The sudden rush of air caused me to hold on to the vampire for dear life. I wore long, baggy grey pants and a pink blouse with long sleeves that covered my neck. Everything that happened was so fast that by the time he stopped, we were far from the castle grounds and in a park on the edge of Night City.
Setting me down near a bench, Loki smirked at me playfully, unaware of the state the short trip left me in. My stomach wasn’t handling the sudden burst of speed and movement well, as I could barely hold on to my dinner.
“You okay there, sweetheart?” he asked, brushing some of my scruffy hair away from my face.
Why is everything spinning?
The color from my skin drained as the world seemed to move without me taking a step. Feeling this unwell was unusual for me, but then again, I had never been at blinding speeds like that. If I needed to go anywhere, my father would use his shadow magic to open portals to go through.
I had never been in an airship or any other type of transportation, either.
Crap… I…
“I think I need a moment,” I mumbled, trying to get a hold on myself.
Sadly, the only thing I found was a stumble that sent me straight to the floor. The only thing that stopped me from slamming into the ground was Loki, who caught me by my waist as he tugged me back to him.
Why is the world still a blur? Argh…Who knew a goddess could get motion sickness? This is pathetic.
“I’m sorry, Vivian, to get away from those two, I didn’t hold back. I forget some humans are fragile from sudden movements like that.” Loki sighed as I struggled to gaze at him, only to see the same playful smirk planted on his face from earlier.
You’re enjoying this. Damn... What an annoying prince you’re turning out to be. Why do you have to be my protector!? Couldn’t it have been anyone else!?
Worst yet was the feeling that was swelling in my chest.
Why... You’re too close!
“It’s okay, just give me a moment to adjust. I’ve never gone that fast in my life.” I managed to voice it, though it squeaked a bit.
“Okay, take your time,” he helped me down onto the bench.
I didn’t know what to expect from him this time, but he treated me more gently than the previous night. There were a couple of people walking by us too, but few since it was night already, making the lighting in the city less bright than during the day. This allowed the inhabitants to see the starry sky above without having to leave the city itself.
Closing my eyes, I tried to get into place.
Hah… I never expected you to want to come out of the castle.Just what are you planning to do with me this time?
“Sorry for slowing things down for you, your highness.” I breathed, prompting his tongue to click.
“Call me Loki,” he suddenly announced.
Ah… Did my title annoy you?
“What?” I mumbled, peeking at him.
He stared at the sphere made from water that floated above the stone fountain in front of us. All of the decorative stone was made from white marble and featured different lights that shone within the orb.
“When we’re alone, call me Loki.” He clarified without shifting his gaze away from the fountain.
It probably wasn’t his intention, but I felt a warmth in my chest as I couldn’t stop myself from feeling somewhat hopeful for companionship at a superficial level. That would be the best scenario, although very unlikely.
Did you notice I mean you no harm? I can only hope.
“Okay, Loki.” I agreed to his silly request, feeling a bit better after sitting down.
Hearing his name triggered him to turn to me, smirking playfully. His eyes were so full of life and almost as beautiful as the sky above us. I couldn’t help myself when my heart skipped a beat, prompting me to shift my gaze from him instantly.
What was that?
“I like the way my name sounds in your voice.” He teased.
A soft sigh left my lips before forming them into a firm frown as I rolled my eyes at him.
Do you have to flirt to live? Is that something... No… You weren’t playful with the other maids at lunch, so why me?
“Well, I guess you’ll be hearing it for a while. So, get used to it.” I shrugged, gripping onto my blouse. “A pleasant time isn’t why you brought me here. So… just come out with it already.”
“Hmm…” He hummed, sitting next to me. “I came here to talk without prying eyes or ears.”
The fountain in front of us shifted its light to a smooth pink as water splashed into the base under it. It was pleasing to the eye.
Hah… We never had time just to sit and look at things like this before… I’m jealous of anyone who can do this without a care in the world.
“If it’s a private conversation that you want. Wouldn’t your room be better than a public area?” I asked, not shifting my gaze away from the beauty before me.
For a moment, he shook his head, shifting his gaze onto me. His sight always felt so heavy on me.
“Na, I feel like there are ears in those walls. While here... there aren’t any I can’t see or hear.” Loki replied, crossing his legs and leaning back into the bench.
Sadly, I couldn’t relate as couples were walking past us. We should’ve gone somewhere more secluded if what he wanted was to speak.
An alley would make more sense than this.
Although vampires with their hearing would make a mess of it.
Yes, a room with a sigil is better.
Then again, no one was paying attention to what we were saying or doing.
“I see...” I mumbled, fidgeting with my hair that dripped down my shoulders.
“Vivian, why did you come here?” He questioned as I turned my glance up to the sky above.
The celestial planes are beautiful tonight. I still can’t believe that’s… where I was supposed to be.
“Personal reasons,” I answered plainly. “I don’t see why that concerns you.”
My response triggered Loki to grab onto my hand, prompting me to gaze at him instead of the deep blue sky that rivaled the ocean.
“Personal? Like what? Money? Family? If it isn’t to climb the ladder in ranks, then what is it? You rejected my offer to you know... Then my elder brother’s offer. So, if it isn’t us, why would we be here?” He prodded deeper.
Hah… Do your questions ever have an end?
“Loki, the only reason I’m here is because I need this job to live,” I answered honestly.
For a moment, the vampire cocked his head as Eli slid down his neck and onto my lap, triggering me to trace my fingers down its back.
“To live? Now that’s a new one. Sorry, but I just can’t believe you.” Loki mumbled, gazing down at his overly friendly familiar.
The little snake was cozily coiled in my lap.
I probably should shove you off to keep appearances, but I feel at ease having you on me. Perhaps it’s because you’re so tiny right now.
“You can choose to believe me or not, but that’s the truth. I didn’t come here to mate with you, Loki. Are you disappointed?” I smiled, prompting him to shift his gaze away from mine as his cheeks turned rosy.
“D-Disappointed?! Why would I be?” His voice cracked as I couldn’t help but giggle because of it.
That’s right. No one would ever want to lie with me. Even though I want to survive no matter the cost, my life will always be a lonely one.
The moment that thought left my mind, Eli turned to me.
Clearing his throat, Loki chuckled. “Weird, he seems to like you. Usually, he doesn’t go on other people.”
“Her fingers feel so nice on my skin. Well, compared to you fools, I’d have her every day.” Eli scoffed, shifting his gaze, prompting my eyes to widen because of his words.
“Why you little—” The vampire huffed, as I didn’t let him finish.
“Missing a female’s touch?” I breathed, prompting the little snake to cock his head before nodding.
“Wait... You aren’t freaked out by a talking familiar?” Loki asked.
I shook my head, shrugging before trailing my fingertips around his head.
Why is your skin so pleasant to feel? Nothing like…
My father never liked me getting near his familiar either way, which made me wonder why Orenz was so distant and rougher compared to Eli. Perhaps because he didn’t come in a smaller size, I never gave him a shot.
Yes, my birth dad had my other father connected to him.
Fitting, my mortal father is linked to my divine one, although the former is just a shell of himself.
Mother wanted to use Dad and Lilith to link with my divine parents, whose remnants lingered in the soul cairn. Sadly, it was only successful with Dad while the elf failed to link with Aster, destroying her fragmented soul in the process.
“Eli’s a shadow demon, no? It’s normal for them to speak. Though—” I answered, forgetting for a moment who I was speaking to.
Luckily, I caught myself, stopping before finishing my thought.
Crap... Normal people aren’t usually aware of that!
I gazed over at Loki, who appeared taken aback by what I had said.
Crap, I slipped again! Argh! What's with me and speaking more than I need to?
“How do you know that?” he continued to query as I turned back towards Eli, trying to fix what I had messed up.
Usually, people knew about shadow demons, but most had never seen one.
So, how would a simple girl like me know about them and identify them? I tripped. Was this your plan all along?
“These demons from the Soul Cairn usually terrify me, but yours don’t. I don’t feel an ounce of malice from him.” I replied, hoping Loki would drop it there.
Before he could ask another thing, Eli spoke.
“Well, fear not, my lady. I won’t harm you, unlike this idiot’s clumsy attempt last night.” He snickered, triggering his link’s eyes to narrow as his brows also did the same.
“Oi, what are—” he tried to speak up, only to be interrupted by the little snake.
“If you only knew what this one thinks half of the time, you’d—” Eli tried to speak but was grabbed by Loki mid-way.
Eh?
Annoyance showed clearly in the vampire’s expression, which made me wonder what the snake was about to reveal. I never thought I would be so curious about them.
“Oi, what did I tell you about sharing our thoughts with anyone else? How about I murder you instead?” Loki snapped, shaking the poor snake like it was a plushie.
A soft giggle erupted, unable to hold it in, causing them both to stop.
These two are such a silly pair.
“Well, when I was smaller, this big shadow beast attacked my village. It chased me for a long time and almost got me before a Cerberus officer saved me.” I paused, gazing towards the fountain.
If I don’t squash that now, well, it’ll come back to bite me.
“That’s the reason why I can’t seem to forget the way they look and why I can spot them miles away. Funny enough, I also wanted to learn more about them. So, I read many of your grandmother’s research.” I informed.
The last thing I needed was him trying to do a background check on the girl that didn’t exist. Although I was sure he had already tried and found nothing.
“I see,” Loki mumbled, letting go of Eli, who hissed at him.
At that moment, a shooting star appeared in the sky, prompting my eyes to widen as I pointed towards it.
“Oh look!” I breathed, standing up from the bench before taking a few steps in that direction.
It was my first time seeing one of these mystical meteors, leaving my heart pounding. Closing my eyes, I clasped my hands together near my bosom.
This is stupid, but Lilith said they can carry a wish to fruition.
It was a simple rock falling into our realm, but I couldn’t help but cast my desires into it.
It isn’t for me either way, so it should be fine.
Loki walked over towards me when I opened my eyes, as the phenomenon was gone.
“What did you wish for?” the vampire asked, causing a small smile to rise on my lips.
It wasn’t even forced like it usually was.
“For you to live a long and healthy life, Loki,” I answered, gazing towards where the star vanished.
It had left an empty feeling inside of my chest, one I had always tried to ignore.
If you live, I also will, but for what?What’s my reason for living? Ah… I have none.
That was when Loki suddenly grabbed onto my shoulders, forcing me to face him. He appeared to be a bit ticked off, reflecting distrust in his gaze again.
“Why would you wish that?” he growled.
For a moment, I could see his fangs when he said that.
Hah... I... don’t know how to speak to you. Hey… Loki… is there a way for my life to have meaning beyond simply living?