Sorry it's taken so long for this update. Things have been rather hectic around here. My 3-year old son is autistic, and he attends a preschool specially for children with autism. Our state legislature is in session right now, and they're considering a bit budget cut from the department of education, which would make very large changes to my son's program, so, we've been busy!
A very special thanks to my pre-reader, JenniferAnnB, for being the Dee to my Tweedle. Also, the wonderful Northwoman is now betaing this for me. Apparently, I have a tendency to use the word "that" too often...huh, who knew?
The process of waking up seemed to be taking a lot longer than was normal. It felt as if I was trying to find my way through a thick, dense fog in an unfamiliar place. Although I could feel that Eric was no longer in the bed with me, I could hear his voice softly speaking at a rapid pace, so I knew he wasn't far away. However, it was the sound of Pam's voice that finally brought me to full consciousness.
I knew that I couldn't continue to simply lie in bed, because Eric and Pam would surely sense I was awake. But, I also didn't want to just sit upright, because that only increased the chance for Pam to see me naked. I opened one eye, and felt around a bit with my hands, making sure that I was well covered, which I was, most likely thanks to Eric.
I sat up a little, propping myself up on the pillows that were resting against the bed's headboard. Eric (who was completely naked-yum) and Pam (still in her evening dress) were standing in front of the door that led from the room out into the hallway. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed it was closed. With the fact that I was awake now completely clear, Pam said one final thing to Eric, and then left the room. Not before turning and winking at me, however. Not even 30 seconds later, Eric was crawling back into bed with me.
"How long was I asleep?" I asked him.
"Not quite an hour," he said, before he smirked and added, "And, no, Pam was not here the entire time. She only came in a few moments ago to give the both of us a message from the Queen."
"Oh," I said, feeling nervous. I wasn't able to tell by Eric's tone if the message was good or bad.
His smile became more pronounced, and he wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him, before he kissed the top of head. "Sophie-Anne simply wanted to let the both of us know how pleased she has been with you this evening. As if everything you did at the trial wasn't enough to put you in her good graces, Pam discovered that you were indeed correct about something else. She overheard a conversation between a human man and his wife, and decided to introduce herself. The man's name is Julian Trout, and he works for a local television news station."
I scrunched my face a little and thought, then smiled and looked back at him again. "The weather witch?"
"Indeed."
Now, I'm not a vain person, but, I couldn't help but be proud of myself for that one. The look on Eric's face let me know that he was proud of me as well, and I hugged myself closer to him. But, I pulled back again when his expression turned from pride to lust.
"Oh no you don't," I said. "We have some talking to do, mister. There will be plenty of time for more of that later."
He quirked one eyebrow at me. "Promise?" I giggled and nodded my head. "Alright then. Proceed."
"Well, first of all, let's begin by stating the obvious. I chose you, Eric. To me, that means I have very strong feelings for you, and I love being with you. However, it does not mean that you own me." I felt him stiffen a little, so I quickly continued.
"Eric, I know that the world of vampire politics is much more complex than I understand. I know there are details of your life that, for the safety of both of us, you won't be able to tell me. I get that. I don't like it, but I understand why it has to be that way. I won't be upset if, when we're around other vamps, we have to pretend that I'm yours. But, just don't forget that's all it is, pretending. I don't belong to you. I choose to be with you, but that doesn't give you permission to run my life." When he didn't say anything for a moment, I shifted my body so I could see his face, and asked, "Does that make sense?"
He nodded and sighed, which seemed so odd since he didn't need to breathe. "Yes, it makes sense. Lover, it is not my desire to control you. If that was what I wanted, I could have had it with countless fangbangers by now. What I what from you is a companion, someone to walk by my side, to share my existence. But, you must remember I am used to doing things my own way, and that is not something that I can change overnight. Have patience with me, please, Sookie. I do not want to lose you."
Normally, I probably would've scoffed at his uncharacteristic words. But, through the bond that we share, I could feel his complete sincerity, which reminded me.
"Eric, I think you need to explain to me a little more about this bond that we have now. I really don't like the idea of you controlling my emotions."
The corners of his mouth turned down, leaving him frowning. The expression sat rather oddly on his face. "I will do my best to help you understand, but, you must remember that you are different, so there are things neither of us will understand. Normally, when a human is bonded to a vampire, the vampire can call the human to them at any time, using the power of the exchanged blood. However, as it is a compulsion quite similar to glamour, I do not believe that it would work on you. Our being bonded has not given me any control over you whatsoever. We will both be able to get a taste of how the other is feeling. If one of us is in trouble, or injured, the other will know. Obviously, the connection feels stronger the less distance between us. That goes hand in hand with the fact that you will most likely feel calmer, more relaxed, the closer I am to you."
"Eric, that right there is a form of control. I mean, yeah, it's not like you'd be willfully forcing me to be calm, but, your presence would change my emotions."
He sat up all the way, and turned to face me, looking deep into my eyes. "Sookie, has there never been anyone in your life that had a calming effect on you? That made you feel better simply by being there?"
Before I had the chance to deny it, an image of Gran floated through my thoughts. I guess I did understand. No matter how bad things got, having her around always made me feel better. "Okay, Eric, I get what you're saying. My Gran used to always make me feel like that. But it's not the same thing!"
"What about it do you feel is different?" he asked me.
"Well, first off, I'd known Gran all my life. She raised me and Jason after our parents were killed, and she took care of us. I've barely known you more than year."
"True, her presence was in your life for a much longer time than mine. However, one could argue that I have taken care of you, as well."
I thought for a moment about all the ways that he'd helped me, all the times he'd saved my life. "Fair enough. But, with Gran, I initiated that feeling within myself. With you, it's different."
"How is it different Sookie? In the case of your grandmother, you knew her for your entire life, she cared for you and provided for you, and because of all those things, and your deep relationship with her, you felt comfort with her. Because you and I have known each other for a short amount of time, it is harder for you to accept that my presence would be calming for you. That does not mean it is different, however, only your perception of it is different. Just because you do not understand it, does not mean that there is something wrong, or even evil about it."
For a moment, I sat silently thinking about what he'd just told me. Was he right? Just because it wasn't something I'd expected, was I forcing myself to think it was wrong? I knew that was something I wouldn't know the answer to without a lot of deep thought.
"Eric, I can't say for certain that I do or do not agree with you about all of that. I don't think it's something I can just suddenly understand, so, I'm going to need to think about it for awhile."
"The fact that you are willing to consider my opinion, and not just jump to your own conclusion only continues to prove your intelligence. Well, since now that is settled, is it time for sex again?"
He waggled his eyebrows at me, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing. I rested my head on his chest for a moment, and then leaned up to kiss his cheek before I started speaking. "Nice try, but, no, we still have other things to talk about. How and when did you find out that Quinn was involved in the Pelt's plot to kidnap me in New Orleans?"
"There was no logical way for them to know your location without the aid of an informant. I knew none of the vampires in Sophie Anne's retinue would have risked her wrath. After what happened with Waldo, they all knew better than to double cross their Queen. It couldn't have been a member of the Arkansas party, because, as humans would say, they had 'bigger fish to fry.' All of my theories were leading to dead ends. I knew that it had to be someone who had no other reason to be in New Orleans at the same time as you.
"As the time for Sophie Anne's trial grew closer, she began to feel more and more nervous that others thought of her as weak, especially after Katrina. She couldn't afford to have other supes believe they could get away with such a betrayal. She assigned Rasul to further investigate. He asked for my assistance in the matter, because he knew I was at least somewhat familiar with what supes are usually involved in your life.
"The evening before we departed for the summit, he and I were more or less comparing notes on who we'd spoken to. I'd questioned Quinn not long after the Pelts had taken you both, thinking he might have overheard something that would be of use to us. He'd told me that he'd been in Texas when Sophie Anne contacted him to ask for his assistance with Jake Purifoy. However, Rasul informed me that Quinn arrived in New Orleans only a few hours after we did. He told Sophie Anne he was there to spend some 'quality time' with the woman he was seeing.
"Immediately, both of us believed that we'd found your betrayer. Rasul made a call to the King of Mississippi, calling in a favor he was owed, and Russell sent three of his best thugs to question the Pelt family. A few hours later, Russell called us back and confirmed that Quinn had been the one to set you up."
"Then that explains Russell's comment." Eric looked confused for a moment, so I continued by saying, "Just before the wedding ceremony between him and Indiana, he asked me if Quinn was 'my man.' I told him no, but that we were spending time together. He got a strange look on his face, and just said 'interesting.'"
"The night of the wedding, Rasul and I were in the main lobby area, discussing who could have possibly killed Jennifer Cater, when Quinn approached us. He told me that the priest for the wedding had cancelled at the last moment, and asked for my services. I agreed, and he went over a few details with me. While we were speaking, Rasul went to join the Queen and Andre, leaving Quinn and I alone. I told him that I was fully aware of his involvement in the Pelt's kidnapping plot. He became extremely agitated, and said that if I gave you the information, he'd deny it, and find a way to get rid of me."
At first, I was a little shocked by Quinn's threat to Eric. Sure, the supe world is full of violence, but how could he just up and kill someone simply to avoid a fight with the woman he was trying to date? But, it seemed that it was normal behavior for him, from what I'd learned earlier. When I was sure Eric had finished his story, I asked, "Eric, why didn't you tell me?"
He leaned closer to me, and cupped my cheek in his cool hand. "I saw the pain and heartache in your eyes when you learned the truth about Bill. I never wanted to see you hurting so much, ever again, especially from something I'd told you. Since Quinn knew I would be watching him closely, I was confident he wouldn't try to harm you. I found no reason to tell you, because all it would do is cause you pain."
I put my hand over his on my cheek, and nuzzled him a bit. "Eric, I appreciate that, really I do. I love that you were trying to save me some heartache. But, if we're going to be together, I can't have you keeping secrets like that from me."
He nodded, then leaned forward and placed his lips on mine. His kiss was very soft, and slow, but also very heartfelt and real. I tried to deepen it a bit, but he pulled back, and smiled rather innocently at me.
"Okay, Eric, now," I said in a husky voice.
"Now, what, my lover?"
"Now's the time for more sex," I simply said.
He growled while pulling me to him, showing he was in complete agreement.