AN: Hi just wanted to say how proud I am of you all. You continue to surprise me with your openness and sophistication.

We got back to the house and Eric guided me to a room I'd never been in. The door opened and a study was revealed replete with a roaring fire. Two wing backed chairs sat before it. "Sit down Sookie." I did and he settled into the other with infinite grace. Everything about him spoke of lightly reined strength.

He pulled a cord by the chair that dangled it was made of thick velvet. Two slaves appeared. "Bring some treats," he murmured. They gazed at him with lust and awe. They were two girls my age their faces plump with good care. They curtsied and went. "What does it mean when you say treats?"

Eric smirked and his smooth hand caressed the arm rest "Oh that is just a word for snacks." A rustle of petticoats came to my ears and when I turned my head I saw Felicia.

My intended stared at her icily with a faint merriment in his gaze. "What do you want?" he finally asked.

Felicia blinked at him and then quickly her eyes went to me "To be of service Master," she said in an inappropriately sultry way,unable to take her eyes off him. I felt annoyance at the obvious lust in her eyes. I raised a hand "Felicia leave us, he didn't ask for your presence," I kept my tone soft and even.

I could feel his regard when she gave me a spiteful glare and pushed into the room. "You heard her slave," Eric said with a nasty glimmer in those jewel like eyes. The color blanched from her flesh. "Master?" the pleading in her voice made me feel both pity and rage.

I felt Eric's hand curve to my neck and stroke my tender skin there "Get the fuck out," he said it smoothly with his eyes on me. In a whirl of skirts she was gone.

I moved into his palm and then away and his hand fell. "What is with her?"

His face altered like a cloud in his own wind; there was amusement and strangely weariness "She is-devoted to me."

I turned in my seat and looked right at him "Is she in love with you?" I wanted to say 'Is she in love with you like Emmire is?'

Eric seemed both bored and thoughtful in answer to my query "I'm sure I wouldn't know," he spoke tonelessly and just then the two slave girls arrived with cheese and grapes spilling and swelling on a gilded plate.

They presented the cheese to him as if they had created the world and offered it to him. Eric smiled at them a cat toying with infatuated mice "Set it down here," he said with a lazy purring of his voice. They did and seemed reluctant to leave. Finally at some unspoken command they hurried from the room.

I rolled my eyes and plucked a grape to my mouth. This wasn't lost on Eric and he laughed softly "I treat my slaves quite well, they adore me," he said quietly his hand going to mine with the lightest touch.

In that moment I began to understand why it was that he lavished such luxury on them. He wanted their love, devotion, worship. But I said nothing and kept my face a blank canvas.

I would keep most knowledge of him to myself the better to wield it. He was studying me with a speculative glance. I batted my lashes to him "Is something on my lordship's mind?" I murmured.

His hand went to his face and he cupped his chin, the gesture was so elegant my heart beat picked up. "Yes, why do you not believe in God?"

I smiled for a second "God is for the weak, I am strong," I reply simply. He seemed fascinated by my answer.

"Indeed he is," he said thoughtfully with great care given to each word. He lounged in his seat and his limitless legs stretched.

"How old are you?"

He stared into the fire with a playful expression "Twenty three."

It was around what I suspected maybe a little younger. He turned his head and his eyes reflected the sunlight and flames both at once. "My answer would not have mattered overly I'm sure," there was laughter in his tone.

I frowned and glanced away. "You're so used to enchanting everyone aren't you?"

I could feel the heat of his eyes on me "Yes," he said softly. "And I enchant you just the same," the arrogance in that statement made my pride prickle.

"Don't be so certain," I said gaily.

His hand went to my hair and I could have sworn a look of wonder rested on his face "Sookie," he breathed. I shivered at my name coming from his mouth like honey.

I kept my back straight though I felt as Atlas must have when he bore the weight of the world. I ducked my head from his touch. He smiled like a leopard "Hmm, so you would resist me, how intriguing," he murmured.

His heavy lidded eyes watched me with interest "I am coming to find you compelling, you are more than your fairness."

I felt a sort of mad pride at his statement but kept my face bored. His fingers touched my lips with a piece of cheese and my lips parted and I chewed. I felt a pain in my head as it went down my throat.

Something must have shown for he spoke "It truly does pain you to masticate," he observed.

I nodded and he picked up the plate and threw it across the room. He pulled the cord and the two girls appeared and scurried in with nary a look of surprise. They stooped to pick up the contents that they'd piled so lovingly for him. He seemed vastly entertained and I knew that he hadn't thrown the food for me but for himself.

"Around four o clock a tailor will be coming to speak with you on the design of your wedding gown."

I looked over and saw his eyes on my waist. "You have the smallest waist I have ever seen," the pleasure and lust in his voice warmed me.

"Father always said that I would most likely not be suited for breeding."

Eric's eyes drooped lazily and he nearly laughed "Oh I think we can disprove that notion in oh about a week," it was obvious that he wasn't referring to my giving him heirs.

"We will be married so soon?" what did my voice contain? Was it excitement or nervousness or both, I couldn't be certain.

He stood and I felt again overwhelmed by his size and grace "Yes we will be married on the day of my birth," this information seemed significant though I didn't fully understand why.

He touched the crown of my hair "I will leave you as its nearly time for your session with the tailor," he turned and walked to the door. "Oh and Sookie the tailor is most difficult," he paused with amusement and something like pride in his face "But then somehow I don't think you will be troubled by him."

Then he was gone and oddly it seemed the color had drained from the room, even the flames before me seemed to die.