-One

"This is ridiculous, Lori. You've been at this idiotic treasure hunt for much too long. I'll have my men go get him and bring him back here."The Queen of Louisiana's vampires, Sophie Anne, says as she struts around the large room. She waves off two men, but I flick my wrist out toward them and watch as shadows for the doors to slam shut in their faces.

"No Sophie. I've come this far and done this for year without your help, I won't have him dragged from his home just to come here."I say, glaring at the men to stand down. They nod simultaneously and step away from the doors. I let my arm fall to my side again and look at the petite red head. She sat lounging across a white day bed with her short orange hair sprawled over the top. Dear God how this entire wanna-be palace was making me itch with over the top theatrics and false glamour. I roll my eyes as she stands to walk toward me again, her tall white heels lying against her day bed now along side her white jacket. Wouldn't white be a bad color for a vampire to wear? Even the cleanest of vampires tend to make a mess. She puts her hand on my arm gently, her soft green eyes searching my being with concern and a fake sense of friendship.

"Have you ever thought about what Eric wants?"She asks, her voice hitting those obnoxiously greedy -maybe-he-doesn't-want-to-be-with-you notes that made me want to rip her head off and throw it into that stupid ass fountain. I clench my jaw and let my head fall forward, chin lying against my chest lightly.

"You don't know him like I do."I say softly, just barely above a whisper. Her eyes hardened slightly at the mention of her lack of knowledge as her eyebrows furrow. She was offended, but why? Suddenly she jerks me around to face her, her hands gripping me tight, and growls.

"Eric Northman may be a Sheriff for Louisiana but he is no nobleman. He's a monster and a ruthless attacker."She growls, fangs dropping quickly in anger. I couldn't bring myself to stop this time. I reach up and slap her across the face, smirking faintly as that smug -I-know-everything- gleam in her eyes disappears.

"Eric Northman is a Viking Prince, a warrior and a God amongst men. How dare you talk about him in such a way? I'm sorry if you haven't had the privilege of seeing the side of Eric that I have, but I'm sure whatever he did to you or your pitiful excuse for a staff you deserved it."I snap, jerking out of her grasp and storming off toward the doors. The guards open them for me, a brief thanks curling their lips as I pass by. I hurry out to the courtyard where my car sat waiting and gasp for a breath of fresh air as if the ability had been taken from me for quite some time. I bend over, hands gripping my thighs just above my knees as I breathe rapidly. I close my eyes, hot tears filling my eyes much too quickly, and focus on calmly down.

"Princess?"A woman calls just before my mind becomes a complete haze.

-memory-

"Princess!"Eric growls, storming down the long halls of my family's castle after me. I shake my head and pick up the ends of my gown, rushing down to the first door in sight. My chamber. I flick my wrist out toward it, shadows consuming it completely seconds before it opens wide, and rush through the doorway. I turn to close it, though a sword wedges in before I have the chance.

"Princess please. You're being irrational."He continues, shutting my door behind him. His massive stance always took me off guard, but not when I was upset. Then, and only then, did his 6 feet 3 inches of perfectly compacted muscle stretched expertly from his broad shoulders to his warrior legs and fur trimmed armor became nothing more than 3 inches tall. I pace the window of my chamber, eyes trained on the outside world, and groan to myself.

"Leave it be, Eric. This does no concern you, my love."I say, trying to be as calm and loving as my anger would allow. Yet again my mother and I were at each other's throats. I was always the one sent away to calm down. My father only ever considered my part in the conflict. I was always the one to blame.

"Lorilie."Eric says softly, his voice suddenly like silk as he steps closer. I sigh and let my head drop forward. It was both terrifying and liberating how I was so in love with this man that the mere change in his tone could make me melt. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight, kissing my hair before shifting slightly to whisper a Norwegian lullaby to me. I sigh and force myself, with little effort, to let my troubles leave my body along with the passing sounds of each word like water over rocks. This man knew me so well and yet had to work unnecessarily hard to gain the approval of my parents. My mother still hasn't given hers but within every argument she makes sure to prod my heart where he lies.

"I'm sorry."I whisper faintly, kissing the hand he held over mine. He smiles faintly, his blue eyes gleaming in the dim lighting as his shoulder length blonde hair slowly drifts down into his face under his crown. The crown I had made for him until he was to take his father's as King. He turns to step in front of me and kisses my hands, eyes never leaving mine.

"Please, do not apologize to me, my love. Your mother can be cruel to your feelings for me, but i beg of you, don't let her hurt you. Seeing you furious is just as painful as seeing you hurt. There's a thin line between them, love, and i know you're always teetering on it."He says sweetly, his accent quite thick around his words. I was proud of him for learning English for me, but his accent always reminded me of where he belonged. I tighten my grip on his hands and nod slightly.

"I won't."I agree softly, stepping into him and curling into his chest. He picks me up like a child and sits with me in his arms by the window. Motionlessly, I cover the door to my chamber with shadows to lock everyone out. I didn't want anything to get between us but I knew I'd have to take him home soon enough. Until then I wanted to spend as much time as I could in his arms.

-end of memory-

Gasping for a breath, yet again feeling suffocated, and sitting up I find myself lying on a cream day bed in an other wise large office. I turn quickly, heart pounding with suspicion and fear of my new surroundings.

"Oh Lorilie, please do calm down."A woman calls in a sickly sweet voice behind me, her heels clicking against the hard wood floor. I bare my fangs, eyes clouding black, and throw her against the wall behind her. I flash to her side and grip her throat.

"It's Princess Lorilie to you and I suggest unless you'd like to lose your tongue you'll keep that tone of yours at a servant's level."I growl, my Italian accent flooding my threats as my fangs prod her throat. The woman was dressed in all black, seemingly mimicking a biker, with long blonde hair and black heels.

"Please Princess, we mean you no harm."An obviously sensitive man squeaks behind me with a faint thud. I growl loudly, dropping the woman and turning toward him. He sat on his knees before me with his head bowed. I smirk and nod.

"Please, do stand."I smile, waving him to his feet. He stands and kisses my hand gently.

"My Princess, I'm afraid you were brought here after fainting at the Queen's palace."He explains,me he's flickering behind me to the woman. She stands, smoothing her leather skirt, and groans.

"I fainted, eh?"I laugh softly, nodding slightly in agreement.

"Pardon my rudeness, your highness, I am Steve Newlin. Welcome to Bon Temp."He smiles, bowing again. The woman chuckles and walks out from behind me.

"Ex reverend and vampire, the royal fang butt fucker, welcoming the Princess of all Hell to a shitty old town."She growls, laughing harshly. I look at Steve, studying his short slicked down black hair and gentle smile, and then her.

"Tell me Steve, how has it been deceiving God's will?"I smirk before turning toward the woman.

"You must be his ex wife Sarah. The woman who slept with a recruit and other wise became a biker Barbie wanna-be."I smirk, rolling my eyes at her obviously angry attitude. I sigh faintly, pulling my red lace tank down over the trim of my black jeggings. I pull my leather jacket back on from it's resting place on the head of the day bed, waving Steve after me out of the office.

"Would you care to help me find a place of my own here in Bon Temp and be my escort?"I smile, pushing open the doors as we walk. He smiles giddily and nods with excitement.

"Of course. It'd be my pleasure, Princess."He says sweetly, opening the passenger side door to a black jaguar for me. I smile and slide into the sleek seat awaiting me.

"Please, call me Lori."I say as he pulls away from the parking spot. I could practically taste Eric.