bunnychica9 and auroraglider, a big thank you for your reviews, as I hope that a few of you (yes, you there!) silent readers will begin to contribute as well :)
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Tyra's POV
"Eric…Quentin Rothman was just…at the window," I pant in a startled fashion from underneath him. As quick as a flash he and his jeans are up off the floor and heading at a billion miles per hour in the direction of the door.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing spying on us, Rothman?" I hear Eric snarl at the king's representative as I'm picking myself up off the floor and pulling my dress back down.
"Eric, please I'm so sorry. There was no spying I assure you, I didn't mean to see what I just saw. Mrs Northman, my sincere apologies. I moved from the door as soon as, well, as soon as I saw what I saw," Quentin tells me, spreading his arms in an apologetic gesture as he talks, smiling at me just after I've joined them. He actually looks a touch embarrassed, which is no doubt just a façade.
"So if you're not spying, why are you here exactly?" I ask him, folding my arms and leaning against the doorframe, while Eric looms close by.
"The king overheard you and Eric discussing plans for your home at his recent party, and sent me with the details of the company who remodelled his own Louisiana residence. The crew consists of both human and vampire workers, meaning twenty four hour construction can be carried out," he tells me, handing me a card from the breast pocket of his immaculate suit. It's as he passes it to me that I notice his eyes are all over me, but not in a perverse way. Like he's assessing me, to use a word his king used to him when they were talking about me.
"Eric, he sent me here purely to be of help. I wish to apologise also for accosting your barmaid. That was uncouth of me, and I made sure a plentiful supply of roses have been delivered this evening to the lovely Mai Ling in way of apology. Well, my business is done here. I once again apologise for interrupting what I interrupted, and bid you both goodnight." Quentin then says, before walking back to the large Chrysler parked in my driveway and having the driver get out to open the rear door for him.
"Hmmmmm," is the first word (well, noise) I say as soon as the car begins to reverse.
"Hmmmmm indeed," Eric replies as we walk back inside. "He's trying to keep tabs on me, the king that is. Providing us with a construction team is a way he can do that discreetly, that much is obvious. They'd probably bug the whole house too while they were at it," he then says as we sit down on the couch.
"Eric, do you ever think you might be worrying prematurely? That perhaps you're maybe a touch paranoid?" I ask him gently.
"No, I don't. I'm being vigilant," he replies, staring at me firmly.
"I think it is a little paranoid," I begin, deciding to voice a few thoughts I've been trying on for size. "I mean, regarding that whole conversation I overheard, did you ever stop to think that the 'in the know' Fabien could be in over is the fact we weren't married in a vampire ceremony until we came home? And also, that when he refers to me being safe with you, it's because you've a reputation of being a rather formidable, pissed off Viking with a temper as lethal as his wrath?" I ask him, raising my eyebrows.
"I believe they call that kind of thing wishful thinking," Eric replies, making me roll my eyes. I refuse to let the events of last year ultimately leave me with a suspicious nature. Eric's has been ingrained for centuries though.
"It might not be detrimental though. Eric, he's been here a month. Do you not think if he had the slightest inkling over what I am, he'd have told his maker by now?" I ask him, wondering if I can perhaps make him see a little logic. I don't trust him, the king, but I'm unsure as to what he actually knows or doesn't.
"That would imply he actually gives a damn about you regardless of what you are, which I do not think is the case at all. All I know is that I'm having Quentin watched, and ears turned in certain directions up in New York too. I have substantial weight among a few up there. I suspect everything related to the king, and every gesture he makes. You should too," Eric replies, while I nod but still do not look or feel agreeing.
"I think I'd like to know what information these watchers and ears return before I form a solid opinion on all of this. I'm not ready to resume looking over my shoulder all the time. I like not having to worry," I tell him adamantly. Is this just wishful thinking? I've never really been the type to do so before now.
"Let us speak of it no more then." He replies finally, putting an arm around me and pulling me back against his chest. I'm very happy with speaking of it no more. Let's face it, he could do something, he could not. Why live in fear over something that might not be?
"So how did the meeting with Jake Birchlove go? I was too consumed with lust to ask when I first arrived, as you probably noticed," Eric then asks me, after a few silent moments of cuddling.
"It went very well, and all is to the plan apart from the positioning of the basement. Because of it being too close to the side of the lake where you originally wanted it on the plan Jake suggested we move it back. He's pegged out the space of land he suggested we do this in, come on I'll show you," I reply before heaving myself up from the couch.
"Yes, right here will be fine," Eric tells me a time later when we're to the side of my house treading through the already trampled undergrowth.
"Good. Oh I almost forgot to tell you, Nina gave birth this morning," I reply, suddenly remembering that very piece of news.
"Ahh, so two are now officially three. Wonderful," he replies, not exactly looking enthralled but not completely dismissing of the news either.
"Agnes was with her the whole way through. Nina went into labour and then ended up giving birth at the castle. I even have a picture of her holding the baby," I tell him, watching him raise his eyebrows in disbelief. Once we've ceased our rambling outdoors we head back in and I show him the photographic evidence of what I just told him.
"Wonders never cease," he comments before handing the phone back to me.
"Oh she was pleased when little Milla and her mother left. I don't blame her. That noise, the crying. It goes right through me," I reply, shuddering and thinking myself lucky pregnancy is never going to happen to me. If I needed to be I'd probably have my fallopian tubes tied, but it isn't necessary since I'm married to a vampire. As you know, vampires shoot blanks, dead sperm. So for us, having that crop up accidentally will never happen. We move back through to the lounge and I happily resume my position curled up against his chest, content to do nothing more than talk to him. We sit and discuss decoration ideas for our new home more than anything.
"I had an idea for how I'd like our bedroom to look," I voice to him, giggling a little when his affectionate finger tickles linger for a little too long against my side.
"Then do go ahead and tell me, my beauty," he replies, eyeing me with keen interest.
"I've loved the room we sleep in when we stay with Agnes ever since our first visit. I'd really like something like that, black with lots of elegant white plaster carvings and the like, with the gold touches too. Something elegant but not overly decadent," I reply while Eric nods.
"I do like that idea. Just as long as you aren't about to take up Agnes' love of taxidermy," he replies, laughing a little.
"That's a little...strange isn't it? The way no matter where you are in the room, whatever stuffed animal she has in there is looking right at you," I reply.
"The fawns in the formal sitting room, the little one watches you wherever you are," Eric agrees as we share more laughter.
"I think I prefer live animals," I reply, watching him nod.
"Don't worry, Poontang, we're not about to stuff you," he then tells who I guess is our cat now as she jumps onto the couch to curl up next to me. Sadly though our peace is interrupted a while later when Eric receives an important business phone call, which means he has to leave.
"I'm sorry once again. I should be back sometime before 2am though. If you want to head to bed early by all means do so and don't wait up for me. Just send me a text to let me know, I can head to Fangtasia afterwards before coming home to you close to dawn." Eric tells me at the door. I bid him farewell with a big kiss before turning back into the house and wondering what to do with the rest of my evening, now I have no husband to occupy my time.
Peeking out of the lounge window I see the light on across the way at Lafayette's place, and decide to head over and see if he minds some company. After knocking twice it is clear to me that he forgot to turn off a light before he left his house, so I decide to walk down to Merlotte's for a few drinks and a bite to eat instead. It takes roughly twenty five minutes to get there on foot, and I walk it happily with the first warmth of spring surrounding me. It turns out that Lafayette is the man who makes my bacon cheeseburger tonight, waving at me as I slide into a booth and have Arlene come over and take my order for that very food item with fries and slaw. While I wait for her to come back with my glass of red, I pull my book from my bag and decide to read to pass the time between now and food. I manage two sentences before I'm interrupted.
"Put that away, you have company," Fabien says as he sits down opposite me.
"And what brings you here tonight, monsieur Mailloux?" I ask him, guessing the reason before he even speaks.
"La belle fille. Sookie, Sookie," he replies to me at first, pointing at Sookie before calling to her.
"Yes, Fabien?" she asks, looking like this is probably the hundredth time he's called her over this evening.
"Irez-vous lit avec moi ce soir?" he asks, while Sookie looks puzzled. Fabien doesn't speak with a French accent, but it is his first language.
"Excuse me?" she asks, looking puzzled and shaking her head.
"Ask someone who speaks French for a translation." Fabien tells her with a wink and a mischievous look. She blushes slightly before rolling her eyes and turning to shoot off in the opposite direction back toward the kitchen serving hatch, but not before giving me her usual big, cheery smile. I begin to laugh as soon as she's walked away, picturing the look on her face when someone translates Fabien's words for her. After all, he did just ask 'will you go to bed with me this evening?'
"You'll never give up, will you?" I ask him, composing my laughter and closing my book, sliding it back into my bag.
"Not until I have her. I will, one day. She'll crack, it's started already. She actually let me into her house last night," he replies, while I raise a questioning eyebrow at him.
"She did? She's a wild one," I say sarcastically, but not meanly. Fabien omits a quiet snort of laughter, a few rumbles echoing from his throat too for good measure.
"I got as far as the kitchen," he replies in similar tones.
"You kids were crazy!" I tell him in a silly voice while pointing at him, making him laugh louder this time.
"Shut up, Tyra," he replies eventually while Arlene warily puts my glass of red wine down on the table, looking at Fabien with caution the whole time. In reply to the cautious look, he puckers his lips at her in a kissing gesture. It makes her go bright red, look scared and then scuttle away fast.
"So where is tall and moody tonight?" he asks me, obviously in reference to Eric.
"Out on business, so I thought I'd be social one way or another," I reply before taking the first sip of my wine. It's really nice Claret that I'm drinking.
"Okay, I'll keep you company until he returns then. I need the distraction if I'm honest," he replies, suddenly frowning when his eyes leave mine and land upon the True Blood bottle he's picking the label off of. He removes said frown as soon as he realises I've noticed though.
"What do you need distracting from then?" I ask him, hoping he isn't about to mention something related to the king. After our little visit from Quentin earlier, I've had enough of anything directly relating to Aiko Matsukata.
"The double barrelled barmaid from Japan," he replies. "Well, Brooklyn." He then adds in afterthought.
"Ahhh, Mai Ling," I voice, nodding. "So why do you need distracting from her?" I then ask, thanking Arlene as she brings me my food and hurries away quickly.
"Because she keeps calling me, and doesn't damn well stop," he says, sounding like he has more to add before he pauses and looks back at me.
"Well, the way you are with women, I see why that's a problem for you," I observe, removing the top of the bun from my burger to add condiments. I choose mustard and barbeque sauce.
"No, you don't. Every time she calls, I answer. Happily too," he replies, looking slightly self-loathing as he speaks.
"So you like her? Where's the problem? Or do you like her but have absolutely no intention of being faithful to just her, and that's bothering you because underneath the male slut, there is a vampire who has a lot of respect for women," I reply, watching him raise his eyebrows slightly. Just as any other vampire, Fabien isn't overly expressive.
"The latter of that," he replies. "I love women; you're all such gorgeous creatures. I know I'll never be happy with just one though, and I think as soon as Mai Ling figures that out she'll be off like a shot. She's smart, my bullshit isn't what she'd put up with and that is a big shame. For me it is, at least." He then adds with a slight shrug.
"Just come out with the truth. She's a big girl, she can handle it. Then she'll either agree, or she'll tell you to go fuck yourself. Either way, it isn't like you to dwell on a woman. She must be something," I reply before taking another bite of my burger. Mai Ling is all sass. She'll probably be just as blunt with Fabien as I know he can be too.
"Yes she is, especially since I think that after only taking her out four times. Although on those occasions she stayed with me for two days afterwards. She went to work and came straight back to mine the day before yesterday for example," he replies, again with a shrug like he's trying to discredit the time he's spent with her. "You're right. I'll not be devious and lead her on just because I'm enjoying being selfish. I'll tell her what is what." He says right after.
"You remind me of how Eric acted when he met me. He admitted to me eventually that he tried everything to deny he liked me as much as he did. I see it loud and clear in the way you've just told me. You've got more respect for Mai Ling then you want to admit, even to yourself. Your own selfish reasons aren't the only thing that come into it," I tell him, watching him shaking his head and only just about to hear him muttering something under his breath at my observations.
"Just finish your food, drink your wine, and leave any further opinion out of this. This isn't going to be another case of what happened with you and Eric. Mai Ling might be something a little special, but she isn't as cataclysmic as becoming involved with a Wolverina. It takes a very strong pull, for a vampire to commit themselves to another," he replies. I can't help myself but to give that a reply he will not want to hear.
"Eric freely admits what I am, my supernatural status, isn't the sole reason he's with me. So get out of that one, and the massive denial you're wallowing in." I reply, not meaning to ignite Fabien's verbal fuse. Oh how I pay for it, with him ranting at me for the entire walk home with a million reasons why he doesn't ever want to become attached to one person. I'm not trying to convert him to monogamy, oh no. His own path is of course his own path. I was just pointing out what I observed is all. I can't help it sometimes. I do stop teasing him after his little rant though, being respectfully silent. He'll work it out in his own time, if the tiny little Brooklyn bruiser is worth changing his ways for. Until then I suppose my dear Sookie will be pestered further, as he tries to distract himself with her as I guess he's now doing.
After getting in and getting comfortable with a mug of hot green tea I put on a guilty pleasure comedy movie of mine, Private Benjamin (I'm a huge Goldie Hawn fan, oddly enough as you might think) and relax. I cannot help but let my earlier conversation with Fabien cause my mind to roll back a year, to how life was for me back then regarding Eric. It wasn't easy, that's for certain. This time last year he was sabotaging dates I went on, showing me verbally and physically just how much my refusal to sleep with him wound him up, and a lot more. I sometimes think I was mad to ever be drawn to him, but then I realise of course that he was worth every last ounce of it. He proves that to me without even trying. Something he demonstrates when he arrives home some time later, after I've fallen asleep on the couch waiting up for him.
"Bedtime, my Venusian beauty." Eric tells me softly after scooping me up into his arms. After coming around a little I look at my wrist watch and see it is just past 4am. He puts me down and helps me undress, before going back out to lock up the house and shut all the blinds before undressing and joining me in bed. Back to just me and him. I like it this way. Even though this is something set to be ruined in the not too distant future. Something creeping upon me, on us, even now as I lie here blissfully aware wrapped in Eric's arms.