CHAPTER 2
"Sookie, wake up my lover we have arrived," I feel myself being lifted and I try to open my eyes, I am in Eric's arms and I realise we are leaving the plane – fast.
"What...wait...how?" I mumble in my semi coherent state.
"We need to move quickly, it is close to dawn," Eric says.
"Ok" I mutter and I rest my head against him and close my eyes again.
The next thing I realise I am waking up in a luxurious comfortable bed with the sun pouring in through the window. I get out of bed and look out to see the city of Las Vegas spread out in front of me, I gasp and then memories of last night return to me in a rush.
I glance around the room and I see an envelope with my name on it, I pick it up and recognise the beautiful sloping handwriting, Eric wrote it. I quickly tear it open and read.
My Lover
You were incoherent when we landed so I felt it was best to leave you this message and let you sleep.
I am here in the hotel with you in the adjoining room to your left; Pam and Thalia are in the room to the right and you have a guard stationed outside your door to protect you, his name is Greg. If you wish to enjoy the facilities of the hotel during the day, do so as I have arranged for you to use everything the hotel has to offer.
I have had your wedding dress placed in the wardrobe in your room, Pam assures me you will look sensational, I have observed your human tradition of not viewing the dress before I see you wearing it tonight.
Your brother is on route and should be arriving at some point during the day as I assumed you would want him to be present, as is the shifter, as you seem to consider him a friend.
I will come to you as soon as I rise tonight and we will marry by your human tradition, although I have considered you to be my wife from the moment you gave me the ceremonial knife.
E xx
I read and re read the letter I trace my finger over the elaborate E where Eric has signed and the two kisses he has written beside it. I am speechless he has thought of everything, he how did he arrange everything so fast? As I wonder this, I move over to the wardrobe and gasp at the stunning and very expensive dress hanging in there, Pam has excelled herself as it really is beautiful. I will look and feel like a princess when I wear this, tears start to fall and then I see a box, I pull it out and inside are a pair of matching shoes.
I immediately want to be with Eric; I leave my room and walk into a man outside the door.
"Hello" I say, I listen to him and he is human which surprises me, but he is also very loyal to Eric. "How do you come to be here?" I ask, wondering if he is the guard Eric mentioned in his letter.
"Hello, you must be Sookie Stackhouse, I'm Greg, and I'm your guard for today, just in case! Mr Northman called me and asked me to come and be with you today" he explains, "I'm ex military so I know what I'm doing" he adds with a smile.
As I listen to him I know he is telling the truth, "How do you know Eric?" I ask, genuinely curious to discover how this human is connected with my Viking.
Greg smiles, "My mother and I owe him our lives, she was caught by a young vampire and he was going to kill her, he did it in full view of other humans and caused quite a scene, you have to remember that this was before the vampires became public. I tried to help her but I was only a child at the time and he was just too strong, Mr Northman appeared from nowhere and helped me, he cleaned up the mess that the vampire had caused and glamoured the witnesses to forget what they had seen. He said he was impressed by my protective instincts and he gave my mother some blood to heal, he showed me some hand to hand combat moves and he said I had great potential. You have to remember I was very young at the time. He came to see me periodically, I have no idea how he kept finding us as we moved around and he showed me many techniques of combat and self defence. I joined the military when I left school and the skills Mr Northman taught me came in handy more than once and even saved my life on one occasion. When I left the military I struggled to find work and Mr Northman helped me again, he got me a job with some of his vampire friends as daytime security. He called me out of the blue last night and told me to come here before dawn, I was surprised when he arrived in person – he was carrying you, and he told me that I was to guard you with my life today, I agreed and well that's it" he says with a shrug.
"And Eric is next door?" I ask pointing.
Greg nods, "yes ma'am but you can't get in there, its state of the art vampire safe rooms, your room is too, but obviously as you were asleep, the security features weren't activated".
I nod, "do you know what the security features are?" I ask.
He nods, "yeah steel shutters on the windows – light tight and attack proof, and steel shutters on the inside of the door – nobody is getting through there I can tell you," he says.
I panic slightly as I remember Rhodes, "What if something happens and we need to get in to him?" I ask.
Greg smiles at me, "The entire building has incredibly tight security and anti terrorism measures but the vampire safe rooms are also bomb proof, so even if the hotel is blown up those rooms will remain intact – he will be totally safe until he rises," he assures me.
I nod satisfied that Eric, Pam and Thalia are safe until they rise tonight.
"I am going to get dressed, I am expecting my brother and friend to arrive soon" I say.
Greg nods, "yes ma'am, Mr Northman told me that a..." he pauses and pulls a piece of paper from his pocket and glances at it "Jason Stackhouse and Sam Merlotte were due to arrive today and I was to allow them access to you".
"Allow access?" I say, slightly taken aback by that comment.
Greg nods, "Yes ma'am I am here to protect you so I have to know who is expected to be around you" he says.
"Is Eric expecting trouble?" I ask.
Greg hesitates, "Mr Northman always expects trouble ma'am, and as we are in Felipe's home state, he just wanted to err on the side of caution".
I nod but I wonder what that means and I also wonder if Eric is keeping details from me again. I put the thoughts out of my mind and after I have got changed I decide to explore the hotel. People are falling over themselves to help me and I wonder what Eric has done and said.
After a delicious lunch in the hotel restaurant I am approached by a woman in hotel uniform smiling widely.
"Miss Stackhouse?" she asks and I feel Greg immediately step up at my side.
"Yes" I say returning the smile, I take a quick look into her head and see she has benign intentions, she has been tasked to introduce herself to offer me the services of the hotel spa and I also hear she has arranged for a beautician and hairdresser to help me get ready for my wedding.
"Mr Northman has left instructions with me to offer you the complimentary use of our Spa facilities and to help you get ready for your wedding, is that something you would like to take advantage of?" she asks hopefully.
I nod, I've never been totally pampered, the closest I've ever got was having my hair and make up done when I was commandeered as Halleigh's bridesmaid, and so I am quite excited at the prospect of having a makeover.
As I follow her I hear someone call out to me, I turn and my heart leaps as I see Sam and Jason walking towards me.
"Hey sis" Jason says when he reaches me.
I hug Jason tightly and then turn to Sam, "Hi, thank you both for coming I am so happy you did" I say.
"I wouldn't miss my little sis getting hitched for the world, I have to say I was surprised when I got the call, and it was nice of Eric to pay for my flight, that was real good of him" Jason says, he is clearly impressed by Eric's actions.
I nod but my attention is fixed on Sam who hasn't said anything yet. "Thanks for coming Sam" I say quietly.
Sam just shrugs, "Are you sure you are doing the right thing, you really want to do this?" he asks and I immediately detect something off about his tone of voice, he doesn't approve of my decision.
I stare at him in disbelief, "I love Eric, this is what I want Sam and I really want you to be happy for me, but if you can't then you can turn around and leave right now" I say defiantly.
Sam smiles and relaxes, "I'm sorry cher, of course I'm happy for you, it just all seems kind of sudden," he says.
I smile and touch his arm, "well, technically I have been married to Eric for a while after we did that knife thing, but Eric realised I wanted to be married by human tradition as well as vampire and he arranged everything" I say, this not the entire truth but I am not about to divulge the real reasons why I am doing this.
Sam nods, "You kept it quiet though," he pushes.
I nod, "I know I did" I say, but don't offer any further explanation, because I don't have one.
"Thank you for coming Sam, it means a lot to me, especially considering that you must be really busy clearing up after that bomb last night" I say gratefully.
Jason looks shocked at this and looks from me to Sam and back again, "bomb? What bomb?" he asks.
"Someone threw a petrol bomb through the window of Merlotte's last night" I say dismissively, my attention still focussed on Sam.
Jason's mouth drops open, "Jeez, was anyone hurt?" he asks.
Both Sam and I ignore Jason's question and Sam shakes his head at me, "It's all sorted, the mess was all dealt with last night and so was the window – Eric organised it when he came by and informed me about your wedding," I can't help but notice the slight bitterness of his tone as he says this, but I realise Eric was making sure Sam didn't have any excuses not to come, but I am also under no illusions of how high handed Eric can be.
"Was anyone hurt?" Jason asks again, and we both turn our attention towards him.
"No, I got a bit burnt but I'm fine now, and thankfully it was a slow night" I reply.
Sam also responds to Jason's question, "No, it could have been much worse, but we were lucky," he says.
A slightly awkward silence descends on us and I speak to break it.
"Well, I am going to visit the spa and get pampered, so I look my best for tonight" I say a little too brightly and I fear my crazy Sookie smile is in place.
Jason grins at me, "I'll see you later then sis" he presses a swift kiss to my cheek and then turns to leave, Sam hesitates and looks hard at me.
"Thank you for coming Sam," I say again and Sam just nods before he too walks away leaving me to watch him go. They both look back towards me and promise that they will catch up with me later.
oooOOOooo
I am feeling relaxed and happy, I feel wonderful, I have had the works in the spa, I check out my manicured nails and threaded eyebrows and I have even had a haircut as well as having it styled. My make up took my breath away and I know Eric will be pleased when he sees me as I have never looked so good. As I think about Eric I feel him rising and it makes me look at the clock and am shocked by the time, I have been here all afternoon, I start to worry wondering how much money I have cost Eric with my pampering. I want to see him, I know it's supposed to be bad luck but I need to see him. I thank the beautician and she wishes me luck as I leave. I head up to my room and waiting inside is Pam. Her eyes widen and she stares at me with her mouth hanging open.
"What?" I ask, concerned by her reaction.
"You look...wow," she says, and she walks towards me, taking me in. "Eric is going to be so happy" she adds as she continues to stalk around me.
"He isn't going to be so happy when he gets the bill, I got a bit carried away and now I'm worried I've taken advantage" I say nervously.
Pam throws her head back and laughs, "Oh my god Sookie, its your wedding day, you are entitled to spend money to look your best, trust me when I say Eric can afford it and he will be delighted that you made full use of the facilities, he wanted to do it for you, and you look wonderful, your hair looks fantastic" she says.
I smile at her, "Thank you Pam, are you here to help me get ready?" I ask.
Pam nods, "I am, this is the closest I will ever get to a human wedding and I am intrigued by the process and its superstitions" she says with a grin.
"Didn't you ever want to get married or anything?" I ask.
Pam shakes her head, "No, I was betrothed, my family arranged it, my father saw it as a good business deal to be linked to the family of my intended, we were pushed together at every possible opportunity, he also thought it would bring me into line but I was too wild for him and he was too boring for me," she says.
"But you were...betrothed, what does that mean?" I ask.
"Engaged to be married, yes he asked me to marry him, he even gave me a ring" Pam points to the ring on my finger.
"That was the ring he gave me, I wanted you to have it, when Eric told me he was going to marry you in line with the human tradition of marriage, I immediately gave him the ring to give to you, I wanted it to go to two people who are genuinely in love, as it was wasted on me, and... well, it could be considered a family heirloom and as I have no children to pass it on to, and you are marrying my maker, so you are the closest to family that I have," she stops speaking and I stare at the ring.
"Oh my god Pam, thank you I will treasure it always" I say and before I can stop myself I hug her, I pull away quickly as I feel her stiffen. "Sorry" I add as she growls menacingly.
"Don't do that again," she spits at me.
"I won't" I say sheepishly.
Pam helps me get into my dress, and I push my feet into the shoes, and as Pam is placing the veil on my head there is a knock at the door.
"Are you decent?" is the shout and I giggle as I recognise Jason's voice.
"Come in Jason" I call, and the door opens.
"Wow sis you look...hell you scrub up well!" Jason says his jaw hanging on the ground.
I do a double take, he is wearing a tuxedo and he looks very smart, "So do you" I say.
Jason grins, "Yeah this was waiting for me in my room," he says. He glances at Pam and nods in greeting to her.
I realise Eric must have got it for him and my love for him increases even more. "You look really nice" I say.
"Well I got to look my best to give away my baby sis" he says.
I feel the tears pricking my eye lids, "Thank you Jason" I say.
"Do you have your something old, new, borrowed and blue?" he asks.
I pause and think, "Old, my engagement ring" I glance at Pam gratefully, "new – my dress is new, blue...oh wait I'm wearing...never mind" I say and blush, "I don't have anything borrowed" I say and look at Jason, who pats his pockets and then shrugs apologetically.
"Yes you do," Pam says and she produces an ancient looking box, inside is a pearl necklace, I gasp when I see it.
"Oh Pam, that's beautiful," I say as I stare at it in awe.
She lifts the necklace from the box and fastens it around my neck, "This is mine, it is the only thing I kept from my human days which means something to me, these pearls belonged to my grandmother, she was the only person who truly understood me, as she too had a wild streak, I brought them with me, as I intended to ask you if you wanted to borrow it, as I was aware of your superstition" she says wistfully.
"But you kept your engagement ring as well?" I ask.
Pam smiles, "the only reason I still have that is because I was wearing it the night I met Eric, the necklace I went back for."
I touch the necklace, not quite able to comprehend just how old it is "Thank you, I'll take real good care of it" I say.
Pam nods, "I know you will" she says and then she turns and glances at the clock, "Well if you are ready, Eric is getting impatient" she adds.
I close my eyes and sure enough I feel his impatience through the bond, I send him a wave of love and I feel him receive it and send it back with such force I gasp.
We leave the room and head downstairs to a small room in the hotel, when the door opens I see it has been transformed with flowers everywhere, I look and see Eric waiting for me with Thalia at his side and on the other side stands Sam and Greg. A hotel official beams at me and hands me a small bouquet of flowers and tells me I look beautiful. Pam smiles and then at vampire speed she darts towards Eric and stands beside him.
"Ready?" Jason says as he holds out his arm to me and I nod, I slip my hand through his arm and I make my way towards Eric.
I watch Eric's eyes widen as he watches me approach and I see his fangs extend, I feel the wave of love and lust bombarding me and I grin at him.
"Lover" he whispers as I reach him.
oooOOOooo
The wedding ceremony passes in a blur. Eric pushes a wedding band on to my finger and to my surprise he also produces one for me to give to him. I look into his eyes and the possessive love that burns in them is overwhelming, I glance at Thalia who is standing silently beside Eric and she just glares at me, I turn and see Sam who is giving the exact same look to Eric. I focus on my husband, I feel really married to him, now I really feel like Mrs Northman, and it feels right.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride," the human officiate says, and Eric doesn't need telling twice, as he swoops on me.
"Mine" he whispers, "my wife" he adds and he kisses me fiercely.
As I pull away to catch my breath, I look up at him, "and you are mine," he growls contentedly at my words and leans in once more, but I press my hand against his chest, "we are a team, Mr and Mrs Northman, together as one," I say to him and he growls again before kissing me once more.
"Are you hungry?" Eric asks suddenly as my stomach rumbles loudly, I blush and rub my stomach.
"Maybe a little," I say.
"Then you will have food," Eric says grandly.
We head to a private dining room where there is beautiful catered buffet and a selection of bottled blood on offer, Sam and Jason make straight for the food and Pam grabs two bottles of blood and hands one to Thalia who takes it, but looks at it distastefully, I know she doesn't like bottled blood preferring to feed from donors. This makes me realise that she is making a huge concession and compromising everything she believes in, just by being here and I realise just how loyal she is to Eric to do that. Eric follows me to the food table and watches me take some food.
"Make sure you eat well to keep your strength up, you are going to need it tonight" he says as he nips at my neck.
I shiver, the desire coursing through me. "Have you fed?" I ask.
Eric shakes his head, "Not yet, I'll get some blood in moment," he says nodding towards the bottles.
I grab his arm and shake my head, "No, I want to feed you tonight. Can you wait until we are alone? I want to be the one who gives you everything you need tonight" I say.
Eric's eyes blaze and he nods, "Thank you, that means more to me than you will ever know" he says and he caresses my cheek with his finger, it goes downwards and then he touches the pearls and recognition registers on his face.
"These are Pam's" he says.
I nod, "yes she lent them to me, they are my 'something borrowed', I told her I would take good care of them" I explain.
Eric looks at me in confusion, so I quickly explain.
"It's a human tradition, when a girl marries she has to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on her as she does so, as its meant to be good luck".
Eric smiles and nods understanding what I am saying, "What are your talismans?" he asks, genuinely interested.
"Old, my engagement ring – again courtesy of Pam, she told me of its history and I will always treasure it, new, my beautiful dress- thank you, something borrowed, the pearls Pam lent me, and blue...well," I pause and blush and I see Eric immediately step closer, very interested.
"Tell me lover, are you wearing the blue lacy underwear I bought you?" he says his hands running restlessly over my dress.
I nod and he growls again and presses himself against me and I feel his arousal.
"Sookie," I turn and see Sam, Eric stiffens and wraps his arm possessively around me, and I wonder what was said when Eric went to see Sam to cause such hostility between the two.
"Sam, thank you for coming" I say sincerely.
"You are more than welcome, I came for you, because you are my friend, I can see you love him and I just hope he appreciates what he has," he says giving Eric a meaningful look.
"I am fully aware shifter" Eric says coldly.
I squeeze Eric's cold hand "Sam, I'm going to be fine, Eric loves me and we are a team" I say proudly.
Sam smiles at me, "I hope so cher" he says, he glances at Eric and then kisses my cheek, "be happy Sookie" he says, he nods at Eric who returns the nod and then he moves away.
Next to approach is Jason who is beaming widely, he pulls me into a hug and tells me how beautiful I look then I watch as he thrusts his hand out towards Eric, I cringe at the gesture but Eric to his credit accepts the outstretched hand and shakes it firmly.
"Welcome to the family" Jason says.
I cringe again, but Eric takes Jason's clumsiness in his stride and is polite to him even though I can tell he is very irritated by my brother.
After Jason moves away I look up at Eric, "Thank you for not making Jason look like an idiot" I say.
"He is your family," Eric says simply as if that should answer everything. The next person to approach us is Thalia and I grip Eric's hand, as I am scared.
She ignores me and turns her attention to Eric, "You have your reasons for the decisions you make Viking, I hope you do not regret this one" she says.
As I think she isn't going to bother saying anything to me, she turns, her cold dead eyes boring into me, "Betray or dishonour him and I will drain you" she says, and I know that wasn't an idle threat, she meant every word.
"I have no intention of betraying or dishonouring him" I say trying to keep the tremor out of my voice.
Thalia nods at Eric and walks away. "She really doesn't like me" I say.
Eric squeezes my hand but doesn't say anything.
I eat some more food and I can tell Eric is anxious to commence our wedding night, the scorching looks he keeps giving me and the overwhelming lust and love I am being bombarded with through the bond gives me all the indication I need.
"Are you ready?" I ask him and I pull his hand gently.
Eric's fangs descend and he nods.
"Wait" I say and I carefully unclip the pearls. "I don't want to lose them or get them damaged, let me return them to Pam" I say.
Eric nods and watches me as I cross the room with the pearls in my hand. "Pam" I say and she turns towards me, I hold out the pearl necklace towards her.
"Thank you so much for letting me borrow them, I thought I'd give them back now as Eric and I are going up to our room and I didn't want anything to happen to them" I say and then blush.
Pam smiles, "I will close the bond I don't wish to know what my maker is doing tonight" she says.
I stare at her, "You know when we are...?" I stop and blush even redder.
Pam laughs, "I always know, but I close the bond as I don't wish to know" she says.
I stare at her at a loss to know what to say to that and she laughs again, "Go and be with your husband, I could give you some tips on what Eric likes but I don't think you will need them" she teases.
"Oh god, Pam!" I exclaim, and she laughs even harder.
When I reach Eric he looks at me questioningly, "What was all that about?" he asks.
"Pam just told me she knows when we...you know," I say.
Eric laughs, "She is my child, we too have a blood bond" he says as if it is the most normal thing in the world that someone knows instinctively when you are being intimate with someone.
We move towards the room I slept in last night, I open the door and stop dead in shock at the figure waiting inside, Eric is immediately in front of me, protecting me, he is hissing and ready to strike.
"Step aside vampire," the familiar voice says.
"Niall, how?" I ask.
"You are my kin and word reached me that you got married, so I wanted to see you" he says, I don't fail to note the disapproval in his voice, is he pissed because I didn't invite him or because I married Eric?
I stare at him, I am still feeling more than a little resentful towards him, "Did you know Colman came to kill me?" I ask.
To my surprise Niall nods, "Why do you think I sent Claude to live with you and protect you?" he says dismissively.
"If you had just stayed away in the first place that wouldn't have been necessary, Colman, Claudine and her baby would still be alive and there wouldn't have been the unrest in the Faery" I say sharply.
"You are not happy to see me?" Niall says and he looks genuinely surprised by my outburst.
"I don't trust you, I have no idea what your motives are" I say bluntly.
Niall looks sad, "I just wished to get to know my kin" he says.
"What about Dermot, he's your son and you never bothered with him, you even went as far as cursing him?" I retort.
Niall's eyes flash with anger at my accusation, "Dermot was cursed but not by me, he was cursed by Breandon" he says. "I knew the only way for him to be cured was to be kissed by you, it was a curse to lure you to us so Breandon could kill you and if Dermot failed to kill you while cursed, Breandon would have known how to reach you".
"Why did you want to know me?" I ask.
"You are my kin" he says simply.
"Eric is my kin now too, I have married him by human and vampire tradition, so, do you want to be related to him as well?" I ask.
I see the distain cross his face and he remains silent.
I snort derisively, "I thought not, yet you weren't beneath using Eric to get to me in the first place" I say.
The silence spreads out between us, I look at my great grandfather, "if you want to do something honourable, there are a number of Fae who got left behind when you closed all the portals, they want to return to your world but they can't so they have all gathered together at Hooligans, if you want to do something good go there and take them with you when you return to your world and don't bother coming back," I say.
Niall nods, "I won't bother you any further" he says, he turns to Eric, "You will protect and honour my great granddaughter?" he asks.
Eric nods, "I will" he says.
Niall nods back and then with a small pop he is gone.
I turn to Eric "What the hell was that all about?" I ask.
Eric shrugs, "He was letting us know he knew and he was watching, I don't trust that old fairy, he is definitely up to something" he says.
I shake my head, "I don't want to think about him tonight" I say and I press my hand against Eric's chest. This focuses his attention back on me and he leads me towards the bed.
"Eric before we… I want to feed you," I say.
He nods, "I know, and I am hungry so come here," he says and in a moment he is completely naked I stare at him in appreciation, he slowly unfastens the dress and hisses when he sees my underwear, he pulls me on to the bed and settles me in between his legs. I push my hair out of the way and tilt my neck giving him free access, I shiver as he licks and sucks at my neck, I close my eyes as his fangs pierce my skin and he starts to drink, he has made the moment pleasurable and sensual, his hands start wandering over me and he makes a noise of appreciation as he drinks, he is enjoying himself. Abruptly he stops and licks the wounds healing them, and then he bites his wrist and offers it to me.
"Drink, my wife and make our blood bond stronger" he says.
I latch on to his wrist and drink his blood, he moans and I feel him getting more and more aroused. I pull away and look up at him.
"Enough?" he asks, I nod and in an instant I am beneath him, he is kissing me and loving me, "This is best" he murmurs and then before I know it he is pushing into me and we lose ourselves in each other. When Eric eventually comes to a climax, he calls out in an ancient language as he throws his head back in ecstasy.
"My wife" he says and he pulls me into his arms and holds me tightly.
"I love you Eric" I whisper to him.
I feel him smile, and in response he starts again with round two.
oooOOOooo
It is nearly dawn when Eric is finally satisfied and I am exhausted and bruised. Eric bites his finger and rubs blood around my swollen sore tissue, I moan as I am so sore but I feel myself healing with his loving touch.
"Better?" he asks.
I nod, "Yes thank you" I say. I look at the clock, "Dawn is coming" I say and Eric nods.
"I'm so tired I guess I will sleep the day away!" I say.
Eric grins, and I realise that was probably his plan, he wants to rise with me, I watch him leave the bed and set in place the security measures which will keep him safe in his day death. I watch as heavy shutters slam down and thick bolts are shot into place. I swallow hard and my unease must be passing to him through the bond as he pauses and turns to look at me.
"Does this concern you?" he asks.
I shake my head, "No, you need to be safe and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to be seeing much of the day I'm so tired" I say.
Eric returns to me "Besides I want to wake up with my husband" I say and Eric slides into the bed beside me, I snuggle into his side and we both slowly drift off, me into sleep and Eric into day death.
