Feeling more at ease than when she had first arrived in Bon Temps nearly three weeks ago, Persephone relaxed on her porch, the knowledge that Liam, Diane and Malcolm would not be returning ever again lending her more comfort. She had overheard from a vampire in Fangtasia on her way out that they had been murdered in a house fire whilst sleeping. She couldn't feel any sympathy for them, yet she also could not feel any appreciation towards whichever human it was that had torched them.
A warm breeze passed over her and she breathed in the marvelous scent of the blooming garden; the jasmine vines that covered the house's walls, the blood red roses that flourished at every corner and the sunflowers that grew prosperously near the steps of the manor. Other colorful flowers filled in the spaces between these and gave the garden a wonderful personality. She stood up, wanting to change from her jeans and t-shirt into something more flowing and familiar. She was returning to her seat, dressed in a beautiful gown of white, when someone knocked lightly on the door. She opened the wire screen to find Sam standing on the top step holding a bunch of flowers and looking at her garden with disappointment.
"I feel like an idiot now for bringing you flowers. It doesn't look as though you need anymore."
She smiled and took them from him anyway. They were a mix of blue cornflowers and red tulips. She looked at him, pleased.
"What?"
"It's so strange, but how did you know?"
"To give a girl flowers?"
"These are my favourite kinds," she explained.
His brow furrowed, "I feel like we've had this conversation before."
"You seem to always know what to get me to cheer me up Sam."
"Coincidence?"
"There is no such thing as coincidence. Things usually happen for a reason."
He stood awkwardly on the veranda, hands in his back pockets, waiting for her to continue because he had no idea what to say to her.
"Come inside. Would you like something to drink?" she asked.
Entering her home, the first thing Sam noticed was the assortment of artifacts which looked as though they'd been collected from all over the world and over a span centuries, which, more than likely, she had. A beautifully engraved, golden dagger was mounted upon the wall directly ahead, above the door that led into the kitchen. It flashed in the candlelight as Persephone walked beneath it to get a drink for him. To his left as he entered was a sun room, which he looked at and had to think about it for a moment before moving on. To his right was a large golden mirror carved with what looked like Egyptian hieroglyphs. Continuing to the kitchen he passed a number of paintings which all looked ancient, some even on papyrus. All of the frames, of course, were made of gold with similar markings as the mirror.
Just before the kitchen door, on the left of it, was a darkened room into which he could not see. He presumed it led into the basement and gave it no more thought. Persephone was sitting at a large mahogany dining table which, like nearly everything else in the house it seemed, was intricately carved around the edges, giving it a medieval look. A golden candelabrum sat in the centre of it, the light from the lit candles dancing around her face. He could only just make out the smile that still remained on her face. She passed him a cold beer and he looked at it with confusion.
"Alright, I gotta know, how can this be cold if you ain't got any electricity?"
"Who said I didn't have any electricity?"
Sam gave her a funny, but amused look and drank from the icy cold bottle.
"I thought you would be working tonight," she said, staring down at the table, tracing a mark in the grain of the wood with her right index finger.
"I'm supposed to be, but I felt bad about how we left things yesterday. I thought I ought to apologise for the things I said. I guess I didn't really mean them; at least not in the way you interpreted them."
"You're blaming it on me?" she asked, though it was obvious she was teasing him.
"No-oo. I'm just not quite used to the idea of having a vampire around."
"Understandable. It's hard enough to find a human who does not find us repulsive or an abomination. Let alone one that will bring you flowers to apologise for harsh language."
"It wasn't exactly harsh," he paused, wandering whether or not to bring up their night together.
"We can talk about it, you know," she assured him, as though reading his thoughts.
"Well then, what the hell happened?"
"Before we go on, I think it's only fair for you to know that I am married."
She showed him the ring on her left hand that he had failed to notice on all other occasions. It was gold, of course, with two sparkling diamonds on either side of a large, blood-coloured ruby. Unusual markings ran around the edge of it. His gaze moved up from the sparkling stone to her face, his eyes revealing his surprise.
"Hang on; I thought vampire marriage isn't legal."
"It isn't. We were married a long time ago, at night, by a celebrant who was unaware of what we were. He didn't even question our choice to have it in the late evening."
She seemed to drift into a contented dreamy state as she recalled the event. Sam decided to leave her to have a quiet moment whilst he drank his beer. Her sigh told him that she was ready to talk once more.
"So...he's human?"
Vampires weren't known to couple with their own kind for many reasons, the most obvious being that they couldn't provide one another with the same kind of nutrition that human blood offered. Vampires preferred to be with humans, theoretically, because it killed two birds with one stone; a relationship and a food supply.
"No," Persephone replied, surprising him, "He is vampire."
Sam tried not to look too fazed by her answer; they had bigger issues to be focusing on.
"So you had an affair with me?"
"Not exactly. Our race doesn't consider relations with humans as being of any actual seriousness. Most have them in order to gain something; food, happiness, hope. Whatever it may be that they need at the time."
"So what did you need?"
This time, she didn't reply, instead lapsing into a thoughtful silence. Once again, Sam frowned, wondering what was going on in her mind.
"So what happened between us didn't actually mean anything to you?"
"Of course it did."
She paused, searching for the right words, "Sam, I feel strongly drawn to you. The only other times that I have felt this way I have usually ended up turning the human in order to make them my companion. To be together for eternity. "
Sam's face tensed with alarm at the suggestion of her turning him into a vampire. He suddenly realised that he was alone in a house with a vampire stronger than he was and that nobody else knew of his whereabouts.
"I will not be turning you, though, so you can relax," she assured him, "It may surprise you to know that I have certain rules about those I choose to make vampire. You will be pleased to know that you do not, at present, fit the criteria."
After a moments silence, she noticed him check his watch.
"If it would be alright with you, I would like to go to your bar. Unless, of course, my kind is still not welcome."
She was teasing once more and he sighed, "Alright, alright. I apologise for what I said to you. And yes, you may."
As soon as she entered Merlotte's, Persephone was greeted by Lafayette, who stood behind the bar mixing himself a drink. He watched Sam, who had come in ahead of her, pass out of sight, heading in the direction of his office.
"I guess this means you two made up then?"
"I suppose it does. It was quite nice of him actually. It takes a lot to offend me these days. I've had worse said to me."
"Sister, you don't have to put up with that shit. You should be offended by every god damn thing any motherfucker says that is disrespectful to you."
"I've lived a long time Lafayette, I've learnt not to let petty behaviour bother me. If I did, the night would be over before I'd even begun to enjoy myself."
He nodded in agreement, then looked over her shoulder and spotted something that made him move back towards the kitchen, "Not that motherfucker again."
She turned and met Eric's gaze as he stood in the doorway with Bill and Pam. He looked her over and she realised that she'd left the house wearing her white gown. It wasn't an exceptionally formal dress, but it was one of her favorites. It made her look quite striking, even more so than usual. Eric approached her and glanced around the diner, ignoring the fearful looks many of the customers were giving him.
"Nice to see you again," Persephone greeted him.
"Yes, we're looking for Bill's human."
"I need to speak with Sam Merlotte," Bill interrupted, stepping forward, "And you also, if you wouldn't mind."
"Of course. I believe he's in his office."
She led the way out the back and towards Sam's location, passing a few surprised looking waitresses, including Sookie. Bill stopped when he saw her and began to explain that he would have to go away for a few days, maybe even longer. She seemed distressed by the idea.
Hearing the commotion, Sam came out and, spotting the vampires, gave Persephone a questioning look. She shrugged in a way that seemed apologetic, which Eric noticed. He gave Sam a look of dislike, but refrained from saying anything.
"I must speak to Sam, now," Bill finished, leaving Sookie to her own thoughts about his approaching absence.
In Sam's office, it was an odd scene. Bill stood before Sam, who sat on his desk looking reproachfully at the three visitors. Eric and Persephone stood side by side near the door, which was closed, Eric with his arms folded, looking indifferent to the situation.
"I have a favor to ask of you," Bill explained to Sam.
"A favor?"
"Yes. I will be leaving town for a few days and without my presence, and with all that has been going on around here recently, I ask that you'll protect Sookie whilst I am gone."
"I don't need you telling me when it's okay to look out for her. I do that whether or not you ask, anyway," Sam replied.
"I realise that. All I'm asking is that you watch over her and make sure that no harm comes to her."
Sam sighed, but nodded; agreeing for the sake of Sookie and not for the vampire before him. Bill turned, reassured that Sookie would be well looked after in his absence, and followed Eric and Persephone out the door. Persephone waited outside the door to go back in and talk with Sam, but Bill paused in front of her, Eric continuing to move towards the exit.
"As you are staying, I'll ask you also to watch over her. It is not an obligation, but..."
"I understand, Bill," Persephone smiled.
Convinced of her reliability, Bill turned to leave.
"Good luck with the trial. If they treat you unfairly, you can be assured that I will pay an unexpected visit to the magister."
Bill smiled, knowing well that it was an empty threat; doing anything to the man of authority would result in terrible consequences. Turning to the exit, he looked unsure of what lay ahead of him.
A/N: So as previously mentioned, this story was originally posted on Quizilla, but since that site is largely garbage, I decided to re-post it on here. I'm basically re-editing all the chapters as I go before I post them on here, so there may be a few breaks in between posting sprees. Since I'm not very motivated to write new chapters for my other stories, and since this story has already been written, I took the easy (lazy) path and decided it was time I edited more of this.
I appreciate the reviews, subscriptions and favoriting I've had so far for this story.
