Fractures of Eternity

The way to the ballroom was easy enough, as no obstacles stood in our way. However, once we were there, it was a different story. As we placed our masks, Loki clasped my hand, and we entered a room filled with people I didn’t know. The decorations were beautiful, keeping the same theme from before. From the moment we entered, all eyes were on us, especially on me. One would think it was because I entered with the prince, but it wasn’t. Most males who caught sight of me had their jaws drop, for my beauty was truly breathtaking, as many other death glares came from the females who had come to try to woo my prince.

Even Asher’s eyes were on me, from his fancy chair, upon the balcony that overlooked the entire event. He was present with all the council members from the Cerberus organization, which was the same one Rem worked for while taking care of the breaches within the Soul Cairn and our realm. There were two silver red-eyed Lycans on top with him, who were close family to my beloved vampire, Fenris, and his son, Aiden.

The alpha was another who was retiring soon, as his wife, Lilith, though I couldn’t spot her from where I was, was also joining him to enjoy the latter years of their years together. However, her presence was prominent since her familiar, a black cat with vibrant blue eyes, was on her husband’s shoulder. Fenris’s son was to take the helm for the Lycans when he did, while Lilith’s seat would be taken by a witch, whose name was yet to be announced.

Rem and the rest of the family were probably on the floor where the party was held, which meant trouble would find me eventually.

“By the gods, if they even take a step towards you. I might…” Loki trailed off, glaring at the males in the room, which caused me to giggle as I leaned onto him.

Such a stupid, silly vampire.

“Shouldn’t you be looking for a wife instead of chasing down useless men?” I asked, trying not to feel the feelings that wanted to burst out as the words made me want to eliminate every girl there.

However, I had no right to feel like that, especially after the morning we had. Though what he said next reassured me.

“Oi, I don’t want a wife. Unless…” Loki paused, his gaze shifting towards me as he tightened his grip on me.

“Unless?” I mumbled, locking eyes with his.

Even though we had been noticed, no one had approached us yet as Oswald, Emma, and Zoe were sticking near us, too. Eli was on Loki’s neck; I could tell from the way he gazed at me that he wished to be my accessory instead.

“Well, there’s no one worthy of me here. All but one.” Loki smirked, triggering my chest to ache.

“So full of yourself.” I huffed, trying to be tough, but I crumbled the moment my stomach grumbled.

As I reached for it, my cheeks turned light pink, since I hadn’t eaten in a while. This was the first time I had a moment to relax, even to contemplate food. The noise caused my vampire to shake his head and chuckle before he led me towards the food table. It was terrific, as the display was full of treats I probably had only dreamed of. Though much to my annoyance, Loki wanted me to get an actual meal first.

“Sweets aren’t food, Vivi, and you haven’t eaten a decent meal in hours.” He shook his head at me.

“Argh! Fine.” I huffed, picking up a plate of nutritious food before going in for a treat or two.

Emma and Zoe were with me when some female nobles finally invaded Loki’s space, while Oz stayed with his twin. I thought it would be a moment of freedom, but that was where I would encounter my first hurdle of the night. Before I could eat my first macaron, I was struck by a specific hybrid staring at me intently, leaving me with the feeling of being stared at by a hungry wolf.

Eh?!

Loki was too busy trying to get the girls off him to notice my impending doom. Even though she wore a mask, I could see that silver hair with brown strips, which ensured I knew her identity, and the purple eyes glaring at me also gave her away.

Can she see my aura? No… Impossible.

Though that didn’t stop me from taking a step back from her, even though she was on the other side of the table, she wore a beautiful white dress and had an owl black mask. Behind her was a tall gentleman in a brown tux, with a small girl on his shoulders. His crimson eyes were almost piercing, along with his jet black hair, freezing me where I stood. Unlike her, he wore a simple silver mask, as his fluffy ears twitched at any sound near us.

It left me without a doubt that he was Alijah when I felt my heart stop.

Do they both know? Do… do they remember me from back then? No… I don’t look like I used to.

My eyes shifted to the small girl on his shoulders, Luna, whom I had never seen since I first arrived. She had her father’s black hair, but her eyes were just like her mother’s. The instant her eyes met mine, I felt a throb in my body when a flare of survival instinct rushed through me. Instinctively, I ran over to Loki, who was near me. Clinging to him, I used him as a shield from their eyes, as they weren’t hostile, but their curiosity was overwhelming me.

I wasn’t stable enough to place the facade I usually did. Even though Emma and Zoe noticed they couldn’t say a thing, as any wrong move and it would be over. It would be up to my prince to deal with his family, as my sudden motion caused Loki to grab onto me by my waist, triggering the female vampires who were pestering to glare at me.

“Oh? Vivi?” He breathed, yet it wasn’t long until he met with what was distressing me.

The instant he saw them, he scowled. “What the fuck, Ma? I told you not to be overbearing!” He growled at Rem, who tilted her head, wanting a closer look at the girl who had been taking her son’s attention.

The entire thing had left my heart racing.

“What? I haven’t done anything.” She assured him, crossing her arms.

This was true; she was an entire table away from me while she observed me, which was no crime, yet to me it was too much. I tried to push down all the thoughts that were begging to break free.

“You’re staring at her, and that isn’t polite, Ma.” Loki scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“What’s so wrong with that? Is she shy or something?” Rem asked, narrowing her eyes.

Me, shy?!? No… You stupid hybrid, I’m avoiding any issues! If only I could walk away from all of this without Loki making a scene. Argh…

A wish that wouldn’t happen easily while in a room full of vampires. I tightened my grip on Loki, alerting him that he needed to make her go away.

“Hey, Ma.” Oswald greeted Rem normally, but she only had eyes for me, the new intruder in her family.