Disclaimer: Most characters belong to Charlaine Harris.
Huge thanks to treewitch703 for her fantastic help with this chapter, and especially for putting up with me being back and forth with different rewrites. She is an absolute star.
Thanks to everyone for reading and for the reviews and notifications, it completely makes my day every time.
Pam, Henry and Amelia were waiting on the porch when Eric flew us home just before dawn. They rushed towards us as we landed.
"What happened?" Pam asked at the same time I did. I was searching their anxious faces worried they had been attacked while we were gone. I realised it had only been a few hours – wow it felt much longer. I was still in Eric's arms, Rhett and Scarlett style.
"What?" Amelia and I said together, each of us puzzled by the other's worry. I could feel Eric laughing.
"Relax lover. They only want to know what happened with us," he whispered in my ear. It finally dawned on me what this was all about and I relaxed back against his chest. He turned to our welcoming committee. From the corner of my eye I could see that Pam already looked satisfied, Amelia looked hopeful and Henry looked amused.
"Nobody died," Eric said before sweeping me towards the door. From their expressions, Pam and Amelia wanted more. I thought he was going to leave them wanting, but Eric was so happy it kind of spilled over. As we walked through the door he whispered loudly:
"Tonight was perfect Mrs Northman." His casual tone in no way diminishing his boast.
"I didn't agree to that yet," I teased, trying to wink at him, but being interrupted by a big yawn. I heard Henry snort behind us and felt Eric's amusement. I suspected Pam would be rolling her eyes.
"You want to use Mrs Sex …" I reached up and put my fingers over Eric's mouth. I had a feeling that if he said that name before witnesses, just once, it would stick, especially after Bill's screen-saver. Henry's snort turned into a full-on laugh and I realised it was too late. I yawned again. Eric moved my fingers from his lips so he could kiss me, and carried me to bed.
Amelia and I were working the late shift the following day. From the moment we had gotten up, (well, after the 'early-morning-stares' or in our case the 'early-afternoon-stares' had been cured by coffee) she was bugging me for last night's details. Part of me wanted to gush and swoon and to share my happiness. But another part of me wanted to keep our little magic bubble private forever. However, Amelia was relentless so in the end I shared a little, telling her about the picnic, describing the view but not saying where it was. I told her we had talked through our issues, then spent some time just being together.
"So how do you feel about the whole marriage thing?" she asked, almost drooling in her desire for a juicy gossip-bone. I tried to think of a way to describe it without revealing too much. In my mind, last night was when we had really gotten married, but I knew officially it had been at Rhodes. I had kind of accepted that exchange too. Now I knew that neither of us had known what it meant, it seemed romantic somehow.
"We renewed our vows," I said finally. I guessed that was the closest human equivalent. Amelia's eyes lit up.
"Ooh, and?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Amelia, I don't see how that's any of your business," I said.
"Oh come on, it's not a wedding without the bow chicka wow wow. This is you and Eric we're talking about." I got up from the kitchen table in an effort to hide my blush, (in our case the wedding and the 'bow chicka wow wow' were the same thing). Amelia saw my red face.
"Thank God for that. Pam was worried Eric's balls were going to explode if you two didn't …"
"Amelia!" I glared at her. "Don't you and Pam have better things to discuss than my sex life?"
"Not really," she shrugged. "Not when you two are so farcical." She was completely unrepentant.
"Oh really! I'd have thought, between you and Henry rubbing against each other every time you pass," she looked shocked, and a little guilty, "oh ya, I noticed," I told her. "Then there's Pam, and now Tray too. You have enough going on without poking around in my love life." I put my hands on my hips and looked at her.
"Fine," she grumbled. "I'm just happy for you that's all." She was blushing now. I took a deep breath and let it out.
"Thank you," I said sincerely after a pause. I knew her interest was well intentioned even if it was a little prying. Plus I was too happy to be mad for long.
It was a good day, with me smiling and perky no matter what came at me, and Amelia shaking her head and laughing at me. Though I did have to threaten to tell Eric about her 'farcical' comment when she started tweaking the words to the Akon song 'I Just Had Sex'. At one in the morning, just as we were finishing up, our escort arrived. Henry usually picked us up and I was surprised to see Pam but figured she had come to see Amelia.
"Well?" she demanded as soon as she arrived. Clearly Eric hadn't 'shared' since last night.
"Pam," I said, throwing my arms round her. "Thank you so much." I knew Eric was still riled about her scheming, but I had to thank her for getting me ready last night, not to mention everything else she had done to help us. Pam was a little taken aback. Not that I hadn't hugged her before, but this was pretty public and, as she liked to remind me, she is vampire. She patted me awkwardly on the back and stepped back, muttering something that sounded like 'humans'.
Our bond was humming and I couldn't wait to see Eric. As soon as we pulled up outside my house I threw myself out the car and tore up the steps. He was waiting by the front door, as I reached it he gathered me into his arms where I became lost in his kiss. After a few minutes I heard Pam comment to Amelia.
"Perhaps we should just go in the back way. They look like they might be a while." I realised we were blocking the doorway. Eric, being Eric, defiantly continued kissing me for a while longer, ignoring our audience, holding me so tightly I could not pull away – not that I tried.
"You know I hate to say it but there were definite advantages when they were arguing, such as being able to get into the house," Amelia replied. Eric finally released my lips (if not my butt) to glare fiercely at Amelia and Pam, he hadn't yet forgiven them for their plotting, before smiling at me.
"Good evening lover. How was your day?" Eric still did not move us from the doorway.
"Fine. Now move that sexy butt of yours and let Amelia and Pam get in the house." Eric glanced over his shoulder but didn't move yet.
"I brought some things over," he said. His voice was matter-of-fact but I could feel a mischievous excitement.
"Of course, we agreed it's a good idea." I was actually really curious as to what Eric wanted to put in my house, especially as I knew it had something to do with getting back at Pam. I gave him a conspiratorial look and he grinned back at me. Finally he put me down, picked up a large box from the porch and we all walked in.
"Are you having more work done on the house?" he asked as we entered. I squirmed, I couldn't lie to Eric without him knowing it but I wasn't ready to tell him yet.
"Um … Henry, has been talking to the contractors about some alterations," I said uncomfortably. That was the truth, it was Henry that was straw boss. Thankfully Henry emerged from the kitchen at that moment.
"I assure you, your modifications were more than sufficient my friend, I am just getting very fussy in my old age and have some specifics I like regarding my resting quarters. I am sure you understand. Sandy was worried you would be offended," he said, both saving me and explaining my emotions. "I am paying for the work myself of course," he added. Unlike me, Henry could lie to Eric with impunity.
Eric seemed satisfied with this explanation and quickly lost interest as he set down the box he had been carrying. With a great flourish he removed the old quilt that he had once called hideous from the back of the couch. Bundling it into my arms, he replaced it with a new one of the finest quality. Next, he pulled out two large swords. I looked at them a little surprised. Using some tools and bits from the box, within minutes he hung them over the fireplace. The display would have been more at home in a castle than my old farmhouse. They were very Eric: large, beautiful and deadly, like him. I suspected he wanted them here for more than just decoration.
Finally, Eric leaned down and pulled a framed photograph from the box. Brushing bits of imaginary dust from the top, he took a moment to place the picture precisely on the mantle.
I still wasn't sure how any of this was payback for Pam. I noticed she was staring in horror at the fireplace. I couldn't understand why the swords got that response. I looked at them again, trying to figure it out. That's when I saw it. Beneath the swords, front and centre, the framed photo so lovingly placed on the mantelpiece, was of Bill and Pam in California.
"What do you think?" asked Eric, giving away nothing in his voice of how much he was enjoying Pam's shock.
"I don't know Eric. I mean …" I could see the hope dawning on Pam's face, but she was about to be disappointed, "I have very fond memories of this old quilt." Pam made a strange choking noise.
"I do too," Eric said, ignoring Pam, "but it's an eyesore, and we will enjoy making more memories with the new one," he leered.
"Eww. Remind me never to use that quilt," said Amelia. She hadn't yet spotted the subjects in the photo: she was too busy desperately trying to remember if she had used the old quilt.
I heard a snigger and saw Henry was still leaning against the kitchen door-jamb.
Pam took half a step in the direction of the fireplace.
"Pam, you will not touch that photograph," said Eric sternly. He didn't look at her, he seemed to be contemplating the old quilt in my arms, but Pam froze at his words. She looked stunned at the command in his tone. After a moment, Eric glanced over, smiled at her, and raised an eyebrow. He was making his point and she would just have to put up with it. Pam looked sulky but didn't argue. The comment had finally alerted Amelia to what was going on and she looked more carefully.
"Oh. My. God! When was that taken?" she shrieked. She hadn't known what Eric had made Pam and Bill do at the art gallery.
"Just another fond memory," said Eric casually. Amelia looked at each of us trying to figure out what was going on. Pam turned slightly so that the picture was not in her line of sight.
"Master, do you need anything else from me tonight?" she asked politely. Eric had clearly arranged for Pam to pick us up from work just so she would see the picture.
"Actually I do. I received a call from Thalia, she's had a disagreement with one of Victor's people who was 'passing through'. I will have to deal with it personally and require your presence. We need to return to Fangtasia almost immediately." Pam bowed her head obediently. I briefly wondered if Victor's vampire had survived the 'disagreement', then decided it might be better not to know.
"I'll wait outside," Pam said, and left. I noticed she was careful not to look in the direction of the fire, fireplace or fireplace mantle.
Eric took my hand and pulled me into my bedroom.
"I'm sorry about this lover. I had hoped to spend some time with you tonight but we cannot be too careful where Victor's people are concerned."
"I understand," I said. I didn't try to hide my disappointment. "You have to leave right away?" I walked my fingers up his chest. His eyes flashed with temptation before he grabbed my hand and pressed it to his lips for a moment.
"I'm afraid so." We both sighed and I pouted. Eric laughed and brushed a finger over my bottom lip.
"I doubt I will be able to return before morning and you will be asleep anyway," he added with further regret. "I have no desire to rush back here to crawl into a hole with Henry, handsome as he is." He winked at me and I managed to pull out a smile for him. "But I will see you soon after sunset and we will spend the whole night together. I thought you could stay at my house," he said with a surge of excitement. I was intrigued, I hadn't been to Eric's house yet.
"I would like to see where you live," I said eagerly. Eric beamed but before I could enjoy the thought too much I remembered the promise I'd made Sam earlier that night. "Damn! I'm supposed to go into work that morning and help Sam with the stock delivery." Eric frowned.
"We will work something out. One day I will wake with you in my arms," he said confidently. Before he could say more, his phone beeped. "I must go." He kissed me and I held his face to mine for a long moment.
"OK." I followed him out of my bedroom again. "Just how long am I supposed to deal with that very unsettling picture being up in my living room?" I asked.
"I haven't decided yet," he said with a shit-eating grin; he was pleased with his choice of punishment. "We will talk tonight." He kissed me again. I knew he hated leaving and I pushed my love at him.
I looked at the photo again and shook my head. As far as Eric was concerned, the ends did not justify the means when it came to schemes behind his back. I wondered how much trouble I was going to be in. I looked at Henry.
"Well?" I asked.
"The work is finished and I was able to glamour the workmen and get them away before Eric arrived. Claudine is waiting for your call." I wanted Eric to have a solid secure place in my house, in my mind it was symbolic of the solid secure place he had in my life, in my heart.
"Wow, that was quick."
"This kind of work always is. They bring in a team to do a quick job and keep it hush. Then the details are glamoured from them. Usually it is just the specific location and type of security, in this case I went further. They think they have been doing work for young Mr Compton and have no memory of coming anywhere near your house at all." There was a mischievous glint to Henry's eye and I wondered what they now thought they had be doing at Bill's.
"Is it dangerous for them, all that glamouring?"
"Not if it's done properly. It helps that they are complicit in the process. Only a fool would want to be wandering around with knowledge of a vampire's sleeping quarters."
"Good point." There had been times I'd wished I could have dangerous knowledge glamoured from me.
Claudine was working at the club that night so I knew she was up. She popped into the kitchen shortly after I called causing Amelia to squeak and drop the cup she was holding. Henry managed to catch it before it hit the floor. Amelia gave Claudine a dark look, as if she had scared her on purpose. I thought this was unfair until I saw Claudine's overly innocent expression.
"I thought Amelia could do her usual wards, then you could add yours on top so it's super secure." I jumped in before they could start bitching at each other.
"Oh that won't be necessary," Claudine beamed brightly at everyone in the room. Henry glowed in return as he looked at her, Amelia scowled.
"What do you mean 'that won't be necessary'?" she snapped "My wards have kept us perfectly safe so far." She was disgruntled I had asked Claudine for help at all.
"I am sure your little spells are wonderful," Claudine replied with cheerful condescension. "But with the strength of the ward I plan to create, additional help will not be required. Besides the space is already within your wards is it not?" Turning her smile to me, my cousin dismissed Amelia. "The only tricky bit will be getting some of Eric's blood for the casting."
"Some of … What?" This suddenly didn't seem like such a good idea.
"The ward is based on one person's blood. Once set, only people with that blood can enter the warded area while the source is within. I've also added a little extra oomph so the space will be protected from fire."
I could tell that, despite herself, Amelia was impressed. I didn't understand all the terms running through her head but I could feel her awe. Henry's eyes were narrowed in consternation as I looked to him for advice.
"Usually I would say giving any vampire's blood to a fairy to use in magic is not even to be considered. But there is nothing usual about you Sandy. To my knowledge there has never been a fairy-vampire bonding before. Your relationship with Eric changes things; so does the fact it's Claudine doing the magic." Amelia looked questioningly at Henry but he didn't explain. "Fairies cannot lie. If she says that only those with Eric's blood can access the warded space then that is the truth. However, telling the truth is not the same as telling the whole truth." I knew Henry was not accusing Claudine of anything. He was simply trying to ensure I had all the information.
"I know that, I'm married to Eric," I replied. Everyone laughed a little and the tension in the room eased.
"You promise me Claudine, there is no loop-hole, nothing you're not telling me that would put Eric at risk?" I checked.
"Absolutely not," Claudine said sincerely. "I am sworn to protect you, in ways far more binding than you can imagine. But also, I love you. Your bonded will not be put at risk by any deliberate action of mine."
"And you will only use the blood for the ward, not for anything else?" Henry winked at me and Claudine looked pleased too, they knew I was trying to make sure I had covered all the angles.
"I promise." There seemed to be a deeper significance to a fairy saying that than a human somehow.
I chewed on my lip for a moment then shook my head. I trusted Claudine but I wasn't comfortable with the idea of giving anyone access to Eric's blood, especially for magical purposes. Claudine seemed to understand my concerns.
"It would never leave your sight, Henry can be present also," she reassured me. She knew what it was to love a vampire.
"I don't like the idea of using his blood without asking him. I do trust you Claudine but I'll have to tell him," I decided. "Besides I haven't any idea how to get it otherwise. It's not like he wouldn't notice me sticking a needle in him."
Henry offered an alternative suggestion. "What if we could get Pam here? As both Sandy and Pam have Eric's blood, would a combination of the two work? That way Sandy could still surprise Eric and no one's blood would be used without their knowledge."
"Yes that would work," Claudine said happily.
I agreed to ask her. If Pam was willing I would do it, she had no bias regarding Claudine as Henry and I did, so I trusted her judgement in this.
Pam sat at one end of the table with Henry next to her. Claudine sat at the other as far from Pam as possible. Amelia and I were in between. Claudine used the samples of blood from Pam and me to isolate the 'Eric' which she soaked up with some kind of petal. She combined a small corner of the petal with some other ingredients in a bowl and began weaving her spell. I was so engrossed I didn't see trouble coming. Luckily Henry was more on the ball, he had Pam pinned to the floor in a second. I gasped to see her fangs out and her eyes focused entirely on the fairy. She struggled slightly and Henry's fangs ran out also, though I wasn't sure if he was mad that she was threatening Claudine or excited that she was wiggling beneath him, probably both, vampires! I looked to Claudine, she didn't seem remotely disturbed.
"It's ready," she said, as if the struggle on the floor wasn't happening.
"OK. Claudine and I will go set the ward. Henry, you take Pam outside to calm down. Amelia destroy everything. I don't want any remnants of this left, it might not be safe. Burn everything." I wasn't taking any chances.
When we got back to the kitchen Amelia had gone to bed. There was a bowl with ash in it in the sink. I thought it was odd that Amelia hadn't cleaned it out, she was normally such a neat freak, but at least I knew there was nothing left to fall into the wrong hands. I went to talk to Pam so that Henry could come in and have a moment with Claudine. Pam was on the porch swing.
"I apologise," she said a little stiffly.
"No need," I said seriously. "I know it's hard for you all when you smell fairy. Thank you for coming, for giving your blood, I know it's not something to take lightly. Amelia burned all the residue."
"There is nothing I would not do to ensure my master's safety," she replied simply. With how much they liked to tease each other, I sometimes forgot just how close Pam and Eric were. I recalled the tender moment between them after the mall fire. "Plus, I am hoping if he is in a good mood he will remove that monstrosity," she added, her eyes flashing.
"I promise to put in a good word for you, but you know if I push too hard he'll leave it up longer just to prove he can."
"It's your house. You could just take it down." She looked hopefully at me.
"Well the point of all this," I waved a hand vaguely in the direction of the new ward, "is that I am trying to make it our house. Besides he'd probably just put the picture up at Fangtasia, and I'm sure you'd rather it be on display here than at the bar." Pam actually shivered at the thought.
"You may have a point," she said. "I should go. It will not be long until dawn and Eric will wonder where I have been. When will you show him?"
"Tonight, as soon as he arrives," I said, knowing the excitement was showing on my face. Pam rolled her eyes at me but then surprised me by leaning in for a hug.
"You will make him very happy," she said. Then she was gone.
I heard the door close just after dark the next night and was surprised I hadn't felt Eric coming. Rushing out of my room I realised this was because it was Pam.
"Is everything OK?" I asked. I hadn't been expecting her.
"Of course. I have delayed Eric with some 'urgent' papers that need his attention," she said with a wink. "I have come to take Amelia out for the evening. Henry has a date also so you will have the place to yourselves."
"Thank you." I grinned bouncing towards her happily. Pam's eyes followed disapprovingly as I hopped up and down, until they fell on my chest at which point she smiled and flashed a little fang. I stopped bouncing immediately.
"Yes, well," she said, her lips twitching. "Just try not to argue with him."
"Yes Pam," I said obediently.
Eric arrived shortly after Pam and Amelia had left. I could tell he was curious about my mood but he was distracted by his child's scent at the door.
"What is Pam up to now?" he asked suspiciously. "She has orders from me for this evening." I couldn't decipher the look on his face. Henry came out at that moment.
"Glad you are here old boy," he said to Eric. "I have a date. I'll be gone most of the night. You kids have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do," he winked. Eric seemed surprised and looked back and forth between us but Henry just smiled, blew me a kiss, and left.
Eric arched an eyebrow at me, he knew I was up to something. I grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards my bedroom.
"Wait." He had been following me but stopped suddenly by the door and held me still. He was very tense. "Sookie I can smell fairy magic," he warned.
"I know," I smiled at him. "It's OK, trust me, come on."
Keeping hold of his hand I pulled him into the room. I could feel his caution, his eyes were darting about. The walls seemed to shimmer for a moment as he entered. Claudine had warned me that the spell would not be complete until he entered the space to bind it. Now he had done so, only someone with his blood could remove or alter the protection, not even Claudine could affect it now. I could both feel and see him relax.
"This place is mine," he said in wonder. "I can feel it. It is bound in my blood." His eyes were wide as he turned slowly on the spot.
"The ward is very specific. If you are in this room only people with your blood can enter it. Even during the day," I said.
"During the day?" He looked surprised. I slid my hand behind a new picture on the wall and pushed one of the buttons on the panel there. As the secure, light-tight barriers came down, I went and released the thick black-out curtain that covered the doorway. (It wasn't really needed but I was determined to have as much protection as possible.) A soft glow filled the room from the tiny lights set in the crown moulding that now trimmed the ceiling.
"I had them put the lighting in so I could see. Henry assured me it wouldn't bother you," I said nervously. I really wanted Eric to like it. To feel safe and comfortable here. He checked the shutters carefully then gazed around the rest of the room.
My room had previously been decorated with flowered wallpaper and furnished with a combination of Gran's stuff and left-overs from when I was a little girl, none of which I thought was appropriate for Eric. I'd had the workmen paint the room in good-ol' neutral magnolia and I had bought a new quilt, sheets and drapes in a midnight blue that Tray had assured me was masculine. I suspected Eric was more a silk or satin man but I preferred cotton and Tray had said Egyptian was the best so that's what I got.
"You did this so I could stay here?" Eric seemed uncharacteristically uncertain.
"Yes. It's as safe as I could make it." I still couldn't tell how he felt about it. Eric seemed to become aware of my tension and looked at me intently. Without breaking his gaze, he got out his phone and pressed a button. I guess it was a quick-dial because he put the phone to his ear and spoke in a language I didn't recognise then hung up still watching me. I shifted from one foot to the other uncomfortably.
Eric released me from his gaze and moved to look curiously at the picture that covered the control panel.
"Amelia helped me to order it online," I said. "I only got it because it's called 'Eric the Victorious' and he's praying to that God you told me about, Odin, the one that was always seducing women. For some reason it made me think of you." I was getting breathless with nerves, I was worried I'd misunderstood the stories he'd told me, or that the picture had a meaning I didn't understand." Eric, who had been very subdued up until now, burst into laughter.
"You chose a picture for your bedroom of 'Eric' praying to the God of seduction?" he teased. I knew he wasn't the God of seduction, but in the stories Eric had told me, that was what he seemed to spend a lot of his time doing.
"I can change it if you don't like it," I said biting my lip.
He didn't reply but stood looking at it for a moment longer before turning his attention back to the rest of the room. "Besides, it's not my bedroom, it's our bedroom. At least … I … I want it to be. That is … if you want." In one of those lightening fast movements Eric was in front of me.
"So … um … what do you think?" I finally asked outright as he still hadn't said.
I felt the most powerful wave of love and happiness as he opened our bond. My knees gave way but Eric caught me as his lips crashed into mine. He pulled me up and wrapped me around him and I felt the wall behind my back.
We didn't leave our room for the rest of the night.
Sometime before dawn I had fallen asleep in Eric's arms. They were still around me when my alarm woke me early the next morning. It felt so right, so perfect, having him there. I wiggled against him and breathed deeply enjoying his smell around me. Unfortunately I couldn't bask in my happiness for long, even though I was exhausted from our long night. I had promised to help Sam this morning. With a bit of a struggle I was able to lift Eric's arm off me and slide out the bed. I turned back to look at him. His fair hair was tousled against the dark pillow, his face was peaceful, there was a hint of a smile on his lips. I brushed a tendril from his forehead and kissed him. He didn't stir.
I smiled as I straightened the crooked picture which Eric had said, while pounding me into the wall next to it, that he did like and I was not to change. In fact he had declared he liked the whole room, very much, then proceeded to show me just how much, several times over. I stretched slightly enjoying the tingling stiffness that I always felt after a night with Eric and patted him lovingly on the bottom. To avoid further temptation, I sighed, pulled the sheet up over my favourite asset and opened the door. Drawing the blackout curtain securely, I went out to start the coffee, leaving it to drip while I showered.
I was yawning over my coffee cup when I heard Tray pull up the drive. Amelia had not yet appeared.
"Knock knock," he called, letting himself in as usual. I got up and poured him a coffee. "Wow, late night?" he said looking at me.
"You sure know how to make a girl feel good," I grumbled. I knew I looked exhausted, even though Eric's blood meant I was able to avoid having bags under my eyes.
"Sorry. I just meant …" he trailed off. There really wasn't a safe way to recover from his previous statement and he knew it.
"It's fine. It was a late night. I think Amelia must have been late too. I didn't hear her come in and she's not up yet."
"I know. She called me last night and asked if I'd come get her later, just before the lunch shift starts."
"Will that be a problem?"
"Not at all. Officially I'm here now as your Pack protection. With Amelia later, I'm just giving a pretty girl a ride to work," he winked.
"Well if you're sure. I feel bad you're having to run back and forth so much for us."
"It's no big. I'm close and it doesn't take long. Besides, you ladies are worth protecting. I'd do it even if it wasn't a job for Alcide," he shrugged.
"Thanks Tray. If there's anything I can do for you …"
"Well you already did. I know some of what all you've done for supes, you introduced me to Amelia, she warded my house and my business, and I'm getting paid by Alcide. I think I've done pretty well overall," he smiled. "Ready to go?" I could tell he was uncomfortable with how mushy the conversation had got. I just nodded, grabbed my purse, and headed out to the car.
The delivery truck was just pulling up when we reached Merlotte's. Tray told me to stay in the car for a minute while he observed the delivery man and the surrounding area carefully, breathing deeply. After a moment he gave the all clear and we got out. He waved to Sam and watched until I reached my boss before taking off. Sam looked very relieved when he saw me.
"Thanks for doing this Sook. I've got so much paperwork to catch up on and it can take a while to store everything when it's just me. I'll do all the heaving lifting if you could just sort out the …"
"It's fine Sam, just point me where you need me," I smiled at him.
"Well if you stay in the store room, I'll bring it all in and you can sort it from there," he said trying to sound casual. I knew he was keeping me far from the delivery man, and inside the bar out of sight generally.
After the stock was in and the truck had driven off, Sam worked with me to store everything in its proper place.
"Sorry if I seemed a bit over cautious, keeping you in here," he said, not looking at me.
"Well I figured it was a safety thing," I said, wondering why he was so uncomfortable.
"There were some men in the bar last night. Strangers. They didn't ask about you but they did seem more interested in the staff than normal. I just want to be careful that's all," he said.
"Men?" I asked, knowing 'men' wouldn't have him this anxious and that he wasn't telling me everything.
"Werewolves. Not local, and not the civilised kind either. I know Alcide's pack are all right but most Werewolves are less … well you want to stay away from them, even if they aren't here for you."
"They came in last night?" I sat on a box and looked at Sam who had been avoiding my eye.
"Yes, the other night too. The first time I figured they were just passing through so I didn't worry too much, just kept an eye on them. But when they came back last night I got suspicious. I called Alcide. There were only three but if they're hanging around then he needs to know, it's his territory."
"Did he know anything about them?"
"No. He's going to check into it. Don't worry. They were in the bar both times so they weren't planning anything or the wards wouldn't let them in. But we should be extra careful anyway."
"I'll let Eric know tonight. Pam had some trouble before with a Were from New Orleans, he might be one of them," I mused. Sam's face hardened slightly but he didn't comment further. "Go do your paperwork Sam," I said irritably, knowing why he had stiffened. He might not talk about Eric but his disapproval was still evident and I was getting tired of it. After a moment he just nodded and left, calling over his shoulder from the door:
"Don't go outside," he ordered. I saluted his back then got back to work. They may not get on, but Sam and Eric could be an awful lot alike.
Amelia came in just before we opened and the lunch shift was the same-old, same-old. There was no sign of the Weres. I did put a call through to Sam which sounded like one of Alcide's Pack. Tray picked us up and we headed back to the house. Between the late night, going in early, the heavy lifting, and working a regular lunch shift, I was exhausted. I decided to crawl back into bed with my vampire. It was so nice that he was there. He was exactly as I'd left him and I enjoyed a moment of just gazing before I slipped off my clothes. Without bothering to put on a nightie, I wiggled my way back under Eric's arm.
I had planned to spend some time enjoying his presence, and his butt, but I fell asleep almost immediately. By the time I awoke it was dark. Eric's arm was no longer a dead weight over me, instead his hand was gently stroking my side and hip. I opened my eyes to see him propped up on one elbow, gazing down at me with his impossibly blue eyes. I tried to smile at him but had to stifle a yawn instead.
"Why are you watching me sleep?" I asked when I could speak.
"You are beautiful. I would fill my eyes with you every second of my existence if I could." I could feel an intense happiness coming from him. He continued to smile and stroke my skin softly as his joy bathed every inch of me.
"Someone woke up on the right side of the bed tonight," I mentioned.
"I awoke with you in my arms," he said simply.
"Hmm. I felt the same when I woke up this morning. Though the effect was ruined slightly by having to get up and go to work." I yawned again.
"You came back though," he smiled. I knew he was talking about back to bed, not just back to the house.
"Well I was tired. For some reason I didn't get much sleep last night." I tried to give him a stern look, but felt a smile pulling at the corners of my mouth.
"Eric's mood shifted from thoughtful to something much less passive and I couldn't resist sliding my hand under the sheet to enjoy the firm shape of his delectable derrière. Eric smiled and I saw his fangs start to come down as I responded to his mood. I wondered if the ward were sound proof.
"I wish we could wake up like this every night," lamented Eric some time later as my breathing was starting to return to normal. We were both laying on our sides, facing each other.
"Why can't we?" I asked.
"Well for one thing, sometimes I will need to be in Shreveport. Plus it would be unsafe for us both if it became known I stay in your room during the day. The ward may protect me, but that does not mean people won't try to breach it. Also, there is the AVL to consider," he said. His finger was tracing circles round my breast as he spoke.
"The AVL? I thought they were on our side."
"They are on their own side," Eric explained, still more focused on my breast than on the conversation. "And they have declared you a good southern woman who will not live with the man she loves out of state-recognised wed-lock. We are part of their campaign for legalising human-vampire marriage. They will not be happy if we jump the gun."
"Oh. So we can't live together?" My hopes fell. Eric finally realised how sad this made me and pulled me to his chest, stroking my back.
"Not officially," he said.
"Sooooo? I mean you stayed today. Is there like a limit on how often you stay or what? The AVL want us to be married but don't want us to be happy? Well that's just great, yet another political agenda determined to keep us apart." I was being snarky now but I really had thought we would live together, even if not right away, then soon. But it could be years before the law got changed, there was still a strong lobby against the AVL's marriage amendment, even if attitudes were improving.
"Sookie. The AVL does not care if we live together or not. As long as we do not appear to live together," he soothed. I kept a grip on my temper and listened hopefully. "We can spend some time here and some time at my house but we will need to keep up both, with this being your official residence and mine being elsewhere."
"So we can live together as long as we continue to have two houses?" That didn't sound so bad. A bit extravagant maybe, but we could make it work.
"I have many more than two houses Sookie. But in principal yes. However I still think we will need to spend some nights apart. I must be careful of staying here, we cannot risk anyone outside this house knowing about the protection on this room." He was clearly focused on maintaining the secrecy around our sleeping habits but I was distracted by his first comment.
"Wait, what do you mean? How many houses do you have?"
"Some. Plus you will need to be here if you are going into work and your schedule will not be in synch with the times I need to be close to Fangtasia. Unless you want to quit your job?" he added hopefully. He clearly wished he hadn't said anything about his other houses and was now trying to side track me, which made me more curious. I gave him the stink eye to end the job discussion and kept on bird-dogging the house issue.
"How many is some?"
"A few. I want to stay with you as often as our lives will allow but, much as I hate to be apart from you, I think it will work in our favour with the AVL that we cannot always sleep in the same house. We will divide our time together between here and my house."
"Which one?"
Eric rolled his eyes and sighed at me. He knew I wasn't going to drop it.
"I have houses in many places. Over the years I have built up quite a real-estate portfolio. I will tell you all about it when we have time, but not right now. I have only four domestic properties in the Shreveport area." Only? "The one that Victor knows about, is the one that I use for entertaining other vampires when I cannot do it at the bar but where I never rest; there is also my main house, where I wish to take you as soon as you stop arguing with me;" he smiled and gave me a quick kiss, "and two safe-houses. Both very different, under different names and in different areas. Oh and I own Pam's house too," he added as an afterthought. "Though I have been meaning to sign that over to her. She didn't own any property in the area so I lent her one of my houses when she first relocated here. She grew fond of it and didn't want to move."
"Oh." I didn't know what else to say. If Eric had five houses here in Shreveport how many did he have all together? Of course it made sense that he'd have a safe-house. It also made sense that in a thousand years you'd probably live in quite a few different places, but did he still have houses everywhere he'd been? He could feel my curiosity and gave me a bit more information.
"Most of my properties in other States and Countries are rented out. The revenue goes into local bank accounts so I have pre-made bolt holes in several parts of the world should I need them."
"How many places?"
"A couple in other States here, one in South America, three in Western Europe and then Azerbaijan, China, New Zealand, Africa," he waved his hand about suggesting there were more. "I got rid of a lot when I became Sheriff," he shrugged. "I knew just taking off and starting again would no longer be a simple option." I shook my head. It was too much to take in. Eric had gone back to stroking me softly, but his gaze was far away.
"So. Sometimes we live here and sometimes at your 'main' house, and then sometimes we have to stay apart." I decided I'd worry about 'my husband the property tycoon' some other time. Besides it didn't really matter.
"I'm afraid so," he said refocusing on me sadly. "We should get up. Pam wishes to speak with us before I show you my house."
"You are going to forgive her soon aren't you?" I said, remembering my promise to put in a good word for her.
"Soon enough," he said with a wicked grin.
"You're mean, you know that," I said. I rolled onto my back and stretched in preparation for getting up. Eric had been about to reply but had gotten distracted. He eyes glowed down at mine, suddenly he was hovering over me. I knew that look well. I guessed Pam would just have to wait.
"So you required 'specifics for your resting quarters'?" Eric quoted at Henry. We had finally emerged to knowing looks from Henry and Pam; the former clearly amused, the latter not so much. Eric was giving Henry similar looks to the ones Pam was giving us. He may be happy with the result, but Henry had lied to him and he was at least going to note it. Henry however was ready for this.
"Yes. I 'specifically require' my bed to be Viking free. You sprawl too much and you hog the covers."
"Generally, I do not use covers," said Eric. He actually looked a little offended that Henry didn't want to share the hidey-hole with him.
"Even more reason. Magnificent as it is, unlike your lovely wife, I have no interest in waking up to your evening glory," said Henry. Eric's eyes lit up at the memory of awakening to find me in his arms and his hands started wandering.
"I have to agree with you," he agreed begrudgingly. "Despite the obvious attractions of both I would rather wake to my wife's chest than yours." They both looked appreciatively at my boobs. The mildly flirtatious discussion of them sleeping together, then having them turn their joint attention to me, caused a flash of a thought I really shouldn't have. The blush crept up my face as the pictures flitted through my mind. I huffed loudly hoping I just sounded annoyed and headed to the kitchen to hide. From Eric's shock and Henry's laughter I was completely busted.
"Well if we are done with the meeting of the mutual appreciation society perhaps we could move on?" grumbled Pam following me. I noticed she still avoided looking anywhere near the fireplace.
Eric and Henry came into the kitchen a moment later. I was busy avoiding his narrow eyed gaze when Pam addressed her master. "I have a message from a woman called Bethany. She says: Congratulations Dearg-áireán; Thank you for the flowers, they are beautiful; also she would very much like to meet the woman that can draw a Bird of Paradise out of a fossil. Oh and something about, 'you weed in her garden?' What exactly did you two do on your date?"
"A fossil?" I asked.
"When we first met she said I was cold and hard and from a forgotten age – like a fossil." Eric explained without much interest "She said I never hung around for long because I knew, like all fossils I was only interesting for a short while, and would then be put on a shelf to gather dust until someone new came along to discover me,"
"She was wrong," I said firmly, finally meeting his eye. The weight of Eric's stare lightened and he smiled.
"Yes, she said so herself later. She said I was more like amber. That I could be cold and hard, but also beautiful and lively, and that it would only take someone to hold me in the palm of their hand and I would be warm." I glowed up at him and stroked his face. He was beautiful and lively and warm (though not physically of course), and I had held him in the palm of my hand, or his soul at least.
"Ugh!" Henry groaned, then went on in a overly theatrical voice "Oh Pam – you are like a diamond, beautiful yet cutting, hard yet classic, rare yet … sparkly." Pam had been standing with the back of one hand to her forehead as if swooning from his words but pulled back her other hand, which he had grabbed, at this last word.
"Sparkly! I do not sparkle!" she replied indignantly.
"Sorry, ran out of comparisons," Henry shrugged.
Eric passed me a wet kitchen sponge which I threw at Henry's face. He caught it of course but the dirty dish-water splashed in his face anyway. Eric held his hand out and I slapped it.
"So how do we make them fight again?" asked Henry, wiping his face on his shirt-sleeve.
"I did warn you what it was like living with them," said Pam with a big smile, smugly enjoying her I-told-you-so moment. Plus, aside from the sparkles I think she liked the diamond comparison which did actually seem quite fitting.
Dearg áireán - What Bethany calls Eric, from dearg - red, associated with warriors and kingship, and áireán - being nocturnal, night vigil, visiting at night.
Picture: If you google Eric the Victorious the first two listings, for wikipedia, have the picture.
Akon song can be found on You Tube.
So, Sookie and Eric are enjoying their honeymoon, and hopefully you guys are too, let me know (please). Knowing them it will not last, someone is bound to try to kill one of them soon.