Chapter 9

After a quick but tense discussion (tense on my side, anyway – I kept expecting to be bitch-slapped), Pam seemed to decide, like her Master, that this was a good thing. We emerged from the restroom arm in arm.

'This must be kept absolutely secret' Pam thought.

'Oh, thanks for that pearl of wisdom, Captain Obvious.' I retorted silently.

'You are very welcome, Sarcastic Sally.'

I stopped, startled by her mental answer. 'Waitupjustasecond! You can hear me too?'

'Hmm, yes it seems that I can. Maybe I am more like Eric than I thought I was.' Her eyebrows danced wickedly.

'Oh, yeah, you definitely are Missy.' I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her.

Pam gave me a mental chuckle and we glided back into the marble ballroom like we owned the place.

As it turned out, I could now hear the minds of every vampire present just like normal humans. Eric, Pam and Bill could hear my thoughts also (yep, Bill too. Probably because I'd had his blood before…), but it was restricted, like speaking aloud. They could only hear the thoughts that I sent to them specifically. The four of us tested and practiced with our new connection as we mingled with other guests.

It seemed as though I was the key, the central hub connecting our minds. They could talk to one another mentally as well but only if I allowed it, and I heard every thought passed between the "speakers". I found out shortly that I could send my own thoughts each of them specifically or all at once. Similarly, they could "speak" to each other separately, or I could project the thought to all of us.

Interesting and strange, dangerous and helpful, the mental link between my vampires and me seemed very strong indeed. We tested with distances; Pam and Bill found groups to socialize with at opposite ends of the enormous room (Eric not leaving my side, of course) and I sent a thought to them both.

'Did you guys SEE those ridiculous gold doors? Felipe is such a pompous A-hole!'

I saw both Pam and Bill stifle their laughter across the room and saw Eric's cheek twitch. 'Neat!'

An hour after our unsettling dance together, the king sauntered up to a raised platform outfitted with a large throne (yep, gold) and about a dozen smaller thrones spread out to the left and right. Felipe stood in the center of the dais flanked by Sandy and Victor. With an air of pageantry, De Castro raised his hands high and addressed his guests. He was talking about vamp politics and I couldn't care less, so I tuned him out and relished being held tightly in Eric's strong arms.

A while into Felipe's wind-bagging, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Eric and I turned to see a liveried vampire similar to the one who announced our names upon our entrance. "Please come with me, Miss Stackhouse", the vamp wheezed, "The king will require you shortly." He abruptly threaded my arm through his and made to guide me away without further explanation.

'Oh, hell no', I thought as I stubbornly retained my hold on Eric.

The vamp saw my resistance and laid on the charm. "Miss Stackhouse, no harm shall come to you. Sheriff, I will return her to you shortly."

"Of course", Eric nodded smoothly and released my hand.

'No!' I desperately thought to my Love. 'No, I can't go without you!' Eric bent to give me a tender kiss and thought, 'Sweetheart, I won't let anyone take you from me, I swear on my existence.'

My vampire pushed love and security through our Bond. His strength fueled my own. Any sign of panic fell from my features and I allowed the king's underling to escort me to the stage. Of course I was safe – my Viking could give a deity a run for their money.

I heard Eric order Pam and Bill to take up strategic positions on either end of the dais. All three of my vampires could reach me in a single bound and haul me away from Felipe in an instant. They were sending me thoughts of encouragement and assurance while Eric pushed strength into me through our Bond. I knew in my heart that the three of them would protect me with their undead lives, and I relaxed a bit.

From the corner of my eye, I saw the king gesture me to his side.

"Finally my friends, it is my pleasure to announce that Miss Sookie Stackhouse", the king held his palm out to me, "is from this time forward under my official protection." Felipe gestured to me grandly.

"Many in our world know of Miss Stackhouse, the famed Telepath. She is as beautiful as she is selfless and our very lives have been saved countless times by her goodness and grace. Miss Stackhouse is courageous and loyal and she has proven herself invaluable to my kingdom time and again."

The King looked at me tenderly. "I say in all honesty that I would have met my final death were it not for her ingenuity and bravery. These singular qualities set her above and apart from all races, human and supernatural, and I am honored to have Miss Stackhouse in my kingdom."

To say that I felt awkward at this over-the-top flattery would be an understatement. I positively itched to leap off the stage, run straight into Eric's arms and hide my face blushing against his chest.

Without thinking I interrupted the embarrassing flow of his words. "Please, your Majesty, call me Sookie", I breathed. He gave no thought to my insubordination and laughed openly at my request before resuming his speech.

"Sookie is beyond worthy of my protection", Felipe continued. He turned toward me fully and grasped both of my hands. His gaze wandered over me appreciatively. "No harm will ever come to you, my darling", he said softly, kissing the back of one hand. His thoughts added: 'Unless I wish it so.'

I could clearly hear Eric, Bill and Pam's mental growls as I broadcasted that thought to my vampires.

"Thank you, your Highness", I said formally. The dark vampire leaned in close to my ear and said, "Please, call me Felipe."

The irony of the moment produced a genuine laugh from my lips. The king spun me deftly to face the crowd and secured my arm in his grip. Then I was escorted out onto the dance floor.

Anxiety came back to me in full force. 'Looks like I have to dance with him again', I thought to my vampires.

'Don't worry Sookie, we will protect you,' Bill answered me.

The orchestra began a waltz. I was whirled beneath crystal chandeliers by Felipe de Castro. Candle flames, the elegant crowd and gigantic mirrors swirled past my eyes as we spun. I felt like I was Marie Antoinette dancing through the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The heavy skirts swirled around me; a beautiful gown fit for a queen.

Like Marie, I was enjoying a lavish reprieve twirling along with a horrid King that I could never love. Also like the ill-fated monarch, I could sense my impending demise.

I could hear Eric's commands to Pam and Bill in my head and they moved into protective positions around the dance floor. All the new activity in my brain, both from my vamps and from others, made it hard for me to concentrate on the dangerous mind of my dance partner. All I'd picked up in the past few seconds was the king thinking how beautiful he thought I was. Gag. I was certain that I could give myself a little mental break; after all, what could Felipe do to me in front of a crowd of vampires?

What is it they say about hubris? Oh yeah - it'll fuck your shit up.

I met Eric's eyes every time the King spun me toward him. 'Oh, how beautiful he is', I thought.

'As are you, my Love. Even if I hate the bastard holding you, you are a vision. You look like a Queen my Sweet.'

I longed for nothing more than to kick Felipe in the shins, rush into his my lover's arms, and kiss him senseless. …Maybe even push him into a dark corner and have my way with him. 'Mmmmm.' My mind ran with that thought: 'Badass Viking plundered by defenseless barmaid.; I giggled a little.

'I'd like to see you try, human girl!' Eric thought. I felt a wave of lust through the bond. 'You bet I will, you sexy vampire', I retorted.

Felipe seemed to notice my wandering attention and squeezed me tightly. "My darling, do I detect a desire for you to return to your Viking?" He purred the word 'desire'. Aw, crap; I forgot that vamps can smell when humans get turned on. "Or dare I hope that your enthusiasm has stemmed from my nearness?" The King brushed a dark-skinned hand up my arms and across my bare shoulders.

I laughed loudly, imprudent as it was in this situation. "I'm sorry your Majesty, my mind did wander to my fiancé'. You know how lovers are", I said with a flippant smile.

'Uh, oh. What did I just say?'

Amazingly he laughed too, displaying a set of brilliant white teeth that contrasted against the brown pallor of his lips. "Oh yes, I do know! I didn't realize you were so hungry for his attentions. Darling, you never cease to surprise me!" Felipe stopped our dance, hugged me and swung my body in circles through the air (what IS it with vamps doing this lately?) as though the two of us were the best of friends. I was set down on my feet and the King leaned into me very closely. "Ah, Sookie. You are a study of contradictions, my beauty! Oh, how much you entertain me!" 'And will continue to.'

I could feel Eric's wrath as he moved closer to me through the crowd. I heard him order Pam and Bill to close ranks also.

'MineMineMineMineMine' was all I could hear from de Castro's head. This was seriously creeping me out and I started to tremble with sincere alarm. 'Something's wrong! He's got a plan, Eric!'

'I am coming, my Love' Eric thought.

The regent dipped me backwards in our dance and pressed his lips to my ear. "You are so many things my delicious girl," he breathed, "…but you should have told me that you are a fairy princess!" I got a fleeting mental glimpse of a large piece of metal engraved with something like a coat of arms. I projected the image.

' NO!'

'LORD, NO!'

'NOOOOOOOO SOOOOOKIE!!!'

My knees nearly buckled as all of my vampires screamed deafeningly in my head.

Eric was barreling through the crowd like a wrecking ball, tossing vampires and shifters brutally out of his path. I could feel Bill to my left, shoot forward like a bullet from a gun. I felt Pam throw Sandy into a wall behind my back and launch herself at Felipe with all her might.

For one terrifying moment all I could see were Eric's panicked eyes. I stretched out my hand to him… and then Victor Madden slapped something heavy onto my wrist. I felt my bones splinter with the impact.

"You are MINE!" Felipe screamed triumphantly.

And then I was gone.