I felt my coffin being moved and realized that we must be at Meshra's. I checked my watch in the dark. Sunset in Paris was at 9:30. It was 9: 22. I could probably risk the seven minutes if I got inside fairly quickly.

I undid the latch and stepped out. I was so excited to show her Paris that I grabbed Sookie and kissed her. She would love the way that Europeans lived compared to Southern Americans. Southern people were one thing I'd never gotten used to about living in America. I would always be European in my heart. "You are going to love this, Angel." I took her hand and ran up the stairs to Meshra's apartment. She'd purchased two apartments just after the war and knocked down the adjoining wall and made a very large apartment in a building next to an Abbey. It was peaceful for the most part, and the moonlight that streamed into the apartment every night was gorgeous. The last time I'd left this place, I'd packed my things in a rush and stormed out. I had been visiting from Ravenwood for six months, but Marius's comment about me being raped drove me away. I tried not to think about that.

"We don't want the elevator, it's exceedingly slow and creaks mercilessly."

I rang the bell wondering who Meshra had found to replace Alice, her aging housekeeper.

"Allo? Qui-est la?"

"S'il vous-plait, dites-vous Meshra qu'Eric c'est ici." Sookie stared at me. She seemed genuinely impressed every time I spoke another language. At one time, I was fluent in nearly thirty languages. Now, I tended to only speak about thirteen or fourteen. The door opened and the younger voice that I'd heard stepped away from the door. My mother rushed out and threw her arms around me.

"Eric, Eric, Eric. My darling son, come in, come in. Oh, who is this?'

"Meshra, this is my wife, Sookie. Sookie, this is my mother, Mahesh-Ra, also known as Meshra." She hugged me again and then she hugged Sookie and kissed her on both cheeks. Her eyes were darkening and I knew that they were misting with tears, but I don't think Sookie noticed. I knew that I'd hurt her deeply when I left last time, and I would try to make up for it. She was a good mother, but she didn't know about the depth of the rift between Marius and me.

"Please come in, I had no idea that you were coming to town. Eric, why didn't you call me?"

She welcomed us into the apartment and I realized that the only thing that had changed was that my mother had amassed a lot more books. She must have been in the midst of a research project. She always got like this when she was working on a book. She'd written thirty books on the subject of ancient Egypt. She was a fixture on the lecture circuit now that vampires were out. She worked very hard to correct and dispute widely held misconceptions about Egypt. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed her.

"I wanted to surprise you, mother. You are so very hard to surprise."

"I can't believe that you are here. How long has it been now 20, 25 years?"

"Yes, about that. Sookie, please have a seat here." I moved a stack of books and saw my mother nod her approval. I sat down next to Sookie and took her hand. She seemed fearful and I didn't want her to worry. My mother was not in the least bit intimidating.

"So, you have married. And she smells of Fae, am I correct? I also sense my own blood coursing through her veins as well as yours. You have had trouble n'est-ce pas?

"Oui, maman. Someone tried to drain me, but Sookie saved me." I found myself lapsing into French as soon as she spoke it to me. It was as if I'd never left.

" I see that you have given her my ring. I hope you love it as much as I did, Sookie. So, you love my son? Surely you must if he is still here. Did he tell you about the probable side effects of having my blood? Of course he did. May I offer you something to drink? Lisette? Lisette? A drink for Sookie, please. Eric, I have a lovely Spanish girl with the most wonderful blood line I have tasted in a long time."

I noticed that my mother was nervous and I winked at her to tell her to calm down. She settled back into her chair and I felt Sookie squeezing my hand. I squeezed back to let her know that everything was okay.

"I will pass, Meshra."

She took my hand in hers and looked at me closely. It was as if she was making sure that I was all right. Our deal was that I could only use her blood in an emergency. I sensed her worry and looked into her eyes so that she would know that I was intact.

"So, tell me how this came about?"

I realized that she was talking about my relationship with Sookie. "That is a long story mother, and I'm here to discuss business first."

"Is this about the one million dollars that you owe me?"

We both looked at Sookie as she spit her tea into her cup. I hadn't told her how much I owed Meshra in the bet. Meshra smiled at her and Sookie dabbed at her mouth with her napkin.

"Yes, of course. We had a bet. I'm not going to back out of a deal that I have with you. I owe you my life and I wouldn't be with my darling wife if not for you."

"I had no idea when I gave you that blood that you would be using it. I really thought that I'd never get to see the day that you'd become my child fully. I'm so happy that you are finally my true child."

"I would have sooner if not for the side effects. Can we discuss that at some point?"

"Of course, but I don't really know what to say except that depending upon when you used it, you should be seeing changes in your physical nature. I noticed that your hair is different. Has her hair always been identical to yours?"

"Yes, but more so since we had your blood. I also noticed that I'm not as pale."
"I'd noticed that as well."

"I suppose you'd like your money wired or would you prefer a check that you can gaze upon victoriously?"

"I would never gloat. And I'm not going to take your money. I only made that bet with you so that you would keep an open mind about marrying someone. You were so averse to the idea, and I don't want you to miss out on happiness. I loved my husband so very much. I know that you will enjoy being married too."

"So, Sookie. I suppose that Eric has told you all about his brother Marius and his sister, Fallon?"

"He has, and I'm looking forward to meeting them both."

"You won't have long to wait, they are both living nearby and we'd agreed to attend a dinner at Lord Malbec's house. Won't you please join us?"

I couldn't believe my mother was still entertaining Lord Malbec. He was, of course, much younger than she , but he appeared to be in his sixties. I wanted Meshra to date someone that appeared her own age.

"You have got to be kidding me, Meshra, why are you guys still hanging out with that guy? He's a boorish old codger."

"He's good to us, he does certain favors for me and I—reciprocate. So, Eric, your child, Pam, is she here in Paris?"

"No, she is looking after my business ventures back home. Sookie, can we get anything else for you? You must be horribly bored listening to us catch up."

"No, baby, I'm fine. You guys catch up. Do you have a restroom?" I stood up to show Sookie where the restroom was if I could remember. It was a room that we were very, very rarely in. "Meshra, we're going to go clean up before dinner." I took her elbow and led her down the hall. "It's kind of tricky, the door sticks because we've never used it." Each bedroom had an attached bathroom, something that was unusual for French apartments. Meshra insisted that we each have our own room, as well as bathroom. My room was off the dining room down the hall. The apartment itself was five bedrooms, and was considered huge by French standards.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, but you need to drink, baby."

"I can have Royalty." The thought of another glass of tepid blood displeased me somewhat, but Sookie seemed a little peaked and needed to regain some of her strength.

"Are you sure you don't want a sip, I don't mind."

"I'm sure, darling." I ran water through my hair as she used the bathroom and washed up.

I took her down the hall to my old bedroom and noticed that it hadn't changed a bit since I'd left it last. The last book I was reading here, Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant was still open on the chaise. I pulled the draperies open and cracked the casement window so that the light May breeze would pass through our room. I noticed Sookie looking around at my things. I was not surprised that Meshra had Lisette dust and keep my room tidy. She knew to expect her children at any moment. That was the nature of our lives.

Sookie and I sat on the edge of my bed and she opened her collar to me. I licked my lips because I really, really wanted to drink from her. She pulled me in close towards her neck. I didn't want her to become weak.

"Baby, should I be taking more iron supplements or something?"

"It's just as easy for you to stay hydrated and eat lots of protein." I pressed my mouth to her neck. I wanted to bite, but I also knew that prolonging it made it more enjoyable. I licked the area just below her ear and she told me that she wanted me to drink from her. When she moaned into my ear, I couldn't resist her. I bit down and moaned myself. I took a deep drink, then drank some more. She relaxed as I laid her down on the bed. I could very easily make love to her and not think twice about the fact that my mother was waiting for us in the next room. Sookie had a satisfied look on her face, as if she'd just had an orgasm. I hovered over her, alternately drinking from, and kissing her.

We showered afterwards, and I dressed quickly, sitting down at the vanity table to put on my watch. I fastened Corey's fang around my neck. Sookie lifted it and looked at it closely.

"That's really cool. Is it from a lion?"

I smiled remembering the night that I'd taken Corey's tooth. She was an impulsive, mean spirited vampire who was in love with my best vampire friend, Guillaume Montrachet. He and I lived together, and she wanted him all to herself. She'd led some humans to my daytime resting place, but she hadn't counted on the fact that I'd chosen to spend the night with a human woman I'd been having sex with.

Sophia Townsend had allowed me to create a sleeping space in her dressing room. I'd told her that I had a rare skin disorder that did not permit me to be out during the daytime. She was not very bright, but she was a willing sex partner and donor. I returned the next evening to find that humans had burned my loft to the ground. I immediately went looking for Corey. I found her cowering under a bridge and I took her fang instead of killing her to prove to her that I didn't have to kill her to ruin her.

"No, love. That is the right fang of a vampire who betrayed me. I wear it to remind myself that I can be merciful when it is warranted. Her name was Corey and she tried to expose my resting place when I lived in London. I took her fang. I could have killed her then and there but I chose to be merciful. She died later that year, but it had nothing to do with her lost tooth."

Sookie took out her brush and began brushing my hair. It was very soothing to have her grooming me this way. I would have to have her do this more often. She kissed the top of my head and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"You smell so damned good. How did I ever get so lucky?"

"That, my love is what I ask myself every night." I took her hand and kissed it. We stayed like that for a while, staring at each other in the mirror. I could feel that she was very happy. I held her arms close to my chest. "You are happy, Lover?"

"Oh yes. Happier than I've ever been." She pulled away and dressed quickly. I watched her slip into a sundress and heels. I moved so that she could put her makeup on. She didn't need it, but she wanted to wear a bit of powder and lipstick. She fastened her diamond earrings onto each ear. She was so beautiful.

"You ready?"

"Yeah, this will be amazing."

"I'm glad you think so."

I escorted her to the door so that we could meet Meshra. Meshra stood at the door in a celery green dress that I'd bought for her in Mallorca, Spain. Fallon had given her the gold bracelets for mother's day when we'd decided to start celebrating that human holiday. I kissed her cheek to let her know that I appreciated her wearing the dress.

"Meshra, I must say, you look fabulous dear."

"Thank you. Your brother called, he and Fallon are going to meet us at Malbec's. Do you remember how to get there?"

"Sookie and I will meet you there, I'm going to fly. I want her to see Paris at night."

"Is this your first time in Paris, Oh, you simply must see the dancers at the Dauphin Theatre. They are not to be missed."

"I promise I will get out to see them while we are here. And thank you for hosting us, Mrs….?"

"Really, just call me Meshra. Dr. Ra is awkward."

"If we start to get on your nerves, or if you just want us to move on, let us know, we can get a room."

"Nonsense, you brought my son home when I thought for sure I'd have to leave my beloved Paris for that fetid swamp he calls Louisiana. You're not from that wretched state are you?"

"Uh, yes ma'am, I am. Louisiana has its own charms."

"Sookie and I should be going Meshra."

"I'll meet you at Malbec's, then."

"Lover, I have so many things to show you, but for now, let's get to dinner. Meshra has told Malbec that you are coming, so there will be human food. Knowing Malbec, he is too cheap to have a human helper, so I cannot guarantee that it will be appetizing."

"I've got some crackers in my purse from the airplane, I should be all right."

I led her down the stairs and lifted her into the air. I promised her that we would dine under the Eiffel Tower the next night, as it was something that she desperately wanted to do.

Paris hadn't changed much at all. I flew down the streets as if I'd never been away. I thought about the coincidence that Marius had called as we were preparing to go to dinner and I knew in my soul that Meshra had called him. I would be on my best behavior, but I had about ten minutes worth of patience for him.

I set Sookie down on the sidewalk and smoothed my hair. Place de Thorigny had been bombed out during World War II, and many of the buildings were newer. Malbec's place had been one of the few surviving buildings.

I felt Fallon on the other side of the door, waiting for our arrival. I felt my heart catch in my throat; I'd missed my sister too. I let Sookie knock on the door, and Fallon threw it open immediately. She threw herself at us, which was her habit to do, so I was prepared to catch Sookie. I couldn't help but laugh as I stood Sookie upright.

"Eric! Meshra called and I didn't believe that you were really back. It's so good to see you."

"You too, Fallon. How are things? Are you still running that clothing store?" My sister had taken an interest in human clothing a number of years ago, but now that vampires were out, she'd developed a business around providing vampires with clothing that ranged from the theatrical to the mundane. But all of it was elegant and otherworldly.

"I am, I'm part owner now. I am also a buyer. When I get approval from my doctor, I'm going to come to America."

"Doctor?" I looked at Sookie to see if she'd noticed. "Whatever is wrong?"

"Well, you know that I have an eating disorder. Well, my doctor thinks that I have some sort of allergy to antibodies produced by humans and now we are looking into the possibility that maybe I can only eat from humans that are type A, but of Moroccan descent."

I smiled at Fallon because it just seemed like more of the bullshit vampire doctors had been telling her for years. I wished that she would stop seeing them and just accept her life as a vampire. I wished that she would let go of the idea that she was somehow different and strange. She hit me on the chest playfully.

"What's funny about that? I have a serious medical condition." I saw her appraising Sookie and she winked at me quickly. "And is this the lucky Mrs. Northman? This makes us like sisters or something." There was a burning smell coming from the kitchen and I knew that Sookie's meal was meeting its maker at this very moment.

"I'm Sookie, it really is good to meet you." Sookie stuck out her hand but let out a sharp gasp as Fallon pulled her in for a close hug. I'd forgotten to warn Sookie that my sister is a bit like a one hundred pound puppy; lots of love and affection, but she often forgot her own strength.

"I'm Fallon D'Orrico Northman, it's great to meet you."

Sookie took my hand. "Someone had better turn the pot down or off, or you're going to have a mess on your hands." Fallon flew into the kitchen and I shook my head. It really would be a disaster if my sister was responsible for feeding her. I would fly out to a market and buy things for Sookie if necessary. I could be there and back within minutes.

As we entered the salon, Marius turned to face us. I had expected him to be bitter and smarmy, but instead, he seemed apologetic. I wasn't prepared for a contrite Marius. I had to adjust my emotions slightly. I scanned the other vampires in the room; mostly friends of Meshra and Marius. Fallon had very few friends. They took an immediate notice of Sookie and the room fell silent. I felt her breathing hitch as if she was about to be sick. I held her close to me to let everyone in that room know that she was mine.

I stood up straighter and I noticed that many of the younger vampires who didn't know me made eye contact with me. I would have to inform them of the protocol when meeting your betters for the first time. Meshra nodded to me, which informed them that I am royalty as well. When they realized that I am her son, the prince, they instantly bowed. The exchange was so fast and slight that I wasn't sure if Sookie had caught it.

Marius stood and came to our side. He looked at me for permission and I nodded that he may greet Sookie. He took her into his arms and hugged her quickly, which in turn told the vampires of his court that she was to be treated with the same respect as he. The younger vampires renewed their conversations, and I was glad to have that formality over with.

"Well, aren't you a delicacy? I'm Marius Antonius D'Orrico. But you may call me brother if you'd like." He kissed Sookie's hand, but I knew that she was picking up on Marius's attempts to glamour her. She could handle herself. He flipped her wrist over and I felt my fangs run out. "Eric, may I sample your bride?"

Before I could respond, she'd pulled her wrist from him. "The decision is not Eric's and the answer is no." She crossed her arms defiantly and Marius nodded. I laughed at her rebuke because I knew that Marius hadn't expected a fight. I spoke to him in Italian so that Sookie would not feel self-conscious.

"She's not like the empty headed girls that you are used to. She will fight you." I hugged him briefly and shook his hand. "Marius, are you here alone tonight? Surely you have a playmate or two hanging onto your every word."

"Of course, brother, but none of fairy extraction. You smell enchanting. I could devour you in two bites."

I saw him looking at her and I grew defensive. I knew that he would never breach my relationship with Sookie since she was my wife, but the way he'd taken Pam from me had scarred me deeply. It took a number of years before I was able to speak to him again. I would be on guard in his presence for both our sakes.
"Your brother's wife? Really? That's kind of gross."

I retracted my fangs, Sookie would hand Marius his ass and then some if he tried to seduce her.

"We've shared before." When he winked at me, I felt myself smirking. There were things about Paris that Sookie didn't need to know about. One of those things was the legions of women that he and I had enjoyed. When I saw Sookie's puzzled expression, I wondered briefly if Marius had meant Pam.

"Not by choice." I looked at him cautioning him to change the subject. I hadn't told Sookie the awful details of how Marius had swept in and taken my only companion. I would try to avoid that conversation for a while yet. I saw Lord Malbec and dragged Sookie over to him. He bored me to within an inch of my immortality, but he was more tolerable than dredging up the past right now.

"Win, old man. It's good to see you. I wanted to introduce you to Sookie. Sookie, this is Lord Winthrop Malbec of Somerset, England. Win, I present Mrs. Sookie Northman, my lovely wife." Malbec took her hand and she dipped in a little American curtsy. I lifted her back to a standing position; she had no business curtseying to him, he was beneath her socially. But it was cute, and Malbec giggled like a school-girl that someone respected his position. He began to bore Sookie with the made up story of his origins. No one could prove or disprove his relation to Mary Queen of Scots, he'd just been declaring himself her cousin for so long that everyone came to accept it. I abandoned Sookie to Malbec and made my way around the room.

I saw Marius sidle up to Sookie and she relaxed into his arms until she realized that it was him and not me. I walked over to Meshra and kissed her cheek.

"Well, Mother, what do you think?"

"I think you've done a marvelous job. It's obvious that you love each other. I'm just sorry that it took someone trying to drain you for you to have my blood."

"Meshra, Sookie has had a lot of my blood, I mean a whole lot. Should I be concerned about her turning?"

"I don't think so. Her Fae blood will protect her from turning from having your blood during—uh….sex." As old as we were, discussing sex was awkward. We tried to change the subject but laughed when it became obvious. She looked over at Marius and Sookie as she spoke. "I don't know a lot about the Fae, so don't quote me on it. They're so darned secretive. I would give a small fortune to meet with one of their elders.

"Sookie's great-grandfather is a fairy prince."

"Oh, Wow. So, she is descendent of very powerful Fae magic. I would not be surprised if she began displaying supernatural traits of her own."

"She's telepathic, although I'm not certain that is a known Fae trait."

"That girl is going to surprise you, Eric. You're going to need to keep on your toes." She picked at a blood canapé. "I know it's soon to be thinking of this, but Eric, have you and Sookie considered whether or not you will have children?"
"No, I've never thought about it because it's not possible."

"I'm just wondering if the two of you had discussed it."

"No, we hadn't it's not possible, so we've never discussed it. Mother, what are you getting at?" Marius crossed the room towards us suddenly.

"Son, why won't you tell me what happened between you, Marius and Fallon on the boat that made you leave?"

"Because there hasn't been an appropriate time to talk with you about it. I promise, before we leave France, I will sit down with you and discuss everything. I didn't mean to hurt you, I really didn't. I'd just had enough."

"Marius didn't mean to hurt you."

"Whatever, Mom." I refilled my glass and walked back over to Sookie's side as Meshra tapped the side of her wine glass.

"Everyone, please help me welcome Sookie to our family." I looked around the room. Several of the young vampires clapped. The older more worldly vampires nodded their approval. I nodded in acknowledgment. Sookie gazed up at me, and I knew that I'd done the right thing by introducing my wife at Malbec's. She would be accepted into the fold, and once word got out in Europe, the American vampires would accept our relationship as well.

"Yes, welcome, dear sister. I'm looking forward to tasting you very soon."

"Marius, that's not ever going to happen, so you can let that go. I'm Eric's." I had to smile when she said this, several times in the past she had declared herself to be Bill Compton's. To hear her say that she belonged to me was gratifying. It wasn't an ownership thing, Sookie could never be owned. It was about her declaring her love for me, and that she knew that I loved her just as much if not more.

"Good to see that you haven't changed a bit, Marius. I need to introduce you to someone, darling. If you can tear yourself away from my brother's charms." I steered her away from him and she put her arms around my waist and looked up at me. I couldn't wait to get her home and be alone. I would take my time with her.

"I mean no harm, I am merely appreciating your wife's beauty. And is it my fault that she has the intoxicating scent of fairy? You know how I feel about them."

Sookie was gracious, even though he was pouring on the charm.

"Thank you for the compliment, Marius, but it's really not necessary."

"So, Eric. How is Louisiana? Meshra says that you run a vampire bar. Have you fallen on hard times?"

"Maybe you'd like to come work for me?" Marius could be such a snob about things that I knew he would never consider working for a living. He'd been much too successful glamouring unsuspecting humans into giving him money over the years. I knew that he would take offense as soon as the words were out of my mouth. I wasn't entirely kidding.

"Work is for humans." Sookie giggled and caught herself as he tossed his long hair over his shoulder. He could be so very Roman about his approach to things.

"Our mother works."

"Our mother has a soft spot for these creatures. She values time spent around them. I personally don't understand the attraction." Sookie walked over to the bar and I understood that she meant to get a little bit drunk tonight. Before she could reach the bar, Fallon flagged her down and she disappeared into the kitchen. I walked over to the stereo and looked at the iPod playing in the stereo. I'd never been a huge fan of The Bird and the Bee, but this song was one I liked. Marius walked his girlfriends over to the stereo where I was standing. They kept their eyes averted until I kissed each one's hand. He introduced the taller of the two, a brunette from Loxley who was to be one of the four women we feasted on this evening.

"It is so good to meet you, Mr. Northman. Marius talks about you all the time."

"Pleasure to meet you too, Rebecca. Have you and Marius been dating long?"

"A little over three years. This is our lover Penelope. Pen, this is Marius's brother, Eric." I looked at the big-eyed blonde before me. She was tiny and seemed slightly frightened to be in a room filled with so many vampires.

"Hello, Penelope. It is wonderful to meet you." I caught her gaze and held it, gently coaxing her to be calm. She smiled timidly, as if she'd been glamoured many times over. I wanted to ask her if she was there willingly, but I knew that Marius would never do something so despicable as force a human into subservience. There were so many women willingly throwing themselves at him. I wanted to ask him about it and more. I asked him in Swedish to dismiss his ladies so that we could talk. He turned to Rebecca who seemed to be in charge.

"Rebecca, mi amore, if you will take Pen to meet Lord Malbec, I would appreciate it." He kissed each on the mouth, and I had a fleeting moment where I wondered if Sookie would consider sharing me with Allison. Just as quickly I laughed at the idea of Sookie staking me in my sleep for suggesting it.

"What is funny?" Marius spoke in Latin, the language he was most comfortable with. I replied in Swedish, my Latin had always been suspect. But he always seemed to understand me.

"Shall we go out onto the terrace?" I held the door open and escorted him out. "I-uh, I wanted to talk to you."

"First, of all, meus frater, I need to apologize to you for what I have said and done. I have had a number of years of thinking, and missing your friendship. I have nearly wrecked things and for that I am terribly sorry. You didn't deserve the treatment that you got from me."

"You're right. I didn't. It wasn't my choice to be a part of your family, but once I was, you had a responsibility to not treat me like shit. You can't know what it was like for me to be pushed onto your family. You can't know what it was like to know that Andronicus did not want me anywhere near Meshra, and I loved her dearly. I thought you were on my side. Do you remember that day in the forest when Appius left? Do you remember bringing me the raven?"

"Of course I do." He looked down and I wondered if he was genuinely penitent, or if it was easier to just absorb what I had to say.

"I thought that you had finally come to accept me. I thought that you had finally come to care about me, the way that I cared about you. I looked up to you and you kept pushing me aside."

"You think I don't know what it was like for you? Try having your parents ripped away from you because their attention is now divided between their emotionally challenged daughter and a stray vampire they'd picked up along the way. I wasn't trying to destroy you, I was trying to get my mother to love me as much as she did before she found you. You think it is easy knowing that she loves you far more than she'll ever love me? I had my mother's love until you came. Yes, that is a childish desire, but I was a child in many respects."

"Marius, this is insanity. Meshra thinks the world of you. You are too self-centered to see that she has been focusing on me to get me to be more like you. You arrogant prick. Excuse me."

"We are not finished."

"We are tonight." I stepped to the terrace door and opened it. "One other thing. If you so much as graze Sookie with your fangs, I will take your head. Am I clear?"

"If you are that insecure about your wife, you have bigger problems than me."

He pushed past me into the salon and I slammed the door. Many of the guests turned their heads to see what the dispute was about, but I pushed past them and walked over to Sookie as she began setting the table.

"If you would like, you and I could walk the grounds until they finish." I needed to get out of this tiny room filled with the judgmental stares of Marius's court. He and I glared at each other over Sookie's head.

"No, honey, you eat. I'm going to sit in the kitchen with the other humans and eat the delicious spaghetti that your sister made for us."

"Are you serious? My sister with the eating disorder cooked for you?"

"Yeah, I was surprised too. She does need attention, Eric, and I think she would really be a happier, more secure woman if you guys would stop fighting each other and pay attention to her."

That was part of the problem we were enduring to this day. Allison had pointed out that Meshra had spoiled us each to the point that we needed to be the sole focus of attention. She had created an unrealistic world-view, where love could never be enough. I shook my head at the thought that maybe Meshra had unintentionally fucked us up.

"All of that from twenty minutes with her? She's convinced you too, then?"

"No, something is wrong with her, Eric. Can't you guys see that?"

"Have either of you ever asked her why she's like this?"

"Of course, Sookie. I appreciate that you've taken an interest in my sister, but she's like this, okay? Her behavior has just gotten stranger and stranger. We had to move so many times because of her. Marius and I just stopped listening after a while."

"Well, I'm just saying that that girl is troubled and I can't quite put my finger on why."

"I don't want to fight with you. I'll try to spend some time with her and I'll even tell her I love her if you want." I turned her around and tried to get her to look at me. "Come on, Lover. Don't let Fallon's weirdness get between us. Tonight is about having fun, and us being together and you meeting my family." I circled her in my arms and kissed the top of her head. She turned around and faced me with those bright blue eyes that so mirrored my own.

"Just promise me that you'll take her seriously, at least while we're here."

"If you promise me that we'll get a room tomorrow night so that we can make love without my mother knowing about it."

"I will take care of that first thing in the morning."

I saw Sookie noticing that Marius and Meshra had begun dining on Rebecca and Penelope. I didn't know where the other two women had gone. I felt my fangs run out and I closed my mouth so that Sookie would not notice, but she had. She nodded to me as if it was all right for me to join my family at the table. I didn't want to make Sookie uncomfortable, but I hadn't eaten in a while and I was still trying to gain my strength back.

"I promise, I will only take what I need, and I won't let myself become aroused."

"Honey, I know that that is impossible. This is what you are. I'll be in the kitchen, enjoy your dinner." When she went into the kitchen, she closed the kitchen door and I felt her heart sink. I would make sure that she never had to see this side of my family again. I would talk to Meshra about making sure that Fallon and Marius fed before coming to her apartment to spend time with us while we were here.

I walked over to the table and sat down next to Meshra. She was feeding from Rebecca who seemed to be the more popular of the two women stretched across the table. Penelope looked frightened, as if this were her first time being shared, so I stood beside her and stroked her cheek.

"Are you afraid?"

She gazed up at me, entranced. "A little, why?"

"Because you don't need to be. We won't drain you. Did Marius tell you what you were getting into?"

"Marius tells me everything. He loves me." I looked over at him and wondered if this was really the case. "I'm scared, but it's what I've always wanted. I want to be a vampire, but Marius won't turn me. Would you turn me if I asked you to?"

"No, I wouldn't. But there is no shortage of vampires who would."

"Why is everyone feeding from Rebecca when I'm just as willing?"

"Because you seem afraid. Rebecca is very confident, and that is appealing to us because we temporarily absorb some of the emotions and characteristics of the person we've dined from. None of us wants to be weakened by your timidity."

She seemed deflated by my assessment of her, but it was the truth.

"If you want to be more alluring, present yourself more confidently. We will notice." I decided to do her a favor and dine from her first. I could afford a few minutes of her less desirable blood, and I knew that if I handled her properly, and if this was what she really wanted, her true self would emerge. If she was a smart girl, she would get the idea and demonstrate her enjoyment to intrigue the others.

I sat down at the table and lifted her left arm to my mouth. She was completely naked, as was Rebecca, and she was very warm. I kept eye contact with her the whole time that I prepared to bite her wrist. She inhaled deeply as if she was trying to calm down as I bit. I felt her heart skip a little, and then her blood was pooling in my mouth. I moaned as I drank, thirsty, hungry and a little ashamed that I was instantly aroused by her and wanted nothing more than to take Penelope someplace more private. Penelope reached up and smoothed my hair as I drank and others began to take notice of her. I looked down at her and her wide, doe-like eyes had narrowed as if she was in rapture. I saw Fallon at her neck suddenly, and she pushed Penelope's hair aside. Pen turned her head to Fallon, and kissed her. Fallon turned Penelope's head back towards me to expose her neck, and when she bit in, Penelope gasped. I reached across Penelope's stomach with my left hand and took Fallon's hand in mine. We hadn't fed together in a long time and I missed my sister.

Fallon's silver eyes flashed at me and she let me hold her hand as Penelope began writhing beneath us. I noticed that Marius had finished with Rebecca, and as some of us older vampires, who didn't need nearly the amount of blood the younger one's required, finished, the younger ones took our place with the existing punctures, so as not to deform the young women.

I saw Marius go into the kitchen and I stood to go to Sookie. Penelope pulled at my arm and I looked down at her. Fallon was wiping her mouth and my friend Alistaire was about to take her place. She crooked her finger for me to bend down by her mouth I leaned over and felt her hot breath move the hair by my ear.

"Eric, I want to thank you. I know that Rebecca is prettier, and you made me feel special. Thank you."

I kissed her softly and stared down at her. "She isn't prettier, just different, and you need to embrace that. You're much sexier than she is, just flaunt it a little more."

"Do you want me? You could have me."

"I do, but I won't take you if that's what you're asking. I'm here with my wife, and I'm going to her now." I kissed her again and stepped back from the table.

"You're sweeter than Marius." Her eyes followed me, and for a moment or two, I wondered about the notion of fidelity. Sookie and I had pledged to each other that we would remain faithful, but I wondered how far was too far and what would she think of the exchanges that took place between me and the person I chose to drink from. I could never live on blood substitutes. I knew that she understood on some level that sex and the blood exchange were intertwined. We didn't ask for it to be this way, it just was. But marriage required that we ignore this fact and pretend that we wouldn't get aroused. I would talk to Sookie about this sometime. She had to have realized this at some point when she was dating Bill and as she considered her life with me.

Malbec stopped me at the kitchen door and pulled me aside.

"Eric, your bride is delightful. I should say. I've not met a more enchanting human female in quite some time. Is she averse to allowing us to dine from her this evening as well?"

"My wife is not on the menu. Not now, or ever. She isn't like them."

"I didn't mean to offend, I was merely asking."

"I know Win, I know. I'm sorry I'm testy. Marius and I--"

"You needn't say anymore. He's hardly manageable these days. And he drags those two humans with him everywhere he goes. It's not right that he flaunts his prowess so."

"You would do the same if you were in his shoes, Win."

"Why yes, but that doesn't make it pleasant for the rest of us. All they talk about is that ridiculousness he does with his hands, that lightning thing."

I smiled as I remembered Marius's talent. Many husbands had shown up at taverns all over Europe begging Marius to stop sleeping with their women. And while they didn't know he was a vampire, they knew that he was dangerous, and it was nothing for us to be sitting at a table and feel a wretched man approaching, hat in hand, back bent in acquiescence. The poor thing would stare pitifully at the table, never making eye contact with us and beg the twin gods to stop giving their wives the touch.

"Win, enjoy your evening, I'm going to check on Sookie."

"Your mother is so happy that you've returned. Thank you for keeping your word. I haven't seen her like this since you left."

I looked over at her, and I had to admit that she was giddy. She floated from guest to guest, laying a hand on someone's shoulder. Staring attentively at her lessers. She didn't have to entertain these young vamps, but her very acknowledgement was a gift to them, and their positions would be elevated at having been a guest of the famous Reverent Mother's. I was so proud to be her son at that moment. I had to remember that our positions gave us a responsibility to other vampires to model graciousness, and level-headedness. Meshra tossed her head back in a laugh and I was glad that I was home.

I stepped into the kitchen as Marius was explaining to Sookie that I was the only thing standing between him and Pam. It was more complex than that.

"Is Marius regaling you with stories of our sordid past?" I gave her a wink as I sat down and she flashed me a contented smile. She was relieved that I was finished feeding for the evening, and she was relieved that I hadn't left her sitting alone for very long.

"Yes, my darling, he is. He said that he was in love with Pam."

"He did, did he?" I glared at him. Pam was the sticking point between my brother and me. He'd so casually taken her that I wondered if he really cared for me at all. I knew that it would escalate things, but I couldn't help myself. I fired a verbal volley at him. "I don't recall you being so in love with her when you left her in Sweden. She was devastated. You know what I went through rescuing her and bailing your ass out." He looked at me, and I could tell that he was working very hard not to be angry.

"That was not my choice, you know that I was being pursued."

"So you sold her out when you're the one that was sloppy. You should have planned better. You got caught, and you left her to take the blame. You made it dangerous for all of us. If you think that's being in love then you've got a really fucked up view of it." He looked at me then, and I knew by his expression that he had suffered a great loss when he'd lost Pam. He began speaking to me in Italian so that Sookie would not understand what we were saying.

"Eric, you don't want to do this here in front of your lovely wife. You are pushing me little brother. I have put up with this for years. I have said to you that I was sorry a million times. I don't know how else to say it. I loved her. I wasn't trying to hurt you. Yes, I took her from you. But you act as if you don't lord your power over her. You think that she would have gone to America with you if you weren't her maker? You don't love her, Eric, you just loved that you had someone that I wanted. You just wanted to keep her from me. I really didn't intend to fall in love with your child. When you brought her to Rome, something happened. She and I just felt something. She felt it as strongly as I. It was your decision to keep her from me when you could have released her to me."

"Marius, you had so many women. Why did you want her? You knew why I'd created her."

"Is there no one at home wishing that you had not swept this fairy girl off her feet? As I've said before, brother, I never wanted to hurt you. I fell in love. Pam and I could have worked things out."

I looked at Sookie's terrified face. She had been between two men with heated tempers before and it had shaken her.

"Marius, Pam didn't know what she was getting into with you. You would have treated her poorly. Much like you're treating Penelope. Pam deserved better."

"Oh, you were only too happy to rush in and take her from me."

"I had to protect her from you."

"Please, you two, don't do this. Let's just have a nice evening." I felt myself calming as Sookie took deep measured breaths and tried to relax me by pushing. She had learned how to manipulate me far too quickly for my liking. Fallon came in, and I knew then that we had caused a scene in the salon.

"Meshra has asked the humans to leave, so if you wanted to tip them, you should go now." Fallon stared at both of us with a look of disappointment. We'd ruined Meshra's party by airing our fraternal grievances. Sookie took Fallon's hand.

"You okay, Fallon?"

"I'm going to be sick, that's all. I shouldn't have eaten, I should have had something else before I came here tonight." Sookie put her arm around Fallon and I wanted to hold them both.

"Damned blood whores." Marius took out his wallet and handed Fallon some money to get Rebecca and Penelope home. I guessed that he would catch up to them later, but his public dismissal would cost him some points with Rebecca at the very least. In the next moment, Sookie was at his side.

"Marius, I appreciate that you took the time to come apologize to me, that was very sweet of you. I'm looking forward to spending time with you over the next week. Will you show me around Meshra's neighborhood?"

I watched Sookie maneuvering and I wondered if Marius had lost his edge. It was clear to Fallon and me that Sookie was doing her own bit of glamouring. She batted her big lashes and thrust her chest at him. I was proud, amused and suddenly aware that I'd been duped by that very same tone of voice when I'd agreed to pose as a gay man to accompany her at an orgy. I watched him melt in her gaze and I knew then that fairies could glamour.

"Certamente, certamente. We will walk the streets, and I will show you all of Paris, if Eric will let me borrow you for an evening."

"I'm sure he wouldn't mind, right honey? He knows I can take care of myself." When she looked at me the way that she did, I was afraid for him.

"If he can behave himself and not get you into any trouble with the law, then sure." I was still angry, but for Sookie, Fallon and Meshra's sakes, I would let it go for the rest of the evening. I took Sookie's arm. "Mother will wonder why we're holed up in here. I still want to introduce you to Alistaire, a friend of mine from my London days."

Sookie put the finishing touch on Marius by kissing him on each cheek, then she let me escort her to the salon.

"Sweetheart, I did that to help smooth things over. Can we just get through this dinner party?"

I wanted nothing more than to go home. I regretted that I'd told Sookie that we would stay a month. I ran my fingers through my hair, and I saw Sookie watching me. She was turned on by the gesture and I wanted to get her home.

"I think you out-manipulated a master manipulator."

"I'm learning, I'm learning. I just didn't want things to get ugly. We're going to have to talk later, but I didn't want you two coming to blows over ancient history."

I looked everywhere for Alistaire, but couldn't find him. He'd probably gone at the first sign of trouble between the D'Orrico-Northman boys. I walked Sookie over to Guillaume Montrachet instead, and I knew that she'd recognized him from his films. Guillaume was expecting trouble too and had already begun his excuses for why he had to leave.

When I saw Sookie yawning, I knew I had my out. I began making the loop to begin our goodbyes. I led Sookie over to Fallon so that she could thank her for the meal and make arrangements to meet with her soon. Meshra caught my eye just as we slipped out of the apartment. She winked at me and I knew that she would stay out long enough for us to make love without being disturbed. I scooped Sookie into my arms and flew her home. She giggled the whole way, a combination of the champagne and jetlag.

We tore at each other's clothes as we entered the apartment. I kissed her frantically, and she threw herself into my arms. I unzipped her dress and unhooked her bra in two swift movements. She knelt in front of me, and showed me what she'd learned in the last few nights. I threw my head back as she worked me gently. I let her know that she didn't have to be quite so careful and she became more aggressive. I felt my knees going, and I stopped her momentarily so that I could lie down on the bed.

I stepped out of my pants and positioned myself on the bed. She slid up the length of me and resumed. I watched her as she seemed to really enjoy taking me into her mouth. After many minutes of thinking that I would die again, I pulled her up to my mouth and kissed her. She growled low in her throat and I rolled her over onto her back.

"I want you."

"I know, baby." She dragged her nails across my shoulders and I took her mouth. She begged me to make love to her and I gave in. We took advantage of the privacy; the realization that we were truly alone, to give ourselves to each other. The more I growled, the louder she screamed. I pushed myself into her for a final time and released. I told her I loved her in Swedish, as I had every time that we'd made love. She quivered in my arms; sweaty, bloody and exhausted. I licked every inch of her that I could, causing her to shiver even more. Within minutes, we were making love again. And this time, as she screamed for the last time, I heard Meshra's key in the lock. I rolled my Angel into my arms and held her under the sheets as we drifted into sated sleep.