The Truth Behind:
Chapter 2
Eric turned and released my hand. "We must talk." Eric said quickly. I gawked at him considering I had just been to-hell-and-back with Bill.
"I really don't think this is the time." I snapped hastily.
Eric placed his hands on my shoulder and whispered, "I heard everything..."
For the second time that night I felt myself sigh, my mind was racing between Eric, time, anger, confusion, and concluded with the "Talk."
"Okay Eric, but cards on the table." I replied in the steadiest voice I could muster. Eric embraced me for a moment with a hand on my lower back. Eric faced me, staring at me or through me, at this point I couldn't tell. His piercing, blue eyes that had witnessed so much, his one thousand year existence shone with weariness and something else?- I distinguished in the bond fear and then, resolve.
"Ever since I took that bullet in Dallas and I saw how different you were… That I protected you like that… You have been on my mind everyday. I always wanted you. From the moment you came in with spineless Bill Compton, I knew you were special. I could smell your innocence and was enthralled by your southern belle manners towards a vampire like me." He gave a short laugh at the memory and continued.
"The first instants when we were bound I could feel the pressure in the bond, the resentment, but I also felt your relief... I watched as you dated Quinn and ignored the feelings you had for me. I absorbed your past relationships, seeing how Bill and Quinn hurt you like I would never – I could never do… When I am with you I am happy and can feel! This is such a revelation on my part. I truly believed all humanity was dried with my blood at my turning, but when I knew more of your personality it surged through me and added beats to my dead heart. I know it could kill me in the end and I feel foolish for ignoring my ways of survival, but when I am with you none of those theories matter. I feel even more foolish knowing that my survival means nothing without you. Because I- I have never felt that way- of a human- of anyone. I want you to be mine… I know how you feel of the possessive pronoun but, I think I - I love you?" Eric finished, he had one thick, red tear streaming down his cheek nearing his lips, and I could feel anguish and the same fear from the beginning, the fear of rejection.
I looked at this man closely, Eric Northman, Sheriff of Area 5, vampire, and my bonded. I went over his words, over his structured jaw line, right to his bloody lips, and to his crimson red, brimmed eyes. I flashed to our time when he lost: Godric, his memory, his Queen… Every time I comforted him.
"Cards on the table." He echoed shyly. I took a deep breath and was surprised to hear myself say,
"I love you too, Eric." Eric's stiff demeanor visibly relaxed.
Eric took me into his arms, handled me with the emotion, love. He placed light kisses on my cheek and temples and I kissed his bloody lips ingesting the blood and becoming one, intensifying the bond. He gathered me in his arms and led me to the red corvette- (I couldn't believe that I missed his car. I could have sworn he flew.) -that was impossible to miss in the Merlotte's parking lot, next to the trash bins.
Now, I completely trusted Eric but God knows I hate a speedy driver. Eric always drives the limit his car will take him: it's a corvette, for heavens sake! My mind was boggled as he drove away from Bon Temps. "Eric, where are we going?" I inquired as he sped away from Merlotte's and was farther from my home. Eric just gave me a smirk and replied, "Be patient, lover."