"Eric…" I can't finish whatever I want to say, as I don't have words for what he's doing. The look I give him seems to convey it though, and he strokes the bond as he pulls me against him for a kiss, before turning my attention back to what to buy. Since Lafayette will most definitely jump at this opportunity, I go through some of the aisles a second time, picking up things that to further stock the kitchen he's going to be working in. "Do you have dishes, like pots and pans?" I ask, and he gives me a long look before his face hardens and he frowns slightly. I laugh a little, patting his arm. "It's okay, I can't expect you to remember every little thing. They sell cookware here as well, so we'll get the groceries then come back in for that stuff."
He nods, and when all of the food is collected, he brings me another empty cart before taking the full food cart and leaving me with the empty one in the cookware aisle. Turning the corner, he goes to check out and get the food in the car, while I start to browse the sets and displays of dishes. Picking carefully, I know that Eric won't be happy if I get cheap stuff, so I swallow my pride and pick out the top things they have. I'm at the end of the aisle, looking at a special display, when I reach to pick up a cast iron pot from the bottom shelf. Hissing, I drop the heavy metal pan as it burns my hand, and I berate myself as I remember what Godric had said. Eric appears a second later, grabbing my hand gently and inspecting the burn mark before I tell him about the iron. "Can you grab these since Lafayette will be the one using them, and I'll go clean this off in the bathroom? I'll meet you at checkout."
Indicating a few different sized pans to him, I walk away as he arranges them amongst the boxes and other items in the cart, and find a bathroom nearby in the corner of the store. Doing my best not to wince, I clean the mottled skin, wrapping it in a twist of paper towels before going and finding Eric at check out. The latest purchase is stowed in the Escalade before I can get half way there, and he's already put the cart away when he opens the car door for me. I step up in, using my uninjured hand to hold Eric's hand and steady myself. He's in the driver seat an instant later, my door closed, and we are soon on the road. I can feel it as he keeps looking at my hands held together in my lap as he's sort of holding the bond in his mental hands, keeping a constant tab on me as he makes sure to feel any pain that I do. There's a slight bump when he turns onto a paved driveway leading up into a series of hills, and it jostles me in my seat, making me cringe as my hand clenches on reflex.
His growl surprises me, and I look at him, but he already feels sorry in the bond and I realize that he's been berating himself. "I blame myself for not being there to stop it from happening." He finally admits as we pull up to a large brick house, and I don't have a chance to comment as we've pulled into the attached garage and he gets out. Opening the back doors first, he's then at my side, and I jump into his arms surprising him as he opens my door. Locking my legs around his waist, I hold my arms awkwardly around his neck and kiss him as he gets his bearings and puts his arms around my back to hold me. A new growl comes from him, this one different, more soft and alluring than angry.
"Never blame yourself. It's not your fault that I'm a trouble magnet." He thinks over what I say, sighing finally before he gives me another kiss and sets me down at the same time.
"It is illogical for me to blame myself, I know that, but I still do so when you are hurt. Try to avoid stubbing your toe."
I roll my eyes as his teasing yet serious tone, and he opens the door into the house to let me into a very modern looking kitchen. "Go look around, and I'll get these things. Don't go upstairs." He's walking away before I can protest. There are dark oak cabinets with light grey marble countertops and surprisingly, sky lights above the island in the center of the large square space. The appliances are all chrome, shining as they look to have never been used, which is probably true. I look through the house, at least poking my head in each room as Eric brings things in to the dining room table and kitchen island. It's all decorated with generic themes, the things there but not the heart as none of it really seems to fit Eric which leads me to conclude that he had a decorator pick everything out. I find the tall double doors in the living room that have a wide staircase going up, and while I look up to see the plain white doors at the top, I don't go just as he asked.
When I get back to the kitchen, I see that he's already put all of the pots and pans away and is now staring at a jar of coffee. Looking around, I start directing him on where to put things, and he is happy to oblige as he puts things away faster than I direct him. Disposing of the plastic bags and a few boxes in the garage, he returns, and takes me against his chest suddenly we're sprawled across the couch in the living room. "So I didn't find your coffin when I was looking around." I say just as he starts to kiss my neck, and he ends up leaning back laughing.
"My resting place is hidden, of course, and I assure you there is no coffin." He chuckles, and I reach up without thought, wincing as my injured hand touches his shoulder. It's in his grip a second later, and then he's biting into the palm of the hand not holding mine with his fangs down before offering me the cleanly broken skin. "I do not like it when you are injured." His voice is calm, but I can feel how hard it is for him to say it, and my feelings for him swell up as I hold his wrist in my uninjured hand.
Drinking from him only lasts a few seconds as he quickly heals and his other digits play with my hair as I stare down at my hand in his. The burn seems to just fade away several seconds later, and it looks like nothing ever happened. "Just your resting place?" I ask, going back to what he said before, and he grins.
Shaking his head, he holds me completely in his lap, and I get a terribly mean idea as I sit up to straddle him. "Ours." He says with a wide grin, his face turning serious as my hand rubs down his chest, going slowly towards his pants. Pushing my chest almost against his, I lean in to kiss his neck, and he puts his hands on my hips. His loud sudden growl is unarguably sexy as my fingers hit his belt, and I'm tempted to take it further for just a second but I stick to my plan and quickly divert my hand to his pocket as I pull out his cell phone.
"I'm going to call Lafayette now." I say, purposely looking too innocent as I pull back slightly, and he stares at me as I dial the number. I act unknowing to what Eric is feeling, but I am aware of the lust that I have stirred up in him through the bond, and he's also in slight disbelief that I would tease him so brazenly. Not that it didn't excite him, since he finds he likes it when I tease him, which is something he doesn't seem to enjoy very much when it's coming from anyone else. Now there's an idea, and I listen to the phone ring as I absent mindedly start running my fingers over one of his biceps.
"Hey, whatever you thinks I did, I didn't do." Lafayette answers, and I chuckle slightly.
"It's me, and it's not what you did, it's what I did. I've got a job for you. Private chef, you can move out of that broken down trailer and into a nice guest house, and you'll be getting a bunch of benefits. It's in Shreveport, are you interested?"
"Hell yeah, where do I go to get started?" I hand the phone to Eric, and he starts going over details as I take my hand and play across his chest with it. Turning sideways, I put my back to the back of the couch and sit sideways across his lap, my legs hanging over the floor for a second before I bounce to stand up. Moving around the room, I can feel Eric's eyes on me as it seems that I'm inspecting the décor, starting out innocently enough as I look at the paintings on the walls. When I walk further down, there's an antique wooden chest sitting in the corner next a pile of boxes from my house, and I bend over as I appear to look at the carved pattern in the wooden cehst. Wiggling my rear in the air for a long moment, I then straighten and move on, starting to go around the room slowly and carefully as Eric continues the call. He's talking in monotone as his eyes don't leave me, and I get a thrill as I feel his lust and desire ramping up in the bond.
I take special care not to look at him, acting as though he's not there as I've moved more than half way around the room, and he finally seems to be concluding the call. Stepping out of his line of sight because of the way he's sitting on the couch, it's only a second later when I'm suddenly pinned to a bare space of wall.
My legs go to either side of his hips as I hold myself up against him, meeting his lips to mine as he growls, his fang cutting my lip slightly when I use more force than I should. He licks the small cut, and there's a stormy look in his eyes as his eyes burn into mine. "You are very tempting. One might say it was on purpose."
"Little old me? Heavens no. I'm just a silly little girl clueless and playing with big bad vampires." I say, the line having occurred to me during some down time in one of the recent days, and I bite gently on his neck in several places as I kiss his skin and run my hands through his hair.
"You are a tease, little wanton fae." He breathes in my ear, and I chuckle against him, making him groan when I suddenly rub down against the bulge in his pants a moment later.
"You are very tempting, big bad vampire. When I'm with you, I don't feel like I need to withhold myself or strain to have the proper ladylike mannerisms that I should."
"Good." He says, pushing my head against the wall to clamp down on my neck with blunt teeth before kissing and sucking the same spot repeatedly. "I don't want you to ever put on an act or hold yourself back from me, you aren't aloud, you are mine."
"You'll have to keep me forever." I whisper, and his fangs drop, the edges scraping my skin when he speaks a little too close.
"Another good thing, because I wasn't planning on ever letting you go." He bites, his incisors sliding deep, the blood pooling into his mouth several times as I can't help but to moan, arching my back and chest against him from the wall.
"You make me feel undone… and I like it. I don't ever want to be away from you." Pulling his hair slightly harder than I should elicits a deep growl, and I chuckle as he licks the marks on my neck to stop bleeding. "Playing with you makes me feel powerful, like I'm playing with a dangerous wild animal." I confide to him, and he grins, leaning back as he bares his fang to me.
"You are doing just that, lover, but this beast has already been tamed by you. You're the only one who can play without getting hurt… in a bad way." He says, going quiet as I run a finger down the side of his fang, staring at it transfixed until I run my finger over the tip gently. I'm surprised when a line of red wells up across my skin, and my finger falls into the valley between the razor sharp fangs as he sucks the bleeding digit into his mouth. Cleaning it with his tongue, I don't miss when his tongue swipes his own fang, and my finger emerges healed. "Be careful of those, they cut quite well." His tone is light, and I chuckle, kissing him on his fangs causing him to give me a fierce look while he seems to shiver. "Any other person would already be eviscerated for having the audacity to do a fraction of the things you've done." He informs me, and the words aren't threatening in the least as I run a hand down his chest to pull up the edge of his shirt. Feeling my way up his skin, muscles twitching and tensing as I pass over them, I get to almost the base of his throat before running my nails sharply down the left side.
His growl his sharp, and he grabs my hand, pinning it above my head as he locks his mouth against my neck again. "Bold little vixen." He rumbles, and I shiver at the feel of his chest vibrating against me.
"Only for you." I breathe, and he seems to sense that I am done playing. "I'm yours." Whispering, I start kissing the side of his head as he bites down again, and I whimper a pleased sound into his ear when he pulls hard for a second. "Show me I'm yours?" My request seems to strike a chord, and he presses me against the wall with his frame as his hands seem to suddenly be everywhere at once, pulling, twisting and teasing every bit of sensitive skin he can reach.
I gasp, clutching his shoulders and moaning as he continues to tease my body while he drinks from my neck, as though his feeding weren't enjoyable enough for me. "You are mine, fae." He intones, healing the marks, his voice sounding as though it's a threat to some unseen force. I sigh in contentment and pleasure as he kisses up my jaw, his hips flexing into me and making me shudder as I notice a gleam in his eyes.
"You'll just have to prove it in the long run." He doesn't protest, and gives me his undivided attention as he shows me how to get into the hidden underground level of the house and carries me down the stairs through another light tight door into his liar.
"Hmm… no coffin. I suppose you weren't lying then." I chuckle, and he smiles in amusement before kissing me to distraction for a second. In the center of the far wall is the biggest bed I've ever seen, having to have been custom made I conclude, and he's suddenly pressing me into the mattress as he takes my breath away.
When I rise the next day, I stretch against the still Viking next to me, and find that I'm not even sore. "You're a miracle." I whisper, kissing his lips, chin, neck, shoulder and finally I plant a kiss over where his heart should be before I go and take a long steaming shower. Clothes have already been put into one of the dressers and half the closet for me, which I'm sure Pam took care of, and I double check the sleeping space is locked tight once I get upstairs. The previous night won't stop replaying in my head as I make a quick breakfast despite it being past lunch time, and then I go to work sorting through the boxes of my things. A lot of it ends up in Eric's attic space, while random knickknacks and photos end up around the house added to shelves and tables. I had the furniture left there on purpose, since I knew Arlene would appreciate new things, or at least things that were new to her.
Getting the book that Niall gave me in Dallas and skim through it for a couple of hours before setting it down and I start looking into the house more. I make small changes, such as finding curtains in a closet that I like better for the living room, and pulling out a few brand new rugs that were rolled up in the attic. Going through a set of French glass doors in the back of the kitchen, I find a pool outside that Eric hadn't even mentioned as well as a pool house, guest house and storage shed. The three car garage and main house hid everything behind it when we pulled in the night before.
I'm about to take a box of the clothes downstairs, the few I kept after I purged my closet and dresser of the things I didn't want anymore, when I feel a mind coming up the driveway. With the money I would be receiving from Dallas, I had planned to buy a new wardrobe, but that didn't seem to be needed now as Eric had provided plenty of clothes for me. Stashing the box by the bed, I give him another kiss before I seal the room back up and go open the front door just as Lafayette is coming up the porch steps. "What you's doin' here?" He asks, dressed as flamboyant as usual with a load of boxes and bags in the back of his old car.
"Surprise!" I tell him, giving him a hug and leading him inside to the kitchen. "You're working for me."
"And how is it that miss former waitress can afford all these shiny things?" He asks, looking at the appliances.
"I bonded to Eric." I say, holding up my hand with the ring on it, and he grabs my hand in disbelief.
"You is shittin' me." He mumbles, whistling as he looks at the gold and stones. "Sure 'bout this?" He asks, and I grin.
"I can feel his emotions, so yeah, I'm sure."
"Damn. You in deep. Wait…" He looks around again, seeming to understand something. "This is his house?"
"Yeah, he's asleep in our bedroom." His expression is dumbfounded and almost fearful for a second.
"Holy shit… you really are in deep. How'd you manage this in less than a week? You just left to go away on your 'business trip' six days ago."
"Once I got alone with Eric, I realized that he was what I wanted. I'm tired of holding myself to some imaginary standard, and when I decided about Eric, I took what I wanted."
"Good on you girl, growin' some balls for yourself."
After talking for a while, we work together to take his stuff to the guest house, and I'm relieved to see that it's already furnished. "You can leave it like this or change it however you want."
"I might keep this fancy get up for a little while." His grin makes me laugh, and we're back in my kitchen soon as he is looking in the fridge and I remember something. Leaving him to explore, I run up to the attic and pull out the worn book from the box labeled 'Kitchen Stuff'. It was mostly towels, aprons and other baubles as I'd left my pots and pans for Arlene to make use of. We'd had lunch one day while the kids were in school, and I'd seen the poor state her dishes and kitchen wares were in, so I'd been debating whether or not to leave my things behind. Buying all new things with Eric had been a good compromise, and I was sure Arlene would be glad when she seen the dishes added to her supply. Eric had told me that he was going to have a dish washer installed, and I could just imagine what her reaction would be when she found that out.
Returning to the kitchen, I set the worn book on the table, and he eyes it as he gives me an unsure look. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yup. This is Gran's book, the one she wrote the family recipes in. You can use it if you want, just please be careful not to hurt it."
"Girl, this is gonna be my kitchen bible." He laughs, picking it up carefully and fingering through the pages. "Oh honey her pecan pie is in here. We're gonna end up fatter than Mrs. Fortenberry." We both bust out laughing at the mention of the vile woman, and I feel Eric come to life in the bond as he feels for me immediately. I do my best to ignore his enticing strokes on my emotions, and Lafayette starts putting together a shopping list on a pad of paper he found in a drawer. "What's with you?" He asks, noticing my faraway look as he's checking the cupboards.
"Eric's awake."
"Damn, and it's 'bout another hour and a half before sunset. You got you one strong vampire, make sure to talk me up real nice. He said that the medical I'm gonna get will cover the care for my crazy ass momma, and I don't have no reason to sell shit now. Thing's like that's why I don't mind workin' for him sometimes."
"It probably helps that he knows I appreciate him trusting you with this. With the bond, he can feel everything I do, and he will react to my emotions. So usually when I'm happy, he's happy." I chuckle, and he grins.
"Shit, we both be happy if things keep goin' like this." He looks me in the eye for a second, in a rare serious moment. "Seriously, thank you. You need something that I can help you with, you just ask, I got you."
"Thank Laf."
"Oh and if Mr. Viking Badass can hear me, you best watch out for Sam. He thinks you's got Sooks completely brain washed." He calls out, and I chuckle, despite hearing what he said.
I'd sort of expected this, since there had still been a sense of doubt in his thoughts when I last seen him, and I just hope that if I avoid him long enough it won't be a problem. A loud whirring sound interrupts my thoughts and I watch as metal blinds built into all of the windows seem to seal out every little ray of light, bringing a darkness to the room as the skylights had previously been plenty. Lafayette doesn't move as I go to the light switch, and he jumps when Eric is suddenly holding me from behind and kissing my neck at the same time that the lights turn on.
"You is a scary motherfucker." He says, waving a finger towards Eric with a flourish.
Eric chuckles against my neck before standing straight and looking at Lafayette over my head as he holds me back against his chest. I relax against him, and he purrs silently behind me.
"Although she don't look scared at all." His comment comes with a grin, and he turns away to look through some drawers as Eric glares at him.
"Don't worry sweetie, you're very intimidating." He gives me a kiss, ignoring the slightly mocking tone of my voice.
Thinking for a second, he raises an eyebrow as he feels my resolve forming. "I need to show you something." I whisper, and look pointedly at Lafayette. Silently asking for him to forgive me, I grab onto his mind, and let my voice resonate as I command him. "Start making fried chicken and the fixin's for dinner." Looking up at Eric, I watch him as he watches Lafayette, feeling oddly proud as he sees that my friend can't control what he's doing. I release his mind, and he doesn't stop, getting things out as he starts singing a song in his head to himself like he did when he worked in the kitchen at Merlotte's. "That guy last night thought I was too drunk to fight him, and wanted to force me to have sex with him. So I thought it would be better to just let him give himself over to you." I can't fight the smile, and he looks at me with a hint of outrage as he grins wickedly.
"I'm going to have to get you back for that." The kiss he gives me is searing, and he holds me up as he makes me weak in the knees.
"You two so sweet I'm gon' throw up." Layette mutters, placing a pan on the stove as he turns the burner on.
"So what's upstairs?" I ask, and he grins widely as I just remembered that I haven't seen that yet.
Taking me to the living room, his demeanor softens as he looks at me lovingly. "I've never used it, and I must confess that I only just bought this house a month ago. The upstairs is a green house, and a large siting balcony. Why don't you go take a look, since I can't until the sun sets."
Going up, the door swings open freely, and I close it quickly behind as the sunlight blinds me for a second. The glass room is lined with several rows of tables, and stacked beneath several is more pots than I would have expected, as well as bags of soil and a box of what looks like seeds. A far door leads out onto a patio with a small glass table and a couple of chairs. The patio looks over the back yard, and I notice a hose conveniently located by the door of the greenhouse. When I return to the living room, Eric appears out of nowhere as he embraces me, and I grin as I give him a kiss. "I love it. It's perfect."
"I am glad." He runs his hand down my hair, and I ask him to wait on the couch before I go and get the book that Niall gave me.
Handing it to him, he looks perplexed as he tries to read the text. "This is gibberish." He says, and I'm surprised.
"What are you talking about?" I look over his hands as he holds it. "It's perfect English."
"It must be enchanted, or only available for a fae to understand." He says, handing it back, and I flip to a certain page.
"Well I wanted to try something, and I wanted you to just… spot me? I don't know, just catch me if I fall or anything?"
"What are you trying to do?" He asks, slightly worried, and I send him reassurance.
"Nothing big, just a minor thing my light should be able to do if I'm correct. Just keep an eye on me while I try this.
He stands over me, watching as I sit down on the couch, lying the book on the table in front of me before I glance over the page to refresh my memory.
According to the page, our light is able to change us physically if we wish it, some fae taking on the attributes of wolves, lions and other animals. It's not just limited to animal features, and I do my best to grasp at my light and direct it into my jaw as I command the power to change particular teeth. The image of Eric's fangs come to mind, the flawless fit to his mouth when they are down, and my hand comes to my face as I hold my jaw. It's not painful, but incredibly uncomfortable as I sort of feel them growing and changing, and I hear Eric growling from in front of me. His emotions are partially blocked from mine, but he is not happy with what he's feeling from me, and I instinctively relax as I feel him taking me into his arms.
The intense discomfort fades away in a matter of seconds, and I somehow know how to do so as I click my fangs up and down. They are silent, and I feel them over with my tongue as I open my eyes and look up at his throat.
Stretching up, I start kissing across his throat, and his growl softens as his grip on me tightens. "What just happened?" He demands gently, and I chuckle, sitting facing him in his lap as I wrap my arms around his chest and bite down forcefully on his neck.
He hisses, his arms clenching tightly around me as my fangs easily slide in. The sensation is like nothing I've ever felt before, unexplainably pleasurable before I pull them free and suck gently on the holes I've made in his flesh. "Fae can do this thing with their light where they can grow things like wolf ears and tails, and change their body into different forms. So I grew fangs, just like yours." I murmur slowly, licking at the wound on his neck as it slowly heals, his blood seeming to buzz around inside me as I take it in.
"You are incredible." He moans, having enjoyed getting bitten, and I grin as I stretch up and kiss him. His fangs clash with mine, and he suddenly pulls back as he gently grips my chin in one hand. His thumb feels my fangs as he opens my mouth and looks at them. "Absolutely incredible."
My eyes widen as a pleased sounding growl comes from my throat, and he purrs as well, giving me a kiss.
His phone rings, making him seethe for a second, and he pulls away reluctantly as he flips it out. I haven't heard this ringtone before, and he scowls as he goes to answer. "Please do not speak." He says, hitting the answer button.
"Northman." A shrill woman's voice comes through the speaker phone.
"Yes, your majesty?" His voice is perfectly even.
"I had to rescue Compton from that demented maker of his, and when he returned to his residence this night, he found that his human was missing. According to her employer, she quit her job and then was spirited away by you to Texas. What do you have to say?"
"My apologies my queen, but I have only been in the company of my bonded. I do not know of any human that belongs to Compton being in my presence at any recent point."
"Bonded? When did you announce that?" She demands, sounding intrigued at the same time.
"I have yet to do so, as it only just happened in the last few days. The paperwork was already sent to the authority, through my own contacts, as my bonded is not fully human and is not subject to your rule."
"What the hell are you talking about?" It sounds like there is a crash in the background.
"If you have any questions my queen, I have been advised to tell you to contact the authority for an explanation." He hangs up the phone, and gives me a sly grin.
"I'll bet you a million dollars that she's going ballistic right now." I say without thought, and he arches an eyebrow.
"I'll have to write you a check."
"I will burn it, right in front of you." I threaten, and he laughs, his eyes repeatedly falling to my mouth as he strives to catch glimpses of my fangs. "Although I will take the one for my money in Dallas, since I earned that."
"We will go to Fangtasia after you eat." He says, and I stand from his lap as he follows me to the kitchen.
"Almost ready." Lafayette says, and we sit at the bar while he pulls out plates and glasses.
The chicken is exactly like Gran used to fix, and the mashed potatoes with gravy, corn and carrots are all perfectly cooked. Eric plays with my hair, silent as Lafayette slowly relaxes in his presence. His eyes flick to the vampire occasionally, but he no longer seems hyper aware of his every move.
"Sookie likes you." Eric says suddenly when there is a lull in our conversation. "I find you tolerable, and as long as you do not slight my bonded, your time with us will be enjoyable." He disappears for a second, before reappearing and handing Lafayette a garage door opener, a cell phone and a set of keys. "Use the spot on the end. These keys open that door and the front door, as well as those French doors. All doors are to be locked if we are not home, even if you are inside, as the security system will know if someone forces entry and I will receive a text message. The phone has unlimited use on all of North and South America."
Lafayette pockets the things he's been given, and starts gathering our empty plates to rinse and put in the dish washer.
"I would also ask that you use more appropriate attire when I tell you we are having company. Can you make party things if I tell you how many humans are in attendance?"
"Yeah, I done some catering before." The dish washer comes silently to life as he answers a few more questions for Eric, who looks to me when he is done.
"If you would like to do anything before we go, I would like to take you somewhere before Fangtasia." He stays put as I run down to our bedroom, changing my clothes and using the bathroom mirror to get my hair into submission with an elastic tie.
When I return to the kitchen, Lafayette is gone and I look at Eric questioningly. "He informed me that he did not have much of the way of, 'rich boy clothes', as he put it. I gave him gas money and sent him to a tailor to get measured and fitted into a set of suits on my tab. The debit card for his allowance should be on my desk by now, so he shall stop there when he is done to get it and I expect he will go waste a fair amount of money before he returns home."
"Wow, you know him pretty well already."
"Yes, and I already informed him of you being fae. He agreed to it and let me glamour him so that he can't accidentally mention it, so you are saved that odd conversation. He is accepting, and did not seem to care." I stare up at him for a second, unsure of how to respond to that before I decide to take it in the way I'm sure he intended.
"Thank you. Where are we going?" I ask, and he just grins, picking me up bridal style as we go out the front door and he locks it behind us.
When we take off, he goes faster than I like, and I hide my face in his chest until we soon stop. "A car lot? Really?" I ask, giving him an exasperated look as he walks me to a sleek sports car.
"I think you'll like it." It's in a sparkly black color, and I know that as soon as Jason sees it he will be drooling.
He's encouraging as we drive back to Fangtasia, giving me helpful advice as I get used to driving the powerful engine. I'm just starting to enjoy it when we pull into the parking lot. The fangbangers are on the edge of the heels, shocked to see Eric getting out of the passenger seat of the car and then pulling open my door to take my hand as I stand up from the driver seat. Locking the doors, I pocket the keys and we head to the doors.
Pam follows us up to the throne, putting another random vampire in place of guarding the door while she's gone. "What's the news?" She asks with a twisted smile.
"I believe the queen may show up tonight, and if so, I will give you the signal the get the humans out as I announce to the area vampires my bonding. I want to do so tonight anyway, so call the loyal vampires to all be here and waiting within the hour until I decide to proceed with the announcement."
She nods, not commenting as she goes back to the door, continuing to admit and deny people slowly. Eric sets with me on his lap for a while and I lean against his chest as I see Godric enter a short time later. He's quickly filled in, before he goes to sit at a table, and I join him after giving Eric a strong kiss. Thalia brings me a drink without me asking, and I thank her as I pull my book from my pocket and let it get bigger as I start reading through it, occasionally taking a drink or looking at Eric. Vampires start coming in the main door, and some of the humans start to wonder if something is going on as they notice the unusually high number of vampires present. I find one particularly interesting piece of information, and take several minutes to memorize it before skipping a few pages to pick up other tidbits.
A short time later there seems to be a commotion as a woman in a red gown enters, walking straight up to the stage as Eric seems to send an emotion to Pam. "Your majesty. You are just in time. Is everything ready Pamela?" Eric asks, and the blond vampire nods, humans being told to leave as the vampires arrange themselves in a rough room wide circle around the stage.
"Northman? What is going on here?" She demands, looking at the bar as bottles of blood are being handed out freely.
"I am announcing my bonding tonight." His words are clear in the room, now that the music has been stopped and the chattering humans have left. I'm one of few left as the queen looks over to me for the first time. She glances at Godric as well, but doesn't seem to recognize him as she doesn't react and seemingly writes him off in her head.
I stand, intending to go be next to Eric, and I'm suddenly being blocked by Godric who has twisted his arm around to hold me behind him. Looking around, it seems that she sent a guard of hers to grab me as Godric has his other hand against the vampire's chest, stopping him.
"You will not touch this one." His voice is different from what I'm used to. Godric's demeanor is also different, a dark look on his face as his tone conveys nothing but authority and age, and I feel that if I didn't know him I would be afraid.
"Who are you?" Sophie Anne asks, and Eric speaks up.
"My maker is a resident of my area. The paperwork was filed with your office when we returned from Dallas."
"Godric?" She says, looking back at him from Eric with a new look in her eyes. "So you approve of your child bonding to that human?"
"She is not human, as we already said. If you contacted the authority as you were told to do, then you were given the information you are privileged to have." Godric's voice is deeper than I remember, carrying a weight as he speaks down to her. His hand finds my shoulder, pulling me up next to his side, and he keeps me between him and the wall as he guides me up to the stage. We both stand beside Eric, who stares the queen down as he acts as though she hadn't just tried to send her guard after me. I'm between the two vampires, both of them older than the queen, and she looks unhappy when I put my arm around Eric's back to lean into his side slightly. His arm falls over my shoulders, almost brushing his makers arm on my other side, and I see that many of the vampires Pam summoned are looking me over with interest. I move my hand, placing it on Godric's shoulder in a friendly gesture, and I'm relieved when he doesn't seem to mind. A murmur passes through the vampires who are now stunned, blatantly wondering who I am, and I look up at Eric as he feels my intent.
At his nod, I open my mouth, and speak the command. Godric blinks a few times, looking around the room as everything is frozen. "This lasts sixty seconds. My book says that if I reveal myself as Sookie Brigant to the supernatural world, I can claim you as mine since you are my bonded, and it would make you immune to her rule as well as Pam and Godric by extension."
"Are you sure?" Godric asks, cutting Eric off as he tries to say something, and I nod looking at him.
"For sure, but do you mind me announcing myself like that?" I ask Eric, and he gives me a smile.
"I'm sure that you will do what you believe is the right thing to achieve your own goals. I will follow along, whatever your choice is."
"It would seem he's getting smarter." Godric comments, and I laugh, giving Eric an appreciative kiss as I turn back the way I was before releasing the magic necessary. I'm certain that Eric is already planning for every eventuality anyway.
"Would you like to start?" I ask him, ignoring the look of the queen when I speak and he nods, looking to address the vampires summoned to be here.
"You are all here so that I may announce my bonding. I have claimed this one." He looks down at me, and I smile, looking around the room slightly nervously as I try to keep my voice calm.
"I am Sookie Brigant, now Sookie Brigant Northman." Eric's arm around me tenses, and I fight the smile that threatens to break out as he hears me say this for the first time and washes me in his feelings of love and happiness.
