Loki’s question left me wishing I hadn’t played with fire, yet I couldn’t help but be a moth to a flame.
“Believe it or not. Not everyone wants to mate with you, Your Highness.” I pointed out, walking over to the table, to notice blue eyes staring at me from below the bed.
Loki snickered. “You would be a first for me, sweetie. Everyone wants a piece of me, sadly. It’s a curse I have to live with.”
Even though he wanted to appear playful, there was something else in his tone keeping me from believing he was full of himself. Taking a deep breath, I let it go, turning to him, smiling again.
It’s getting so hard to keep this up.
“I’ll be your first, then. Tea?” I offered, pointing towards the tray.
My words triggered the vampire to roll his eyes.
“No thanks, I don’t eat or drink anything that I don’t make,” Loki said, getting up from the bed.
I finally found myself right where I wanted to be—a test for the prince from me this time.
“Because you think it’s poisoned?” I started pouring myself a cup.
“Hah, why would you—” Before he could finish that, I took a sip of the liquid before shifting my gaze slightly to him.
“I hope you know that there aren’t any poisons that affect vampires and don’t affect humans. One will always kill the other. Our biology is too similar in a way, minus the blood craves.” I informed.
“I see. I’ll still pass.” He breathed, studying me with those azure eyes of his.
Hmm… Let me play with you a little more like the instrument you are made to be.
“Ah, well, more for me. Gerta was being greedy for it. So, I just got what I wanted more. Do you mind if I bring more biscuits next time?” I hummed.
I quickly corrected myself when Loki took a few steps towards me.
Crap… Why can’t I stop?
“What?” Loki mumbled.
“Well, I was hoping you would reject the tea. So, I could drink more of it. It was so good this morning that I wanted more, but Gerta wasn’t allowing us to have more. The biscuits are to die for, too.” I informed, “I’m not used to this food like you are, so I’m glad I’ll be able to eat more while I clean your room.”
“Ah... Fine, give me some tea.” Loki gave in to me, but I knew better.
This was just another test from the way he was looking at me.
One, I’ll turn on you.
I poured him a cup, sprinkling some sugar on it before licking the fingers I had used to prove to him it was nothing but sugar. Then, instead of handing him the cup, I took a sip from it.
“A little saliva isn’t poison, right?” I smiled, licking my lips, prompting those azure eyes of his to widen before a chuckle soon left his lips.
“I guess it isn’t.” He grabbed the cup in his hands. “Why are you—”
Before he could finish, the door to the other room slammed open, revealing a distressed Oswald whose eyes were darker than the familiar on his shoulder.
“What the fuck? You’re up too?” He complained, eyes twitching.
It seemed these two had spent the night together, yet unlike his dominant human-hybrid brother, Loki’s genes kept him from suffering from a lack of sleep. Emma and Zoe stood by the door with their arms crossed and feet tapping.
“I guess I am.” Loki took a sip from the tea, gazing at Oswald, who was cursing left his lips before rolling his eyes and turning back to the two relentless maids.
The door slammed behind him, causing Loki to shift his gaze back onto me.
“You’re right, this is an excellent tea,” He admitted, taking another sip.
Eh? Why am I feeling so bubbly after you said that?
“I know, right?” I simpered, leaning against the table.
His eyes softened toward me as his cheeks turned light pink. “Yeah.”
His expression triggered me to clear my throat to realign myself.
Crap, you really are cute.
“Your highness, you will practice soon. So please, get ready and make your way towards the colosseum before it starts.” I informed Loki, who finished up his tea and placed it down on the table.
Before I knew it, he suddenly placed his hand on the wall next to me. A vampire’s blinding speed was out of this world, as I found myself pinned between it and him.
Did my smile cause it again? I guess you really don’t like it.
“Hey, meet me tonight again. This time, it’ll be just you and me,” Loki gazed at me.
I couldn’t read his intentions this time. Instinctively, I sighed in response to his suggestion.
Is it going to be another test of yours? Surely... Watch your steps, Vivian.
“I won’t disobey an order, but if you’re planning on biting me. I hope you know it’ll be an unpleasant experience for both of us.” I cautioned, shifting my gaze slightly away from him.
In response, he tilted his head.
Oh… Perhaps not that, oops. Vivian… sometimes silence is better than talking!
“Biting you will be bad for both of us? How can you be sure?” Loki asked as I closed my eyes.
Well, I kind of dug this grave myself.Might as well come clean, especially since I don’t know how long it will be to save you from your fate. My period won’t be an issue since I used a witchcraft spell to halt it, but a cut may cause havoc with you.
I can’t ever forget that rose tea!
“Well, I don’t know the touch of a man, and your bite will make me crave for it, according to Gerta. At the same time, my blood will send you into a frenzy if you taste it. That’s the only warning I’ll give you. It’s best if we stay professional. We’re each other’s poison, after all.” I breathed, fluttering my eyes open.
There, I spotted a smirk on his lips.
“I don’t quite believe that, but I think I might grow to like you, Vivian.” Loki teased me.
Like... even as a friend… It’s impossible, so don’t even pretend to say you’ll…
I cackled, leaving him stunned where he stood.
Hah… How many girls have swooned over you?
“Ah, don’t joke like that. If you did, it would be a mistake—” I quickly stopped, realizing too late how I had worded it.
Damn... why do I keep slipping with you? That’s not how I…
“Oh? How so?” He leaned closer to me, visibly interested in what I was about to say.
My eyes darted from him and toward the clock in the room.
Argh! You should be in the shower by now. Either way, you’ll be in time if I get you moving now.
“Love and I don’t mix at all, your highness. I’m just not made for it, and certainly it won’t happen with you.” I assured him, gazing back at him.
To me, all you can ever be is my protector, yet why…
Where he had licked before burned hotter than anything I had ever felt.
“Weird, isn’t that what you women want? A fairy tale ending with a prince or whatever.” Loki questioned, studying me.
I shifted my eyes down towards the floor where the snake was sliding around his feet, staring at me. As adorable as it appeared, I felt wary with it around.
Please... don’t notice.
“You aren’t wrong, prince. That’s what we women want, but I’m not allowed to feel that emotion, and I don’t want to. It will only bring problems in the end.” I answered honestly, jogging him to allow me to walk away from him and towards the messy bed.
For a moment, he paused, watching me pick up the sheets as I tended them.
I may be only a day younger than you, but I can’t ever allow myself to fall into fantasy. If I do… No… All I want to do is to live; I don’t need anything else.
“W-what?” Loki stumbled out.
Crap... I let part of me out.
I turned to him, smiling bitterly.” That’s enough for now. You should get going. I’ll clean up your room and meet you for lunch later if you get back in time.”
He cocked his head before releasing a soft sigh. “Remember, come back here at night,” he repeated.
Slowly, I nodded. “Yes, your highness, I’ll remember. Though I hope it isn’t for another lingerie lineup. Unless it’s you giving the show and want opinions, I’ll have to decline again.”
My words caused him to burst out chuckling as part of me wanted to watch him laugh, yet I turned away, focusing on fixing up the bed instead of him. Slowly, he walked over to gather some clothes from a cabinet behind me.
Loki grabbed me by my waist and pulled me into him from behind before whispering in my ear. “No, sweets, it won’t be. I promise I won’t bite you either. Though I’m curious about how you taste.”
A soft sigh left my lips when he released me as he slowly headed towards the bathroom.
“Come casual too.” He added, standing by the door.
I shifted my gaze to him. “Huh? Casual?”
“Yes. Casual, you have clothes like that, right?” Loki smirked, placing his hand on his hip.
In a slight pout, I turned away from him to go back to fix his room.
“Yes, I do,” I answered plainly.
“Good, see you then,” Loki hummed, finally closing the door behind him.
I shook my head, wasting little time fixing everything else. By the time I was done, he was gone. I hadn’t even noticed when the snake left the room, either.
Hah… I guess cleaning gets me a bit too focused when there is no magic involved.
Taking a deep breath, I headed to exit the room as I almost stumbled into someone who was about to knock on the door. My heart stopped when I saw a young Lycan boy who stood before me.
What are you...
The young boy had silver hair with black spots on it, as his purple eyes told me everything I had to know.
You’re… Crap…
“Oh, sorry. I thought Loki was in. He usually sleeps in late.” The pup mumbled, trying to gaze inside the room.
I took a few steps back, smiling at him like I always did at everyone else.
Crap the last person I wanted to run into was you! You who have the same powers of Rem but are a dominant Lycan!
“The prince is at the colosseum for his lesson,” I informed him.
Please leave! Please leave!
“Ah, I see. Thank you.” The well-mannered boy bowed, taking a few steps away, only to stop and turn back toward me.
Much like Oswald, his eyes had black rings under them, alerting me that he had been part of the late sleeping party.
Does that mean the twins had you in the other room waiting while they tested me?! Argh… I’m going to kill them myself if this keeps up.
“Hey, have we met before?” He suddenly asked, popping me out of that train of thought as my mind drew a blank for a moment.
It only took him to cock his head as words soon formed.
There’s no way you were only ten back then!
“Highly doubtful,” I replied, keeping my famous smile planted on my face.
“Oh, I see. Sorry,” he nodded, leaving soon after.
Instinctively, I closed the door before sliding down to the floor, shivering.
Why is Leo here?! Damn it! Last thing I need to deal with, Rem’s kids too! Vera’s are enough!
Even though I had a necklace to hide my aura, if he touched me, it could mean trouble. That boy was around two years younger than me, yet posed a threat to my identity, just like Rem did. He was another mark I couldn’t hard as he was another essential part to keep me safe if the living gods decided to come into our mortal realm.
Same with Rem’s eldest daughter, a black-haired Lycan named Thea. She was almost the same age as the boys, putting her at seventeen, just nine months younger than us. I closed my eyes, trying to steady myself.
Have we met before? Of course we have!
I breathed deeply, trying to compose myself as my hands were shaking, but it wasn’t from fear itself but from anticipation.
If I were found... Everything will end. I can’t allow that to happen!