In a very short time the court of Louisiana became surprisingly accustomed to the transfer of power within the state's vampire society. Sophie Anne proved to be much different than our last queen, in many ways that seemed ideal to our community. Socially, internally, and physically she was an enormous upgrade.

Sophie had already hired several humans to have the mansion as a whole redecorated. It was beginning to seem more modern while still remaining classy and elegant, in only a week's time. These renovations were on her always lengthening list of things to prepare before her crowing ceremony. I respected the change she was willing to promote so early into her ruling.

She also seemed to take the transition highly important; she had meetings daily with vamps at her first command and was constantly sending out messages and alerts to the sheriffs, including myself. I hadn't been around her much, only catching glimpses of her fiery soft hair in the halls, but her changes could be felt. Our society felt much more unified, something necessary that wasn't present in the last ruling.

She had met with the mortal press several times already, carrying on her role as the public figure to the human world. Sophie Anne let the public know very little of what was happening within the walls of headquarters, while at the same time letting them know just enough that it seemed aware we would not be backing down due to the murder of Louisiana's last royalty.

I had traveled back to Shreveport only a few times to check on my bar Fangtasia, while my progeny Pam overlooked business. Though she had several bartenders and assistant managers, as well as a few trusted vampire's from the area to help her with the nightly troubles that were sure to pop up, I felt Pam was not fit for the working life. She usually watched the door, or sat beside me in the club scaring fang bangers, but she was never much for any sort of actual labor.

I should have known when I turned her she would be lazy, she was a rich duchess living in Paris, her parents sent her away for schooling. She was proper, but very curious. I observed her for weeks; she wandered from her friend's often, watching them from afar, as though she were searching for something. Something more than she had.

I approached her as she left a late night party by herself. She was startled as I emerged from an alley, and immediately began walking with her.

"What is your name?" I asked, no need to glamour her, she was already hypnotized be me.

"Pamela." She answered slowly, stopping in her tracks.

I turned towards to young woman before me, she stared into my eyes long and hard, almost reading what was left of my soul. "Que faites-vous?" (what are you?)

I almost panicked, I was very close to killing her in that moment, but then she did something no one had done before. She reached out, held my hand and kissed it; not intensely, just light enough that I could barely feel her lips.

"Se joignent à moi, ma fille. Nous vivrons éternellement, ensemble." (join me, girl. we will live forever, together.)

Being away from her was like leaving my young child, there was a longing to always return home. It was only the night before the coronation when I returned to Pam once more. I walked into the club, it was thursday and nearly empty. She was already waiting by the door, having sensed my presence. She jumped towards me to wrap her arms around me in a tight hug. Straightening herself, she looked at me questioningly, "What's up?"

I cockily smiled, thrilled she hadn't guessed at my surprise. "Pack. You're coming back with me to New Orleans. You are my plus one."

A large smile played her lips, and she strutted towards the back of the club, getting her purse and keys. "Shall we take your car, or mine?" she asked as she returned.

I turned towards the front door noticing an influx of people pilling in. I began walking towards the back exit, as I walked past her I put out my hand, and she placed her keys in it. "Yours."

We rushed getting back, sunset was coming, and we needed to return to the palace on this night. Pam glared at me almost the entire way, I had cut her packing time to a third and she did not get to bring the dress she wanted most due to it's "misplacement." Maybe I should of warned her of my plans, but that would have ruined half the fun in getting her angry.

As we pulled up to court they took our names and then the key's to Pam's Volvo as we drove farther into the entrance. Pam would be sleeping in my room, due to the shortage in space so close to the ceremony. The entire yard was scattered with more vampire security than I had ever seen, and I had been undead for more than a thousand years. It was obvious that there was some speculation on how safe the coming night would be for all.

Walking through the entry doors, we went through yet another layer of security. Because I was rather respected and on good terms with the last queen Pam and I were placed on a trusted list, and were fortunate enough to skip the line and make our way to our room swiftly.

As we passed through the waiting area, Sophie Anne was placed by the stairs welcoming new guests.

I started to avoid the crowd and merge towards the hall to the right which was where our living quarters were located.

Pam pulled me to a stop, "She's...she's delicious."

I noticed Pam stand straighter now, more poised. "No."

"I'm going to introduce myself." She purred walking towards the fresh looking queen.

I walked behind my stubborn daughter, not wanting to see the queen, yet not wanting to stop Pam at the same time. I decided to wait from a distance as Pam talked lightly with Sophie Anne. Both pairs of eyes darted towards me as I watched them, I did not look away instead I held eye contact, the queen gave me a soft smile, while Pam simply looked at me with a knowing face of lust. I could sense Pam's attraction, as I'm sure everyone else in the room did, and did not feel keen on it.

Was I- Pam placed herself infront of me in an instant and my train of though was shaken. Without words we both made our way back towards the hallway we came from. Both with one women on our mind, we hoped for rest.

Awaking the next morning I was rested. I felt safer, as well as more at home with Pam sleeping beside me, and I had gotten the sleep I had received in many weeks. Today was the day, everyone would be using heightened senses, everyone would be rushing. The coronation began at 10 pm, and it was just past 6. I shook the remains of sleep off Pam, pulling her mind to the surface.

I went to the closet and came back with not only my tux in hand, but also a new dress. I knew she would be upset with me for making her leave so quick before I even went to retrieve her, so I had a custom make party gown made just for her. '

She got up, throwing her hair in a messy bun. She has no makeup on, and wore only a T-shirt. I was always amazed at how beautiful she looked naturally, through the years our sexual relationship ended, but I still loved my progeny. I mean, yes, she looked amazing all done up, but just as she was is when I liked her most.

Before turning to go the bathroom I made a request, "Go light on that face shit you put on tonight, I want all of Louisiana to see how beautiful my second in command is naturally."

She always got either sentimental or snippy when we talked like this, so I didn't look back, I only shut the bathroom door quietly. I showered and prepared myself quickly, over the centuries I had learned how to efficiently get ready in the shortest amount of time. I combed my hair, and stared at myself in the mirror. I was handsome, very much so, but tonight I was uneasy about how I looked.

Again my mind wandered to the queen. To her soft light skin, her waved auburn hair, the way her clothing hugged her curves in all the perfect places- knocking on the door. Pam.

I was also unfortunately used to waiting on a woman's preparation, especially before such a grand night like tonight. I sat in a chair in the corner of our room, and went into a restful wait. It was like everything but my mind turned off, and everything was a dream.

Who knows how long I waited, but Pam finally emerged. She had taken my advice and wore little makeup, and her long wavy blonde hair ran down her bare back. I was a little taken back, I hadn't seen Pam this relaxed looking outside of our home, in years.

"You look beautiful."

She gave me a small grin, hopefully the queen will noticed. I laughed a bit, not if she only had her eyes on me.

Since I was sheriff of area 5, and Pam was my "date" we had to arrive early. In our society, queen or king was first in command, then came the sheriffs. We ran different parts of the state, reporting back to her on things we saw unfit or worrisome. All the lower vampires of the state, and everyone else of supernatural capabilities, was to great us with respect and honor before enjoying themselves at the ball.

Photographers from several different vamp, human, and shifter magazines where already taking pictures, as Pam and I came down the hallway to the main room. We posed for a few snaps, answered a couple questions, and then we entered into the crowd filled of other vampires that shared our status.

We saw royalty of other states, guards always nearby. I said hello to a few of my old acquaintances, introducing Pam to all. She seemed to be making her way with a small, dainty looking sheriff from Mississippi. The woman's dark black hair offset Pam's light blonde hair. They visually stood out, something Pam always enjoyed.

Then a horn was blown, doors on the second story opened, and she emerged. She was the most heavenly being I had ever laid my eyes upon. She wore an ivory silk gown, it reminded me of my days in Greece. She wore her auburn hair up, in a lose bun, letting some pieces of hair fall upon her creamy skin. She was the epitome of perfection.

My eyes never left sight of her, I was watching her every delicate move with precision. Then her eyes flicked to mine and a fire inside me burned. I had never felt this before, vampires were not supposed to have these feelings. Were we? She summoned me with the slight inclination oh her head. I was politely made my way through the crowd, apologizing to people as I blindly raced past them to my Queen.

She gripped my arm as she made her step down from the final step. I turned her towards the crowd, pride obviously radiating off my face for being summoned as her escort, and introduced her once more.

"May I have this dance?" I asked, nervous she would refuse me and step into litigation with her new subjects, instead she moved right into a waltz: the whole crowd parting for her first dance. Her body was so close to mine, I could feel her curves against me. I imagined what it would be like with her laying with me.

"I was a very close friend to Mozart." She whispered close to me as signs of sadness flashed in her blue-green eyes for a moment.

I laughed to myself, seeing this fact as not much as a surprise. For vampires of our age to be acquainted with similar people was nothing anyone wouldn't expect. "I saw Mozart many times during his lifetime. I wonder if I ever came across you."

"Probably not."

"And why is that?"

"I would have remembered you." She stated, Sophie Anne let go of my hand then and moved her way elegantly from our next dance step, into the pool of people practically begging with their eyes to meet her.

The entire night I stayed close behind her, at times unaware. My eyes never once left the beauty that now occupied my mind,entirely. I danced with Pam a few times, and the queen's annoying as all hell assistant Sookie had asked me once. I waited for the moment I could be alone with Sophie Anne, and finally I got a chance just as the sun was about to rise.

A waiter approached me with a tray of blood, I grabbed a glass and made my way across the room to a small room I saw the queen slip into.

She was sitting on a bench against the wall, her head back. Her hair slipped upon her chest, and I forced the though of her with me, out of my head once again.

"My queen, it looks as though you needed a drink." Offering it to her.

She took it politely, and took a sip, then looking up at me. "Has Sookie told you your room number yet?"

"No. I have actually been avoiding her. She seems quite keen on me." I frowned, remembering that annoying pest that had stared at me the entire night

"Really? This is a problem why?"

"She's simply obnoxious. Far to loud for my liking." I hoped she would get the hint that I saw her as exactly the opposite of Sookie, the Queen was as close to perfect as possible.

She seemed to let a barrier down then, and let her shoulders shrink as bit. She rolled her neck, and I watched as she let her hand move behind it, messaging it. She met my eyes once more, and then stood up. "I think it's time for me to retire for the night."

"Would you lik-?"

She cut off my offering to walk her back to her room, and shot a sly smile back at me over her shoulder. "Goodnight Eric."

"Goodnight" I whispered as she used her speed to hurry up the stairs, a seas of silk from her dress's train floating in the air behind her.