Whew! Well, I have finally finished writing Mega Chapter 10. I didn't want to split it in half, it would of totally spoiled the flow of action. I start this off slow, since it is going to be a roller coaster ride, but it will pick up in intensity, and in angst. You will probably need a tissue. Lets go!

I couldn't sleep. It had been a few hours now since Eric had fallen into his day death and I laid on my side, staring at his face bathed in the low light coming from the bedside lamp. I was content to watch him, his handsome features highlighted within the darkened room; his broad nose, his chiseled lips, his strong brow and dimpled chin. His blonde hair was tousled and I played with it, twirling his locks around my index finger over and over again, my thoughts worried.

Felipe was coming tonight. He would be arriving at the club around ten thirty, and he had requested not only my presence, but surprisingly enough all of the Vampires that had been in attendance the night Victor and his entourage had died. He had called Eric while I had been laying down and had said that he needed to come talk to him about a situation brought to his attention(meaning Freyda and the marriage contract, I assumed), and that he wanted Eric's status report on the whereabouts of Victor.

I couldn't help but be anxious and on edge about the meeting that was going to happen in thirteen hours. I had tried to sleep, especially considering that Eric had kept me awake for the rest of the night by making wild, voracious love that had become increasingly intense, almost overwhelming me with the fast pace that he had set. We had lost ourselves in one another, and we had both received a surprise when the sun had risen and Eric was still awake. He had succumbed eventually, but not before making me scream his name in ecstasy one last time.

That was two hours ago, and still, rest evaded me. My mind was not at peace, the possibility that this could be the last time I lay next to my husband twisting my heart. I needed to look at him, touch him, to assure myself that he was still here for the moment, that he was still mine. He would always be mine.

My anger got the best of me in that moment. Throwing the covers back, I plucked my robe from the end of the bed, yanking it on impatiently as I climbed the stairs quickly, opening and closing the door with a little too much force. I tied my robe as I went into the kitchen, my foul mood feeding upon the fact that I wanted coffee right now, but I would have to wait and brew it first. I went through the motions, getting the filter and scooping the coffee in, pouring water into the coffee machine and hit the brew button.

I watched the dark brown liquid dribble slowly into the glass carafe, the smell perking me up slightly. I waited, tapping my fingers as the next three minutes passed slowly, grabbing my cup and pouring my restorative brew inside, adding a splash of milk and a Splenda packet. I sat at the oak table in the kitchen, and stared unseeing at the wall as I planned a strategy for tonight.

Of all the worries that plagued me, two were the most prevailent; What was going to happen with the Freyda situation, was Felipe going to take her side? I don't know exactly how "close" the two were, if they were friends or just agreeable acquaintances, but I knew that if Felipe found out that we had murdered his regent, that may sway his decision in ordering the contract out of spite. He would enjoy watching Eric taken away from the one thing that mattered most to him, considering that just punishment.

And that brought me back to my other concern. Victor. Felipe had already come around once in the two weeks since his regent's death, looking for him and asking questions. Eric could not play the "I don't know where he is" card again. Eric had told Felipe that he would look for Victor, and I knew that the King would be expecting an in depth report of his findings tonight. I didn't know what story Eric would spin, if he would lie to Felipe or come straight out and tell him about killing Victor, asking for forgiveness.

I found it suspicious that Felipe requested the presence of Pam, Bill, Thalia, Indira, Maxwell, Heidi(who came from Las Vegas in the first place), Rubie, Parker and Palomino. All of them, Bill excluded since he took care of Bubba, had been involved with Victor's demise. If any were to be considered a traitor, I knew Eric would go for Heidi. But then I found it hard to believe that she would screw up the chance of bringing her son here after Eric had offered it to her by giving Felipe information, but then stranger things have happened. All other Vampires in this area were loyal to their Sheriff. I couldn't believe any of them would play the mole, they would only dig a hole for themselves, especially since they participated in the massacre that took place.

I couldn't help but wonder if tonight would end in another blood bath. Eric's emotions had been in turmoil during the early morning hours, and I knew that if it came down to it, he would defend himself and his people, ending Felipe if he had too. Eric didn't want to be King, but that desire would fall to the wayside if he was backed into a corner by Felipe.

I sipped my coffee, grimacing slightly that it had gone cold as I had sat there deep in thought. Standing, I poured the rest down the drain and poured myself a fresh cup, noticing as I went to pull the refrigerator open that a note was in place by a magnet.

Sookie-

I brought that thing you call a car back from the gas station for you. It did not sustain any damage and I brought all of the boxes inside into the upstairs bedroom for you. Prepare yourself for tonight, this is the time to show everyone what you are made of.

Pam-

I took the note off the fridge and stared at it. I had not even thought of my car, or all of my personal items that had been sitting locked inside. I would have to thank Pam later for the insight of bringing my vehicle back from the Circle-K. Grabbing my cup, I walked back to the security door and punched in the code(56441640, which Eric told me were the coordinates of where his village had been when he was human), heading down the stairs and into the bathroom to shower.

This is the time to show everyone what I was made of. What did that mean? I twisted my hair into a bun and stepped in under the spray, trying to see the hidden context in Pam's words of advice. I understood what was implied, but how would that make a difference with the outcome of what went down tonight? Yes, I was a Princess to be, but I had no real power yet, no voice, especially not to Vampires. Many already knew what I was made of, literally, my blood having been spilt one too many times for my taste. I would be myself, no more, no less. That is what I was made of; my beliefs, my love, my sense of right and wrong. And what Freyda was doing was wrong, so so wrong.

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towel around me, tucking it into place. I went into the closet and dug out a pair of panties and a bra, along with some blue jeans and a light blue T-shirt that complimented my eyes. After I was dressed, I went back into the bathroom and brushed my hair and put on a touch of makeup.

Once I was finished, I groaned as I remembered that I had to work today. My mind was completely focused on tonight, I had not even considered that my shift started at twelve. "Shit," I mumbled, switching off the lights as I left Eric to his day rest. I trudged up the stairs, weighing my options in calling Sam and telling him that I couldn't come in today or to just go in and work. I stopped in the living room and looked around, biting my lip. I needed something to do since sleep wasn't in the cards, but I really wasn't in the mood to deliver drinks and fries all afternoon with so much burdening my mind. In that moment I decided that today was the day to tell Sam about my decision that I was going to be leaving Merlottes.

I headed upstairs into the first bedroom where Pam said she put the boxes. I opened the door and found them stacked neatly against wall across from the double bed that sat in the room, and I went over and began rummaging around, hoping that Pam had put my purse in one of them. I found it in the second one, and unzipping it, I headed back to the kitchen and found my cell phone in the side pocket.

I dialed Gia and she answered after the first ring. "Sookie?"

I smiled. "Yeah, can you come over? I need to head to Merlottes."

I was startled when I heard a knock on the front door. "Hold on, Gia." I said, heading toward the rarely used door, since everyone usually entered through the garage into the kitchen. I looked through the peep hole and rolled my eyes as I opened the door, Gia smiling mischieviously as she ducked passed me into the house.

"Cute." I commented, snapping my phone closed.

"It works." she said, looking at me expectantly. "How do you feel?"

"I'm okay. I didn't get much sleep though." I replied, running into the kitchen quickly to grab my purse. I headed back to Gia, cursing because I couldn't find my keys. Did Pam have them? Or did she hotwire my car? I couldn't remember where they were at the moment and Gia, seeing my frustration grabbed my hand, pulling me onto the front stoop as the door closed behind us, locks sliding into place automatically.

"I'll get us there." she said, closing her eyes, her hand holding mine tightly as I felt an unexpected rush of air sweep over us. Eric's front step dissolved away, and the next moment we were standing behind Merlottes by the employee entrance. I gasped, the Popping unexpected and taking me by surprise, and I pulled my hand away from Gia as I steadied myself with my hand on the side of the building.

"Warn a girl next time, will ya?" I breathed, slightly lightheaded and my coffee flip flopping in my stomach. I allowed myself a minute to adjust to being in two separate places within the space of ten seconds, Gia watching me closely. Popping would take some adjusting too, that's for sure. It was a strange sensation, I hadn't even noticed it when Gia had done it yesterday. One thing could be said for Popping though; if I was being followed, disappearing into thin air would come in handy.

"Okay," I breathed out as I opened the door and entered the hallway, feeling better. I paused by Sam's office and didn't see him, so I headed to the front of the bar. It was almost opening time, and I found him stocking the bottled beer into the mini fridge under the bar, Jannalyn sitting on a stool as she watched him with appraising eyes.

I was surprised when I saw Jannalyn, the transformation that had taken place in the week that I had last seen her quite noticeable. I had never seen her look so...feminine. Her brown hair framed her face, smooth and cut short in a bob. Her makeup was light and she was wearing an ankle length brown skirt with a turquoise tank top with the antique earrings that Sam had bought her. She smiled when she saw me, her brown eyes lighting up.

"Hey there, Sookie!" she said happily, hopping down from the bar stool.

"Hey Jannalyn, hey Sam," I said, glad that she seemed genuinely pleased to see me.

"Hey Sookie." Sam said as he stood up, stacking the beer crates on top of each other. He frowned when he saw my attire, his blue eyes darting quickly to Gia, who was standing protectively behind me.

I took a deep breath. It was now or never. "Sam, I need to speak with you."

He sighed, coming out from behind the bar and wiping his hands on a dish towel that was looped through his pant loop. He stared at me hard, my face or my nervous fidgeting obviously giving me away. "Your here to tell me that your leaving, right?"

I smiled sadly at my friend, who I had worked for almost six years now. Sam had always been very perceptive. "Yeah, I am. I'm sorry. I should be giving you more notice, but so many things are happening at the moment Sam, I just-"

Sam put his hand up, putting a stop to my rambling. "Sookie, I knew something was going on. You haven't been the same lately, you seem distracted, especially since the fire bomb attack." Yeah, the molotov cocktail that had come through the window had certainly dampened my mood, for sure. "You have always been a hard worker, dependable, but when you asked me to cut back your hours, I knew you would be coming to me sooner or later to tell me that you were quitting. I have already hired a new girl to prepare for this, her name is Denise. Danielle has been training her this past week during the evening shift."

I couldn't help feeling slightly hurt that I had already been replaced, but I pushed that silly feeling to the side, deciding to look at this in a positive way. At least I wouldn't leave him hanging short handed. "I know I haven't been the same. I just want...more. I need more. I'm so sorry, Sam."

"I understand, Sookie. Why do you think I opened this place up? When I got out of the Army, I needed something I could be proud of, something that was mine. Don't be sorry. I have been waiting for this to happen. I want you to have more than just being a waitress. You have too much potential for that." Sam smiled at me.

I went and sat by Jannalyn, looking around the empty bar. "I don't know what I'll do, but I will figure it out. I'm just happy to be with Eric right now. I have wasted too much time being stubborn, and I fear I have lost precious time." All that time we could of been happy, but I had spent it being rebellious, stupid. I had fallen in love with him when he had had amnesia and then I had been hurt when he hadn't remembered any of our time together. I had punished him by pushing him away and making excuses, dating Quinn, denying my feelings for him; technically being a bitch.

"You two doing better now?" Jannalyn asked, looking at my diamond ring with saucer like eyes. Every customer and employee at Merlottes had been eyeing my ring like that all week long. I knew the rumor mill was hard at work.

"Much better, thanks." I tried to smile brightly, but my feeling of impending doom for tonight didn't allow for full wattage.

"What do you mean by you have lost precious time?" Sam asked, rather suspiciously. "What is going on, Sookie?"

I bit could of bit my tongue. "Nothing is going on. Everything is just fine." I forced my crazy Sookie smile, the one I always used in case of emergency when I needed to cover any emotion that might give my emotions away. I wasn't going to tell Sam the truth of what has been going on in my life, I didn't need to pull him into my problems. It wasn't fair to him to always come to my aid and help me, this had nothing to do with him and I wanted to keep it that way. Plus, I had just made amends with Jannalyn, I didn't need her jealousy to flair up again and have her come gunning after me again.

"You sure?" Sam asked, squinting at me slightly.

I got annoyed at that point. He just didn't know when to leave well enough alone. "Yes, Sam, everything is wonderful. Now, if you will excuse me, Gia and I will be going." I stood up and gave Sam a pleading look, one that Jannalyn couldn't see. I needed him to understand that he had to back off now. He was in a relationship with a woman who did not take kindly to his generosity with other women, he knew that. He opened his mouth, about to speak, but stopped short and nodded, looking over my shoulder at Jannalyn.

"Of course. I need to open the bar in a few minutes, anyway. But I do need to give you something, first. Its in the safe in the office." Sam smiled at Jannalyn, who leaned against the bar watching our conversation with a neutral expression. Sam left the bar area and walked past Gia, who stood to the side against the wall. I looked over at Jannalyn.

"You look really nice. You two doing okay?" I asked quietly as we waited for Sam's return.

She nodded, glancing toward the door that led to the back hallway. "Its been a good week." Sam came back at that moment, an envelope in his hands. He handed it to me and I opened it, finding the check that I had given to him inside. I looked up, surprised.

"You didn't cash it?"

He shook his head. "I was going too, but then business began to pick back up again. Thank you for helping me out, Sookie."

I smiled, slipping the check into my purse. "Anytime." The back door opened then, Holly coming through as she tied her apron. She paused when she saw us.

"Hey, what's going on?" she asked, shooting a dirty look at Gia.

"Sookie just gave me her notice. I'm going to call Denise in to fill her shift." Sam said, going to stand by Jannalyn, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

"Your quitting!" Holly gaped, as though the world was coming to an end.

That was pretty much everyone's reaction to the news that Sookie Stackhouse was going to be leaving Merlottes. I stayed for an hour helping out with the lunch rush until Denise arrived, and I felt bad that I hadn't even been around enough this week to really meet the girl. She was in her early twenties, a bit on the chubby side, with dark blonde hair and and brown eyes. She was really friendly and smiled a lot, her thoughts innocent enough, mostly worrying about how her legs looked in her new pair of black shorts.

Denise took over the section I was working, and I made my rounds at that point, saying good-bye to everyone that I had worked with. Sam was waiting outback for me once I was done, sitting on the picnic table. Gia stood to the side as Sam came over to me and I gave him a friendly hug.

"Don't be a stranger, okay?" he said gruffly in my ear.

I pulled away, tears stinging my eyes. I shook my head. "I won't."

He nodded and backed away a few steps. I walked over to Gia, who extended her hand to me. I waved at Sam one last time and took Gia's hand, and in the next moment we were back on Eric's front step. Popping this time wasn't such a shock to my system like it had before, and I was proud of myself that I didn't need to grab anything for balance. I turned on the spot and put my thumb on the fingerprint scanner that opened the front door, and the locks released.

Once Gia and I were inside, I turned to her. "Tonight the King of Nevada, Louisiana and Arkansas is coming to meet with Eric tonight. He has requested that I be there personally, so I can't get out of it. I don't know what is gonna happen. I know it will be dangerous. Do you think you can be nearby in case I need you?"

"I'll come with." she said, her eyes narrowing.

"Gia, you can't come with. You would be in a club full of Vampires, the majority of which who would have no qualms about draining you on the spot. It wouldn't be a good idea." I argued, but Gia shook her head stubbornly.

"I will veil myself and cover my scent. I will be behind you every step of the way and if there is any trouble I will be able to Pop us away immediately. If I am only nearby, I might not make it in time if there is trouble."

She was right. I just worried about her safety. A Fairy being in a club with twenty plus Vampires just seemed like a bad idea.

"Okay," I groused, agreeing with her logic. "But you stay close to me at all times, okay?" Geez, who was protecting who here?

"Agreed." she smiled, triumph in her golden eyes.

"Well, I think I'm gonna go lay down for a bit. You okay being by yourself?" I asked, slowly heading through the living room to the hall that led to the Eric's resting place.

"Sure." Gia replied, eyeing the huge plasma television that Eric had in the living room.

I went to the security door and punched in the code, which closed behind me as I descended into the pitch dark room. I didn't even bother with turning the lamps on as I pulled off my shirt and unbuttoned my jeans, sitting heavily on the bed to push them off. I would sleep now, I felt totally exhausted as I crawled on my hands and knees over to my love, collapsing by his side when I felt his chest. I pulled the blankets up over us, snuggling deeply into his left side as I threw my leg over his thighs. I laid my head on his bulging bicep which was stretched out toward my side of the bed and closed my eyes. I was gone within seconds.

I had disturbing dreams that blended into each other, mainly starring Felipe and Freyda. I tossed and turned, murmuring in my sleep as I tried to push the two Vampires away, their presence overwhelming me with terror and sadness. I felt strong arms embrace me, a deep voice whispering softly in my ear. "Lover, wake up. Its just a dream, wake up."

I turned in the arms that held me, my eyes snapping open and I found Eric hovering over me, the soft light from the lamp showing his concerned face. I needed to erase the last vestiges of Freyda's mocking face from my memory, the dream touching too close to reality. Reaching up, I cupped my husbands face and ran my thumb along his lips. "Kiss me."

Eric smiled as he pulled the tangled sheets from my body and pulled me possessively into his arms, his lips fusing with mine. I was desperate, afraid, and he returned the full force of my kiss with his own, our teeth clicking against each other as our impatience to claim each other took over. I felt my panties come off with a single tug, Eric's hand sliding down my thigh to my knee, hitching my leg up over his hip as he rolled me onto my back.

I cried out when my Vampire pulled away from my lips, bereft. He kissed along my neck to my breasts, heading south but stopping along the way to pay special attention to certain parts of my anatomy that he loved. I laughed when he growled impatiently and grabbed my hips, dragging me to the edge of the bed so he could settle between my legs properly. He spread my legs wide open, and for all intents and purposes, I became an all you could eat buffet as he knelt beside the bed, his face buried in my most private place.

Eric was relentless in his assault, his fingers, teeth and tongue causing me to spasm on the bed as he built me toward my release. I tried to keep eye contact, but I couldn't help it the few times I closed my eyes as I squirmed around beneath him, my desire shooting across every nerve, my body humming.

I was on the brink of my orgasm, my hips undulating along with the movement of Eric's fingers. He turned his head when I shuddered violently, biting my inner thigh. I reared up, screaming loudly as I looked at my Vampire as he fed, the blue of his eyes intense, burning right into me as he tasted the pleasure in my blood.

I fell back onto the bed panting, Eric planting kisses and licking my skin as he worked his way back to my lips. I tasted my blood and the sweetness of my release on his tongue as he entered my mouth, his hands diving into my hair as he settled over me, kissing me slowly. I reached down and stroked him lightly, ending each downstroke with a gentle squeeze to his balls.

Eric couldn't take anymore teasing. I felt his control snap as he pushed my hand away, entering me strong and sure. I arched up to meet his thrusts, his forearms resting on either side of my head, his face inches from mine. He was breathing as raggedly as I was, our bond streaming with love and an undertone of desperation. I wrapped my arms around him, my fingernails dragging along his back, my feet rubbing along his calves.

"Your mine. No matter what." he gasped, moving faster, pounding me into the mattress. "Your my wife, part of my soul. No matter what happens tonight, I will always be yours."

I wept, tears streaming from my eyes. "I will never give you up. Please, please don't make me." He kissed me frantically, as though he wanted to smother the doubt and fear he felt from me, but I saw the red tear slip down his cheek.

"You will always have me." He ground out as he felt my muscles contract around him as I cried out in both anguish and pleasure, Eric following me over the edge. I buried my face in his neck, holding him just as tightly as he held me. I breathed in his familiar scent, combed my fingers through his soft hair, relished the feel of his large body laying heavily over mine.

I didn't want the moment to end, but I knew we had to get going soon. With grim resolve Eric pulled away and stood, holding his hand out to me. I reached out, his large hand swallowing mine within his grasp as he tried to pull me toward the bathroom. I shook my head.

"I don't want to shower."

That got a smile out of him. "Why is that, Lover?"

"I want to smell like you. It makes me feel stronger." And truthfully, it did. The scent of our love making wrapped around me like a blanket and I did not want to wash that away. Not right now.

Eric pulled me in for a fast and passionate kiss, leaving my lips tender and swollen afterwards as he pulled me into the closet. He obviously didn't want to shower, either. We began to dress, both of us choosing black. Eric wore black ninety percent of the time, so the expensive looking black suit he pulled on with a dark crimson silk shirt that he left open at the collar was not a surprising choice for him. He needed to be dressed accordingly for a visit from the King.

I, on the other hand, felt like if blood was going to fly tonight, I didn't want to wear anything that would stain like I had when Victor died. Blood is so hard to get out, and I was tired of having to throw good clothes out because of that. It felt strange to think that way, detached and cold, but I had to grow a thicker skin. I was not going to freak out tonight like I had two weeks ago. Better them than me.

I chose to wear slacks and a silk blouse cut short on the arms, along with some black ballet flats. I was about to leave the closet when I remembered the secret door that I had found hidden behind the clothes. "Eric, why is there a concealed door with a security pad here in the closet?"

He glanced over at me, snapping diamond cuff links into place. He smiled slyly, enjoying my curiosity. "Its a surprise I want to share with you."

Smoothing my hands over my breasts to adjust the cleavage in the low cut neck of my blouse, I walked over to Eric, pouting slightly. "What is it?" I tried for innocence.

He shook his head, leaving the closet with me hot on his heels. He picked up the brush once in the bathroom and stood me in front of him as he brushed my hair. "You will find out soon enough." I looked at him sharply, his voice sounding strange. I could feel his emotions, but not all of them and I knew he was blocking out the more negative ones from me. I looked down at my hands, licking my lips.

"Sookie." I glanced up, meeting his gaze in the mirror. "I love you."

"And I love you." My throat felt thick. Wanting to distract myself, I freshened up my makeup as Eric attended to his hair. Once finished, we both left the bathroom and headed upstairs. It was close to nine thirty, and Felipe would be arriving at Fangtasia in little over an hour. It was time to get going.

We found Gia sitting on the couch reading a book chosen from Eric's extensive library collection that he had in the living room. She closed it and placed it on the coffee table, standing up when we entered. She nodded at both of us, looking slightly anxious. She wasn't the only one.

"Stay with Sookie at all times tonight. If anything happens, or seems like it is going too, I want you to get her out of there fast. She is all that matters. Understand?" Eric asked Gia.

"Of course. I will Pop to your club now and wait for you outside." Gia walked to the front door and opened it, vanishing from sight as soon as she stepped on the stoop. The door moved slowly back into place, locking.

Eric took my hand and led me through the kitchen, both of us silently putting our shoes on before entering the garage. I hit the garage door opener and we both climbed into his red Corvette, the engine roaring loudly to life within the confined space. Eric backed out and we were off, the drive to Fangtasia taking no more than ten minutes from his house.

Silence stretched between us, both of us lost in our thoughts; mine were chaotic and distressed. Eric's emotions were controlled, pensive, and I knew that he was going over a battle plan in his head, readying himself for a preemptive strike if necessary. We arrived at the club a few minutes later, the parking lot empty, which was always strange for a Saturday night. Eric pulled around back, parking in his usual spot right by the employee entrance.

The car went silent and we sat there, staring at each other. Eric's face was half in shadow, and half illuminated by the lamp post situated behind us. I reached over and took his hand in mine and brought it up to my lips, kissing each knuckle and rubbing my cheek along his fingers. He curled his hand around my chin and pulled me over for a slow, deep kiss.

"Come," he whispered, pulling away at last. I nodded and he exited the car, coming around to my side and opening my door. I reached out and took his offered hand, and after hitting the button for the car alarm on his key chain, we slowly walked toward the dark grey door that the employees used.

Before Eric could open the door, I looked around and whispered softly, "Gia?"

She materialized before us, only for a split second, letting us know she was there. She quickly disappeared then and Eric opened the door, allowing her to enter first, then me, following quickly behind as he closed the door. He led us down the hall, never letting go of my hand. Our footsteps echoed loudly down the narrow hall that led to Eric's office, storeroom, employee break room and bathroom. Eric pulled open the black leather door that led into the club, which was eerily quiet.

As we entered, I stood behind Eric and peeked around him curiously, not surprised to see all requested Vampires standing or sitting around the club, somber and silent. Eric had told me last night that he had sent out a blast e-mail to all the specified Vamps that Felipe had requested, telling them to be at the club by ten. I wasn't surprised to see Mustapha Khan, Eric's new day man, standing behind the bar, drinking a beer. I liked the guy a hell of a lot better than I ever did Bobby Burnham. He had participated in taking down two of Victor's men two weeks ago, and I knew he would help tonight if it came to that. He was a good guy, a lone werewolf who chose to follow his own path. I respected that.

Pam stood by the bar near Mustapha, dressed in a dark gray pencil skirt and light pink blouse, paired with ivory stiletto heels. Her hair was lightly curled which bounced happily as she came towards me and Eric, her face a neutral mask which betrayed no emotion, except for her clenched jaw. She was just as nervous as we were.

"Everyone is here, Eric. What do you want us to do?" she asked quietly, staring up at her maker, waiting to do his bidding.

Eric looked beyond her, deep in thought for the moment. He glanced down at me as I came to stand beside him, pressing into his arm for comfort. He squeezed my hand. "We wait." he said loudly, so everyone could hear him. "No one says anything. I don't know what is going to happen, but I want to spare myself the hassle of having to kill the King if I can. He is not the threat that Victor was. He is only doing what any Monarch would do when investigating the disappearance of his Regent. We will welcome his Majesty graciously, allowing him to make the first move if and when it comes to that. Is that understood?" Eric was the Sheriff in this moment, demanding the respect and cooperation from all that had swore fealty to him.

I felt Gia press up behind me, and I knew that she was nervous being in such close proximity to so many Vampires, so I reached behind me and I felt her hand grab mine, and I squeezed slightly. She returned it, coming to stand next to me so the strange position of my hand didn't draw any attention.

Everyone in the bar nodded in agreeance to Eric's order. Pam looked like she wanted to ask another question, probably in regards to Freyda, but Eric shook his head. He walked passed her, heading toward the booth in the back of the club where he usually sat when not on display up on the dias. Pam followed after us, and Gia pressed close, keeping in step with me. I waited a moment to let Gia slide in, then followed after, Eric sitting down next to me. Pam stood before the booth with her arms crossed over her chest, cocking her head as she looked at the space beside me. She met my eyes and I nodded my head at her silent question, her eyes lighting up with recognition and respect that Gia had come in with us.

I pulled Eric's sleeve back on his wrist, looking at his gold Rolex watch that he wore. It was a little after ten; Felipe would be arriving soon. I occupied myself with pinpointing the location of all the Vampires spread throughout the club. Thalia and Indira sat at a table not too far from us, staring blankly at the floor. They appeared to be in downtime, and I was happy to see that Thalia looked completely healed from having her arm ripped off during the battle two weeks prior. She was quite scary, but very loyal to Eric and she was an asset to his group of Vampires.

Rubio, Parker and Palomino, who shared a nest, stood by the wall whispering to each other, looking slightly on edge. They lived in Monroe and were not usually called upon by Eric, but he had had them come to help in Victor's demise, needing the extra muscle. Maxwell paced near the bar, Mustapha casually sipping his beer as he watched him. Heidi was sitting in a booth by herself, and I almost laughed when I saw her biting her nails. I shared that habit, and I knew that she was dreading the visit with Felipe. She would be in serious shit if she was really leaking information to the King about what had happened to his Regent.

I noticed Bill standing in the corner by the raised dias, his eyes meeting mine as I looked his way. Bill had always been hard to read, rarely showing emotion or even smiling, so it was of no surprise that his expression was unreadable, closed. He slowly walked over to our booth, and I glanced up at Eric, who watched Bill as well.

"Do you really have no plan?" Bill asked casually, brushing passed Pam and sitting down across from us.

I felt annoyance flair in the bond, and I knew that Eric was in no mood to be pressed by Bill's questions. "Like I said, Compton, we wait." I saw a muscle twitch in Bill's cheek, sure that he was just as put out as Eric. They had never gotten along, me being the catalyst that had set the tone of their relationship. They agreed to work together for the sake of keeping me safe, and that was all. Neither would piss on each other if one were on fire(not that they could).

I smoothed my free hand down Eric's sleeve, anxious for ten thirty to get here. I looked at his watch again. Fifteen minutes. I glanced up at Bill, and I saw him looking at my hand, at the ring on my left finger. After Victor had died, Bill had driven me home since I had been a complete mess, and I had told him about Freyda's marriage contract with Eric. He had told me that Eric would make the decision he felt was right, and up to this point, my husband had held firm in his choice to stand by me. I suppose seeing a ring that had not been there before was a bit surprising for Bill, since he probably thought that Eric would relent and go with Freyda. Just showed me how little Bill really knew of Eric.

"I will go wait outside for his arrival." Pam stated, walking away toward the front of the club.

Eric nodded, and everyone watched as Pam left the bar. The minutes ticked by and as ten thirty approached, Eric stood and pulled me to my feet, Gia following closely behind. We walked to the center of the bar, and right on cue Pam opened the doors and led Felipe into the bar, along with six other Vampires that brought up the rear.

Pam came to stand by Eric's side and as Felipe de Castro came to a stop in front of us, everyone, myself included, bowed before him. No use getting him upset by not following proper Vampire protcol.

"Your Majesty, we welcome you back to Louisiana." Eric said graciously, nodding his head at Felipe.

Felipe's dark eyes scanned the bar, probably doing a head count and assessing threats. He looked back at Eric. "Thank you, Eric." Felipe looked at me. "Ah, Miss Stackhouse, it has been too long. You are as beautiful as ever, I am honored by your presence here tonight." He shocked me by taking my left hand and bringing it to his lips, kissing the back of my hand. He eyed my ring, his eyebrows raising. I didn't know whether that was a bad sign or not, so I just put my crazy Sookie smile on to cover my nerves, sure that everyone present could hear my racing heart.

"It is nice to see you again, Mr. De Castro." I always felt so awkward around Vampire Kings and Queens. Americans didn't know how to act around Royalty, more than likely they saw us as barbarians, and Vampires even more so. Bloodbag barbarians. It didn't help my mental state that the little voice in my head reminded me that I was born Royalty, and that people would be feeling awkward around me once I ascended the throne. I pushed the thought away.

Felipe smiled at me brightly, his eyes crinkling in the corners. He released my hand and I lowered my arm, and I could feel Eric's relief and slight tinge of jealousy coming through loud and clear. I looked behind Felipe, the Vampires that had accompanied him obviously his protection, all dressed in dark suits with white shirts, the look finished off with dark sunglasses(they looked like the Men in Black).

Felipe himself was dressed in a navy pinstripe suit, double breasted, looking quite dapper with a cane that boasted a dark topaz stone at the top. He wore a dark cape, like he had the night I first met him. He looked exactly like I remembered him; caramel colored complexion, well groomed mustache and chin strip, his dark hair cut close to his head. Vampires don't change much, but it was nice to see that my memory wasn't failing me(yet).

"Come, let us talk." Felipe said jovially, his Spanish accent thick and robust. I didn't know what to expect, but he seemed to be in an okay mood for a King who suspected foul play where it concerned his Regent for Louisiana. Felipe chose to sit at a normal table near the bar, his men keeping close, watchful. He sat back and laid his cane over his legs, gesturing for Eric and me to sit opposite him. As I settled into my chair, I felt Gia's hands close over my shoulders, ready to Pop me away at a moments notice. Pam stood behind where Gia stood.

Eric pulled his chair closer to mine and sat down, pulling my hand into his lap. King and Sheriff stared at each other, the silence unnerving, growing unnaturally long. I kept my eyes locked on Felipe's face, waiting for him to make a move. Everyone was waiting, and I felt Eric's body tense in anticipation.

"Have you heard from Victor?" Felipe asked at last, his voice soft, casual, but I knew all the Vampires in the club heard his question.

Eric didn't miss a beat. "No, I have not heard from him. He is not in Area Five." Well, that was true.

Felipe's dark eyes were thoughtful. "And why is it that no one has seen him, or even heard from him, in two weeks time? Last I heard he had opened two clubs in this area, more content to inhabit this part of Louisiana than doing his job down in New Orleans. So, I ask once again Eric, where is my Regent?"

I lowered my eyes, trying to breathe evenly to calm myself even though I knew it was pointless since every Supe in that club could hear the pitter patter of my little heart. Felipe's friendly tone had disappeared, and I knew that the next answer hinged on either life or death. I didn't want to see my husband launching himself across the table at Felipe, taking the fall for something that he did plan but had not actually done.

"Victor is dead." Every head in the place turned to look at me, and I sat there just as shocked everyone else as I realized that it had been my strong voice that had spoken the words. Eric's alarm traveled over me, and I tried to ignore it since it only fed my own. Gia's grip tightened.

"How do you know he is dead, Miss Stackhouse?" Felipe asked, leaning forward, his gaze intent on my face.

I licked my lips, throwing the mental shields I used for my telepathy up against the overwhelming fear that was trying to swallow me whole. "Because I killed him." Sookie, no! I turned my head and looked at Eric, hearing his voice inside my head. His blue eyes were wide, his grip almost painful on my hand. I have to do this, I can't let him kill you for something you didn't do, I thought at him. He closed his eyes, swallowing unnecessarily. He had heard me.

I saw the slight movement of all the Vampires in the room, going from relaxed and detached to alert and ready to move at a moments notice. Felipe turned his head slightly, looking at me curiously. He didn't seem as upset as I had expected. "Explain."

"We invited him here to Fangtasia two weeks ago, and he came with his entourage. We had visited Vampire's Kiss a few days before that, and I saw his penchant for Bubba." I gestured with my free hand, having come to like the surname that the King of Rock n' Roll used in his Vampiric state, and felt no need to refer to use human name no longer. "Bubba agreed to perform a few songs for Victor and his crew, and it was going well." Now to do a bit of lying. "But I think Victor saw this as an opportunity to take Eric and his people out, to stage a coup so to speak. We both know that Victor felt threatened by Eric's power in this part of the state, and would not leave because of it. He wanted to eliminate any competition that he saw endangered his position as Regent, even though my husband had no interest in the post, whatsoever."

Most of what I said was the truth, except for the part about Victor and his people attacking us first, not vice versa. I was feeling calmer, my breathing and heart rate coming back to its normal cadence. Seems my speech had helped with my batch of nerves. Confession was good for the soul. I held the attention of everyone, Eric's panic slightly receding and his pride in me washing along the bond. I continued.

"Victor and his Vampires attacked, and in a battle to the death, Eric and those loyal to him won. End of Story."

Felipe sat back and smirked slightly. "And you killed Victor?" I didn't know why he sounded so surprised. I had saved his Spanish ass from Sigebert, and if I hadn't run him over like road kill, Felipe wouldn't be sitting here now. But I only nodded, feeling slightly smug about it. Yes, Pam had finished him, but I had swung that sword to decapitate him, the light feel of the samuari sword and that of the blade hacking to his spinal column a memory I would never forget.

"Yes, I had a sword and a chance, so I took it. Victor isn't the first Vampire I have killed. Nor will he be the last." Eric's panic spiked again. He looked around the room and sat up straighter, ready to strike if anyone came at me in retaliation. That last bit had slipped out without me thinking, and I bit my tongue, cringing. I had several Vampire kills under my belt, but it was quite the idiotic thing for me to boast about it in a room full of them. I met Felipe's eyes, waiting.

He stared at me for a moment longer, glancing back toward Eric, a large smile spreading over his face, chuckling in delight. "She is quite the little warrior, isn't she? Fearless, loyal and one of the few honorable humans I have ever met. I must thank you then, Miss Stackhouse."

I glanced at Eric, unsure of what Felipe meant. This was not the reaction I had been prepared for. Felipe seemed to understand the confusion that rippled throughout the bar, and explained. "When I heard Sophie Anne had been injured in Rhodes and that she couldn't defend her kingdom due to her injuries, I wanted to expand my power and take what was hers. It is the way of Vampire Monarches to take from the weak, and Sophie Anne would of done the same thing if I had been in her position. I know you think less of me for having killed the other Sheriffs that had ruled the other territories, but it was a necessary evil to clean the slate to allow you the last seat of power as the old regime from Sophie Anne."

I looked over at Eric, and he felt the same surprise I did. "Victor had been a loyal subject for many years and I never thought that he would betray me, but shortly before the takeover of Louisiana I found out that Victor had been embezzling money from my accounts for years. I had planned on killing him for this, but then I had a more satisfactory solution. I let him take on the transitional faze after I had left from the takeover, allowing him to gloat in the brilliance of what he thought was his bright future as potential King of this state as gratitude from me for all his years of service.

"I knew he would come head to head with you, Eric. I knew you would not budge an inch on anything he threw at you, driving him to the brink of madness with your cool logic and the loyalty and respect you command from those that are under you. Plus, Miss Stackhouse here as your wife drove Victor wild with jealousy and envy, something else that would never be his, and he knew it. He drained the coffers of this state to build his silly clubs, failed to bring revenue up in New Orleans after Sophie Anne's demise and had not helped at all in the rebuild after Katrina to draw the Vampire population back to the city.

"I wanted you to make Victor feel like a failure by pulling the rug out from under him, which you did, and I have been waiting for months for you to finally kill that traitorous dog. So I thank you Eric, and you as well Miss Stackhouse. I thank everyone that participated in the downfall of Victor Madden. Yes, I am saddened by the deaths of the Vampires that were with him, but when they sided with him, they unknowingly went against me. It was only a matter of time before Victor would of tried to overthrow me from my throne. I am thankful that he has met the final death."

The silence that followed his explanation was torn between grateful relief and complete awe of the King's clever planning and acceptance of Victor's death. I breathed out a sigh of relief, looking over at Eric and met his eyes which shone with love and pride for me. The tension that had been thick in the air since Felipe's arrival dissipated, and I breathed out a sigh of relief and leaned back against my chair, Gia's grip lightening. I suppose Heidi knew of Felipe's plan and had let him know about the moment he had been waiting for and which Vampire's had been involved in the incident. It was the only explanation that made any sense.

"I am happy you feel that way, your Majesty. He was asking for his death to be handed to him on a silver platter." Eric said quietly as the others in the room chatted quietly about getting off the hook by the skin of their teeth.

"I have no doubt. Is it true that you killed him, Miss Stackhouse?" Felipe asked, intrigued.

I shrugged. "I started too, but the sword got stuck. Pam gave it the little extra push it needed." I said, smiling up over my shoulder at Pam who tried not to preen. Felipe let out a deep laugh, standing up from his seat.

"Eric, may I have a word with you and Miss Stackhouse in private?" Felipe asked, and my sense of relief took a nose dive.

Eric stood as well, nodding. Eric led the way to his office, Gia walking in front of me so Felipe wouldn't brush against her invisible form while following behind us. Eric let go of my hand as I sat down on the couch, Eric closing the door behind Felipe as he entered the office.

"Freyda has petitioned me to enforce the marriage contract that she had made with your Maker." Felipe stated as he fidgeted with his cane as he stood by the office door, going straight to the point. My hand fisted and I brought it up to my mouth, scared. "I have reviewed the contents, and much to Freyda's agitation, I have denied her plea and imposed my power to demolish the marriage contract. You are my strongest asset, and I wish to keep you in my Kingdom."

I leaned back against the couch, gasping in relief. I looked at Eric, who was leaning against his desk with folded arms, his face joyous and thankful. "Your Majesty," he began "I cannot begin to describe my gratitude-" but he was cut off as the office door flew open, Pam stumbling in, her face pinched, her eyes burning with anger.

All three of us looked at her in surprise at her abrupt entrance, a thick ivory colored piece of parchment clutched in her hand, a purple wax seal visible on the front and it had been broken. Eric quickly stood up straight, taking the parchment from Pam who looked at me, her eyes communicating so much that I didn't understand.

I stood as well. "What is it?" My voice shook.

Instead, Eric crumpled the paper in his hands, rage flooding the bond so fast that I almost stumbled backward onto the couch. "Detta kan inte hända!" My Vampire shouted, drawing his arm back and punching a hole through the wall. I heard the unmistakable sound of his bones breaking, pieces of dry wall falling onto the ground from the damaged spot.

"Eric!" I cried, by his side in an instant. He breathed deeply, pulling his hand from the wall, his knuckles slightly bloodied. Even as I watched, his hand began to heal itself, the redness disappearing, the little cuts closing. I looked up at him and met his eyes, which were full of despair. He pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly.

"Eric, what is it? Please, your scaring me. What does it say?" I whispered, pulling back slightly, touching his face.

"Freyda has overthrown Felipe's decision to dissolve the marriage contract. She has gone to the Council, and they have voted on the matter and are ordering me to fulfill the requirements of the contract that my Maker had made for me. If I do not, I will be punished for disobeying this order by meeting the true death." His voice was cold, deadly.

"NO!" I couldn't control the sob that ripped from my throat, my knees going out on me as I almost fell to the floor. Eric caught me and held me close to him, dragging his fingers through my hair. "Eric, please, please!" I couldn't think of anything else to say. I grabbed onto the lapel of his jacket, burying my face in his neck. I felt his heartbreak just as clearly as he could feel mine, my body shaking with shock and terror that he was being taken from me.

"She overthrew my decision? That woman is like a snake in the grass, striking when you least expect it." Felipe seethed, his voice tinged with the anger he felt of being shown the disrespect from a fellow Monarch who chose to ignore his decision and go above him. Freyda was relentless, and in that moment I had no hope. I felt like I had a sucking wound and all my happiness, all that was good and right was draining from me, and I would never the same.

"She is waiting in the club." Pam spat out, her eyes rimmed with red, holding her tears back.

"Good. I need to have a word with her." Felipe turned and left the office quickly, Pam standing by the open door undecided.

"Gia, lets give them some privacy." Pam spoke softly. Gia materialized next to us, her cheeks wet with tears. She looked at me and then at Eric. The next moment she disappeared and Pam waited a moment before closing the door as she stepped out.

I started rambling. "Eric, lets go. Come on." I pulled on his hand, trying to lead him to the door, but he wouldn't budge. He looked as lost as I was. "Lets run away. Lets go out the back and get in the Corvette before anyone notices and we can just go, we can go where no one will find us and-" Eric gently placed his finger over my lips, silencing my tirade.

"Sookie, no matter where we go, and no matter how long it takes, they will find us. She will find me. She doesn't stop. There is no running from this."

I shook my head in denial. "We can go, please? I can't loose you, your my other half, it will destroy us to be broken apart like this. Please, Eric, please!" I cried, my hands on his chest, grabbing, pulling.

"Sookie-"

"NO!" I yelled, pounding my fists against his chest. "Why aren't you fighting for us? Fight for me! Don't let her do this! Fight for us. Fight for us..." I sunk to my knees, Eric following me to the ground, red tears flowing from his eyes. He gently grabbed my wrists to stop my flailing strikes, not that it hurt him, but more to stop me from bruising my hands against his solid chest. I felt like I might start hyperventilating.

"I do fight for us." He said between clenched teeth, pressing his forehead against mine. "I will always fight for you. I would die for you."

"I will die without you." Eric's lips descended on mine, the taste of our tears mingling into our kiss, our hands frantically pulling at each other. I loved this man, this Vampire who had turned my world upside down. He was everything. And I knew that this kiss might well be our last, and it only made me cry harder.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." I said it over and over, our lips devouring each other.

We pulled away at last, reluctantly. "And I have always loved you, and I always will. You are my wife, and no matter what happens now, you are my wife by choice, and no matter what she does, she knows that I never chose her. I chose you. I choose you. That is what is important. I love you."

Eric cradled my face in his hands and wiped my tears aways with his thumbs. He looked down at the ground, where the wrinkled parchment lay on the floor. His face set, he stood back up, pulling me with him. "Lover, whatever you do, don't let her see you cry. Don't give her the satisfaction." He pulled a silk handkercheif from his breast pocket, dabbing at the corners of my eyes, wiping away the moist mascara that had smeared under my lashes.

With a shuddering sigh, I straightened my back, pulling my big girl pants on. I leaned forward and licked the red tracks from Eric's cheeks, and he smiled at me with me once I was finished, his heart in his eyes. I would be the only living being to ever see Eric Northman look so vulnerable. And it only made me hate Freyda more.

I smoothed my hands over my hair, swiping my cheeks one last time with my hand. Eric pulled open the door to the hallway, and I saw Pam leaning against the wall opposite, pocketing a blood stained tissue. I was pretty sure she had heard us and had had an emotional crack break free in the dam that she had built around herself over the decades. She snapped to attention immediately, neither of us saying a word to each other as we all slowly walked back to the club.

Entering the bar area again, I couldn't hide my surprise to see that the occupants had doubled in the space of time we had been in the office. It looked as though Freyda had brought an army with her, headed by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. I felt my blood boil when I saw Freyda, who had taken it upon herself to act like Fangtasia was her establishment and was sitting on the chair on the raised dias, Eric's chair. Freyda was looking down at Felipe who was standing in front of her, one of his feet on the first step, leaning forward as he spoke in fast and furious tones. Freyda looked amused, almost happy. She looked up when the three of us entered(I couldn't sense Gia anywhere near by me), and stood, smiling triumphantly. She all but ignored Felipe as she breezed by him, coming to a stop a few feet in front of us.

"Ah, Eric, I see you and Miss Stackhouse have heard the splendid news." I all but glared at the woman. Splendid news my ass. "I must say though that I'm disappointed that I didn't get an invite to this little get together that you seem to be having. I hope you don't mind me interrupting." Yeah, she looked quite contrite in her ill fitting emerald green dress that only enhanced the amount of protruding bones she had on her body. "Felipe is quite upset with me, but you can imagine my own anger when he told me that he would not approve a contract that took me and Ocella over a year to settle upon. So I took it upon myself to go to the Council, and I am delighted that they have agreed to see things my way. So, here I am. Your coming home with me."

She wanted to take him now? Tonight? I bit my lip to stop the wealth of curse words that were dancing on my tongue, begging to burst free with Freyda in mind. I leaned closer to Eric, my hand sliding up under his jacket, wrenching his shirt in my hand with distress. Eric tried to calm me, but his own emotions were all over the place. I was proud of him when I glanced up, his face free of all the jarring bursts of anger, regret, hate and the feelings of injustice that he felt.

Eric's crew of Vampires looked uneasy, unsure of what was going on. This was all news to them that Eric had a marriage contract with Freyda and that she was forcing him into it without his consent. Felipe was livid, staring daggers at Freyda's turned back.

"But before we leave Eric, you will dissolve your marriage with Miss Stackhouse. And the blood bond as well." Freyda's eyes slid over to my face, a self satisfied smirk crossing over her lips. My body shook with rage, and I wished with a passion that I had my Fairy powers in that moment so I could blast her ass back to back to hell, where she belonged.

Freyda held her hand out and Tweedle Dee walked over and handed her a velvet bag. She opened it and withdrew from the folds a ceremonial blade, black diamonds glittering on the ebony hilt, the pointed dagger looked like it was made of an ivory tusk. I found it quite ugly. She came closer, twirling the knife in her hands, sashaying her hips in anticipation.

"You want me to do this now, forcing me to end my marriage with my wife? Do you not hold anything sacred?" Eric looked at her in disgust, his nostrils flared.

"I am freeing you from this pathetic human. You do not need to be married to her, or have a blood bond with her. You will have me. I will give you everything that you need, Min Kärlek." Freyda practically cooed, and I unknowingly took a step toward her, wanting to slap the shit out of her. I felt a hand wrap around my upper arm, pulling me back slightly. Gia's grip was like steel.

Freyda extended the blade toward Eric, waiting for him to take it from her, wanting him to return the dagger to me in front of all these witnesses, officially breaking our marriage according to Vampire law. Eric looked down at the knife, the expectation of what was to happen next palpable among the audience assembled in the club. Gia pulled me further back, much to my annoyance.

Faster than the eye could track, Eric lunged forward, grabbing the blade from Freyda's hand as he tackled her to the ground, both of them snarling with fangs down. Eric wrapped his hand around her throat, raising his arm to plunge the stake-like blade right into her chest. I cried out in fear for my husband as Gia pushed me back against the wall, Pam launching herself at Tweedle Dum who went to the aid of his Queen, slamming him against the side of the bar.

All hell broke loose, everyone attacking the opposing faction. To the left, I saw Thalia rip the head off of the nearest of Freyda's guards. I looked back at Pam, and saw Mustapha throwing an ice pick from behind the bar through the air toward her and she caught it mid-air, bringing it quickly downward into Tweedle Dum's heart, the death scream of Freyda's favored bodyguard loud and long over the din of noise. I was jostled away from Gia and panicked, falling to the floor as a group of Felipe's men attacked Freyda's, the King of Nevada choosing to aid his Sheriff in this unjust circumstance. Felipe was enjoying himself, impaling guards with his cane. It was Déjà vu, the scene before me just like the one from two weeks before.

"Eric!" I yelled, peering through the tangle of moving legs and bodies that seperated me from him, barely able to make out his large body across the way as Freyda tried to get out from under him, her age and strength giving her the advantage of keeping his arm held high above her as he tried to force the blade into her.

I stood slowly and pressed against the wall, moving along the outskirts of the battle. I climbed over the side of a booth and stood on the table, getting a better view of Eric and Freyda's life and death struggle. I wasn't surprised that he had attacked her, she had pushed him into a corner and he had come out swinging. He wasn't going to go docilely with her into the night without a fight.

I gasped when I saw Freyda get the advantage, somehow kicking Eric off of her and he flew backward into a group of her men, the dagger flying out of his hand and scuttling across the ground. The guards grabbed Eric as he surged forward to fly back toward his nemesis, but four pair of hands apprehended him, holding him in place. He growled and fought against them, but he was outnumbered.

Eric, I thought, hopping down off the table. I saw a blur of movement then, and in the next moment, I felt a bony arm come up around from behind me, rough hands yanking into my hair as my head was pulled to the side. "Stop!" The shrill voice shouted into my ear, all movement from the Vampires in the bar coming to a complete stop in mid-battle, all eyes turned toward me and Freyda.

I met Eric's eyes, which were wide and full of fear for me. He had blood dripping from his nose and his hair was a mess, his suit torn. I whimpered as Freyda pulled my head at an unnatural angle, pain shooting down the side of my neck from her rough handling. Her fangs were so close to my neck that I could feel the tips of her fangs as she spoke. "Everyone will stop, right now! Eric, you will end your marriage and your bond with this woman, or I will kill her, right here, right now. If you value your little human so much, you will obey the stipulations of our contract and marry me, or she will suffer. If I can't have you, no one will. Especially not some backwoods piece of trash like this girl here. She is worthless! She is nothing!"

"You will regret this one day. Mark my words." I ground out in the silence that followed. I didn't care that she could easily sink her fangs into my neck and kill me in front of everyone, in front of Eric. I had enough of being insulted by her. I hated her with a passion for having the nerve to take the most important thing in the world from me.

"Shut up, or I will end you." Freyda spat, bending my head backward against her shoulder, my throat bared to all the Vampires.

"Freyda, if you hurt her, me and you are going to have a bigger problem than we already have." Felipe's voice came from across the bar. I was surprised by how calm he sounded.

"I won't hurt her if Eric cooperates. She is my ace in the hole, so to speak. Eric will play nice, because if he doesn't she will feel his disobedience." To prove her point, Freyda scraped her fangs along my jugular vein, drawing blood. I squeezed my eyes shut, a tiny rivulet of blood rolling down into my blouse. I heard Eric growl at Freyda, the control he always had in these situations just about gone. He was going to snap, his wrath vibrating through me.

Sookie, I can't let her kill you. I heard the thought loud and clear, and I gritted my teeth against the tears that wanted to flow. Eric was going to sacrifice himself to save my life. Freyda's grip did not loosen, the standoff coming to an end as my soon to be ex-husband spoke. "Okay. I will end it."

I knew it had been coming, but it still didn't stop the sting of heartache that radiated around the symbol on my chest, around my heart. Freyda released my hair, allowing me control of my head. She still held onto me to assure that another brawl didn't break out, and I slowly brought my head forward, my muscles and tendons screaming with relief. I caught a glimpse of Pam in the corner by the bar as I looked around, and she looked just as devastated as I felt. My eyes found Eric at last, the guards having brought him into the middle of the bar, their watch on him cautious, waiting for him to attack again. Tweedle Dee retrieved the dagger and held it out to Eric, watching his movements closely.

Wiping the dark red blood from his nose onto his torn sleeve, Eric reached out and took the blade, staring at the ugly thing for a few seconds. He looked up then, taking a step forward. Then another, and another until he stood right in front of us, his eyes on my face the whole time. When I had married Eric, I had not realized the symbolism behind the blade, but I did now and every fiber in my body rejected the idea of taking it back from him. This wasn't even the same dagger we had gotten married with, was it even valid to use a different one?

"We are waiting, Eric." Freyda said, her voice impatient.

Slowly and with a pained expression, Eric lifted his arm and held the knife out to me. I stared at it, and shook my head. "Take it." Freyda said, insistent.

"No." I said forcefully, my hands fisting.

"Take the blade." Freyda shook me slightly, like that would change my mind.

"I said no." I felt Eric's pride in me, my stubbornness rearing its ugly head. Muttering under her breath, Freyda grabbed my right arm and forced my hand open, but she actually struggled with me for a minute since I didn't budge an inch. She finally pried my hand open and held it out for me, nodding for Eric to place the blade in my hand. He placed it onto the palm of my hand, having completed the Vampire divorce, but I moved my hand quickly to the side, the dagger falling heavily to the floor with a clang. I was not going to make it easy for the husband stealing bitch.

"Say the words, Eric." Freyda ignored my rebellious behavior, getting one step closer to her end goal.

Taking a deep, unneeded breath, Eric said softly, "You are no longer mine."

For the longest time Eric had asked me to be his, to "Be mine". The fact that I was no longer his hurt like hell. Freyda snapped her fingers at one of her guards, who turned and retrieved a satchel that had been sitting on the bar, digging around within its depths.

"Now it is time to break the bond. I do not need you tied to the woman who is no longer your wife. It will only remind you of what you left behind, and I don't need you being distracted." Freyda said as the guard came toward her with a goblet that was the same ebony color as the blade, filled with some strange smelling liquid.

I thought furiously, wanting, needing to keep the bond with Eric intact. It would be the only thing that I had left of him. Yes, I knew feeling him from so far away every night and not being with him would be torment, but it was all I had and I couldn't stand to have this woman take more when she had taken enough already.

"The bond is already broken." I said quickly, Freyda's head snapping to attention, looking at me sideways. Eric met my eyes, his surprise and delight washing over me.

"How is this already broken? Why is it broken?" Freyda asked suspiciously.

"I have a good friend who is a witch. She came here a few weeks ago and performed a spell which broke the bond between us. I asked her to do this for me, because I needed to know how I felt for Eric, without the bond." I decided that being honest was best, it just might save our bond now.

Freyda looked toward Eric. "Is this true?"

"Yes." He answered, his voice neutral.

"Hmmm." Freyda contemplated the situation, then shook her head. "Well, then it really won't make a difference if we perform the bond breaking anyway, just to make sure that you two aren't lying to keep your bond in place. If its truly gone, it won't matter. But if it isn't, Miss Stackhouse here will feel a great deal of pain as the bond is burned from her, and it is only what she deserves trying to hold onto what is no longer hers."

Oh shit. Amelia's bond breaking spell had not hurt at all, it had only required some chanting, herbs in a glass jar and snipping a red string with some scissors. Quick. Painless. One minute I had felt the bond, the next moment I didn't. Eric had told me later on that there was a Vampire way of breaking the bond, but he had not explained it in detail and I felt a chill run up my back at the possibility of more pain than just a broken heart.

I relished the last moments of the bond now, feeling Eric's love filtering into me, pushing everything I had right back at him. The guard went over to Eric with a needle, pricking his finger, the blood beading onto his fingertip. Three drops fell into the goblet, and the guard came toward me. Freyda held my hand out for me, even though I tried jerking it away, but she held fast. The needle pierced my index finger, my blood dripping into the cup, three drops, just like Eric's.

"Do it." Freyda said to the guard, all but salivating in my ear. Eric and I stared at each other, tears welling in my eyes as I saw from the corner of my eye the Vampire with the goblet set it on a table, striking a match and dropping it into the waiting liquid with our blood. He stepped back quickly as the cup erupted into flames, and I waited for the bond to disappear, to loose Eric for good, to feel the overwhelming pain burn through my veins as our connection disintegrated.

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I felt nothing, the bond thrummed with our emotions, our link to each other still strong and fast. Eric's confusion mirrored my own, both of us glancing at the goblet as the flames died down and extinguished. The only thing I felt was the pulsing sensation on my chest where my half sun was, a tingling warmth spreading to my heart like a balm, making me feel better.

I knew in that moment why I still felt Eric. Nothing would ever break us apart. Sweet baby Jesus, the Cluviel Dor, the magic of our souls being fused together from my wish would not allow our bond to be broken, no matter what. I sent up a prayer, thankful that in my moment of unintentional wishing, I had made the best choice in how to use the Fairy love token.

"Seems the bond has already been broken." Freyda muttered, sounding disappointed to not see me writhe in her arms in pain. Only Eric and I knew the truth, and I was grateful that this went in our favor.

"Silver him, I don't want him to try to escape. I wouldn't put it passed him. He will learn eventually that I have saved him fifty years of misery if he had stayed by this human's side." Freyda stated, looking up as she noticed that Eric's Vampires, especially Pam, Thalia and Indira, were hissing at the man approaching Eric with silver chains in his leather gloved hands. "As your last act as Sheriff, Eric, you will tell your people to stand down or Miss Stackhouse will suffer for it."

Eric fell to his knees as the Vampire with the silver bound his hands behind his back, his skin sizzling. I felt his pain, his humiliation of being treated this way in front of his underlings who have never had nothing but the utmost respect for him. It burned in my stomach to see this happenening to him. He endured it though, he did it for me, for my safety.

"Eric!" I gasped when they wrapped a chain of silver around his throat, the smell of burning flesh meeting my nose.

"Master!" Pam growled, pushing her way through the crowd of Vampires. A guard grabbed her arm and she punched him in the face, his head snapping back.

"Pamela, stop." Eric's voice was weak, the silver draining him of his energy. Pam paused in her assault, her face twisted in anger. Eric tried to keep his expression blank, but I saw his agony break through. "Everyone will stand down. That is an order."

Satisfied, Freyda finally released me, my arms tingling from her biting hold, the circulation beginning once again. Freyda walked forward and looked at Eric, touching his face lovingly. "It hurts me to have to do this to you, Min Kärlek. If you behave, I will release you. Now, lets get out of this horrible place. Oklahoma awaits us."

Eric ignored her, his eyes looking at me over her shoulder. I leaned against the booth, defeated, lost. The remaining guards began to file out, taking Eric with them. They had to drag him, since he didn't move his feet. I kept eye contact with him until the doors of the club swung closed, my body shaking from the chaotic emotions flowing between us.

Freyda walked back over to me, Tweedle Dee coming up behind her. She looked me up and down, flicking her red hair over her shoulder.

"He's mine now." She gloated, delighting in my despair.

I looked into her green eyes, wanting to claw them out. She was really quite pathetic. "He will never be yours." I said, standing up straight, my voice firece.

Her smile slowly vanished, obviously surprised by the fervor in my tone. "Oh, you think so?" She didn't sound so smug as before.

"I know so."

Freyda took a step back, surprising me by looking away. Without another word, she turned around and quickly left the club, followed closely by Tweedle Dee. The door slammed shut loudly, the rest of the Vampires in the club unable to look away, shocked, devastated. Unable to contain it any longer, I sank into the booth and laid my head on top of my arms on the table, weeping uncontrollably.

"Never Be The Same"

[VERSE 1]
I know you, who are you now?
Look into my eyes if you can't remember.
Do you remember, oh?

I can see, I can still find
You're the only voice my heart can recognize
But I can't hear you now, yeah.

[CHORUS]
I'll never be the same
I'm caught inside the memories, the promises
are yesterdays and I belong to you.
I just can't walk away
'cause after loving you
I can never be the same.

[VERSE 2]
And how can I pretend I've never known you?
Like it was all a dream, no.
I know I'll never forget
the way I always felt with you beside me
and how you loved me then, yeah.

[CHORUS]

[BRIDGE]
You led me here,
then I watched you disappear.
You left this emptiness inside
and I can't turn back time
No, stay!
Nothing compares to you.
Nothing compares to you.
I can't let you go,
Can't let you go.
I can't let go.

I'll never be the same,
not after loving you,
not after loving you, no.

[CHORUS]

I can never be the same.
I will never be the same.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
I just can't walk away.
No, I can't walk away from you.

I chose to name this chapter after this song, Never be the Same, by the group Red. I think it fits perfectly. Link to this song is on my profile page.

Ok, so I know many of you are probably in tears and raging at me, like I did with myself, but I have been building toward this, so I don't think it was such a shocker. Just remember, Sookie will have her day in the sun, so to speak, in getting her revenge. Thank you to all for your reviews and reading. Much love and kisses. XOXOXO

Detta kan inte hända - This can't be happening

Min Kärlek - My Love