Chapter 2

When we stepped off the plane we were met by a limo ready to take us to our hotel. Our bags were loaded for us, although we had both packed lightly deciding to shop while we were here for the things we needed. Not that Eric needed special clothing since he didn't get cold, but I knew I didn't have the type of clothes to keep me warm in such a cold climate, we rarely get below freezing in Northern Louisiana, but less below zero.

It was close to noon and it was dark, still a small twinkle of the sun in the far horizon, but not enough to affect Eric. Our limo driver moved swiftly down the snow covered roads as I looked out at the vast mountains and everything covered in white. The snow was beautiful, but cold. From the plane to the limo I had gotten chilled, the heater in the limo was full blast. Just as I was finally warming up we pulled up to a beautiful resort. The snow covered mountains towering behind the hotel; this is what I could make out from the light generated by the hotel and in front was a huge, beautiful pond. As we walked into the lobby the bell boy with our bags stayed behind a few feet. We walked to the counter and were greeted by a somewhat round dark hair, dark skinned man, obviously native to the area. He gave a kind smile as we approached. Eric simply stated Northman. With a couple of clicks into the computer in front of him looked up and his smile went to a more serious face, "King Northman, we have a lovely suite for you and your Queen. I see you plan to stay with us for five nights."

"Correct. I also need for you to arrange for a limo to stay on call at the hotel for our transportation needs." Eric had the tendency to be a bit cold toward humans in the service industry.

"Yes sir, I will have them standing by 24/7, simply call ahead and let us know you are coming down and the car will meet you in the front. Anything else, sir?" Even with the business expression the gentleman in front of us still had a wonderful twinkle in his dark eyes.

Eric looked at me and I shook my head, "That's if for now." He answered in a bored monotone voice.

"Very well sir, if you need anything my name is Tom Yakone, Hospitality Manager; please do not hesitate to contact me." He ended the sentence with his delightful smile. He handed us the key cards to our room and summoned the bell boy who he gave instruction to and he escorted us to our room. We were on the top floor which appeared to only have six doors. We were at the far end of the hall from the elevator. The young man opened the door for us standing aside for us to enter. You would think by now I would get used to these elaborate hotel rooms and suites but they still amaze me. "My name is Jonathan Hinkle; if you need anything please don't hesitate to ask. If you will permit me I would like to show you a few of the suite options." We followed him to the far side of the room to the drawn curtains. He grabbed the remote from the cocktail table; the curtains slid open to reveal light blocking panels. "We still have about four hours of sun a day and these panels are in both here in the living area as well as the bedroom." He did not open the panels. He escorted us into the kitchen, "If you would like anything specific to be stocked in the kitchen, a special coffee blend, particular juice, any type of food or sir, synthetic blood, we can take care of that for you. We also have a contact at the local blood bank for stored blood and not that you will desire it, but we also have a service for live donors, although they do not stay on staff. We only receive maybe 20 visits a year from vampire guests, but we do our best to be sure every need of anyone staying at the Grand Issumatar is met."

"We appreciate it. We'll let you or Mr. Yakone know if we need anything at all," I smiled at him. Eric held out a rolled bill to Jonathan to which he graciously took. "Thank you," I called again as he left the room. "I'm starving!" I walked into the kitchen realizing I hadn't eaten in almost 24 hours.

"Me too." Eric walked up behind me, bent and kissed my neck.

I turned and kissed him, "yes, but in order for your meal not to pass out on you, she needs to have some protein first." I kissed him again and opened the fridge. Nothing but bottled water was in the there.

He took my hand, "Come on, we'll go to the restaurant and get you something." We both grabbed the card keys before we walked out and slid them into the pocket of our jeans. We rode the elevator to the second floor and exited to the restaurant. After a meal of grilled salmon, past and salad I was stuffed. It was only 2 o'clock in the afternoon and Eric and I were out together. He had sat patiently and made idle chit chat while I had lunch. After the waiter had cleared the table and Eric signed the check to charge to our room he looked at, leaned across the table smiled and ran his fangs out, "My turn!" He took my hand and led me from the table. He escorted me back to the elevator, pushing me against the back of the elevator with his mouth on mine before the doors shut. It never ceased to amaze me how talented Eric is in kissing, and the skillful way he would use his tongue. The excitement was building and I couldn't contain myself, I began to unbutton his shirt while he was still attached to my mouth. I began to kiss his chest and my own little fangs ran out as he began kissing my neck. The elevator stopped and the door opened but we did not stop, I heard the sound of a slight gasp and the door shut. We reached our floor and Eric scooped me up and sped down the hallway and I slipped my card key from my back pocket and he flung the door open. We didn't make it to the bedroom he stopped at the couch, I slid his shirt off as he untucked mine and slid it over my head we swiftly depants each other both standing in just in our underwear. He wasted no more time; he kissed his way down my neck and bit in at the arch from my neck to shoulder. There was never any pain associated with his feeding, it was all pleasure. I received as much pleasure from his fangs sinking into me as I do when his manhood plunges into me. I still am experimenting with and learning my hybrid abilities and next thing I knew I had ripped his silk boxers off with one hand and I began messaging his huge shaft. He began to growl as he fed and I felt the vibration move through my body. He took another long suck on my wound and released me from his bite with a lick on the wound. It began to heal immediately and before I finished getting undressed it was almost healed, this was another perk of my hybrid state. He lifted me off the ground and I wrapped my legs around him; he turned and sat on the couch. We wasted no time in consummating our marriage for the first time on our honeymoon. After finishing our tryst we stayed as we were holding each other.

"Let's go shopping." I kissed him quickly hopped up, pulling him with me and drug him to the shower. We have had such good times in the shower; we couldn't resist christening this one with another. After we were out of the shower Eric called down to be sure the Limo would be ready for us, he told them we would be down in 15 minutes, guess I didn't have time to do too much to my hair. It was too cold to worry about being dressy, I opted for jeans, a soft pink fluffy sweater I brought with me. It actually took us 25 minutes to get downstairs, but we were greeted with a courteous smile from the driver as he opened the door to the limo. I climbed in with Eric behind me; the driver asked Eric where we needed to go before he shut the door. Eric instructed him to the closest mall. I was hoping that the closest mall would be an indoor mall. Surly they wouldn't have open air malls in Alaska. Although the car's heater was blowing warm the opening of the doors let it all escape, I was chilled so I snuggled into Eric. Not that he provided much warmth from body heat; but there was a little since he had just fed from me.

We wondered around the mall and bought more than either of us could possibly need, but my favorite purchase had to be the boots lined with simulated sheep wool. They were so warm and comfortable; my jeans tucked into them they even help keep my calves warm. Eric insisted that we buy plenty of outdoor clothing; he had lots of activities planned for us. My cell phone rang with "unknown caller" on the ID. I ignored the call as we continued to shop.

We strolled through the mall and I bought hot chocolate to sip on as we shopped. As we shopped I tried not to let the prices bother me. After all Eric was already wealthy and now he was the King of three states; he referenced he would be making a lot of money as King, but he never said how much. I'm his wife, I can ask that question. I actually still found myself a little embarrassed as I began to speak. As I was fumbling through my brain for the right way to ask Eric stopped me and stood in front of me looking down. "Sookie, you can ask me anything anytime. I have told you, what is mine is yours, I can tell you how much for Louisiana and how much for Arkansas, but Florida has not yet been negotiated."

"Eric, are you going to make a regular habit out of reading my mind?" I smiled as I looked up at him.

"I can't help it, when I feel you in turmoil through our bond I find myself probing to see what has you distressed. I can't see how you would think this is such a handicap."

"Well, you weren't born with it and have to deal with it while you were trying to grow up. I have obviously learned its advantages through the years, especially the last several. So are you going to tell me now or later?"

"I will tell you whenever you like. "

"Now is good."

"As the King of Louisiana my annual salary will be five million, Arkansas will bring us revenue of an annual salary of 1.75 million. Since Arkansas is such a poor state our revenue is less. Although Louisiana is not a rich state we do have so many different vampire holdings as well as the largest per capita of vampire to state. I suspect Florida will be at least the same annual salary as Louisiana." We had began walking again although my head was in a fog at these numbers. "The salary is paid quarterly, we will not pay taxes on it. The money will be wired straight to our Swedish bank account. The US government has no idea of the holdings we have or of our infrastructure of vampire politics so we hold these off shore accounts to conduct business and not be taxed by the US. I have my personal business holdings which will still bring in revenue to report to the IRS. You will continue to make your current salary as to not call suspicion to yourself with the government. I must tell you, you will no longer manage Fangtasia."

"I'm going to get paid for not working. That's not right." I started protesting and he cut me off.

"I said you would no longer manage Fangtasia, you will work harder now than you probably ever have. You will be my personal manager and that means coordinating three households, travel and appointments for three states. I need with me at all times. Not to mention, you are now a Queen, you can't expect to manage a bar."

"You're a King, yet you are still a bar manager."

"Only as far as a salary is concerned, last night I signed primary stockholder of Fangtasia to Pam. I still retain 30% of the bar and my annual salary should come within my share of the stock."

"You gave Pam Fangtasia?"

"Yes, Pam has been loyal to me for so long. She is there for me to trust when there was no one else. You know I released her many decades ago, yet she remains loyal and at my side. I will have no time to worry with Fangtasia, Pam has ran it very well herself for a long time now."

"I think that's great. She deserves it." I wrapped my arm around his waist pulling us together closely, a walking hug. Although you would never hear him say it, I knew Eric loved Pam. You would certainly never hear Pam admit her true feelings for Eric either.

By this time we had managed to walk into almost every store in the mall, buying something from most as well. We walked past the store specializing in maternity and baby clothes, I caught myself staring for a moment. I had no particular thought in my head other than to just stare at the cute baby clothes. So tiny.

"Do you regret not being able to have a baby, Sookie?"

"No, I made my choice when I chose you and I have no regrets. After all, I have my niece and nephew and Hunter. We have hundreds of years together, if we ever reach a time in our lives that there is a void from this, we can always adopt."

"I don't want you feeling like you missed out on anything because of me. I have lived over a thousand years and often wondered what joy or heartache a child might bring, but you are still human, you still have that choice."

"I don't know if I personally still have that choice or not. You know how long it has been since I have had a cycle, and now with my hybrid status everything is unknown. Besides, right now I think I would live in fear of someone trying to get to our child out of revenge or leverage."

He stepped in front of me, pulled me to him and passionately kissed me. This was something I was sure I would never grow tired of, I could kiss him for hours on end. We certainly gave a public display of affection, as we ended our interlude I looked around to all the eyes on us. It didn't faze Eric in the least bit, he took my hand as we headed for the exit where our limo awaited us, along with all the purchases we had made in our time at the mall. We had been at the mall for several hours I was ready for dinner.