"What is that?" Eric asks, coming up the stairs as the sun has just set. He motions to the stack of books in front of me and I grin, handing him the top one.
"I just got around to going through my shelves. These will likely interest Godric, if you would like to invite him here or we could go to him? I believe these are considered rare to vampires and I would like to give him a gift for helping to retrieve you."
"Lover, these…" He glances over, seeing the next one in the pile and grabs it as he browses through the rest. "I only know of a few copies of each of these, all of those copies either in museums or in unknown hands as they're usually purchased through shell companies whenever they pop up in the market. Would you be able to get copies for my maker to keep?"
"Yeah, it shouldn't be a problem. Claude makes all my books, and he originally authored all of those ones anyway."
His eyes pierce into mine at his amazement, setting the book down carefully before turning to browse the bookshelf closely. "This is incredible, your cousin must be quite old as all of the copies in the human world are nearly as old as the Egyptians."
Shrugging, I pick up one I had been reading and he comes to peer over my shoulder. "I'm not sure of his exact age, but time does move differently between here and there, so it could very well be that the existing copies are some he created and lost. This one goes over the uses of various hardly known herbs and natural substances, although many of them are impossible to get nowadays due to human interference. I could package them up and we could visit Godric, if you want? I'm not very sore anymore and you haven't wanted me to go anywhere, so let's get out and go to Texas for a few days. Can Pam handle things for you?" He pulls out his cell phone, a smile on his face as I go through a stack of boxes I'd saved in a closet in case I'd need them.
I'm considering which one to pick when I have a better idea, instead popping into the closet to get dressed. Eric appears next to me as I come back up the stairs, curious as I smile and gesture for him to follow me.
"There are multiple types of fae, as you're aware, and as a Brigant I am a sky fae. But I've spent a lot of time with other types and the Woodland fae taught me many useful things, one of which is how to sing to the trees." He is interested, watching closely as we walk through the trees getting further from our house. "I would like to find a willow tree, any ideas?" I ask, grinning as he picks me up before we're in the air. His head moves above mine, scanning from one side to the other until he stops and we're speeding through the sky a second later. A willow is visible a moment later, a break in the foliage below highlighting the tree on one side as a wide creek cuts through the land.
"Why does it have to be a willow tree?" His inquiry satisfies me as I was sure he wouldn't be short on questions as I step free of his hold.
"The woodland fae are not actually sure why, but these are abundant in our land and the easiest to sing to. Sometimes, if one has been used enough times, it can even start to sing back as our magic will leave traces within it over time. This tree will likely begin to grow much stronger in the future after this." Laying my hands on the bark, he hovers behind me providing a sense of safety as I bring my light to the surface, my spark itself coming free and leaving me feeling cold as it sinks into the wood. Vibrating energy fills the air, a hum of power in our ears as I convey my wishes in a wordless song of light. It dances through the tree from the branches to the roots until a knot forms beneath my hands and growls outward, my palms being spread apart on either side as it grows. "What I am making for Godric will be cherished by any vampire who owns it." I mutter nearly silently, knowing Eric will hear me.
He watches in silent amazement as an ornate wooden box grows beneath my hands, the wood pouring forth from the source as vines and leaves swirl their own patterns into the surface. The lid separates when it's nearly done, perfectly carved and nearly invisible notches holding it in place but making the box appear solid as though there is no lid at all. It's the perfect size to hold the books, a large depiction of a willow tree on the top and I leave the tiniest hint of power within the tree as thanks for its offering. My spark returns through my palms and everything around me goes quiet as it detaches from the base of the tree, pulling free seamlessly as I take a step back. "What does it do?" There's no hiding the wonderment in his voice as he looks at the box and I have him hold it, sliding the lid up and off so that he can see the empty inside.
"I spent years training to master this technique and can make almost any shape or container, as well as imbue them with inherent abilities which do not rely on outside magics. This is the perfect shape to hold the books, which I guess are priceless, but it also has another feature." Sliding the lid back into place, I turn it sideways for him to view it and pull open a hidden side compartment. "This has the same principles as my bag, which will allow anything placed within to stay suspended there in time and space. I can't in good conscious make this too large, since it's a powerful thing, but it's large enough that he could place his small valuables or anything no larger than a fist. It's not infinite, but it's shaped so that he should be able to reach nearly his whole arm inside to store lots of small things if he wants. The inside of the box will also suspend whatever is in there in space, so you can turn it all over and the books won't fall around. I had not realized that your maker hadn't released you, so technically I should have gone to him before approaching you, but I intend to make it up with this gift."
"This will do more than that. The books alone are priceless, but this is on another level entirely. I know you are quite intelligent, but I must be sure that you are aware that none should know you can craft these sorts of things apart from myself and Godric. It is not safe for this to become public knowledge."
"Oh, I know, and it flatters me that you worry, but I wouldn't share this sort of thing with anyone else. Even fae are secretive amongst each other with things like this. Do you think Godric will like it?" I wonder, looking over the surface as I try to find any flaws even though I doubt there are any.
"Very much so, and he would likely try to pay you something for it in any other circumstance." Taking the box back, I wait as he picks me up and were flying back to the front porch in an instant, going about planning out a trip as I place the books neatly into the box.
A duffle bag appears in his hands when he comes up from our bedroom a minute later, large enough to hold the box and anything else we might need. I place it inside and end up packing a few articles of clothing around it, a second smaller bag holding a few things from Eric's part of the closet.
Putting everything into the car, Eric drives us at twice the speed limit, getting us to Fangtasia in record time. The humans are toxic as soon as we enter, many of them mentally blaming me for the fact that Eric has been missing, many of them feeling entitled to his presence. Normally I would ignore their behavior as it is common amongst the bar patrons, but I find myself bristling as I mute them all instead of filtering through them like normal. "Sookie?" Eric asks, breaking through my reverie and I refocus on him as we are walking past the bar.
His office hasn't changed, and he gives me a questioning look as soon as he closes the door behind us. "Many of the humans feel as though they own your time. They don't like that I've taken you away so much." Cocking an eyebrow, he stares at me incredulously before a broad grin spreads over his face and he is lifting my chin to kiss me a second later.
"Do not be jealous, lover." Scoffing at his words, he chuckles as he turns to type into his computer for a moment. I'm standing next to him, leaning against his chair until he pulls me into his lap and I wonder why until Pam opens the door a second later.
"Well hello stranger, and here I thought you'd kidnapped him this time."
"Pam, I will be taking a vacation with my bonded to visit Godric. You are in charge while I am gone." I feel almost bad, knowing that she is not used to her maker taking off on her so suddenly, but I also know that at her age she should be perfectly independent. Eric had also told me enough about her to know the way to the girl's heart and I produce a small box from my pocket, something I'd gotten at the same time as Eric's necklace.
"I do apologize for whisking your maker away, but I can guarantee that he is happy in my care. This is for you, a show of good faith that I don't intend to ever cut you off from him. Even if he blocks you, just wish it so and this will lead you to him no matter where he is. It will only work for you." He'd approved of the gift, having noticed the small box before we left the house and asked about it.
It's only a second before she takes it with a deadpan expression, but grins as she pulls the pendant free from the package, a large red gem shimmering as it dangles from it's delicate platinum chain. "A large ruby? I do love red." She smirks, and I laugh slightly, making her look at me with a frown.
"A red diamond actually, that's why it catches the light so well. It's rather rare from what I hear."
"Well mistress, it would seem that my master has indeed chosen well." It's around her neck a second later and she gives Eric a quick rundown of business maters after thanking me, taking her leave as he returns to his computer.
"I'm almost done." He assures me, and I don't mind the waiting as I occupy myself with his phone, his printer working to finish something a moment later and he hands it to me. "This is the confirmation of your registration as Sookie Northman."
"Do you want to frame it?" I ask, noticing that my old name is nowhere to be seen.
"While it is quite the battle trophy for me, I doubt that this is one I would be hanging it in my bar. Perhaps in our home when we return." It's strange to hear him say that but I enjoy it, an uplifting sensation tingling through me as he does.
His smirk tells me that he feels it as well, his attention to the bond seeming a permanent fixture in our relationship and I kiss him again before we leave.
The journey to Texas is not a long one, his foot on the gas making it much shorter than it should be, but I don't worry. His hands move over the controls of the vehicle flawlessly, every turn and movement precise even when he holds my hand in one of his. The city comes into view in the distance, bright lights making it clearly visible in the darkness ahead and he takes us into a busy section of downtown. "Our hotel is a security oriented vampire hotel, so we'll be in the safest place in the city, but we'll probably come and go by flying from the balcony. There's no need to announce our coming and going with the lobby entrance except to check in."
"I could also teleport us around, I've been here before to get Godric." Nodding, he feels my emotions out as I try to stifle my amusement with my own thoughts.
"What are you considering?" He finally asks as he navigates the streets and I can't help myself.
"When I was here before, I sort of outed myself to Godric's nest in my haste to return to Louisiana by teleporting us in front of them all. I also stunned one of them when he tried to stop me from reaching Godric, so that would likely raise a few questions. I assume however that those living within his nest are trustworthy by his standards, thus I was not too worried. In fae custom, we would take our best special occasion outfit on the 'officially paying tribute' trip during courtship, where you would normally give a gift such as the one I am about to. My bag contains my robes, should you wish for me to fully awe his followers. Your maker is quite old if I'm not mistaken, so I would hate to seem unworthy of his child." There's a moment of contemplation as he considers everything I said, and I try to push the image to him of myself in my outfit as I remember seeing it in a mirror.
The car swerves for a split second before he rights it and stares at me as we pull into a line for valet parking. "How did you do that?"
"I focused on what I wanted to see and wished for you to see it to, sort of pushing it towards you the same as I would my emotions. You should be able to do the same thing, with a little practice." Nodding, he stiffens and turns to his door as someone taps his window, opening the door and trunk at the same time. Our bags are placed carefully onto a cart by a young vampire who keeps his eyes down and I remember that he can likely sense Eric's age over his own.
My scent is fully shielded, Eric likely the only thing anyone can smell on me and I am close to his side as he has an arm around me. He hands his keys off to the valet as soon as everything is out of the car, black glass doors sliding silently out of our way to enter. He matches my stride as we cross a large open room to go up to the front desk, the eyes of the vampire behind it only on Eric and he hands him a keycard without a word being spoken. The elevator is matte black all over, the doors sliding shut as we are alone inside, and it doesn't move until he swipes his keycard through a slot next to a panel of numbered buttons. "Did you know the vampire at the desk?"
"No, but Godric owns these hotels so they are all shown my picture. He doesn't accept anything but the best from the employees, so say something if anything seems off about anyone. The day crew is of course human, but the upper floors are sealed off from the bottom floor during the day. My keycard is special though, so if you had to leave and wanted to use the elevator you could." We're at the third floor from the top when the doors slide open, Eric pulling the luggage cart from behind us himself as he'd dismissed the vampire bellboy.
Our room is at the end, the door thick and heavy feeling as I open it for us. The inside is lavish, the room patterned with warm colors all over, a small stainless-steel covered kitchen area is in one corner and a thick wall of curtains covers the opposite wall. Looking between the swaths of cloth, I see that it slides open to be able to view out over the city which is full of lights at night. He disappears into the bedroom only to reappear a moment later with the ornate box for Godric, sitting it on the coffee table in front of the couch.
"Stay here." I ask, and he looks intrigued but nods as I dash into the bedroom. It has a large attached bathroom and I stand before a floor length mirror as I pop my bag into place next to me. Stripping down, I keep my underclothes on before pulling the white pants and tunic on. A white silk cape comes out next, my hand running over the gold crest to change it to my new one so that the Brigant one no longer shows. Fastening it in place, it flows around me as the fabric almost seems to glow, a matching white and gold trimmed mantle going over it and my shoulders. It leaves me with a wide range of mobility which is appreciated as I pull my sword free from the bag, fastening it in place on my waist with only the handle and hilt visibly sticking from beneath my clothes. My hair goes up into a traditional braid quickly, my appearance quite striking as I view the results in the mirror which is appropriate as it's an outfit meant to show off the wearer, even in battle.
Eric seems struck still when I appear before him with a pop, my hand resting on the pommel of my sword and his eyes burning into mine before he's suddenly kissing me. "You look quite dangerous, but at the same time you look to be a goddess of war."
Grinning, I return his affection and kiss him back, my arms wrapping around him until he pulls back, and I feel him removing the sword from the sheath at my waist. It's blade flashes in the light and he examines it closely as I grin as his childlike wonder. "You'll likely not find better craftsmanship on earth."
"I would agree… it is perfect. But do you know how to use it?" He questions, and I raise an eyebrow just like he often does. Stepping around him fluidly, he looks unashamedly smitten as I caress his cheek.
"Sky fae are known for their speed, the wind is at our backs in a battle and this outfit assists me. It is blessed by my ancestor's magic, the threads woven by my own hands while in trance when I came of age. It will repair itself if it is damaged in combat and it will also dampen the pain I feel if I'm struck while wearing it, making it possible to keep fighting beyond my normal limits." Dancing around him I level him with a fighting gaze, my sword pulled from his hands before he seems to comprehend what I've done, and I smile innocently as the point rests against his chest in an instant. "My sword will also harm any but you who would try to take it from its sheath as it was forged by my own light."