I growl when the body behind me suddenly moves away. For a moment I lay there, on the very edge of the bed, and rather than turning to the right I start going left which ends up in me finding whether the floor is as hard as it looks. I moan as I rise on my elbows and look up at Godric's amused and worried face.
"Are you ok, little one?" his soft tone makes me chuckle.
"I'll live." I whisper as I stand up and stretch my body.
I can feel his eyes on me as I walk around the room, collecting my clothes and entering the bathroom. I don't close the door though, rather leave it slightly ajar. Filling the bathtub with warm water and adding some salts I let it fill. Standing in front of the mirror I get the elastic out of my hair, letting it fall freely down my back. For a few minutes I just wash my face and stare at it in the mirror, spotting all the differences. After all being a full vampire and only a half-one has some disparities. Scoffing at my own reflexion I turn around only to find Godric seated comfortably in my bathtub, his clothes folded neatly nearby. At first I gape at him as he playfully plays with the bubbles, my bubbles, and pretends as if he's alone. Then I frown and cross my hands over my chest, glaring his way insistently, yet he looks unfazed. 'Hm.. Is that the way we're going to play, Godric? Fine. Have it your way.' And with a mischievous smile I turn back around, now facing the full-length mirror. Gently and slowly running my fingers through my hair I try not to smirk victoriously when I catch him glimpsing at me in the mirror. My hands then roam down my body, over my breasts, then my stomach and stopping at my abdomen. I play for a second or two with the edge of my T-shirt, twisting it around while literally fluttering my eyelashes every two seconds. Fisting the fabric I start pulling it slowly up, my pinkies tracing the newly appeared skin. I stop right under my breast for a second and after a quick glimpse at the male I rip the T-shirt to shreds. My hair, long enough, hides my breast not even a second too late. I smirk at the pout that suddenly comes from behind me.
A pair of large and wet hands suddenly traces my stomach and I hiss. Turning my head slightly to the side my lips meet with Godric's in a gentle kiss. I moan in his mouth when his hands give my breasts a light squeeze. Pushing my upper body towards his hands and my lower – towards his bare manhood, I manage to make the otherwise thrifty at sound approval Sheriff, groan and moan at the same time.
"You are such a minx!" he mumbles over my lips.
I moan and tilt my head to the side, baring my neck in front of his mouth. The moment his lips touch me I feel like lava runs through my veins.
"Godric…" I whine when suddenly he pulls away.
"Patience." He whispers in my ear.
I roll my eyes at that. Sensing my irritation the brunet grabs me by the waist and turns me around, pushing me against the door. The cool glass feels good against my back. Godric's strong hands end up on both sides of my head, literally blocking any possible exit. And in a sudden fit of childishness I cross my hands over my chest, do the pouty-fishy face and look at him from under my long thick lashes.
"And what's that pouty face for?" his velvet voice and playfully raised eyebrow give me a green light… at least for now.
"Haven't you learnt your lesson already, Sheriff?" I murmur seductively while gently swaying my hips.
"Enlighten me, Miss Starcrom." He hums back at me, tilting his head slightly to the side, his eyes darkening bit by bit.
'Well, fuck me! This man is unbelievable!' I bite my bottom lip, nervously rubbing my hips against one another. He captures my lip between his thumb and index finger, and pulls it from between my sharp teeth, smirking while doing so. Involuntary I moan at that simple action. 'Since when did I turn into such sex addict?' I wonder briefly before his masculine voice brings me back to the present.
"You were saying?" and with that asked his lips end up on my collarbone.
I moan when his sharp fangs suddenly appear with a click and slightly drag over my tender skin.
"I…I…." I stammer, his mini-structure managing to distract me quite efficiently.
"Yes?" he murmurs now against my neck, his hands over my shoulders, gently caressing then with slow strokes.
I moan once again before biting my bottom lip fiercely and then grab the brunet by the shoulder, turning us around in a single twist. His startled expressing makes me swell with pride. In a flash my lips clash with his in a heated battle for dominance. His initial shock vanishes fast enough and our tongues clash with one another, his hands gripping me by the hips and pulling me up. I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him towards me; my hands buried in his locks, pulling playfully every now and then. After what seems like a minute we part, both panting, and look the other straight in the eyes. Honey brown orbs clash with foggy blue ones.
"I'm not the patient type, Sheriff." I murmur as drag my nails along his back, to emphasize my point.
He only hisses at that and his eyes darken from lust even more, and his manhood hardens even more, now proudly poking my stomach.
"Hm…" he purrs against my neck and suddenly grabs me by the hair, tugging lightly.
I moan and tilt my head back a little more, giving him more access to my bared throat. He growls in approval and his sharp fangs start tracing circles over the tender skin and I find myself rubbing against him shamelessly. The sudden friction makes him intake sharply, his fangs almost breaking my skin.
"Godric.." I whisper seductively in his ear before taking the soft part of his ear between my teeth and gently biting it.
A grunt escapes the make and he presses his body against mine even harder, making me feel just how hard he is.
"Sookie…" his voice is hoarse from lust and I find the effect I have over him intoxicating.
"Mmm…" I murmur as I sway my hips against his torso, eliciting another hissed moan.
"I advise you to terminate your current actions, or I'll find myself unable not to fuck you against this mirror." his voice is even and soft, changing only when saying 'fuck', giving it a dangerous and provoking note.
I bite my lips but the loud moan slips through my lips. I grip Godric's broad shoulders and dig my nails into them, but I cease to move. Even though I cannot see him I know he is smirking at me.
"Have I managed to finally tame you, little one?"
"Not even the slightest bit. But…."
"But?"
"I'd like to take a bath with you first and then have some fun."
He probably senses the nervousness in my voice 'cus he raises his head and looks at me worriedly.
"What bothers you?" his nose gently touches mine in a tender way.
"Nothing."
Out of the blue he rolls his eyes at me, throws my naked form over his shoulder and carries me down to the bathtub. I almost expect him to toss me in the water but rather than that he gently sets me down and enters it himself. Seeing his body move so graciously and freely makes me feel almost jealous of him, as he seems to be feeling perfectly comfortable in his own skin, which I can't praise myself with. I sigh and just gaze at him until he is seated comfortably in the furthest end.
"What?" his joyful voice catches me off-guard.
"Nothing." But suddenly I find myself feeling bad for what I have said.
Shaking off that feeling I enter the hot water as well, not with his grace unfortunately, but still I try not to just jump in it as usual. His blue eyes are on me the whole time, a mixture of awe, happiness, anxiety and tranquillity. I peek into his soul and find in dazzling bright, warmth radiating from every sell in his body. That change makes me smile and want to hug him. 'Why not do it then?' an inner voice whispers. And just like that, all that graciousness I wanted to show vanishes in a puff and I jump into Godric's lap, splashing the bubbly water all around, and throw my hands around his neck, bringing him in a warm and loving hug.
"Hey, are you alright?" he hugs me back but his worried and cautious voice makes me cringe inside.
"I'm not fine, no, but I will be. Soon." I reassure him, still not letting go.
"Can I, in any way, make you feel better soon?" he asks while resting his chin on top of my head. I cuddle into him even more.
"You can." I whisper against his chest.
"How?" his voice is almost a murmur, the steam from the water, the pleasant smell of flowers and our bodies so close to each other lulling us.
"By staying by my side and not giving up on me. By being mine."
The silence that follows after that confession makes me believe that I have asked for too much. With a heavy heart I shift from the comfortable position and rise so that our faces are a span away from one another. I find his face covered in worry and hesitation. That almost breaks me. I only gulp before once again moving away and sitting in the opposite end of the bath. Godric doesn't move even a muscle, his eyes locked in a spot in the water, unseeingly. I just stare at him, having no more strength to fight yet another heartbreak, not so soon at least. Silent tears start streaming down my face and drop into the water with a dribbling sound that echoes in the deadly silent bathroom. The only thing that I can really fight right now is the convulsive hiccups that threaten to overtake me any moment. Biting my lip until it starts bleeding I find myself on the verge of a mental breakdown with every passing second the brunet stays silent. In this bashing silence suddenly all my fears come to life and an evil voice in my head starts whispering to me all the awful stuff I ever did, all the bad choices I ever made, all the reasons he won't want to be with me; it hurts so bad that before I know it my body fails me and slumps down the wet surface, going underwater. Instinctively I close my eyes, the warm water around me washing the tears away, alongside with the pain. The second before I take a long gulp of water and start drawing, Godric's hands grab me by the shoulders and pull me out, water splashing everywhere.
"Dear goodness, Sookie! What the hell are you thinking? Have you gone totally insane?!" shouts the brunet at me while rattling me around back and forth.
I cough a few times and blink his way a couple of times, trying to get the water from both my eyes and ears out.
"Is this your way of dealing with a problem?! By trying to drawn yourself? Are you such an idiot, or are you just a heartless egoistic twat?! " his shouting startles me, as this is the first time I see him getting out of that I-don't-care state. And if it wasn't for both the fury and worry in his eyes I'd have smiled gleefully at this sudden success.
"When will you start wondering about how your actions effect the others!? When will you start thinking about me? How I would feel if something bad ever happens to you? You have no idea what I went through the last time you decided to go for a dive!" after that last confession he shuts up and just stares at me as if I'm about to disappear, his eyes wide and his jaw clenched almost painfully.
And for a first time I see fear lurking in the corners of those radiant eyes, slowly but gradually pushing anger away. When will you start thinking about me? How I would feel if something bad happens to you? Those two sentences ring in my head louder than anything before them. …what I went through… 'How did he felt back then? I never really asked. There was no time…' then and there I realise that I'm a selfish bitch that wants attention so badly that she would do anything only to get herself noticed. Only to see that someone, anyone, cares about her. And the tears are back in an instance, guilt and disgust hitting me like a tsunami.
"I-I….I'm so .. s-s-sorry. I-I … never m-meant to d-do you a-any h-harm." I quaver.
The hardness and fury are now completely whipped away from Godric's face and a soft smile, both reassuring and apologetic, graces his features.
"I'm sorry as well. I didn't mean to be so rough on you. I-I.. I'm just worried about you, that's all." He caresses my face.
I can't find the words to express how I feel so I just bow my head and try to avoid eye contact.
"Look at me." It's more or less a command so I obey half-heartedly. "You and I-"
"SHERIFF!" a sudden shout interrupts him and he looks towards the closed door.
I manage to hear the footsteps that halt in front of the bedroom door. A few loud knocks follow and Godric frowns but yet stands up. Tying a towel around his waist he exits the bathroom, leaving me to my thoughts.
"Sheriff, we- oh, pardon my interruption, I-" the quavering voice of a male makes me smirk.
"Speak." It seems that the sheriff-mask is back on and I sigh. 'It looks like we will talk later, then.'
I get out of the tub, not that interested what's going on, and wrap myself in a fluffy white towel. Drying my hair for a minute or two I fail to hear any of the conversation. When I finally walk into the bedroom I find it empty – no Godric and no mysterious interrupter. 'Perfect..' and ironic smile cracks my face and I head towards the wardrobe. 'Fucking Perfect!'
An hour later I'm sitting in Sable's living room, sipping that synthetic blood-shit from a wine glass, and trying to convince my hostess to finally make a move on Erik.
"It's plain obvious that there's something between you two. I may have been gone for a few months but I'm not blind." I tell her after another gulp of the disgusting drink.
"You are the one to talk!" she snaps at me, glaring from behind her own glass.
I roll my eyes and smile.
"I never considered you the humble and shy type, Sable." I mock and decide to finally set my glass aside.
"I'm not! He's just…"
"Just?"
"You know! He thinks he's the alpha male and I am almost expected to bow my head to him!" her irritation is obvious and I just smirk. "And what's so hilarious? The last time I checked you and Godric were nowhere near together!" she bites back and my smile vanishes immediately.
"I asked him if he would like to be mine." I suddenly confess.
In that same moment the brunette just takes a sip of her blood but after my confession the liquid comes out of her mouth like a fountain. Under different circumstances I'd have burst into laughter but now I just stare at the floor.
"You for real!?" she coughs and I only nod.
"When!?"
"An hour or so ago."
"And?"
"He said nothing. And I almost drowned myself in the bathtub."
"You what?!" up until now her reddish-brownish eyes have turned into two wide saucepans.
"He told me that he felt awful the last time I did it and that I should never do it again. "
"That's all?" the disbelief in her voice makes me think she finds it insufficient.
"Oh, and basically that I'm a bitch that doesn't give a damn about how other people feel."
When my voice fades, brief silence settles between us and it seems none wishes to break it. I sigh and try not to think of the whole embarrassing situation in the bathtub earlier but rather relax and stop myself from making any harsh conclusions. So I close my eyes, lay back and shut everyone out. Unfortunately Sable's booming voice catches me off-guard and I flinch when she suddenly exclaims:
"He has a point! You are a bitch! "
"Aren't you supposed to be on my side or something?" I frown at her as she stands up and walks towards the kitchen.
"No." she shrugs and nods towards my bottle. "Still hating it, I see."
I only nod and with a disgusted expression throw the bottle her way. She catches it in the air and resumes walking towards the kitchen, leaving me at the mercy of my thoughts. 'Am I really that bad?'
"You are not a bad person, Sookie. You just… you just want someone to love you, to see the real you and fall in love with it; you are tired of hiding. I understand you, I do."
The French woman is sitting by my side now, her usually hard features soft, a small warm smile gracing her face. A sad smile manages to break through my stiff lips, my own voice rasp and unrecognisable.
"Would you love someone as broken as me?"
Her silence makes my heart clench painfully, tears forming in the corners of my eyes.
"It doesn't matter whether or not I love you" She caresses my hair in a motherly way "but if Godric does. Or rather I say – if he realises it."
"What makes you so sure he has that sort of feelings towards me?" I ask.
"What makes you so sure that Erik has that sort of feelings towards me?" she asks back.
I tilt my head for a second, thinking over her question.
"It's his eyes." I whisper.
"His eyes?"
"Yes. Whether you are around they… they change. "
"How?"
"They become brighter, livelier, and shinier. Like two sapphires sparkling under the sun."
She only raises her perfectly shaped eyebrow my way.
"And his soul… it lightens up whenever you are around." I finally say and look at her.
"If Erik's eyes light up, Godric's turn into flames, sister'! Trust me – he's not indifferent."
I giggle inwardly and glance towards the window. A man, no more than thirty years old, in an old baseball jacket and frayed jeans, his earphones in his ears, his hands in his pockets, head bowed down, staring at the ground, walks by in that moment.
"Are you up for something real?" I ask Sable, my sassy voice back on.
She only glances towards the window, glimpsing the man before he disappears from sight.
"I wouldn't mind a snack." She purrs and we both stand up, exiting the room in a flash.
An hour later we are sitting in a vampire bar, sipping from our drinks and looking around. The cool martini in my glass swirls slowly as I turn around in my chair, coming face to face with a bush of chocolate-curly hair.
"What's on your mind?" I ask the smirking brunette as I find her staring at the dance floor like there's a unicorn dancing tango.
Sable turns her reddish orbs towards me, a mischievous flame burning in them, an unspoken promise of great fun. I only raise my eyebrow at her playfully and take another sip of my drink.
"Wanna shake those hips?" She whispers and winks at me conspiratorially.
I only smirk and drink off all the alcohol that's left in my glass. Leaving it on the counter I stand up with an unnatural for me grace and we both walk to the dance floor.
The song has a hard bass and suddenly I find myself rocking my hips in its beat, sensually, my hands roaming up and down my curved body. My long blonde curls are loose tonight, falling freely down my back, swaying along with my body.
Even with my own eyes closed I can feel all the eyes are on me and my friend. Yet no one dares to invade our personal space and touch us. Smirking I decide that it will hurt nobody to goof around for a while.
In the next moment the beat changes, the DJ playing around with random songs, creating the perfect mix. And, typical for vampire bars, the music requires fast movements and flexibility… and maybe imagination. So I just let my hearing lead me; the music mixing with the blood in my body and turning me into a blurred image on every three seconds, my movements fast and precise. The blazing flickering lights blind me and I close my lids, shutting myself off.
I don't know what amount of time has passed since I decided to give myself to the music and the dance, but a sudden smack across my ass makes me jump half a meter ahead. I freeze and suddenly the cheerful mood vanishes. All my muscles tense and tighten, my hands bowl into fists, all emotions wipe off of my face in a flash.
"Oh, God…" I hear a murmur from someone in the crowd.
Turning to face the obtrusive asshole that slapped me, I spot a male vampire in his early thirties, a smug smirk distorting his face. His eyes are full of lust that makes me narrow mine at him, a growl rumbling from within me.
"C'mon, kitten! Don't stop swinging those hips of yours. The view was splendid." His poor attempt to lure me only manages to enrage me even more.
Suddenly, as if on command, the crowd takes a step back as the air electrifies with emotions. I can see the light colourful threads lingering everywhere; around me is like a puddle of blood – dark red swirls dangerously fast, the thick layers making the air tense.
In a flash I have him by the throat, throwing his body across the room. He hits a few tables until he crashes in the wall. I don't let him rise, though, and the moment he starts getting up I push him back down with my sharp heel, digging it into his back. In a desperate attempt to escape he tries to grab my leg but I'm faster and catch his wrist, twisting it painfully. The man yells and starts cursing. Without bathing an eyelash, with the same foot I'm stepping atop of him, I kick him in the side of the stomach, sending him flying across the room once again. By the time I do this the music is lowered, the crowd cheers and laughs, enjoying the show.
"Bitch!" a low hiss fills the suddenly appeared silence.
I only shake my head and smirk.
"You really don't know when to give up, don't ya?"
The man suddenly appears in front of me, gripping me by the neck and pushing me against a wall. I only manage to grab his hands before he suddenly vanishes, thrown across the room once again, this time crashing in the bar, sweeping away all the glasses and mugs of still cold beer in his way, before hitting the tier with all the bottles of alcohol. I gently rub my sore throat, glaring at the bastard who just destroyed alcohol for more than a quarter of a million. 'What a waste.'
Out of nowhere Sable walks next to me and pats me on the shoulder. It seems that she came to the rescue. I only nod in appreciation.
"You ok?" she asks, while looking around for other volunteers for a good smack.
"Fine." I reply, my voice a little bit hoarse.
"Shall me roll then?" she gives me a knowing look and I smirk.
"Let's make some noise then!" she woops.
In a heartbeat the music is blasting again, making the glasses on the counter, that were left intact, shake. We dance for a few more hours, drink a few more bottles before finally deciding to leave, only to end up in another bar, Mortemi. The music is blasting there as well, the drinks are swirling around faster than I care to notice and the mood is a lot lighter than in the previous one. This time my brunette friend decides to throw all inhibitions out of the window. A few times I glimpse her kissing a random stranger, or do the dirty dancing. More than once she invites me to join in but I decline. Somehow I can't see myself making out with someone other than Godric. I frown at that thought. 'And since when did I become so humble?' I wonder as I drink the rest of my drink in a single gulp. A group of men next to me clap and whistle after this display of levity. I ignore them and stand up from my chair, mixing with the crowd, letting my body get conquered by the remix of a song, whose original track is too dusty to be played in a club. Yet I shrug it off and start dancing, the alcohol mixing with the recently injected blood. 'A fine snack it was.' I lick my lips and the world fills with sounds and colours.
We stumble into Sable's house quite noisily, our giggling filling the otherwise deadly silence. We are leaning against each other, me being the sober one, or at least more sober than her. We are both too lightheaded at the moment to be cautious or if not then more silent. Without even realising it we end up in the living room, not minding the darkness, we stumble a few steps before suddenly the light flickers on and the room is filled with blinding light. We both groan and cover our eyes, pain shooting down my spine, at least. Suddenly two strong hands grab me and I yelp. When I open my eyes I find no one else but Godric holding me tightly, not letting me stumble down and fall. By the look on his face I know I'm in trouble. Before he throws me over his shoulder I manage to spot that Erik is glaring at Sable, who is trying to look as threatening as him, but fails miserably.
Before I know it we are in Godric's house, in his room. Due to the harsh and fast displacement my head starts spinning and if it weren't for Godric's hands I'd fall down. He carries me to the bed and tells me something about a shower. I frown and hide my face in the pillow.
"Come now. You'll feel better." He tells me and picks me up.
I groan at this act and wiggle in his arms, trying to break free or at least show him that I do not wish to bathe.
"Noo…" I whine silently when his arms tighten around me.
He ignores me and we enter the bathroom. He sets me down and I sit on the toilet, watching him move around. Firstly he ensures that the water is cold, but not icy and then he looks at the fluffy white towels, making sure they are present. After that he walks towards me, stopping only a step away, and kneels down. After taking off my stilettos he throws them offhandedly aside and starts unbuttoning my jeans. I watch him from behind my halfway closed lids, those simple acts having a strange erotic tune to them. For a second I spot I smirk crossing his face but it vanishes in a flash, making me doubt my sight at the moment. Slipping the garment down my legs skilfully and slowly, somehow sensually, he throws them aside as well. Then it's time for my leather jacket which as if comes down itself. I barely manage to track the brunet's movements. Now only in a T-shirt I feel somehow embarrassed and lustful, heat swirling in my body like a whirlpool. Involuntarily I moan when his hands slip under the tight fabric, his cool skin sending waves of pleasure all around my hot body. I close my eyes for a second, the sensation so strong that I believe I'll cum without even being touched. I glimpse from under by dark lashes at the male and I find him looking at me in the same way – lust and primal desire clashing in the usually calm blue orbs. Without saying a single word he continues taking off my T-shirt, deliberately avoiding even the slightest skin contact. This act of his makes me grown and narrow my eyes at him. A faint smile crosses his face before he stands up and offers me his hand. I roll my eyes and put my hand into his; he pulls me up with no effort and now we are on eye-level… almost. I glare at him playfully and pull my hand away from his slowly. Before I can change my mind and jump on him like a madwoman I walk to the shower and go right under the cold curtain of water without even trying to prepaid myself. This reckless act results in me dropping almost unconscious on the floor, shaking like crazy, my body freezing from both coldness and fear… fear from death. After all a long cold water bath in which you die more than once can have a bad side effect over the mental state of a being.
In a flash I'm on the bed, Godric by my side, silent words of apologies leaving his mouth fast, but I fail to hear any of them. Black spots start clouding my vision for a second before the warmth of the blankets he gently wraps me in, chase the coldness away, along with the feeling of dead lurking around me.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to… please forgive me… I really…" Godric seems to be having difficulty trying to tell me his thought but I get what he means and smile.
"I know. I guess I deserved it." I laugh at the painful truth before out of nowhere a wild yawn appears. I blush a dark shade of crimson. "Sorry…"
He just smiles gently and gets a strand of hair out of my face. Even in almost asleep I manage to spot the sadness in his eyes.
"You are sad." I whisper.
I see that for a second he wants to deny, to lie, but gives up the masquerade and only nods.
"Have I wronged you in a way?" I ask again.
The brunet only looks away and I feel a lump forming in my throat. Somehow I manage to swallow it.
"It's about what I said earlier, isn't it?" my voice cracks and I stop speaking.
Looking away I just can't find the strength to stop the tears and to fight the pain, yet I'm restless and get out of the bed in a flash, afraid that I may lose my rightful mind if I don't do something, anything. Out of spite I start pulling my hair as I pace around the room, fear creeping in again, pain, loneliness and all the emotions that I thought I managed to shut off after Ian's death come erupting from the little box I locked them in not so long ago.
"Sookie!" suddenly Godric is in front of me, his hands on my shoulders, his eyes urgent. "Calm down. Breathe! Please."
Wiping a traitorous tear away from my face, Godric shakes his head and cups my face, emotion I have not seen before from him, swirl in his eyes.
I only blink his way, waiting for his sentence, like a culprit wait's for the judge's last words. Shivering like a leaf I try to calm myself like Godric advised me by breathing in and out.
"Let's seat." He offers and before I manage to reply he pulls me gently back towards the bed.
I don't stop him when he makes me sit but he, himself, continues pacing back and forth for a couple of minutes. Out of nowhere he kneels in front of me and takes my hands into his own. My eyes widen and I'm sure if my heart had natural beat it would have just skipped one.
"Godric…" I whisper but the look he gives me stops me from speaking any further.
In his eyes I can see an uncommon for his mixture of emotion - he is anxious, tense, powerless yet certain in what he is about to do. I find myself worried for him. 'I've never seen him like this…'
"I'd like you to let me speak first, then ask or oppose. Can you promise me that?" his soft voice is in a harsh contrast with his facial expression and the vibes I get from his form.
A tiny voice deep inside me suddenly hisses and tells me to listen and hope, pray the All Mighty God that he'll tell me the words I'd like to hear the most. Deciding to listen to this instinct I only nod at Godric who takes a deep breath and opens his mouth to speak only to close it a second later thanks to an abrupt knock on the door.
"You must be fucking kidding me!" I mumble under my breath as the male stands up and nears the door.
"Enter!"
The door opens fast and closes with a bang, making me glare at the intruder. 'Erik….' In this very moment I wish to strangle the obnoxious blond that always picks the worst time to interrupt a conversation. Probably sensing the range of negative emotion aimed at him the Viking shudders and bows his head respectively at his Maker, giving me time to wipe my face of any tears and pull the poker face mask back on.
"I deeply apologise for my intrusion after your order, Master, but it's urgent."
"If you have heard about my order then you know tonight there is no such thing as urgency for me!" his voice is low and threating, making Erik take a step back. That simple act seems to bring Godric out of his foul mood.
He signs and puts his hand on his son's shoulder, a loving tingle in the air making me shuffle uncomfortably. 'I'm not supposed to see this.' I tell myself. Yet I find it impossible to look away – such an act of kindness and lovingness from Godric warms up my heart and gives me hope.
"What's wrong, Erik?" finally asks the brunet with a sigh.
"It's the King, Master." Replies the blonde, his expression grim.
"What about him?"
"He's here."
That short sentence almost makes me faint. 'He's here?!' I only gulp at that new piece of information, a dreadful feeling forming in the pits of my stomach.
"What does he want?" I catch Godric glimpsing at me worriedly.
Erik stays silent for a whole minute before he looks at me, his eyes anxious and tense.
"To speak with Sookie."
'Shit!' I gulp again and near the males. Shoving my hands in the pockets of my jeans I try to hide the fact that they are shaking, my fingers paling by the second. A grim expression takes over my lover's face as looks at me once more before he's out of the room in a flash, a faint whisper filling the dead silence.
"Hope."
Luke seems irritated by the fact that I made him wait. It's only five minutes since Erik came to tell us that the King has arrived and I still find it impossible to stop myself from shaking, this time from rage.
"It's been a while, harlot." Barks at me Luke.
Finding it highly inappropriate to show his my middle finger or hiss I just give him a curt nod that manages to hide my glaring eyes. I hear him snicker and unconsciously clench my fingers around the couch I'm standing next to. The furniture gives a low creek of a cry.
"You wished to see me?" I ask politely, trying hard not to grind my teeth.
"I did, puta. " hisses Luke, the Catalan insult making me frown.
'Is he going to call me a whore in every known language?' I wonder as I don't let the male out of my sight.
"I'm all ears, Your Majesty." I try to be polite.
He only growls and leaves the room, entering Godric's office. Glimpsing at the male I find him frowning slightly. I smirk and walk out as well.
We find Luke seated in Godric's chair behind the desk, his legs are on top of the expensive furniture, crossed at the ankles. I barely manage to keep my poker face on.
"This will be a personal conversation, Sheriff, so if you don't mind." While saying this he waves his hand dismissively at the said brunet and I feel a growl vibrating through my chest before I can stop myself.
"Is there a problem?" mocks Luke.
I've gritted my teeth to harsh that it's impossible to say a word so I just shake my head, clasping my hands behind my back where I dig my nails into the gentle skin of my palm out of anger.
Despite the direct order the ancient vampire doesn't even move a muscle, his emotionless face looking at the King like he had said some kind of a bad joke. Somehow I manage not to snicker at the bastard's face as the brunet doesn't seem to be leaving the room any time soon.
"Have you gone deaf?" yells Luke and I flinch from his sudden outburst.
Raising an eyebrow at him Godric only glances at me, his hands clasped behind his back as usual, his shoulders strait and broad, his head up, waves of power and security washing over my form. Despite the fact that I'd rather be anywhere but in the office with the selfish King, I nod lightly and turn my attention back to Luke, bracing myself for a little war. A second later the wooden door closes with a soft click, leaving me with the obnoxious male.
A minute or so passes in silent staring at each other before his sharp accusation cuts through the stale air.
"Murderer!"
"Beg your pardon?" I'm taken aback by his sudden change of moods.
"Don't act like goody two shoes! I know you killed him!" in a blink his posture changes and he's no longer almost sprawled in the chair, his feet on the desk, but stands up, his upper body bend down over the desk, his huge hands almost crushing the poor little furniture.
"I still have no idea what you are talking about, sir."
"Lying bitch!" he hisses and charges at me, gripping me by the throat.
A croaked cry leaves my lips as I try to fight his off. Despite being almost his age I'm only a half-vampire so all the benefits are reduced twice. Yet I still have a secret weapon, a hidden ace in my sleeve. Concentrating for a second I manage to lift the veil and spot Luke's soul. It is a little nasty thing but I fight over the disgust and send a wave of electrified impulses towards it. In a flash Luke's on his feet, wriggling in pain, blood coming out of his ears and mouth, curses being suffocated somewhere in his throat. And while he fights the deadly grip over his soul I rub my sore throat and look at him both furiously and annoyed.
I walk towards one of the cabinets and pull out a bottle of whiskey. After pouring myself a glass of the amber liquid I take a sip while looking at the man on the ground. He is bent in half but I can clearly see the damages of what I did to him – his jet black hair is now a few shades lighter, whitened, his skin has an unhealthy greenish colour and it's wrinkled, as whole he's growing old right in front of my eyes.
"What did you do to me, you witch!?" yells at me the fallen King.
"I gave you a lesson! Did no one tell you it's not polite to attack innocent women?" I ask in a snarky voice.
"Fix me!" once again a yell.
I roll my eyes and take another sip, glaring at Luke who starts wriggling even more as I increase the grip I have over his soul.
"You accused me of murdering, if I'm not mistaken. Who were you talking about?" I ask while letting him have a little break.
"You murdered in cold blood my sire – Alistor."
"I don't know a man under the name of Aliston." I say after thinking for a second or two. "Anyway what makes you believe it was me?" I ask.
Luke stays silent while trying to glare at me but the pain deep in him makes him bent even more, panting and hissing. I 'hm' and walk next to him, grabbing him by the chin and lifting his head so that I can look into his eyes.
"So?" a question. "Better spill it or I'll lose my good manners."
After a few more seconds filled with misery for him, he finally talks.
"I send him to Godric's house to see if you have really come back!" he grunts.
I narrow my eyes at him and a second later it clicks – the man who came into our room and lifted the shutter!
"You send him to kill us!" I growl in return as my grip over him tightens.
"N-no!"
"Liar! He lifted the shutter in the middle of the day! Godric was going to turn into ashes!" I'm almost yelling now, not caring if anyone will hear or not.
A pause follows and a new realisation comes to me.
"You send him to kill Godric. Not me." The words leave my lips barely as a whisper but by the gleam in Luke's eyes I know I'm correct.
"You filthy snake! I should have killed you years ago!" in a burst of rage I grab the helpless King by the throat and throw him away.
He flies through the room and crashes in the opposite wall, forming a whole in the clean white surface. I walk towards him and when I near his fallen form I grab him by the throat and push him against the wall.
"B-bitch! You'll regret this!" he is hissing but I don't even bath and eyelash.
"And you'll regret ever coming up with the plan of trying to kill Godric!" I hiss back and tighten my grip around his neck.
He wriggles for a second or two, trying to free himself, but he soon gives up and looks at me nastily, venom dripping from his glare. I, on the other hand, am shooting daggers his way, barely containing myself from ripping him limp by limb.
"Why?" I ask suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Why do you want to kill Godric? He's the best you can ever have for his position. Why killing him when he's proven useful?"
Instead of answering my questions Luke starts laughing or at least I think he is laughing, as the sounds that come out from his mouth are a strange mixture of snuffling, snorting and gargling. Taken aback by these strange noises accompanied by two blood coughs I loosen my grip and look at him more carefully. The laughs are torn by new sets of coughs and blood so I let him go and step aside. The carpet covers in dark blood stains. A minute or two later his agony ceases gradually until it finally stops. I narrow my eyes at him cautiously. His larger form is bent in half, his hands at his knees, his head low, blood rivulets running down his chin. Involuntarily I feel a wave of pity wash over me, followed by regret.
"He started sniffing around." Says Luke as he lifts his head so that our eyes meet – there's no mischief or that superiority glare – his eyes are honest and I know he is telling me the truth. "There are higher powers then me in this world, sally. It was either me or him. You can do the math yourself." His coughs return with full force, giving me a few seconds to think this all over.
On one hand I want to kill him for trying to kill Godric, but on the other I know that I'm no different – there were times when I'd kill anybody to protect myself from harm. I mentally sign. 'Who am I to judge him? I was no better.' Closing my lids for a second I relax myself. When I reopen them I find Luke on his knees, his hands wrapped around his huge form, trying to stop the violent shaking.
"Let's make one thing clear – I still hate you and that will never change." I say as I come next to him.
He tries to move away but I grip his shoulder and stop him.
"I'll spare your miserable life under one condition."
After these words his head lifts once more and I see the huge effect of the years on his usually handsome face – it's now covered in deep wrinkles, decomposed here and there, his eyes dull and lifeless moments ago now start sparkling due to my promise.
"But under one condition – you'll stay as far away as possible from Godric, Isabel, Stan, Erik and all his friends alongside with mine and me." He glares at me accusingly.
"Unless you want The Authority to find out that you are selling V to humans. That'll be quite nasty." After this threat the flame in his eyes vanishes and fear settles in.
After all The Authority's punishments are legendary for their cruelness and merciless. And when comes to dealing with V dealers they are said to show great creativity – blood-freezing, indeed, but still great.
"And unless if you don't want my letter to include a conspiracy against a Sheriff who tried to do his job I suggest you take what I'm offering you." My eyes are looking right into his soul that's growing smaller by the second. "Believe me when I tell you that death is not half as painless as they describe it." I add after a second and look into Luke's eyes.
I find fear settled in them along with angst but I wave my sympathy aside. 'He wouldn't have cared if any of us had died. I shouldn't as well.' I try to convince myself but I find it impossible.
"Fine." He grunts before a new series of coughs takes over.
Gripping his shoulders I once again use my powers and pull back the electric charge I burned his soul with. Moments later, when I stumble back trying to catch my breath Luke starts healing and returning to his usual form. The clock's hands strike four o'clock in the morning. I sign. A moment later when I glimpse at the King I find him on his feet, looking like nothing had happened, the only evidence that something did actually occur is the bloodstains on his otherwise flawless shirt.
When he looks at me I wonder if he'll violet the agreement but he surprises me by nearing the desk, getting a piece of paper and a pen out of a drawer, and writing down a few sentences. After he's finished he signs it with a flourish. Coming to me he hands me the paper and hisses in my ear a dreadful promise. I only nod and he grabs his suit jacket from the hanger and bottoms it up then leaves the room like he had just made the deal of his life. 'What an ironic comparison!' I snicker, his words ringing in my head: 'Watch where you step, puta, 'cus I'll be there when you make a mistake, and I'll take advantage of it! '
Despite his bad temper, in the end, Luke is no shallow-brained man and knows how to play his cards well. I smirk at the thought of him trying to catch me red-handed. After all I know he won't leave me but nor will he attack me openly, no, not when he knows what I can do to him. Glancing at the letter in my hand my smile grows wider. Folding the paper neatly I put in my pocket and exit the office as well, closing the door soundlessly.
Finding Godric and the others in the room chatting lightly doesn't manage to fool me. They may seem to be talking as if nothing's happening but I see the tension and anger lingering in the air like an unpleasant odour. A sly smirk runs over my lips and vanishes a second before Godric senses me and stands up. I smile his way sweetly.
"Is everything all right?" I notice he doesn't try to mask the worry in his voice and that somehow touching gesture makes my smile grow even wider.
"Everything went smoothly." I reassure them all.
Isabel sighs and closes her eyes for a moment, relief washing over her tense face. Stan only grunts and takes a sip of his whiskey. Yet I spot a smirk in the corner of his mouth. Godric just stands in front of me, and I feel like he's looking right through me. Uneasiness makes me move a little bit to the side, glancing away from him.
"Well the sun will rise soon – we'll leave." Awkwardly says Isy as she grabs Stan by the hand and pulls him up on his feet.
I only blink their way as she literally pushes the poor fella out of the room while he tries to make sure none of his precious whiskey gets on the floor. I laugh when he tries to walk past her and leave his glass in the kitchen. Isy only grabs him by the neck and pulls him outside.
"We should go to bed as well, Sheriff. The sun will indeed rise soon." I tell him as I nod towards the door, a small smile playing on my lips.
"Sookie." My name slips through his lips like a prayer.
"Yes?" I look at him.
He takes two steps towards me and now only a few millimetres are separating us.
"Tell me the truth – did he hurt you?"
"Godric-"
"Please. I need to know that you are ok. That he did nothing bad to you. Please." His voice breaks my heart.
'He's afraid.' I note as his greyish eyes fill with worry, anger and fear. 'He's worried for me!'
Cupping his face I give him my most dazzling smile and send a reassuring and loving energy through the bond we seem to have. I see him relaxing a little bit but still he waits for an answer.
"He didn't hurt me."
Before I can even add something he garbs me by the shoulders and looks me right in the eyes.
"The bastard touched you!?"
"Ah? And from where did you come up with that? For God's sake, Godric! I just told you he didn't hurt me!"
A sudden growl erupts from his chest and I'm certain any moment now his fangs will show. Sighing in defeat I confess it all.
After telling him what happened from beginning to end and showed him the letter Luke wrote he finally starts calming down.
"So now we are finally free!" I exclaim.
He only raises his eyebrow at me; my cheerful mood seems to have infected him as well as a smirk creeps its way to him beautiful face.
"Free? And when were you a captive, love?" he asks, his husky voice making my insides curls.
A light laugh escapes my lips as his hands snake their way around my waist and pull me closer to his larger body. I giggle like a teenage girl as I wrap my own arms around his neck, burying my fingers into his messy hair.
"I like your laugh. It's such a rare thing." Whispers the brunet and I giggle once more.
A rivulet of blood catches my attention and I flinch in his embrace.
"Godric! You are bleeding!"
And as if on cue I feel the sun rising on the horizon. The bleeds increase and I feel panic taking the place of the happiness. He only grins at me like a little boy and I find his dashing smile fitting him. 'He looks so much younger and care-free this way.' In a blink he lifts me up like I weigh nothing and rushes to his room where he throws us on the bed. I burst out in laughter and don't stop for what seems like hours. Soon I feel a faint tingling in my stomach and stop. 'The sun!'
I quickly turn around and see Godric lying on his side, looking at me with pure adoration that makes my breath hitch. Blood is running down the side of his face but he doesn't seem to notice it.
"You need rest." I whisper as if my voice can break the nice atmosphere.
He only shakes his head and keeps looking at me like I'm some kind of a Goddess. I feel tears pricking in the corners of my eyes. Godric frowns and wipes a traitorous tear away with his thumb.
"Why are you crying?"
"Because I know I want too much from you. And it's not fair. I finally found someone who actually cares for me and I can't have him! I can't have you! And I hate fate for being so cruel to me." My voice quivers and I turn around, with my back at the male.
A silence settles in and I find myself at the verge of teleporting somewhere far away. Like on a remote island or something. Suddenly his hand ends up on my waist and he pulls me gently towards his chest.
"Can I have the floor now, little miss pouty face?"
"Are you mocking me!?" I snap at him and he chuckles.
"I'd be a fool if I do." He whispers and kisses my hair. "I just want to speak as well."
"I'm listening then." I puff and I can literally feel him rolling his gorgeous eyes at me.
"You make so many conclusions without even hearing what I have to say. Moreover you fall into a suicidal depression after that. Don't you wanna know what I think or feel?"
"Of course I do. But you already told me how you feel about…. us." I say in a tiny voice.
"I did? When?" I hiss and elbow him. "I'm not joking. I can't remember telling you anything in that matter."
I frown and wrack my brain for anything that proves the opposite but I'm left empty-handed.
"I never really let you say what you have to say." I admit and turn around so that we are face to face. "Tell me. I need to know."
He caresses my face with the tips of his fingers.
"Are you afraid?"
"Yes."
He only smiles at me sweetly and kisses my lips gently, tenderly. I'm left utterly amazed.
"I'd love to spend my eternity with you. And I'll try to give you everything you need and want. Unfortunately I cannot offer you much – just and old vampire who lost his spark for life."
Even though he's whispering softly and his fingers play with my hair in a care-free way I know he's uncertain in himself; his eyes are somewhere on my lips or chin or everywhere else except on my own.
This time it's my turn to cup his face lovingly and search for his eyes.
"Hey. I'm here. And I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon."
A small smile forms on his lips and I gently caress his cheek.
"And you are wrong – you can offer a lot more than you can even imagine." I say.
For a moment he's unsure of what to do so I decide to take things into my own hands. Pulling him towards me our lips meet in a soft kiss. A loving one. And in that very moment I know I'll kill anyone who ever dares lift a finger against my mate.
We cuddle into each other and soon Godric falls asleep, lulled by the merciless rays of the sun outside. I stay awake a little bit longer, letting myself comprehend what had just happened. A grin flushes on my face after I take in the fact that we are now together, like together-together!
In the last seconds before I fall into a deep slumber in my lover's arms I can swear I can feel him smiling against my hair.