Hey everyone! Thanks for the reviews! I wanted to post earlier, but I got influenza. No worries, not H1N1, but it still kicked my butt. I'm all better now though! I hope you enjoy this chapter, it was harder to write than I thought it would be...

Making our way through the bar, I started trying to sort out what Eric was feeling right now. Anger was forefront in his mind but I could feel other things in there too: disgust, disapproval. What was going on in there?

When we reached the hallway to the office, Pam stopped us and grabbed Sebastian.

"Jaw or arm?" she hissed quietly. Sebastian looked surprised.

"With a face like this? What do you think?" he held his arm out to her. Before I could ask what the hell was going on, Pam grabbed his outstretched arm and broke it with one hit. Sebastian gritted his teeth, but to his credit, didn't make a sound. I stared, open mouthed at this exchange. The two vampires inspected the break quickly before they turned to escort me to the office. I tried to ask them what this was all about, but Pam silenced me with a hard look, then turned to Sebastian and punched him in the face, breaking his jaw. He made a gesture with his hands as if to say 'what the hell! I said not the face!'. With a satisfied smile, she grabbed him by the back of the shirt, opened the door and gestured me to go in first, while she followed, dragging Sebastian roughly.

The lights were dimmed and it took a half a second for my eyes to adjust to my surroundings. There were about 4 new women and two new men, all in various states of undress strewn around the room. Two dark skinned, dark haired women were sitting on either side of the King on the couch and upon further inspection, yes, I confirmed, they were identical twins. They were both kissing and licking his neck and ears, rubbing themselves against him like female cats in heat. Sandy had just started feeding from a young Asian boy's (there's no way he's a man yet, I thought to myself) neck, while a girl rubbed herself against the vampire's back, egging her on.

I turned towards the desk and I saw red. Not just red: blood, crimson red. Some tall, red haired bimbo was sitting on Eric's desk, just beginning to flirt with him. She flipped her long hair back as I entered and I caught a glimpse of a delicate, pointed ear behind her hair. She was part Faerie.

The King and Sandy shook themselves out of their blood haze to take this new development in and both looked very unimpressed by my appearance. At this point though, I couldn't have cared less. The redhead was a broadcaster and her thoughts were clear. She would be paid $50,000 to get Eric to bite her and knowing the sway faeries had on vampires, she thought it was a done deal. She was thinking he might be 'worthy' enough to screw her, too. Like Eric was some piece of undead meat she could use and then throw away. Like he was some animal that had no other compulsions that fucking and feeding. She was sitting on his desk, leaning her neck towards him and reaching for him and Eric looked pissed off, but hungry. I knew the faerie blood was taking it's toll on him, even if he wanted nothing more than to rip the bitch's head off. When he saw me, relief and worry crashed into me from him, which finally set me off.

This had only taken a couple seconds to see and much longer to describe and I was striding towards his desk faster than I thought I could and ripping her hand away from his chest an inch before she made contact.

"Don't touch him!!" I said with a growl worthy of a vampire. I threw her hand away from him and then the lights were thrown on full force by Pam by the door, still holding a bloody and hurt Sebastian.

"Don't fucking touch me!" she hissed at me, standing up and towering over me. I shoved her with all my might and she went tumbling back hard, her back colliding with the wall to the side of Eric's desk. I guess I had underestimated my strength. All I wanted was her filthy hands and thoughts away from Eric. I couldn't believe this!

"What is the meaning of this?" Sandy bellowed from the corner. "She was not to be brought back here for another hour!" The vampire had flung the two humans away from her and was glaring at Pam accusingly. Pam just looked bored and shoved Sebastian ahead of her.

"I told you he wasn't to be trusted, Master. Your prodigal son here was inches away from biting your mate" Pam condemned with eyes full of malice. It took all my strength of will not to look dumbfounded by this new development. The gears in my head were turning.

Eric stood up quickly and justlikethat was in front of Sebastian, looming over him menacingly. The younger vamp had his face screwed up in bitter anger.

"You said I'm your favorite! You said you'd share!" Sebastian protested under Eric's death-glare, in perfect imitation of a spoiled brat, it was very convincing. Eric backhanded him, sending his child crashing into the metal door, crumpling to the ground.

By this time, the humans around were stirring, except the redhead, who it turns out, had gotten knocked out when she collided with the wall. Sandy shot me a glare before corralling them all out and hoisting the red head over her shoulder, kicking Sebastian out of the way of the door and leaving.

"Pam, take him down to the dungeon, I will deal with him there" Eric growled with contempt for his older child. Pam nodded and hauled Sebastian out by his arm, dragging him out the door and down the hallway. Eric moved quickly and was right in front of me again, tilting my head up to inspect my neck and shoulders.

"You are alright?" his eyes narrowed, giving the appearance of deep questioning, but really, I could feel him pressing his will on me through the bond not to give anything away. I nodded, trying to look like I was fighting tears. He leaned over and kissed me softly on the lips, just a taste, before straightening up and facing the King.

The King stood in the middle of the floor, looking at Eric for a moment before speaking.

"Your child is unruly, Eric" the King admonished.

"His loyalty only lasts to the end of his fangs or his dick. I am relieved one of my children is loyal enough to suspect his treachery" Eric spat. He did a good job of looking thoroughly angry. The King shifted his gaze to me, where I still stood after having shoved the Faerie ho away. His fangs were out and his mouth pulled back infinitesimally in anger at his plan having been foiled, before schooling it into a mask of polite indifference.

"You must keep a better watch on your mate, Eric. She is too tempting to be left with anyone untrustworthy" De Castro smiled falsely. I plastered my big crazy smile on my face and kept my breathing even.

"Only to those who find her tempting are not to be trusted, which unfortunately are plenty. However, I am always grateful for those who respect my claim on her" Eric said evenly, letting his words settle in. The two vampires stared at each other, sizing the other up, before the King finally broke the eye contact. I silently fumed at being part of Eric's 'claim', but fought the urge to say so out loud.

"Keep me informed to your progress with the Fellowship and your punishment for your child" the King said, fangs out.

"Of course your Highness" Eric said gracefully, his fangs also fully extended, as he bowed perfectly to the King. I did my head-bob , which de Castro returned before sweeping elegantly out of the room.

As soon as the back of the King disappeared, I let the breath I hadn't realized I had been holding out in a whoosh. There were times I wished I could read vampire minds, just to know what was going on half the time.

I went to ask Eric what happened with Sebastian and Pam and with the Faerie ho, but I was interrupted by his lips on mine. His hands were cupping my face like it was delicate as fancy silver and he was kissing me just as softly. It was nice and sweet and I melted into him. His tongue danced with mine, caressing each side before withdrawing to burn my lips with his. I pulled him closer by his shirt and his arms wrapped around me. Our bond hummed happily, making me feel safe and comforted, a welcome feeling.

We kissed like that for a few more minutes before I pulled away slowly, licking his taste of my lips. His eyes caught the movement and fixated on my mouth.

"I'm glad I stopped that faerie ho before you could kiss her like that, she doesn't deserve it" I whispered gently. I felt blessed to be kissed like that, like Eric was giving me a part of himself that no one else got to see. He chuckled and kissed me once again.

"I liked seeing you shove her" he crooned, rubbing my lips with his, sending shivers down my body to my.. my cootchie. "It was so sexy to see you possessive of me". I blushed at his words. I had been possessive, but I rationalized it was because she was just out to use him for monetary gain. At least that's what I told myself.

"What's going to happen to Sebastian?" I asked quietly. Eric smiled and gave me a quick kiss before pulling me out of the office and towards the back receiving area of the bar. I kept up with his quick walk, holding his hand as he led me to the cleaning closet.

"What are we doing here?" Vampires don't clean, never ask them to, it's futile (Word of the Day). Eric just smiled wickedly and reached across the small space to grab a handle that was barely noticeable and push the far wall open.

"This is where you dungeon is? Why didn't I know about it before?" I asked, as he led me through the closet, closing the hidden door behind us and leading through a small dark stairway, heading downwards that I could not have navigated without his vampire sight.

"Should I have included it in the tour?" he asked sarcastically. I smiled despite myself.

"Maybe you should" I drew up my best southern drawl I could muster, trying to sound like a tourguide "This here is the bar, please leave your silver at the door. This is where y'all can buy merchandise. This is the office, or throne room as I like to call it and this here is the dungeon! Please watch your step, we don't want you all fallin' down and suin' us. And mind you don't touch the instruments of torture or the next screams of pain y'all will hear will be your own!" My little speech reverberated off the walls, joined by Eric's laughter. The anxiety of the evening was catching up with me and I was feeling silly. When we reached the big door at the end, Eric swung it open to reveal a huge medieval-style dungeon, chains on the wall and everything. My heart stopped and I thought I would have to see Sebastian's lovely form being flayed and beaten, but instead he was flexing his now healed up arm and flashed a naughty smile at me as we got closer.

"Nice performance, wouldn't you say, Sookie?" he waggled his eyebrows at me. His body was now completely intact and he showed it off for my appreciation.

"Being a brat is hardly a stretch for you, Sebastian. I'm glad to see your jaw healed up enough to talk" I replied sweetly. A snicker echoed from the corner of the dark room and Pam strutted to mine and Eric's side.

"Truer words were never spoken" she sneered. Eric smiled approvingly at both his children, before resuming his business look.

"The King, Sandy and their friends have departed. You will have to stay in here until tomorrow night, Sebastian" Eric ordered. "Make up some story about how Pam tortured you for hours on end, the usual" he added flippantly. Pam's grin widened and she looked hopeful.

"It would be more convincing if I actually did beat him for a while, Master" she eyed Sebastian maliciously, who replied with a rude gesture. "Just for authenticity's sake."

"You already owe me for the jaw, Pamela" Sebastian shot back. Eric raised a hand and they both fell quiet.

"You both did very well. Pam, you'll take over for the rest of the evening and tomorrow" Pam nodded respectfully at his words. "Sebastian, the Royalty you requested will be at your residence tomorrow night" Both vampires bowed their heads.

"Thank you, Master" said Sebastian. The look of pure adoration on his face made me smile. Pam said once that she didn't love Eric, but respected him greatly, but Sebastian looked at Eric with something that resembled hero-worship.

"I liked the handling of the faerie whore, by the way, Sookie" Pam commented. "I was hoping you'd rough her up a bit more, but seeing you knock her out with one shove was entertaining" That Pam.

"Whatever, I had a broken arm and jaw and I still got wood from it" Sebastian added in.

"Sebastian!" I admonished him.

"It's really too bad the whore didn't stay conscious, it would have been hot to see you take her out, lover" Eric sighed seductively. All three vampires looked wistful at his comment, which was ruined by all their fangs running out at the thought.

"I would have taken her out too. I can't believe the King would have paid her $50,000 just to get you to bite her. How desperate is he?" that was a lot of money. Maybe not to a vampire, but what I could do with that amount... well, lets just say that my washer and dryer could get replaced, maybe a new car. I sighed at the possibilities.

"Very, lover" Eric growled, all amusement lost. "But he's gone now, so you have nothing to worry about".

"Except Sebastian trying to bite you. He actually will if you let him get close enough" Pam said quite seriously. Sebastian looked mischievous.

"You say that like it's a bad thing. You didn't seem to mind that one time, Pamela" he said, running his tongue over his fangs suggestively. Pam snarled viciously at him and started towards him to attack, when Eric pulled me off my feet and towards the door, closing it noisily behind us as he carried me up the stairs with vampiric speed. I was still gaping with my mouth open in shock.

"He bit her once?" I asked in disbelief. It seemed almost wrong to me, like incest or something. But I guess it's much different with vampires and they weren't actually siblings. And it would explain some of their behavior towards each other...

"Yes" Eric, but then muttered under his breath "and only once". We were outside the closet now, he made sure the coast was clear before setting me to rights and we walked outside to his car.

"Is that why she doesn't like him? Because he bit her without her permission?" I was still agog at this new information. Eric held my car door open for me, closing it and getting into his own side before answering with a wicked smile on his face.

"She consented and he has never let her forget that moment ever since" he laughed as we pulled out and headed for his place.

Eric held my hand all the way back, which was comforting. I was still rattled at the faerie ho trying to get him to bite her. I wished I could have met her under difference circumstances so we could have talked. It would have been nice to get to know someone else who was part fae. I missed Claudine and Niall and even Claude. I hoped they were well wherever they were. Part of me missed Jason too. He was my brother after all and we only had each other left. I guess that's not true though, I had Hunter, I reminded myself. I couldn't wait to see him soon, it felt nice to have family who didn't despise me or were gone to another realm. Or dead.

Eric seemed to take in my mood and didn't talk, just held my hand and rubbed the back of it comfortingly. We pulled into his garage and got out quietly. He held my hand again as we walked in together and I felt a bit like I was coming home. It wasn't as familiar as my own house, but being here with Eric made it feel welcoming.

"What would you like to do tonight, lover? We can watch a movie, go for a swim or just skip all that and spend the rest of the evening in the bedroom" he asked, pulling me into his long, hard body and nipping at my earlobe. He knew I was sensitive there and licked behind my ear, too.

"I'd love to go for a swim, but I didn't bring a suit" I replied breathlessly. I already knew what his answer would be.

"I don't permit bathing suits in my pool, lover. Although you would look amazing in a bikini" his teeth grazed my neck, near his bite marks and I moaned a little. His hands were roaming my back and mine were rubbing his back too, but paying strict attention to his very impressive rear-end.

"I do look pretty good in one. I'll have to show you someday" I replied enticingly. He purred into my throat and pulled me towards the pool area. We kissed and made out on our way there, pausing sometimes to kiss and pet each other over our clothing like horny teenagers. His mouth was busy kissing me or teasing my neck and shoulders, while I was pressing myself shamelessly against him, urging him on with my body.

When we finally stumbled to the pool I caught my breath at how lovely of a sight it was. It had been tempting during full daylight, but at night, with the soft mood lighting, the stars overhead and the bubbling of the water, it was downright stunning. Eric pulled me to him and starting pulling my dress and panties off hungrily. I followed his movements, wanting to see his body naked in the moonlight for only me to see.

Finally disrobed, I approached the water slowly, stepping in one foot at a time to take in the beauty of the scene around me. The woods surrounding the house were impressive and made me feel safe being naked in an open area. I looked behind me to see Eric standing at the end of the water, staring at me and tilted my head.

"What?"

"I didn't think you could look anymore beautiful that you already are, but seeing you bare-skinned in the moonlight like that... you are captivating" He walked to my side and gazed at me with raw longing and appreciation. I took his hand in mine and reached up on my tippy-toes to kiss his mouth softly.

"Thank you" I whispered. He looked incredible too. His skin was glowing in the moonlight, making him look unreal and ethereally beautiful. His eyes sparkled as he looked at me, and the soft lighting made the lines of his face all the more striking. His tall, lean form rippled gracefully and sublimely. He looked truly other-worldly, attractive and mesmerizing. I couldn't take my eyes off of him.

"I wish I had the right words to tell you how incredibly handsome you are" I confessed. My Word of the Day calendar was lacking in those words lately. The only ones I could think of (which was hard enough already, his presence made me incapable of thought) were beautiful and attractive. I knew he was so much more than that, but I didn't have the vocabulary to show it.

"The way you look at me says it all, lover" he said, taking my hand and walking me further into the water. We stared at each other and kept walking, until the water was up to my breasts and he pulled me into his arms. I instinctively wrapped my arms and legs around him and he walked us out a bit further until it was at his neck and water lapped at us softly. The feeling of his body, wet and slick against mine made me flash back to the time in the shower. Our first time. When he had looked at me like he was right now, like I was the only thing that mattered. No wonder I had fallen so quickly for him then, it was humbling and my heart threatened to burst.

"Why did you come into the shower with me, that first time, Eric?" I asked softly. He swayed our joined bodies gently, making the water caress us tenderly.

"The way you looked at me undid me. I didn't know who I was, but I knew no woman ever looked at me like that: it was baffling. You wanted me, but your honor kept you from taking advantage of my weakened state" he said simply. He caressed the side of my face tenderly. "You admired my body, but cared enough about the person inside to respect me. I enjoyed your lust, I wanted you to want me. I wanted to hear you moan my name and make you mine, so I followed you to your shower, where I imagined you were trying to rid yourself of thoughts of me" he smiled cockily. I looked away coyly.

"You're not a piece of meat, Eric. I never wanted to use you like that" I said sincerely. Our voices carried softly in the pool, but the silence enveloping us was pleasant. "I know my brother was surprised by your declination of Hallow's offer, but I'm glad you didn't do it. Just because your really good looking doesn't mean you're a whore or should be treated like one." The faerie ho had wanted to use him like that.

"Thank you, darling. You need not worry of that anymore, she is dead" I guess he was trying to comfort me, but it was still a little creepy to hear. "And I will leave dealing with any others who wish to use me to you" he teased, his eyes sparkling. I looked away, smirking. He walked us over to the edge of the pool, where he surprised me by lifting me to sit on the edge.

I looked down as he spread my legs before him, his face level with my core as he took me in. He spread my labia like petals of a flower and just looked at me for a minute, taking me in. it was personal and exposing, but part of me wanted him to look at me like this, to see all of me, even if it made me uncomfortable. He finally leaned in and flicked his tongue out to lick me from bottom to top in one lap and I jumped as he made contact. I leaned back on my hands and he pressed his face into me again, lapping at my hardened nub. I moaned his name softly, the sound fading into the lap of the water. He took his time laving me with his tongue, spreading me open to him more than I had been for anyone else.

I arched my back as his tongue flicked with amazing speed over my clit and my thighs started to shake. He moved his hands to wrap around my thighs and pull me closer, digging his face into me as far as he could get it. I looked down at this gorgeous man bringing me exctasy and I pushed all my feelings that rushed around inside me to him through our bond. He moaned and drew my clit between his teeth, rubbing the tip with his tongue and I was lost. My moans echoed off the pool walls. The stars watched me climax.

He wasn't done though and licked, lapped and suckled me to yet another orgasm before I started pushing his head away. The pleasure had gotten so intense, it was painful. He looked up from between my thighs and smiled possessively. I ran my fingers through his hair and smiled back. He pulled me back in the water and kissed me, his erection pressing against my stomach and I took him by the hand and led him to the shallow part of the pool. When we got to the depth of only a couple inches, I laid down and spread my legs in subtle invitation.

He slowly laid himself on top of me and the water ran through my hair, fanning it around my head. He was so gentle and tender, kissing me delicately before sliding his full length into me.

"Eric!" I cried out, lifting my hips to meet his thrust.

"Do you want it fast or slow, lover?" he asked, his voice husky with desire. I was touched he asked.

"Slow, baby" I crooned, digging my nails into his back. The pool floor was hard under my back, but the water caressed my body as Eric started a slow rhythm of lovemaking. He held my face to look into his eyes and little cries of passion escaped my lips with every push and pull. He stars behind him watched us and the moonlight made both of us glow. Eric's hips were excruciatingly slow and measured, his hands on my hips guiding himself into me at that perfect angle that made my insides clench with impending release.

"Feels so good..." I moaned softly. He smiled crookedly above me, never breaking his stride.

"tell me how it feels, lover" he purred, his eyes raking over my face, watching me.

"The water is swirling around me and you're so deep inside me. I feel so full..." I sighed. His chest rumbled at my words and my breathing sped up a notch and my lower abdomen hummed. We watched each others pleasure rise and capitulate, his look of utter pleasure and bliss finally pushing me over the edge. I moaned his name over and over again as I came, which pushed him over too and he held my hips as I felt him convulse and release inside me.

He lowered his beautiful head to kiss me dotingly and I hugged him with all my strength.

"You mean... so much to me, Sookie. You make me feel things" he whispered softly in my ear, his voice trembling a little.

"You make me feel things too, Eric" I whispered back, rubbing him comfortingly. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you have feelings. It'll be our secret" I teased him. He laughed softly and pulled out of me reluctantly.

"No one would believe you anyways" he growled, splashing me.

Please review, positively or negatively, I just love reading what you guys have to say. Please please please! Oh and I don't own anything, Charlaine Harris is one of my heroes and these are hers. JK Rowling is my other hero, but I can't bring myself to think of sex in the HP world.... yet. *naughty grin*

P.S. I've been voting daily for True Blood for the Spike Scream awards, have you? :)