Fractures of Eternity

Thea shook her head, shifting her piercing gaze towards me.“Ah… Are you testing my commitment to my brother? I suggest you don’t. This was my fault.”

Glancing away from my beloved, I set my eyes on her, while the vampire’s grip was nothing but gentle.

“How so?” I continued.

My vampire’s hold on me tightened as he tugged on me again, prompting me to fall on his lap.

“Oi, enough.” He huffed.

Even though he wasn’t pleased with me, I didn’t avert my eyes from Thea, who shrugged.

“It’s fine. Let her ask.” She brushed it off.

“Argh… That isn’t a time I want to relive, though.” He sighed.

“It’s normal to be curious, big bro.” She assured him, turning back towards me, “This happened because I didn’t back off while Loki wasn’t feeling well. He told me to leave, but I didn’t. Instead, I pissed him off, and well, I lost my eye because of it.”

“And you don’t blame him at all?” I did not relent.

Loki sighed, letting me go as I stayed on him without moving.

“Well, I didn’t blame him when it happened, and I won’t now. We were just kids being stupid. Plus, my big brother was having a bad day, and I should have respected that. I didn’t know he was losing control of his magic.” Thea replied, going back to painting the snake on her lap.

It really seemed like she was unbothered by it, though Loki, on the other hand, instead avoided the subject.

You feel guilty for something that was out of your control, yet…

“Hmm… I see.” I hummed, gazing towards my vampire who avoided my sight.

A soft sigh left my lips as I leaned onto his chest.

I really pissed you off, didn’t I?

There was a moment of silence, which was quickly broken by another knock on the door. Getting off Loki, he headed for the door to reveal Oswald and Zephier behind it this time. He had food for us in his hands as his eyes glided towards Thea, who was busy painting Eli.

“Oh… So that’s where you ran out to.” He commented as he placed our meals on the table.

“Yep! It’ll work, I just know it!” She grinned.

“Hah, it’s a good idea, sis,” Oz assured before handing out the food and sitting down to eat his.

Zephier ran to Eli, only for a small bicker to break out between them, while I opened the container holding my part. My eyes flew open when I noticed he had gotten me the delicious salad that Ro’s wife always made me.

So… even in all this chaos, your shop is still running. That’s good.

“Did it take you long?” Loki asked, still avoiding me.

“Heck, yeah, it’s packed, but Ro loves me, so she cut me in line.” Oswald chuckled, and I couldn’t help but notice a lighter air around him. “The city is still a fucking mess though.”

“According to Ma’s text, those found wandering lost in the tunnel, who were thought to have been enchanted by the warlock, can’t remember anything either.” Loki shrugged.

“Yeah, she can’t find any links to what she’s after,” Oz commented, shifting his gaze towards me as I felt chills run down my spine.

Hah… Me.

After our meal, part of me couldn’t fully follow the conversation between the siblings thanks to the thoughts flooding my mind. It wasn’t long until I locked my eyes on the ceiling of this room.

There’s no way out, is there?

It reminded me of my first day in this castle when Loki tested me.

Hey… Would it have been different if you had bitten me then? Would I have fallen for you all the same? Doubtful, the line between hate and love is so thin. I probably would’ve hated you for forcing yourself on me, but… I don’t think you would’ve done so either way.

“Uh, I think you should put a bandage on that bug bite,” Oz said, noticing the love mark I left on Loki’s neck, snapping me out of my train of thought as my vampire’s cheeks turned pink as he quickly covered it with his hand.

A giggle left me, dragging my beloved’s gaze back onto me, provoking a smirk to rise on my lips.

Hah… I can screw with you in so many ways. It’s good to see that I’m not the only one who can become a mess.

Unable to say or do much, he cursed under his breath, heading into the bathroom to find something to cover it. With him gone, I turned to Oswald, who had made me overly curious—especially his change of heart.

“Hey, why didn’t you say anything to Rem at the ball?” I asked.

In response, he gazed at me as Thea did the finishing touches on Eli.

“Because I trust my brother. Though don’t get me wrong, I think he’s an idiot for falling for you.” He assured me.

“Hmm… I see.” I hummed, lying back on the bed.

Argh… I don’t think I wanted that response, but at the same time, I don’t know what I want from you.

A soft sigh left his lips as Zephier seemed to bug Eli, who was almost done, about his new paint job. There were black paw prints where she stood on the floor, too.

“And you aren’t the monster I first thought you were.” Oswald suddenly added, dragging my attention back onto the warlock.

This time, he was also avoiding my glance, as I couldn’t help but poke the bear.

Emma… you have good taste. Too bad that asshole took it away, but don’t worry, the good thing about mortals is that they can change. He’ll be happy again, even without you.

It was a sad truth, but one mortal could live by since Oswald was young, which meant he could find another love or two.

Hah… These brothers are cute.

“What? Is that because I don’t have horns or scales? No offense, Eli.” I grabbed onto a pillow for support.

“None taken, I know you like my…” The sneaky snake trailed off as Thea tilted her head.

This… duo will be the end of me!

“Oi, shut it!” I growled at him.

In response, he chuckled as Thea shook her head with a sharp frown on her lips.

“Well, you’re not pure evil, Vivian. Look, I was thinking about it. Like I really was, but something stopped me.” Oswald clasped onto his shirt, still avoiding my gaze when another sigh left his lips. “I would like to say it was my brother’s feelings, but it was not. I said nothing because you were interesting. So, I wanted to learn more about you, and then you saved my two baby sisters. I don’t think Loki is wrong about you.”

When I saw a soft smile rise on the warlock’s lips, I felt my heart stop for a moment, triggering me to lock onto him.

You… aren’t Loki, yet… It’s not really fair that you two have the same face, is it?

“When grandma found Luna, she arrived crying over you. She kept insisting that we needed to save you.” He breathed.

“Usually she avoids new people, but for some reason she really likes you, Vivian,” Thea added.

Narrowing my eyes, I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks burn because of these two siblings.

“Are you sure that isn’t guilt for walking in on us, Oswald?” I huffed.

“Huh?” The little wolf mumbled as her brother broke out in a slight chuckle.

“Uh, no, I call that even.” He cackled, tapping his fingers on the table. “Hey, would you explain to me something?”

“Hm?” I hummed, watching him closely.

“Thea came back, and she said you were trying to save them by being a martyr. Why? If the world ends if something happens to you, why would you risk it?” He questioned, as I couldn’t help but laugh at that.

A martyr…

“I wasn’t trying to be a one. In fact, everything would’ve worked out fine if Thea hadn’t followed me.” I huffed, crossing my arms.

“Excuse me, I didn’t know you were a mother fucking goddess! And don’t come to say that when you can’t use your magic! You were lucky I came!” She growled, placing her hands on her hips.

It almost seemed like an angry mother about to scold a child, which caused me to avert my gaze from her.

“I…” I mumbled, not expecting this reaction.

“So, tell me, what would you have done if Uncle Aiden hadn’t found us?! Allowed those two to fuck you instead of letting them kill me?!” She scoffed.

Hah… This family…

“You all make it seem so bad. There are worse things that could happen. Like, I don’t know? Dying?! That’s permanent, no?!” I snapped at the young wolf, who flinched at my words. “I weighed my options, and watching you get impaled by two freaking weirdos because of my limits wasn’t in my to-do list. All a pup like you needs to do is be grateful!”

“No! I didn’t ask you for that! You think I would’ve been able to live with myself if that had happened to you in front of me?!” She didn’t back down.

Hah… What a stupid mutt, you’d rather get hurt than be protected? Argh… So what if a filthy man would’ve touched me… At least… You would’ve been alive.

The door to the bathroom opened, while I blew my lid.

“You didn’t have to ask!” I countered, feeling my blood boil as my brooch kept me from going nuclear. “What’s with you?! I’m older than you! All you need to say is thank you and be done with it!”

Thea’s eyes opened wide, stunned by my eruption, as I was far from done.

This family is just…

“You and your damn brother keep telling me it should’ve been scary, and you know what, yeah, it was freaking terrifying. I hated every moment too! But guess what, you’re important to him! If something had happened to you, he wouldn’t be the same!” I scowled.

If anyone dares to hurt my beloved, I’ll…

“Argh… I kept lying to myself the entire time, saying you would be important if everything goes awry, but that isn’t really accurate at all.” I bit my lip.

I failed at acting like a human, yet I was one in every sense of the word since I had no natural abilities other than the godly magic I couldn’t even use.

“You want the truth?” I scoffed. “I refuse to allow anyone else from Loki’s family to die and suffer when I can do something to prevent it, even if it ends badly for me. I’ve taken enough from him!”

That was when I finally noticed Loki by the bathroom door, cheeks flushed red, holding his phone in his hand. Tears stung my eyes as I shot a glare at the little wolf who had broken me.

“Are you happy!? Is that what you wanted to hear!?” I growled.

Much to my surprise, instead of irritation, she smirked, grabbed my arm, and yanked me into her embrace. “See, she’s such a good girl.”

Eh?! These two demons tricked me. Gerta’s right! Rem’s kids are demons!

“It’s obvious how you care for Loki, but you should also care about yourself.” Oswald chuckled, relaxing in the chair he sat in.

It was like something else broke in me, triggering my eyes to twitch.

These people are…

“You mortals are insufferable idiots!” I howled, squirming in her arms.

Though everything stopped when Loki cleared his throat, his cheeks were still red as he pointed to his phone.

“Mom… wants to see us.” He declared, voice cracking as if there was a knot in his throat.

With Eli present, he would’ve heard everything, but I couldn’t help but feel more flustered by the way he appeared.

Hah… is there anything about you that isn’t cute?

Thea took Eli to Oswald before going to the bathroom to wash her hands, who cast a simple spell to quicken the paint's drying. Loki walked straight towards me, and I avoided his gaze before I felt him clasp my hand in his. I couldn’t help but feel a blaze where he held me as Thea quickly came out of the bathroom while Oz opened the door for us.

Though instead of following them, Loki gazed at me. “Give me a moment. We’ll join you soon.”

The little black wolf snickered on the way out as his twin also followed her out the door before it closed behind them, triggering me to shift my gaze towards my vampire.

“What is it?” I mumbled, feeling jitters as I tapped my foot on the ground.

Grabbing onto my chin, he tugged me to face him, and a second later, his lips were on me as I gripped onto his shirt, allowing his tongue to slip into my cavity with ease. It wasn’t long until I felt Eli Coil around my leg as he made his way up my body and towards my neck. Tugging away slightly from the moment he had gifted me with, a saliva string connected us, yet instead of following it back to me, he drew away, leaving behind a warmth that radiated through my entire body like an unquenching inferno.

“You know, I’m grateful for what you did for me, but I don’t want you to be in danger like that again. If anything happens to you, too, I wouldn’t be me either.” He breathed, pressing his lips against my forehead.

“Hmph, I just said that to keep them off my back,” I mumbled, gazing away from him.

In response, he chuckled.

Why can’t I just be truthful all the time? Especially in front of you.

“Hmm… Okay, I’ll make you scream how you feel later.” Loki teased, as I couldn’t help but smirk at him.

“Or I will make you squeal.” I countered, tracing my hand over the bandage on his neck.

A soft shudder came from him as his eyes glowed. “If Mom didn’t… Hah… You know what? Find out tonight.” He breathed, leading me out of the room.

“I look forward to it.” I giggled, relishing a victory.

Elia coiled around Loki’s neck as we headed out of the room. Once outside, Oswald and Thea both walked with us, as the prince never let go of my hand.