A/N: I'm back in dear ol' CA. Is LAX the creepiest place on earth, or what? Ick. Maui mai tais have fueled this story thus far, so I hope that plain ol' chardonnay-shanny can live up to my island ramblings. At least I have an awesome tan. (Don't tell my hubby, but I got a mystic tan today to cover up my bikini lines. Lol!)

Holy crap-nuggets Batman, I forgot the disclaimer! Mrs. Harris owns this shit, I just borrowed it and gave it a lei.

Chapter 4

Oh my goodness, this can NOT be real. The thought that Papa would actually introduce me to a vampire, even in passing, was inconceivable. But to have one welcomed within the palace to meet with me was… just plain crazy.

It didn't matter if Bessa (the highest ranking attendant below Eliana) had been so enamored with the vampire's looks. The reality of the situation was that I am a fairy, and any vamp within smelling-distance will do his darndest to drain me dry.

Ellie lifted the white and red gown over my shoulders while I was lost in thought. The thing was tugged, pulled and laced back in to place while I was literally lost in fear, unable to remember how to speak, let alone help out my best friend as she struggled to dress me.

I was finally jarred back into my right mind when Ellie yanked tightly on the criss-crossing ribbon of the bodice. The air flew out of my lungs with a whoosh and I couldn't stop myself from shouting "What the HELL?!" This dress wasn't nearly so tight this morning!

"Oh, there you are", Ellie drawled behind my back, just oozing sarcasm. "I've been talking to a blank statue for the past ten minutes! I'm glad to see that a bit of oxygen deprivation brought lil' Sookie back to the land of the living."

Aw crap, has she been talking?

"I'm sorry Elle. I guess I was a bit preoccupied."

"I noticed", she replied and then burst into a quiet fit of laughter. "I'd be nervous to meet a vamp too, mi' lady!" I shot her an annoyed yet loving look. She knows I hate that mi' lady crap.

She laughed even harder while she bent down to help me into my red heels. "Look on the bright side, Sook. At least you'll get to ogle a sexy man before you're drained dry!" I joined in her giggles.

Ellie got that familiar tough-love look on her face then, and switched gears. "Honestly, you know you shouldn't worry, Sook. The Prince wouldn't let anyone within a hundred-mile radius of you if they meant ya harm. There's got to be a good reason for you to meet the vampire or else he wouldn't be here."

My best friend's logic was, as always, very sound. I trusted her, and I trusted Papa. No one, be they human, fairy, demon, or vampire would be able to hurt me within the walls of this compound.

I took a few deep breaths while Ellie smoothed out my skirts and teased my hair to perfection. I held my head high. I am the Fae Princess, I thought, I must behave the part.

With my confidence restored and my best friend by my side, I was prepared for the knock that rapped against the main door to my apartments.

Another maid swept open the door, and Niall walked into my suite sporting his authority as naturally as he sported that white suit. A wide and warm smile split his Romanesque features as he took me in.

"Dearest daughter!" he gushed. "Don't you look a vision!"

A sank into a tiny little curtsy. "Thank you, Papa."

"Excellent. Excellent." He muttered while offering me his arm. Niall led me gracefully out of my apartments and toward the public wing of the palace. Eliana dutifully followed behind us, three paces back and to my left. I again marveled at how much better she was at this formal stuff than I, and wished I had another river-pebble to chuck at her dainty feet.

As we passed through the Hall of Mirrors (a design shamelessly stolen by the architect employed by the French king, Louis XIII, for his palace in Versailles in the 17th century) Papa squeezed my elbow lightly whilst I gazed out the huge windows that framed the public gardens.

"Sookie", he said a bit sternly, "There is someone here who I wish you to meet."

Never one to beat around the bush, I tore my gaze away from the gardens and replied, "the tall vampire, Papa?"

Niall laughed at my straight-forward attitude. "Yes, my child. The tall vampire." He must have seen the color drain from my cheeks – I sure as heck felt it – and tried to soothe me. "Do not worry, dear. He cannot harm you here, and I promise you that he desires nothing of the kind."

"Really?" Ok, that sounded frightened and childish even to my own ears. "Yes, child. He will not harm you."

Our little entourage finally arrived at a huge and intricately carved set of mahogany doors that led into the royal audience chamber.

I gave Papa's elbow a squeeze that was meant to reassure myself as much as it was to reassure him. A pair of liveried servants swept the doors open wide, and the prince led me into the opulent throne room.

The marble floors were so polished that they reflected the elaborate woodwork and frescoes adorning the ceiling. Columns that reached thirty feet into the air supported a U shaped balcony, and giant antique vases were strewn about the chamber and filled with the rarest and most beautiful blooms.

Sigh. The throne room never ceases to steal my breath away…

Niall ushered me into the chamber with Ellie hot on our heels. She seemed to be more fearless and exponentially more excited than I was to meet a vampire. I kept my gaze lowered – I was being such a coward – until I heard a sharp intake of breath from somewhere over my left shoulder. I looked back at Ellie… and she didn't even acknowledge me. Her pretty brown eyes were glassy and staring at something in the distance and her mouth was hanging open. What the…

I turned my head to discern the source of my best friend's comatose state, and…

Holy Jesus, Joseph and Mary mother of God! That just can NOT be real!

Standing there before the pair of thrones, before MY throne, was the most beautiful and powerful man that had surely ever graced the face of this earth. If this was the being that Bessa had spied earlier and sent Ellie into such a frenzy, then dear Bessa's eyesight needed attention. This man was not just tall, blond and gorgeous, he was… damn. Are there any words to describe the spark of irresistible sexuality? Are there any to explain the forceful aura of unbridled authority, god-like strength and infinite power? Nope.

I was still gasping for breath as Papa led me across the expanse of marble floor. I gripped his arm like a lifeline as I stared into the vampire's eyes. They were as blue and as fathomless as the deepest ocean, and seemed to smile wickedly at me as though they knew all the secrets of the universe. I vaguely registered the soft blonde waves of his long hair and the cut muscles of his very wide shoulders. A perfect neck was set off by his chiseled jaw line, and his dimpled chin drew my gaze to a pair of defined, soft-looking lips. Lips that were just begging to be kissed…

Papa prodded me a bit and I finally noticed that we had stopped walking. The vampire was mere feet away, and Niall was attempting to make introductions. Mr. Big and Blonde chuckled a bit at my behavior before I snapped my mouth shut and shook the cobwebs out of my head.

Vampire. Dangerous. I reminded myself.

I had forgotten Ellie's presence entirely until she offered me a handkerchief. I'm pretty sure she just did that to ease the tension, but I used the fabric to sop up the drool I was sure was dripping from my lips.

I checked the cloth; Nope, no drool. That's good.

Once I had recovered, Papa started off with his formal-voice.

"My dearest, this is the vampire Eric Northman, Sheriff of area five, Louisiana." I curtsied gracefully, and this Eric grabbed my hand before I could protest.

"Sheriff Northman", Papa continued, "please meet Sookie Brigant, Princess of the Fae."

The vampire bowed a bit and smirked, his glowing eyes never leaving my gaze. "Your majesty", he whispered, kissing my knuckles. "I look forward to making your most pleasurable… acquaintance."

If virgin panties were made solely of flammable materials, mine would have been reduced to ash with the first glance of his eyes. Oh yes, this vampire knows exactly how effing sexy he is...

What on earth is he doing here?!