struggling to get my hair into shape. The little snake moved away from me, leaving me sulking over my failure, as I rarely had this hard a time, yet my hands were trembling. Self-absorbed as I was, I didn’t notice when someone placed their hand on my shoulder, prompting me to jolt up.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” Emma smiled as I turned to her, unsure how they even got in.

Eli snickered from the table, as I couldn’t help but scowl at his direction.

You couldn’t have warned me?! Stupid snake!

The devilish snake was enjoying my reaction, which meant he knew I would be surprised by them. However, Loki appeared to have gone missing from the room, too, but that probably meant he was with Oswald in his room, where the door was wide open. Emma was wearing a beautiful aqua blue dress, which fit her figure and body so well, while Zoe, who stood by the door, smiling, wore a lovely sunset orange dress.

“It’s fine.” I sighed, turning back to the mirror.

Why am I so conflicted about everything?! Argh, get a grip already, Vivian!

I had to get back to my roots, and that would be accomplished when Tania died by my hand. If everything ran smoothly, Loki might open his eyes to what actually stood in front of him.

How we will never be. This is the only way to make everything back to normal. It has to be.

“Why are you here?” I mumbled.

My heart felt heavy, yet I had to move forward.

“Well, you can never do your hair right. So, I thought I could help you out, and it seems I was right.” She smiled.

I could barely hold myself from scoffing at her.

“I can do it by myself.” I sighed, grabbing the brush from the table once again.

Though before I could even try it again, Emma threw herself at me.

“I just want to touch my idol! Loki’s always taking all your time! I barely see you anymore!” She yelped, leaving me stunned.

For a moment, I felt like telling her to back off, but when I saw her smile, it made me stop. Turning around, I gazed towards the desk before allowing her to do as she pleased. A soft giggle left her lips before she went down on my hair, which, when she was done, made my hairstyle a high prom ponytail.

“Oh! I hate to admit it, but that vampire has good taste. You look beautiful, Vivian.” Emma tapped my shoulders, gazing at me through the mirror.

However, her words left me feeling hollow. This beauty was one I never wanted.

A curse…

“I would rather not be.” I shook my head before biting my lip.

For a moment, Emma gazed away from me to pick something out of her bag as she pulled out a pin before placing it on my hair. It was a white chrysanthemum, made from gems, which fit perfectly with the dress.

“Your father sent this a couple of days ago.” She informed me, prompting my eyes to widen.

Huh? He… what?

It seemed Papa had gone to the elven lands again, as for the elves, each flower had a meaning. This one was one of loyalty and devoted love, leaving me wide open. I always looked forward to his gifts, but this one almost broke me, as once again I felt stings in my eyes, feeling foolish even to have doubted him for a moment.

This was his way of reminding me of his undying love for me.

You’d never betray me, Papa. I’m sorry… for doubting you.

Emma froze when she saw a tear roll down one of my cheeks, as I quickly wiped it away, marking the last one I would shed for anyone for tonight.

“Do you think he knows?” I asked, voice cracking.

She hesitated, as I remained vague, fishing for any information he might have sent to them. With this gesture alone, I suspected he knew there was a rogue faction within our coven.

If you’re working in the shadows, then I’ll work in the light, Papa. Hah… I don’t need anyone else.

If I had him and Lilith, that was all I required to live, while Loki was a moment in the heavens, yet I couldn’t stay there, which meant I had to show him the truth.

If I have the opportunity during the ball… I won’t hesitate to do it.

“Hm… about the party? Or…” Emma asked, tilting her head.

“Everything,” I answered, standing up from the desk.

“I don’t know. The pin came without a letter.” She answered, gazing to the side.

“Huh? How do you know it was him?” I questioned, shaking my head lightly.

“Well, he has his ways to let us know.” She replied, handing me an empty card with a small gem attached.

Of course, Emma wouldn’t know, but he used small gemstones to carry messages. Yet if he used this method, it meant I shouldn’t use it with them around. A soft hum left my lips as I placed the small card and gem in my bosom.

Hopefully, I will have a moment to see it later.

“Thank you,” I nodded, gazing off to the side.

“What for?” She mumbled.

“For being kind to me.” I smiled, thanks to her, I got the strength to get a grip on myself.

“And why wouldn’t I be kind to you! It’s unacceptable not to be!” She broke where she stood.

I giggled in response, prompting her eyes to gloss as Zoe made her way to me.

“Wow, you’re beautiful, Vivian, but can I change something?” The young witch intercepted.

I nodded as she took out a beautiful pink lipstick from her bag, then used it on my lips, grinning happily at the results.

“Now, you’re perfect! They will last you the entire night without smudging!” She beamed.

Her words prompted me to glance back at the mirror and see how well it fit me. I never wore make-up, since my perfect face and skin didn’t need it, though the lipstick fitted me as if I were a porcelain doll.

“Any man that takes a look at you today is a lucky one,” Emma cooed, prompting me to turn back to her as her eyes were full of affection.

There, I quickly spotted Loki fully dressed behind her, as he appeared star-struck where he stood. His pure black masquerade mask made him seem mysterious, while Oswald stood behind him, wearing the same clothes.

The only way I could tell them apart was by Loki’s hairstyle, which was as scruffy as always, since Oswald also had his hair up in a ponytail. Though from up close, I could tell my vampire right away as the beauty mark near his bottom lip was one I had memorized.

“Hah… Fuck me, why are you so gorgeous, Vivi?” He breathed, prompting my cheeks to flush red.

“Huh?” I mumbled.

“Oi…” Zoe trailed off, eyes twitching.

“Well, it’s not like it matters, since I’m the only man allowed to touch her,” My vampire smirked.

Why… is it every time I think I have found my resolve, you melt it away!

“Hmph, is there ever a time when you aren’t full of yourself?” I huffed, crossing my hands.

He picked up my mask from my bed, swiftly closing the gap between us as the girls couldn’t stop him when he grabbed onto my hands and brought them up to his lips.

“You’re so beautiful. I don’t know how I’ll be able to— Ouch!” Loki hissed at Emma, who slapped his arm with her bag before he could finish, invoking a shock to come from her ring.

“Your highness, don’t get ahead of yourself. She’s worth more than you ever will be.” She growled, recovering quickly.

His eyes twitched, letting me go before he turned to her, scowling.

“Oi, I should snap your hand for that.” He huffed as she rolled her eyes at him, triggering yet another jolt to come her way.

“But you won’t.” She scoffed, “You aren’t that type of man.”

The event caused me to shake my head as I picked up Eli, who floated next to me, and handed him to Loki.

“Enough. We should go before you both get into trouble.” I sighed, gazing at Oswald, who appeared to have just risen from his sleep as a yawn left his lips.

Ah… They are both similar in ways.

Grabbing the mask off Loki’s hand, we finally headed out of the room and into the party that was outside. I would have to dance around multiple dangers, as well as my own emotions.

What can go wrong?