Loki’s question rippled in my ears as his voice was more than pleasant to hear.
Is this why I keep speaking out of place?
“You showed me such a pretty sky tonight, even got to see one of those rare falling meteorites I’ve heard so much about. So, I thought I would give something back to you.” I answered, forcing one of my smiles again.
“Why?” The vampire mumbled, shaking his head as I freed myself from his grip and turned toward the luminous fountain.
This world is beautiful for anyone else who isn’t doomed like me. You’re a free bird while I’m caged to be alone for life.
“You may be a perverted brat, but even a person like that deserves a life full of wonders, Loki. Is it wrong to wish that on someone?” I asked, producing his gaze to widen before turning warmer towards me.
“Why not waste it on your longevity instead? I really don’t get you.” He sighed.
The only thing I had going for me was to live to see all the beautiful things this world had to offer, and he had shown me two.
I thought it was a fair exchange, but I suppose I made you feel uncomfortable. That wasn’t my intention.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you would get all weirded out by it. Wishes are usually empty gestures, either way. Please forget about it.” I pursed my lips, shifting my sight towards the side.
Before I could say anything else, he grabbed me by my wrist, guiding me over towards the fountain. Suddenly, he sat on the marble by the edge of the water and pulled me into his lap. In the blink of an eye, I straddled him as any slight movement would send us falling into the water behind him.
The vampire held my hips in place, setting my heart to race once again, leaving my mind drawing blanks.
Eh?! What?!
“Nothing pisses me off more than empty gestures and smiles. You seem to have them all, Vivian.” Loki huffed, tucking my hair behind my ear.
The sensation his fingers left on my skin was bothersome.
Why... do you have this effect on me?
It wasn’t long until a devilish idea rose in my head as I found a way to take my revenge on him while staying playful too.
“Are you going to teach me to be better?” I asked, tapping my fingers on his shoulders and leaning into him.
Is this supposed to be the romantic moment every girl falls for? I mean, I’ll give it to you for making my heart flutter, but a win this… won’t be, my little troublesome vampire.
A smirk rose on his lips as he pressed his lips into my ear. “Depends... Do you want me to?” He whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
You little…
I tugged myself slightly away to meet his gaze.
Crap… You’re so beautiful and perfect, but it’s too bad I’m… Hey, Loki, I wonder how your life would’ve been if we had never met.
Holding myself steady so I wouldn’t fall into the water, I bit my bottom lip, getting close to him. The hand that was on my hip moved up to the back of my neck. His other one traced my scalp with his fingers. The sensation it left was almost too good to resist.
Even so, I...
“I would rather you don’t,” I smirked, shoving the unsuspecting vampire into the water behind him.
Eli avoided the splash that came from his other half by floating towards me, as my eyes couldn’t believe what they saw when I opened after the push. The vampire sat in the pool, not knowing what had happened.
Instead of a kiss or hug he expected to receive, he got a cold shower. However, the shock in his face threw me over the edge as I couldn’t stop from bursting out laughing loudly. His light blue shirt was stuck to his skin, darkening in color thanks to the water.
Luckily, it didn’t take him long to recover as his eyes twitched upon realizing he had been had.
“What the fuck, Vivian?!” Loki growled, looking like a wet dog.
Sadly, I couldn’t help but continue to cackle wholeheartedly. His expression was too much for me to handle, especially when he deserved it after trying to tease me. It was a good payback.
Too beautiful. You really…
“Pfffft! Oh, no, did the little naughty vampire get a surprise from me?” I laughed, unable to stop.
Loki sat there, stunned by what was happening in front of him.
“Oh... I can’t!” I chortled, tears welling up in my eyes from the mirth that radiated out of me.
I had never lost it like this. A chuckle here and there, but this was new, and it felt good. Loki’s expression changed the moment he saw me laughing wholeheartedly, as it was almost contagious. He also chuckled, unable to stay angry at what I did.
“Okay, okay, I get it.” He bit into his lip, trying to hold the cackles.
I couldn’t control myself, though. I hadn’t laughed like this since I was twelve, perhaps longer. If ever at all. My cheeks and stomach hurt, yet I couldn’t stop it. I didn’t even know one could cry while laughing.
However, these tears weren’t of pain, but pure bliss.
A new thing for me.
“But your face was—” I continued to hoot, unable to stop.
Having had enough of my burst, Loki rolled his eyes, suddenly grabbing onto one of my arms. A second later, he yanked me into the water with him. First was the sudden rush of cold water that hit me, but what struck me the most was how somehow my assailant had also tumbled into the water with me.
I landed on him as he cushioned the fall, preventing me from coming to any harm. This vampire was gentler than I first thought.
Sweet…
For a moment, I felt my heart flutter again as I couldn’t allow myself to be influenced by him.
Oh, no... I can’t.
That thought was quickly squashed when Eli floated next to us with an expression that yelled, unimpressed.
“You two idiots are going to get sick.” He sighed as Loki’s chuckling was the only thing that remained as I silently shifted my gaze toward him.
There I saw a sight that was to behold. I never thought I could make anyone laugh like he was doing. Another warmth rose within me, finding myself in awe of him.
No... I can’t… yet I…
“It isn’t as funny when you’re the wet one now, is it?” Loki snickered, tracing his fingers on my cheek.
The warmth from them was enough to snap me out of my initial shock, as I couldn’t help but break out in a cackle again. He was as drenched as I was, and his hair was a mess too. I knew this was wrong, yet I couldn’t stop this emotion that was rushing out of me.
“No, it’s still funny,” I assured him.
He couldn’t help but smile back at me. His expression again turned gentle. Those eyes...
Why are they calling for me?
“So, you have life in those expressions of yours.” Loki smiled tenderly, stealing every one of my senses.
Ah… No… I can’t. This is a mistake!
I had allowed myself to act like a normal girl when I was not. Instantly, I froze when Loki reached for me, tucking my hair behind my ears again. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who was a mess.
This time, I shivered because of the sudden warmth from his fingers. At that moment, his eyes closed for a second, shaking his head.
“Shit, we should get out before you catch a cold.” He sighed, noticing my body’s slight tremble.
I nodded, “Okay.”
Damn it! I’m foolish to allow myself to act like that. Be more careful, Vivian.
Loki grabbed my hand, helping me to my feet as the same warmth rushed into my core.
What’s happening to me? Why do I feel this way?!
All he was doing was leading me out of the fountain’s water, yet my emotions threatened to erupt. My heart was already in turmoil when two others approached us from the side.