Chapter 10

Still wrapped in our towels we were both sat on the bed. I leaned my head on his shoulder and asked "What do you have against Bill?"

"Aside from the fact I just don't like him, I think he is weak. He not only lied to you but he lied to me. He lives in my area and is my subordinate and as such he has my protection but I find myself doubting his loyalty."

"What he did to me was awful but he was under orders from the queen. Don't get me wrong it hurt deeply; he was my first in every way. I was drawn to him for his silence; my disability wasn't an issue for the first time in my life." My telepathy had made it impossible to date normal, human men.

"Was that the only attraction?" I thought about this question long and hard before I answered and he just waited. Eric could be a good listener when he wanted to be.

"It was one of the first things that caught my attention" I didn't think Eric would appreciate me telling him how attractive I thought Bill was. "But as we got to know each other I did fall in love with him" It was a lame answer, even I could hear that. I just couldn't put into words what our relationship had been like. I had been so naive in some ways, I had taken so much from Bill and excused it due to him being a vampire, but I had cared for him very much.

Eric just sat there looking at me; he didn't look like he was going to say anything anytime soon.

"I didn't really have alot of experience and it was all so new. We had good times together but by the end things were difficult. You were around, you know what happened. It was a painful lesson to learn but I learnt it..." Oh boy did I!

"Yes" He put his arm around me. "A lesson I'm paying for"

I sat upright and looked him straight in the eye. "What are you talking about?" I couldn't read his face so I wasn't sure what he meant.

"I am not Bill Compton, yet I have to pay for his mistakes. He was a fool, he lied and cheated yet he still has your affections."

"Not like that, yes we're friends but nothing more than that. You know me better than that; you know I'm not that type of girl." I couldn't believe he might think I was the type of person to play around. I was sure he knew me better than that. The thought of it hurt.

"I was just pointing out how you seem to still hold him in high regard. After everything he has put you through and the danger he has placed you in, it amazes me how you can still stand to see the sight of him."

I blinked away tears and pulled my knee's up and rested my head against them. It was hard to read his intentions sometimes. I liked that I couldn't hear his thoughts but I was not good reading between the lines as I didn't usually have too.

"He was my first love, he will always hold a place in my heart but I will never trust him wholly again. I believe he means what he says when he tells me he loves me but I'm not convinced. I know I could never go back."

"But what he did has affected you and it affects our relationship even now. I will not lie to you, I will not intentionally hurt you and I will forever protect you. Is that not enough? Am I to be punished for the mistakes of those who went before?"

I took a deep breath and thought about what Eric had just said. I didn't intentionally treat Eric as if he would betray me like Bill or side-line me like Quinn.

"Lover, you yourself has said your experience is limited, it is only natural to be influenced by previous relationships but I would like you to try and give us a chance and how can you do that when you are holding past mistakes over our heads?" His voice was calm and gentle. I knew what he was saying was right but it stung to be criticised.

"Of course it has affected me; everything in my past has affected me. That's how we grow and learn our past is what makes our future. I would not be the person I am today without what has happened to me. Would you really want me any different?"

What Eric was promising was almost enough. I was still going to grow old though, he would not want me when I was old and wrinkled. I had come to terms with the fact I may never have children of my own but a part of me still yearned for the possibility, he would never be able to give them to me. I was in a no win situation. I couldn't be with a human man because of my disability but a supe couldn't give me what I wanted either. Was I treating Eric differently because of Bill and Quinn? I know I gave everything to Bill, am I being unfair to Eric by holding back? I am just trying to protect myself, surely he can understand that?

"You are one of the most extraordinary women I have ever met. I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, you would see a vibrant, confident woman with spirit to spare." He reached over and placed a hand over mine. "I am proud to have you as my wife."

"Sometimes I feel as if I don't know you at all..."

"What makes you say that?" He moved to sit close to me and put his arm around my shoulders, I was still hugging my knees but I turned my head to face him.

"I know very little of your past, you have told me some colourful things but you have walked this earth for so long and seen so much that I couldn't even imagine." I made a revelation, this was our problem we thought we knew each other but neither of us really knew the true person. "Even in my limited time on this earth I have gained experiences you could never guess. We need to share and listen, if this relationship has any chance of survival we need to work together and know each other." I held my head up and looked him right in the eyes.

"You are correct; we need to be strong as a couple which is one of the reasons for this get-away." I hadn't been far off the mark when I had thought it was some kind of relationship counselling retreat.

"Okay, what do we start with?" I had never been comfortable talking about relationships and I had definitely never had this kind of conversation before.

"I am unaccustomed to this type of conversation. I have never volunteered this kind of information before but I want to make this work so I am willing to try." He stood and pulled the bedding down. "Why don't we get comfortable to talk?"

We both got into bed and I snuggled into the crook of his arm and rested my head on his silent chest.

"We could try 'truth or dare'" I smiled at the thought of a big strapping Viking playing such an adolescent game.

"I don't know of this, explain" I stiffened slightly, the way he said it his voice had that undertone of an order. "Please" the word was stiff but at least he tried.

"It's a silly game but it may help us. You say truth or dare then you either have to answer a question honestly or carry out the dare" It seemed like a good suggestion a minute ago but the more I thought about it the more uneasy I became. Eric might get creative with the dares.

"Interesting" I could tell he was smiling. Oh, this could be bad...

"I think you should go first, Truth or dare?"

"Oh, ladies first I think." I rolled over onto my side so I could hold my head up and face him and he moved his arm so he could play with my hair hanging over my shoulder.

"Okay, Truth." It was my suggestion so I might as well get on with it.

"How much money do you have in the bank at this minute?" It was such a rude question and so not what I was expecting. It took me a while to think and answer.

"More than I have had in while, enough to keep me comfortable." I was so glad I had banked that check from Claudine.

"You do realise you can't lie to me without giving it away" he had barely finished speaking before I was defending myself.

"I am not lying; do I have to show you my account statement for you to believe me?"

"I can tell through the bond that you are telling the truth but I can't figure out where you make that kind of money. I know the Dog underpays you."

"Do you expect to know everything about my finances? Is this part of your idea of marriage?"

"You only need to tell me what you want to tell me. I don't want you to struggle when it is unnecessary" He was showing genuine concern, which was sweet if not just a little patronising.

"I inherited some money from my cousin Claudine. I don't need you to keep me, if we're going to work on our relationship this marriage thing needs to be sorted out"

"What is to sort?"

"What do you expect from me?" This situation was so alien to me. I had grown up with visions of marrying a nice man and building a family home and some day being blessed with children. That was never going to happen with Eric.

"Lover, I expect nothing from you. I would hope that we could live and love in happiness as in most marriages. It would be nice for us to see more of one another and it would please me no end for you to come and live with me but we can work that out in the future."

"I like where I live, I like my life. I have friends and family, new family I am just getting to know" I couldn't see myself moving out of Gran's old house, it held so many memories.

"I do not plan to keep you under lock and key, I will not force you into anything unless your life is in danger" he ran the back of his fingers down the side of my face and reached forward to give me a quick kiss. "So; back to the game. I do believe it's your turn"

"Okay Lover; Truth."

"Apart from Aude, have you been married before?" I was bad luck with exes; I needed to know if Eric had any for me to worry about.

"I have never wanted to marry before" that was all he said, he just left the sentence hanging.

"You don't want to be tied do you? You didn't want to bond in Rhodes and you married me to protect me not because you wanted to. I am trouble for you, why do you stick around?" I had dropped my head so I was not looking at his face. I could feel a tear slide to edge of my nose and I rubbed it quickly before he could notice.

"What you say is true but I stick around, as you put it, because I want to. Yes we were forced into the bond but we have come to terms with that, have we not?"

I nodded slightly, not wanting to try and speak just in case my voice broke.

"I married you because it was a solution to a very complex problem. It stopped Victor and De Castro being able to call on you without my knowledge and it made our tie stronger which made both of us safer"

"It wasn't your want it was a need" My voice was shaky and quiet. For as much as I hated him for tricking me into this marriage it hurt a little to think he did it because he had to not because he wanted to.

"Sookie; look at me"

I found it very hard to raise my head and when I did I was adamantly staring at his chest rather than his face.

"Sookie; I've upset you, I didn't want to distress you. I was trying to be honest. Yes there was a need for it but can you not tell how much I want you. Check the bond, feel my feelings. I want to be with you or I would not be going to all this trouble."

"I get so confused; I still find it difficult at times to work out the bond. I can feel a sense of conviction, is that from you?" I peeked up at him briefly and went back to staring at his chest. He had a small scar just below his right nipple, it was a very odd shape, and I couldn't work out what might have caused it.

"I want this to work, I want us to work. I have always been drawn to you; from the first moment we met there was something about you. You were so different from the usual women that come to the club. You showed spirit and integrity in spite of being scared, your bravery was impressive. There is something about you that is compelling"

"That would be the hint or fairy!" Vampire loved the fae; my 8th would give a nice kick to my blood.

"No, that is not it. Yes the taste of your blood is sublime but there is something else. Something I have never come across before and it is intriguing. You have a way about you that is simply adorable."

"Enough, you'll give me a big head. Your turn..." All this praise was too much.

"As you wish." He held his hand out and I took it with the hand that wasn't propping me up.

"Truth" I still wasn't brave enough to ask for a dare.

"Do you know where your telepathy comes from? It is not a fae trait."

"Niall had mentioned that he didn't think it was fae. He told me I had a spark but he didn't explain what that meant." I was hoping my sessions with Claude and Dermot might enlighten me.

"Other than Barry Bellboy, do you know any others?"

Oh hell, how was I going to get out of this one? I didn't want to lie to Eric but I didn't feel ready to tell him about Hunter yet either.

"Hey now that's cheating, it's my turn"

He raised an eyebrow and I knew he was aware that I was trying to hide something but he didn't push.

"Right mister next question. Have you got any other children apart from Pam?"

"I never felt the need to make numerous children like my own sire but of the few I have turned only two still walk the earth. Pam obviously is one and there is another but she lives her life in private. She does not like to interact with anyone human or supe."

"Is she older or younger than Pam?" This was interesting.

"Both, she was younger when she was turned but she became vampire 150 years before Pam. She and Pam get on quite well; they have the same sense of humour and enjoy trying to annoy me." He gave half a smile.

"Will I ever get to meet her?"

"Yes we will be going to visit her tomorrow evening, it was one of the reasons for coming to this place, and I wanted you to meet her. I think you will find her very interesting and she may be able to help us." He leaned over and started to kiss me; it was very gentle, feather like caresses at first but soon became very heated. I broke at one point to ask.

"Hey, you still haven't told me. Where is this Place?" He laughed and kissed me and said.

"No, no, that would be cheating. I believe it is my turn." He could be so frustrating at times.

"Truth!"

"What is the most amount of orgasms you have had in one evening?" his hand had started to travel south and I was starting to feel the stirring sensations between my legs.

"I changed my mind; dare" Oh what the hell, he was already trying to get jiggy why not speed it up. What's the worst he could do?

"Well know; what can I make you do."

I covered his mouth with mine and straddled his hips and distracted him long enough to forget the dare.

We made love all night until dawn, when exhausted and spent we both fell asleep in each other's arms.

A/N Sorry for taking so long but I found this chapter really hard to write, I knew where I wanted to take them but it took me a couple of re-writes to get happy with it.

Updates will be a little slower this month as I have to get my tax return done by the 31st, yet again I've left it to the last minute!

Wish me luck...

Luv BB