AN: I am uncertain about this chapter but after much debate I will follow my instincts. This chapter is a gift to all of you for the wonderfully insightful and intriguing reviews that I received for the last update.

I gathered my emotions and cleared my face. "Eric perhaps you were not aware that you nearly struck Minnie?"

His eyes glittered like stars "Oh, I hadn't noticed," his said mockingly. I cast my eyes down, my rage for a moment overwhelming me.

I lifted my head and stared at Minnie fear coursing through me. I had vastly underestimated my husband to be and his desire for dominance and the ruthless measures to which he would go to gain it. Slowly I stood keeping myself from rushing across the room to check my beloved mammy for injury. "If you'll excuse me my lord," I said moving from the table.

"But I don't," he returned quietly.

I turned and sat once more willing my eyes not to look at Minnie. "I wonder how Minnie would like working in my lovely fields," he murmured with an expression of limitless cruelty. I knew in that instant that I had made one of my first mistakes ever by revealing my knowledge of his whisper. My great arrogance and confidence had betrayed me. I inwardly shrugged and put it down to the impetuousness of youth. Something that until that misstep I had never suffered from.

He turned his head to her "Minnie do you enjoy the outdoors?" then he laughed.

My fear was plain in my face for a second. "No," I said firmly. Eric sighed and shoved his plates from him. "Oh that doesn't sound appealing to you?" I hated him and myself in that moment. He had honed in on my Achilles's heel. The one person that mattered more to me than my own life.

He flashed me a beautiful dagger like smile "I have decided that you will have your debut before we marry."

Odd joy settled into my mind for a second in the midst of my new hatred. "But we are to be married in just three days," I replied.

"Yes, I didn't say a long debut. I will throw a magnificent ball in your honor for two nights. I want you to have all the joy a girl your age should have before you join your life to mine," there was something oddly sincere in his voice. A look of tenderness was around his mouth.

I decided not to bring up Minnie and his threats, perhaps in time he would forget them. "I would be pleased by that my lord," I raised my eyes to him and smile sweetly. He was not fooled by it but I can see that he is charmed.

"How radiant you are," he said in a whisper. Minnie heard him and I saw her flash me a big smile. I nearly laughed and Eric scowled. "Something amusing?" he drawled.

I shook my head "No my lord I was merely overcome with excitement and joy about my unexpected debut that stems from your great generosity."

He knew if for the lie it was but allowed himself to be mollified. I had moved the rook in our game but who would check who was still in the air. Thanks to my grave mistake I was no longer completely certain that I would be the victor. I straightened my back and reminded myself of my own brilliance.

He was watching me from his heavy lidded eyes which were half-mast. "I will have the tailor come and this time I will deal with him solely, I have very precise ideas of the gowns you will wear."

I knew that he wanted to impress me with his taste. "How kind of you." I saw Felicia enter the room and I felt her eyes on me. It was time to take out the trash. I no longer had the patience to follow through with my plans in regards to her. I came to a decision then. I was I assured more than up to the task. My beauty would be my ally in this.

"There is something that I wish to discuss with you my lord, may we speak privately?"

Eric nodded and stood. We passed Minnie and Eric's hand swept to her head and patted it as if she were a dog. My jaw tightened painfully as I gritted my teeth. "Don't touch her," I snapped before I could stop myself as we were leaving the room. Where Minnie was concerned I could sometimes be reckless.

Eric stopped his stride and looked down at me "Don't ever tell me what to do," his voice sent shivers through me; he was dangerous and cruel and I belonged to him. Then amazingly he picked me up and threw me over his massive shoulder. I went still and didn't scream. This was meant to humiliate me. He would learn sooner rather later that I was not to be underestimated.

Nor would I underestimate him in the future. His hand curved to my bottom and he squeezed it possessively. That I was terribly attracted to him irritated me. Because now that he had threatened Minnie I felt such anger at him that it overwhelmed me.

We went to my great discomfort to his private chambers. He set me down gently. It was dark inside and he went to a table in his sitting rooms and lit an oil lamp and sat down. I sat across from him. "My lord I would ask a wedding boon from you," I said softly.

His brow arched and his lips twitched "Go on," his voice was toneless.

My cheeks flushed as I considered how to phrase this. "Felicia needs to be sold the moment I am wed to you."

Eric's eyes narrowed "Why?" his tone was soft but filled with deadly rage. That was something I had begun to suspect about him, that he had an ocean of wrath just begging to be released.

His long fingers tapped the tabletop as he waited for my reply. "Because she is disrespectful," I looked into his eyes "Frankly if I have to see the sight of her much longer I will kill her."

Eric sighed and ran his hand through his hair "It is not so simple darling," his tone was acid. "Furthermore I will not be ordered about by you."

"Jealous?" the question came with a cutting smile.

I kept my face cold "Don't flatter yourself."

His eyes trailed from mine to my lips "I never do because flattery implies a falsehood and I am certain of my appeal," it's clear that he wasn't referring to gaggle of fools that lusted for him. He meant me.

"Do you imagine that I will be faithful to you?" his eyes were so cruel and cold.

"I don't imagine much I'm afraid, as my mother once said I lack that ability. Instead I make happen what I desire," I replied with a steely edge to my husky southern voice.

His hand went to his chin and he stared at me for what felt like an endless moment. "I will not sell Felicia until I am done using her," he said blandly.

My hand moved without thought or connection to my will. The sound of my slap was like thunder in my ears. His head rocked slightly to the side. His brilliant sea blue eyes narrowed and he reached for me. I realized belatedly that I have erred once more when he made me rise and pinned me to the wall.

AN: I realize that I have had Sookie make a number of mistakes in this chapter. But she is only human and Felicia is on her last nerve. Wouldn't you feel the same? I have my reasons though they are hidden to me of why the story took this turn. I am uncovering it, somewhere this story is already written by an alternate version of myself. Sookie is very young and her concern for Minnie has made her foolish. She is out of her depth with Eric to some degree. But she will soon find her feet once more. When things happen in my story that seem inconsistent sometimes it is for a while and then it starts to make sense, or I so hope. I just don't have a rigid control over my stories like most writers, it lives and I type. Anyway sorry for this long ramble. I hope at least that a few of you liked the chapter. I look forward to hearing from you+