Faerily Dead Ch 9
Sookie's POV:
The afternoon following my first (and second) kiss started with a brief peck on the cheek from my best friend, a pull and a tug into a wispy white dress, and a jaunt through the garden. My eyes were glassy and red from the drastically different sleep schedule, but I did my best to focus on Papa.
The roses were in full bloom and fragrant.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Papa nodded Ellie away and pulled me gently beneath a weeping willow.
"Dearest… how well did you like Eric?"
My father's gaze was piercing and intense in the splotchy shade of the tree, and for the first time in my memory he looked truly concerned about what would come out of my mouth. Not that he didn't care usually, honestly he cared more than he needed to, but this look on his face was so foreign… so vivid… so imploring.
He must have seen us in the garden and was worried. A fairy, even a partial one, making out with a vampire wasn't the wisest of things, so I did my best to assuage his fears.
"Truly Papa, he is wonderful, but don't worry! Meeting the Sheriff was… a life changing experience, but he is gone now and he won't be back to drain me or anything." I felt a little ache in my chest when I said that -certainly not for the draining part, but for the real possibility that I would never see him again. Or kiss those lips again. If Papa had witnessed what Elle had, then the vampire certainly wouldn't be paying the compound another visit… Oh, I felt like crying, out of the blue.
Out of the blue? Yeah right. I'd been fighting the urge to cry ever since Eric escorted me to the outside door of my apartments last night, gave me another smoldering kiss, and disappeared into the black night like a wraith blown away on the wind. His absence unsettled me, as though in the few short hours I had known the vampire he had somehow filled a part of my heart that I didn't even realize hadn't been whole to begin with.
Unbeknownst to me, a tiny trickle did escape my eyes as I tried to hold them wide and smile brightly. Papa brushed a finger across my cheek and caught the wetness. He frowned at the tear on his fingertip, and my lips couldn't hold their weight any longer. Before I knew it, a tiny sob escaped my throat.
Papa pulled me to his chest immediately and stroked my hair. "Did he hurt you, darling?"
"Oh! Oh, no!" I pulled my face away from his now-damp jacket. "Not at all. He didn't hurt me!"
Niall looked perplexed. "Then why the tears, darling?"
"I… I'm afraid that you'll be mad and I won't see him again," I sobbed in a rush, "because we kissed."
To my surprise, Papa chuckled and sighed deeply. "I know that you two kissed, and if it is alright with you, I fully support you seeing him again."
I sniffled, confused. "You do?"
Papa gently sat me down on the grass by the lake and held both of my hands. "Yes, I do. In fact, I hope that you would like to spend a lot of time with him."
What? I thought he'd be so angry! My heart almost stopped. "What do you mean?"
He smiled at me indulgently, as only happy parents do when they bear the best of news. "I mean all the days and nights of your life… with him. What would you say if I told you that Eric asked for your hand in marriage?"
If my heart stopped a moment ago, it now seized, fused and exploded. "Re-re-really?"
He laughed softly at my expression of incredulity. "Really. What say you, dearest daughter of mine?"
The four cylinder engine that had driven my body for the last 19 years was busted, and had been replaced with a v12. A powerful roar of happiness and energy burst through my veins, and I knew this engine would propel my existence until the very second I died.
I took a deep breath to compose myself and to get used to warm purr of emotion. Trying my best to retain proper deportment and not bounce like a child, I politely spoke the words that would change everything I'd ever known:
"I'd say yes."
Papa hugged me tight as I finally giggled my joy, and he closed his eyes to smile at the heavens. He shifted a bit to take a thick wad of paper out of his breast pocket and a gold pen. "Wonderful! Here darling. Sign right there and tonight you shall be wed!"
Through my bleary, watery gaze, I saw the words "marriage", "Eric Northman", "Sookie", and a dotted line. I signed it with a hasty scrawl, threw the sheaf of papers on the grass, and went back to giggling and hugging my wonderful Papa.
Eric's POV:
The revised contract had been submitted for my review via email from the demon lawyer Cataliades right after I awoke. Obviously Pam had set our own lawyers on it after our brief conversation last night, and she had completed the task without me even having to command her to. It truly is such a joy to have someone so competent and devoted as Pamela for a child… mostly.
I hastily washed and dressed while reading the final accord.
ROYAL CONTRACT of MARRIAGE between:
ERIC NORTHMAN
Vampire Sheriff of Louisiana Area 5 and future High King of the Americas
and
SOOKIE STACKHOUSE BRIGANT
Sole Princess of the Fae, daughter to Niall Brigant, First Prince of the Sky Fae
ON this night, the SIXTH of JUNE in the year TWO THOUSAND and ELEVEN, I Eric Northman do hereby swear and agree to marry and legally bind myself to Sookie Stackhouse Brigant in all of my loyalties, for the minimum of one hundred years. If either the Princess or I should meet final death within that time, this contract is no longer binding.
ERIC NORTHMAN IN signing this contract I also pledge:
The assistance of any armies/forces/influence I command to any dispute, war, or disaster that may befall or involve NIALL BRIGANT, if those incidents are relevant to the SKY FAE.
To accept the position of HIGH KING if and when that title befalls to me, and to keep my wife's race in my forethought when making decisions while I hold the position.
The housing, care and reasonable safety of the Princess' preferred attendants:
The Duchess Eliana Faraday (1st Attendant)
The Countess Yollanda Cloud (Hairstylist)
Miss Elizabetha Cirrus (Lower Attendant)
Immediate employment of skillful, talented and speedy seamstresses and designers to provide new and appropriate garments for each day and activity that the Princess engages in.
To not obstruct NIALL's ability to visit and/or interact with my wife in any regard for the duration of the marriage.
NIALL BRIGANT IN signing this contract, I hereby swear and agree to:
Bestow with grace the hand and body of my beloved daughter, Princess Sookie Stackhouse Brigant for no less than 100 years, or until the final death of either marital party.
The assistance of any armies/forces/intelligence/influence I command to any dispute, war, or disaster that may befall or involve ERIC NORTHMAN, if those incidents involve Eric's holdings, interests, family, or assets.
The employment of any armies/forces/ intelligence/influence and stealth in my power to kill and/or subdue the following Vampire monarchs for the purpose of seizure of their king/queendoms:
King Felipe deCastro - Louisiana, Nevada, Arkansas
King Russell Edgington – Mississippi
King Bartlett Crowe – Indiana
King Stanilaus Davidowitz – Texas
King Isaiah Rider - Kentucky
Queen Maude Madras - Minnesota
Queen Freyda Campos - Oklahoma
Queen Phoebe Golden – Iowa
King Jenade Nicolai – California, Oregon, Washington
Queen Stephanie Guardbell – Tennessee
AND To readily bestow the position of HIGH KING if and when the position is available.
SOOKIE STACKHOUSE BRIGANT IN signing this contract, I hereby pledge my loyalty, power(s), and ultimate devotion to ERIC NORTHMAN for no less than one hundred years or until the final death of either myself or ERIC NORTHMAN.
The marriage to take place this night shall be Officiated, Witnessed and Consummated within twenty and four hours of signing this Contract.
PRINCE NIALL BRIGANT: X Niall Brigant_
SHERIFF ERIC NORTHMAN: X Eric Northman_
PRINCESS SOOKIE BRIGANT: X Sookie Brigant_
Everything I read to was to my liking and our previously discussed, agreed upon arrangement, so I signed the next century of my life away before handing the stack of paper to a courier and finishing my Windsor knot. I especially liked the stipulation that the marriage be consummated within the next 24 hours. Honestly, I couldn't wait for that duty to start… and I'd make sure the process would take a long, long time to finish.
An incessant and annoying knock rattled my door as the hour of my wedding drew near. There was only one individual who would disturb me in such a manner at such a time without a death wish… and without any indication that she would be welcomed with anything but a broadsword to the throat, the door burst open.
Pamela sauntered in like she owned the place, sporting a pair of new, sky-high stilettos and a clingy turquoise gown. I had no doubt whatsoever that I'd see the bill for the outfit quite soon.
"Master!" She sang snarkily as she swayed her hips into my dressing chamber. "I simply cannot wait to meet this princess of yours. Here, you've got the tie all wrong." Pam completely ignored my ominous growls as she straightened my Windsor knot.
"Oh come now. Don't be so grouchy, Eric. It's unbecoming on a groom on his wedding night, especially one of your age."
"Pamela." My fangs clicked down in annoyance as my child's tiny blond form circled me like the perfectionist whirlwind that she is. I growled louder, but she ignored me totally and went about her fussing. Fixing my stance, tugging my hair into place, brushing the shoulders of my already perfect tuxedo… Pam ran a cloth over my shiny shoes, tsking at the hem length of my slacks, but when she reached up to pin a white rose to my lapel I had had quite enough.
"PAMELA! I'M NOT WEARING ANY FUCKING FLOWERS!" I took a quick snap at my child and she backed away in a huff.
"FINE!" She pouted. "I was just trying to make your savagery more presentable to a lady, Master, but if you wish to look like a pillaging heathen on your wedding night then, fine!" Pam flopped dejectedly down on a nearby Queen Anne chair to sulk and contemplate her expensive manicure. Oh yes, I knew it was expensive… the bills came weekly from a fancy French salon in New Orleans. How her nails cost three hundred dollars a week when they are perfect, and would still be perfect even if she had the top knuckles of her fingers sawed off the night before was a mystery to me. Obviously regeneration doesn't apply to French tips…
There were few things I could not abide, and the unhappiness of my only child was at the forefront of that short list… and Pamela knew it. It was why I let her spend my money to her heart's content, why I let her go her own way when she wished for as long as she desired, and why I had yet to see her wear the same pair of shoes twice. It was why I would give her anything and everything, and bear the insolence I would normally decapitate anyone else for paying me.
As I surveyed my appearance in the antique mirror, I saw a small red streak drip down Pamela's alabaster cheek in the background… and like any loving father, I felt like a total ass. I cleared my throat.
"Would a flower be more appropriate, Pam?" My child looked up from her manicure, tentatively.
"Yes, I think so." A dainty, polished finger smeared away the pink tear.
I knew I was being a sucker, I just knew it… but I succumbed anyway. "Alright then."
Pam bounced off the chair like a shot, white rose in hand. She had the delicate bloom pinned to my lapel in a blink of an eye, and took the inch I gave her the whole mile that I knew she would stretch it.
"Perfect! Oh, but really Eric, this tie is all wrong! There isn't enough time to change the suit; this one is more professional than it is formal. It's all in the cut. I think the De La Renta would've been better than whatever this is, but we'll make due. The new tie I got you for Father's Day would be perfect! Do you remember? It's mostly blue and silver, thick and perfect for a Windsor knot, and I got you a matching pocket square. I don't think the pattern will clash with the suit… oh, I'll just grab a few options I had packed up and we'll find something. I just KNEW I was right to bring some of your things along with mine last night – you're so totally helpless with fashion."
My child dashed off as I laughed quietly and tugged off the most recent tie Pamela had bought for me, and had dubbed inappropriate.
Yo: Who else just LOVES Pam? Lol!
Miss Elizabetha Cirrus is Bessa, and Countess Yollanda Cloud is Yollie, just to make that clear. Short of making one of their last names "Cumulus", I hope that I got the sky-ness across! So Sookie will be taking Ellie, Yollie, and Bessa with her to… wherever Eric takes them ;)
Seems to me that Sookie didn't quite notice what was going down when she signed the contract…
I wish you guys could see the contract as I typed it! The font is very official in a royal sort-of way, and the I spent a lot of time on the signatures. Effing FF!
Next chapter should be a good 'un: the wedding! And who could forget that consummation is required within 24 hours?
*hugs*
