Author's Notes: Hello!

Okay, so I am back with another chapter. And I know it has been forever.

This one was rather hard for me to get out, into words. I hope it is okay. I feel like I rushed most of it, but I was just already late on giving out the chapter, so I had to write. *sigh*

I haven't been feeling very good lately, but not in a sick way. I've been really depressed, but it always happens around this time of year, because of things that happened in my past. Please forgive me if the chapters take a lot longer to come out.

So, here we go.

I own nothing, nada, zip, zilch!

XOXO-SharaMoon

"You cannot be serious." I told him, nervousness in my tone.

"Oh, I am highly serious, my pet." Eric raised an eyebrow.

I moved quickly, somehow getting out from under him only to jump under the covers as if the blanket itself would shield me from what he planned on doing. I was beyond embarrassed and quite truthfully, I haven't been spanked in forever. The last time was when I was like seven and it was because Jason and I accidentally tore up Gran's flower bed with the plow we kept in the shed. It was not done intentionally, though we deserved it.

This was different though. Somehow he made it sound incredibly naughty. If he could only see my face right now, he would laugh. I know he would. I could feel all the blood rush to my cheeks, filling them up and making them bright red. I curled up as I felt him reposition himself on me; hovering just above the covers I was taking shelter under.

I wasn't afraid, far from it. This was a thrilling kind of thing and yet, I still didn't want to be spanked. That was just…not me, in any way, but could I really deny him what he wanted? I was his pet, after all and I haven't been giving him anything from our relationship. Only twice had I given him my blood, only two times since I started this. Granted, it hadn't been awfully long, but still…I wasn't doing my part.

But, spanking? I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he enjoys kinky things.

He also wanted to know how light came from my hand, my body and I couldn't tell him how. It's not that I didn't want to tell him, but it was just as unknown to him as it was to me. I was…afraid. In that moment of time, the pillar of thrill began to fade away only to bring fear, utter fear of the unknown of why I was different now.

Was there something I didn't see about myself? Was I not getting the whole picture?

"Sookie…?" Eric's voice was rough now, except…it was laced with concern, in a way. "Are you…afraid?"

How could I lie to him? Simple answer really. I couldn't lie to him anymore, about anything apparently because I had his blood in me, which meant that somehow my emotions transferred over to him in some freaky, supernatural way. That was like…invasion of privacy in my mind, but I wouldn't come outright and tell him that.

"Yes." I murmured against the sheet.

As quickly as my cover was on me, it was off and Eric was meeting my eyes in haste. I gazed at him somberly, breathing shallowly as he moved a stray hair from my face. It tickled my nose along its course, but I hardly felt that.

"I wouldn't…hurt you." Somehow, that promise didn't touch his eyes. My own narrowed in confusion. "The spanking…I was kidding…sort of."

I smiled because I couldn't help it. He always could make me feel better, couldn't he?

"Sort of?" I asked.

"I want to touch you." He shrugged, being completely honest. "Meaning that I wouldn't mind tapping your ass with my hand a few times, especially to make you talk."

I frowned suddenly, avoiding his gaze all together. "I don't know what you want from me."

"I want to know how the light came from your hands, your body." He said just as softly, leaning down over me again. His hair fell off his right shoulder and began to swing back and forth. I tried to focus on that and that alone, because if I didn't…I might freak out.

"I don't know." I whispered, so softly that I could barely hear it.

"You…don't know?" He didn't sound too convinced.

It was like he was searching for something, something within me that he knew he would find, but to me…there was nothing that I could physically tell him, that would explain how it happened. I was confused, upset, and angry that I didn't understand what was happening to me.

"I don't know how it happened. I just…" I rolled off, licking my lips until they were moist. They felt dry all of a sudden. "I didn't want to die and the next thing I knew…light came out and…and it was like instinct, Eric. That's the best way I can tell you. I don't know how to explain it to you, when I don't understand it myself."

"You are…being honest with me." He seemed shocked, beyond shocked really. I watched as he stood up suddenly, backing away from me all together. His hand ran through his fallen bangs. "You need to go back to your room now. You are fine and your health seems to be better. I will collect you, when I want to see you again."

My heart thundered painfully in my chest as I sat up. "Did I…do something wrong, Eric?"

His eyes that were looking everywhere but towards me, met mine. He wasn't even blinking, but I was sure as hell he was thinking of something. I couldn't read his mind, I couldn't find out what was going on in there. I desperately wanted to know, but I just couldn't get a read on vampires.

"No, you didn't do anything. Everything…is fine." He whispered. "Please…leave."

"A-Alright." I nodded, getting off of his bed and trudging my way to the door.

I hoped that he would at least stop me, apologize for making me feel bad…like he didn't want me. I guess…that was to be expected when a girl wouldn't 'put out' as some people call it. It probably also got to him that I was some sort of freak, that even I didn't understand and couldn't tell him what was going on.

I waited outside his door for a few moments, just listening and hearing nothing in return. It was a horrible feeling, the hurt within my heart. I never thought it was so possible to feel that way, but then again, what did I expect? I told him before that I wouldn't fall so easily for him and yet, that is exactly what I was doing. I was falling hard and fast for this Vampire King, and he didn't even have to really do anything for me to even get me there.

He wasn't coming after me at the moment. He wasn't going to chase after me and I really didn't expect that he would anyway. Maybe…this was it? Maybe he was finally tired of me, tired of telling me about himself, and tired of waiting for me to be ready for everything a pet should do.

With a stiff form, I walked to the elevator and descended.

-break-

Three months had passed since that fateful night of him telling me to leave his room. It still hurt, even to this day because we had never really talked about what had happened that night. Eric had been so distant, not calling on me for anything. I stood by his side when he talked and had conversations with other vampires, but he just wouldn't look at me…ever. It was as if I wasn't even there, in the room with him whenever he talked.

He had been feeding off of other women as well, not daring to even ask for a sip of my own blood. Jealousy reared its ugly head on quite a few occasions, but I knew better than make a scene in front of everyone, because that is where he fed; in front of his vampire council, maids, guards and me.

I wanted to leave, finally not being able to take it, but he would hear none of that either. Why would he want me to stick around…if he was tired of me? I was sure he was. Everything that he was doing indicated that he was just over me all together. It hurt more than I could rightfully say because in those three months, I knew that I loved him more than I loved anything else in either world. And just because he was ignoring me, feeding on other pets, it didn't change the way I felt about him. It wasn't easy, just forgetting about someone when you love them so dearly. Though, I wished it would be.

I looked out upon the grounds, watching the snow fall to the earth. The snow was even different here, much larger snowflakes; the biggest I have ever seen anywhere. It coated the earth in a thick blanket of white, sparkling white. The sky was dark, cloudy and it just made me feel worse. Somehow the sky looked sad, masking me in its feelings as if it was calling to me, telling that it was somehow crying icy tears for the ones that wouldn't fall from my own eyes.

For the very first time since I have been here, I wished that I wasn't. I wished I was back at Gran's, sitting by the fire and hearing her tell me stories of fairytales that I now knew to be real, but I didn't want them to be real. I would have wanted them to be just what they were supposed to be; folklores and legends and nothing more than a good read on snowy days like this one.

I wished that I never believed in them in the first place, wished that I never even asked myself why I seemed to be different than everyone else on Earth because look at where it got me. In a lonely apartment, in a castle, in a different world and…all that it seemed to bring anymore was utter sadness.

I felt isolated from the experiences I was once happy to look forward to, when I first stepped into Symperia. I was lost, more now than I ever was back in my own world. I had nothing to show from this part of my life because…no one wanted anything to do with me it seemed. It was different, all around different and not in a good way anymore. I was tired, so very tired.

The wind blew in my direction, ruffling the pages of paper that I was holding in my hands tightly. I wasn't wearing the coat Pam had brought up to me, telling me that it was from Eric. Of course, he couldn't have given it to me himself, that was too much trouble on him. I didn't feel the cold, the only indicator that I was still alive, able to feel, was for the fact that I had goosebumps on my arms and my heart still beat slowly, rhythmically.

I slid down the window, sitting on the small layer of snow that was able to fall on the balcony itself. The papers in my hands were useless to me because it didn't show or tell me anything that might help me in the predicament that I was in. No more words would come when I asked, making me believe that my Gran had nothing left to tell me. The riddles I still could not figure out and truthfully, I didn't care anymore. I didn't care what I could be, what that light that came from my hands was, and certainly not the fact that I could read minds.

I could hardly hold the barriers up anymore, keeping everyone's thoughts out. They all just slipped through anyway and finally I just gave up, letting them take me and cover me in their hateful words. Yes, almost every thought was hateful, mean and those all came from the other pets. I never heard evil thoughts from the Weres because they were always too busy doing other things.

The pets, the ones that were with Eric, loved to torture me it seemed. Thinking nasty and vile thoughts all the while he drank from them. It was as if they knew of my secret and just wanted to open new flesh wounds when they looked at me, smiled at me, moaned so loudly that could literally break my ear drums while Eric would feed. He didn't seem to care about that, that they just wanted to fuck with my head.

"Why am I even here anymore?" I whispered, crumbling the pages in my hand. I felt a paper cut, the first real thing my body felt in so long now.

I looked down at it, watching the blood ooze to the surface and slowly spill down my finger. It hurt; but not nearly what I needed to prove to me that I was actually still able to feel something, anything.

"What do you mean, why are you even here?"

I gasped, shoving the papers in my pocket and turning to look up at the man that had been ignoring me for three months. He seemed stiff, he didn't want to be here and I knew that. His hair was up in a tight pony tail like usual, and his face was set in a grim line. I looked down, unable to look into his eyes anymore. He was different, so cut off from me that I could no longer reach in and make him smile as I once did.

"Nothing." I said softly, standing up and dusting off the snow that caked my jeans.

"You are going to catch a cold, standing outside while there is a blizzard."

"Really?" I deadpanned. "I think I'll take my chances. I hardly ever get sick anyway."

"Come inside." His voice wasn't asking, it was demanding.

I hesitated for a moment before I sighed. Turning around, I walked in behind him as he slowly went to the fireplace and began to get it set up. He worked easily, quickly and soon the roaring fire was crackling and the smell of burning firewood masked the whole room. I sat down on the floor next to it, finally feeling just how cold my body really was. I shivered, needing to thaw out from being outside in that snow storm for over two hours. I might just get sick…might.

"You are stupid." He whispered, tossing something around my shoulders.

I picked up the small material. It was my blanket; the one Nancy had sewn for me a little over two months ago. It was a gift and though I didn't feel all that great at the time, it was a nice gesture and did in fact make me smile. I huddled closer, trying to grab the warmth that the fire and blanket had to offer.

"What else is new," I mumbled, more to myself than to him, but he had heard it. I was sure of that.

"It was reckless to be out in the frigid air, regardless if you have hardly ever gotten sick." He told me, sitting down on the couch with ease.

Eric's eyes were trained to the fire, watching it burn and I turned my attention back to that for what seemed like forever. I don't know how many seconds, minutes or even hours passed before he moved. He came to sit next to me on the floor and grabbed my hand. For just a moment, his hand felt warm in my touch, for the first time. I was still ice cold, I still felt like a frozen popsicle.

"You cut your finger and you still haven't treated it."

"It stopped bleeding, so I didn't think I needed a bandage for it." I shrugged.

"Still, the scent of your blood lingers rather strongly in the air." He said.

Quickly, before I could even see it properly, his fangs popped out and he poked his own finger against it. I watched as his own blood boiled to the surface much slower than mine. He brought it next to my finger and gently rubbed his blood against the small cut. In a matter of moments, it healed before my very eyes.

My brows rose in somewhat curiosity, "It really does heal."

"Of course it does." He said as if that was a stupid statement and it really was. I was just shocked, that I actually got to see his blood work this time.

"Can," I stopped, not sure if I was still entitled to ask questions. He raised a brow as if telling me it was alright and I continued, "Can vampire blood…treat everything? Heal everything?"

"No." He told me swiftly. "There are some diseases that my blood cannot cure, but it would slow down the disease if they drank a bit of the blood. They would live a little longer if they did, but they would still die in the end. The only way to cure it-let's say cancer if the person who wanted to be treated was dying from it, for instance-would be vampirism. Someone would have to turn that person for the disease to go away, but that person would look the same forever. That person in question would always look sickly. It's a decision that some people I have known of took. They didn't care if they looked sick for the rest of their existence. They just wanted to stay alive."

"I could…understand that, I guess." I whispered.

I couldn't believe that people, even here, suffered from cancer. It hurt my heart greatly to hear that there were cases like that, but I tried not to think of it.

"What have you been doing, Sookie?" Eric looked around my apartment in distaste. It was rather messy. I just didn't feel up to keeping it as clean as I normally would have if I was perky and happy.

"Just didn't feel up to cleaning lately." I spoke out loud, the thoughts that just ran through my head.

"That isn't like you. You always seemed like a…neat and tidy person."

"I was." I shrugged. "Things change."

"I'm not certain I like this change." His nose wrinkled.

"Does it even concern you anymore?" It was out of my mouth before I could stop it.

"Excuse me?"

I slapped my hands against my mouth and with a muffled voice I answered, "I'm sorry. That just slipped out."

"Don't think I am just going to accept your apology with what you had just said." He growled, standing.

"I didn't mean it, I swear." I whispered.

"You obviously meant it, because it 'slipped out'. What did you mean by that, Sookie?"

"You haven't been around. You give no indication that you even want me around. So, why does my apartment, my mess concern you anymore?" I felt anger now, very strong anger.

"It concerns me because you are living in my castle, in my apartment. I haven't been around because I had quite a lot to think about and I came today, to apologize for the way I was acting, but if you think that way…then maybe I don't have any use for you anymore."

"You can't turn this around on me, buddy!" I stood too, seeing red. I poked the middle of his chest.

Before I could scream or even move, I was pressed up against the wall with him snarling in front of me. I gulped, turning my face to the side. He wasn't having that however because he jerked my face back to meet his angry eyes.

"Do not call me 'buddy'. I am your King and you are my pet." He spoke solemnly, anger making his words sharp. "And never, ever, poke me again. I cannot stress that enough to you. I am not your friend and you are living in my home, eating what I provide in this castle. I am above you in every way and I will not take that kind of attitude when I have been nothing but gracious and timid when it comes to you."

"Gracious, Eric….really?" I fumed, not caring what he could possibly do to me.

"Yes, I believe so."

"Then you are a moron." I replied with conviction.

I met his upset gaze with my own, taunting him without even realizing that I was doing so. His hands grasped my wrists, pushing them above my head. His knee pushed my legs apart and he pushed up, hitting my lower regions. I whimpered as he came in contact, not expecting it to feel that damn good. His body pushed against mine, getting as close as humanly possible. He growled in my face, his nose an inch away from my own.

"You are playing with fire, little girl." He snarled. "Do you know what happens when you play with fire?"

"Enlighten me." I provoked.

We shifted again, much quicker than before. I felt actually nauseous at first. My head hit the floor with a bang and I felt the urge to yell out in pain, but I didn't feel the pain that should have been there. Before I knew what had happened, his lips came in contact with mine suddenly. When he pulled away, my lips were puffy and probably bruised. I glared at him as my heart raced in my chest, my breath coming out in pants.

"You get burned." He said right before his fangs pierced my neck.

My back arched off of the floor and he took that as leverage. Pushing his hands under my back, he lifted me until I was somehow cradled in his arms as he fed slowly. My eyes were screwed shut because at first it absolutely hurt, but soon that all faded into a warmth that filled me completely. I became putty in his hands, those same hands that were secured tightly around me, pulling me closer to his stiff form.

Eric made a noise then, somewhere in between a groan and a whimper. It was…adorable, if I wanted to go that far and nearly made me smile. How could I go from being upset with him to thinking he was…cute? How is that even possible? I didn't know, nor did I want to really press the matter further.

He was showing me dominance, wasn't he? That he wasn't going to take anyone's crap and right now, I was the one that was dishing it out…therefore, he needed to punish me, like he did countless others, just in a different way.

I began to feel faint, and with as much force as I could, I pushed against his chest. He didn't even move an inch. His mouth devoured me, sucking hard and then his tongue lingered against my skin, lapping at the blood that began to flow down my chest. I shivered as his lips covered the bites once more, sucking so powerfully that I began to see stars.

"Eric," I whispered.

This wasn't normal, the way he was doing this. I've seen him get his fill and it didn't ever take this long. I felt sick and so very tired all of a sudden. This was bad, very bad indeed.

"Sookie…"

His whisper alone made me almost forget about it all, and just let him finish me off. It was a pleading kind of sound, so very needy. I wanted him to continue, his voice hurt me deeply. It was as if he needed to drink as much as he could and…I almost allowed him.

I pulled away, ripping my arms away from him and falling flat on my back. I stared up at the ceiling, breathing heavily. The wound was still bleeding, but I ignored it. I tried to find my beating heart within me and located it quickly. It was erratic, beating so strongly and wildly.

"I'm…sorry, truly I am." He cleared his throat, I could hear that clearly. "You needed to be punished for your attitude, but I didn't mean to take that much. Let me…let me help you."

"Help me how?" I asked, turning my head to the side to see that he lay down next to me.

"By you taking more of my blood." He replied.

"Won't you get into more trouble?"

"I was never 'in trouble' to begin with. I made the rules therefore I believe I can break them. Besides, no one is here this time." He paused, waiting for me to say something, but I didn't. He continued, "Now hurry, before I change my mind."

I heard a slight ripping sound before I felt his wrist against my lips. Carefully I leaned up and placed my mouth around the wound and drank slowly. It was delicious, not nearly as coppery as I would have believed it to be. I wanted more, to drink as much as I could because…it made me feel differently. I felt, energetic in a way and somewhat powerful.

All too soon he pulled his wrist away from me and I wiped the back of my hand across my mouth to collect any left overs that I had missed. I licked that off before I met his gaze. His face was still grim as if he wasn't sure he should have done that, give me his blood. I could feel his emotions…stronger than before. He felt…

"Guilt?" I whispered.

"What?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Why are you…feeling guilty?"

"Many reasons." He shrugged.

Okay, he wasn't going to tell me and he was better at coming up with ways to avoid a subject than I was. I wanted to press him further, but really, I think I've went my limit for tonight. I felt guilty for what I had said, making it lead to where it went. I bit my lip, blinking slowly before I spoke.

"I'm sorry, for saying those things. It's just you haven't wanted to spend time with me like normal. It's all confusing me, because I don't know what you want. You never asked for my blood in three months, you never…even talked to me much."

"I had quite a bit to deal with." Again with the evasive answers. I was getting rather used to them by now. "Listen," He changed the subject. "The pets are having a ball of sorts tonight. It's in thanks for all that they give us vampires. Everyone is invited and I wanted you to stand by my side as my pet. I know I haven't been nearly as courteous to you lately as I have in the past, but that doesn't mean that I don't want you here. On the contrary, I plan on keeping you for quite some time."

"Why?" I asked. "Not that I'm not grateful…" It came out slightly sarcastic.

"Because you mean something more to me than I originally planned on." He whispered.

"W-What are you saying, Eric?" My heart thundered in my chest once more, but this time in hope.

He gave me a narrowed eyed gaze. "It does not mean that I am in love with you, if that is what you are thinking."

"Of course not." I nodded. "I never thought of it like that, but…you care for me?"

He paused; the room went quiet for quite some time. Finally he spoke, "Sookie this is hard on me, more than I can really say. But, yes…I care for you…more than I probably should."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I had the urge to put my hands on my hips, kind of insulted.

"Nothing," He looked away.

"Mmm." I huffed a sigh. "Well, maybe I don't want you to care for me then."

He smirked; I saw it out of the corner of my eye. "Sookie, I must tell you something."

"And what is that?" I raised an eyebrow.

He leaned over, pushing my hair out of the way and exposed the still opened wound. I heard a snick of his fangs, before he licked it there. I felt my skin began to heal once more. I shivered, barely, but I still did.

"You are a very, very bad liar, and I don't even need to feel your emotions to know that."

I've gone through quite a few emotions since he came here. Anger, excitement, and so much more that I could barely wrap my head around it. All in all, I was happy that he was finally speaking to me again. I doubted I would ever learn why he acted the way he did that night, but right now, in this moment, it didn't matter. None of it did, not the way I acted tonight and not the way he acted either. I finally felt at least wanted…a little bit, and that was all that mattered to me.

-Break-

"I see his majesty is talking to you once again." Loral Devine spoke behind me.

I had just made my way down the steps, looking around at the main hall where the parties were usually held. Everything was decorated; streamers of gold and red were hanging down from the chandelier, with tiny little baubles floating down next to them from the ceiling above. They were crystal, in different shapes. My eyes caught them for a second, and I tried to focus on those alone, but Loral's mind was buzzing in my own.

Loral was one of the pets Eric had been with in the last three months, feeding off of. She was the most snarky and bitchy woman that ever walked this dimension. I was surprised that she took a moment to actually speak to me, instead of just advancing on Eric like her thoughts were putting out.

I sighed deeply, turning around with a fake smile on my face.

"Hello, Loral," I began. "Yes, King Eric has in fact started to speak with me once more. It is nice, for a change."

"Did he pick out your dress for you?" She raised an eyebrow.

I looked down at my outfit. It was a rather…exotic piece that I would have never worn before. The front dipped very much, showing off more cleavage than I wanted to. It was long; going down to my ankles. The sides of the dress were practically non-existent because of the tie up sides. The strings there crisscrossed, back and forth until they hit my waistline where the dress would flare slightly out and fall down. It was blood red, and very much authentic silk.

So much skin was showing, and of course anyone would be an idiot if they thought I picked out this dress.

"Yes," I nodded. "His majesty did pick out this dress. He said it rather…fit my beauty."

Loral wrinkled her nose slightly before she put on a smile of her own. "I see."

"Yes." I smiled, more of a taunting one now. "Will that be all, Loral? King Eric would like it if I stood by him tonight. He wanted me to accompany him tonight as his only pet."

She merely nodded and I went on my way, feeling a very happy pleasure about pissing her off. She thought I looked fabulous in the dress, her thoughts told me so. She would never say that out loud for the fact that I had everything she wanted from Eric, and just because she hated my guts.

I thought I looked nice as well. I thought it definitely flattered my body, but I was uncomfortable in it. Not that anyone would notice that of course. Since I've been here, since I've seen so much, I am able to carry myself better. If these women were going to be assholes all the time, then I would just dish it right back in their faces, in a more…nicely done way though. Being overly sweet—that gets underneath everyone's skin, and Loral was no different.

I spotted Eric out of the crowd with ease, and I silently smiled to myself. He caught my eyes, and I felt an emotion from him. Surprise. That led on to more emotions, but one that stood out above the rest—lust. His eyes smoldered as I stepped over and bowed low in front of him.

No matter how our odd relationship is, what happens during day to day basis; it didn't matter. Something inside of me told me that we were connected on a level that no one could even understand, which led to me believing that it didn't matter if we fought today, that he bit me, that I called him a moron to his face, or that I hardly talked to him in three months. It all slowly fell into place again, like that eventful night never even happened, and that we were on a level of some kind of understanding of this weird relationship we had. We didn't need words anymore.

It was like nothing could come even close to touching this unseen force we shared. If I had to be honest, that scared me, and excited me. I knew there was something between us, I knew that he cared for me, and I knew that I loved him more dearly than I had loved anyone before. That was the exciting part.

The scary part was that I didn't understand most of it. I didn't understand why we could go back and forth, but then be close like those bad things never happened. I didn't quite understand the pull he had over me, and I didn't think he understood it either. There is something, there is a connection, a spark.

"You look…." For once in a long while, Eric was lost for words.

I smiled, bending my head. "Thank you." I said regardless.

"Shall we dance?" He held out his hand for me.

I took it, carefully placing my hand in his as his other arm wrapped around my back. He pulled me closer until I was right against his chest. Soft music began to play, and he twirled me in his grasp. My heart raced in my chest, like it normally would.

Why did we have this connection? What was the purpose of it? Why did it not matter?

Questions were questions, but there were never any answers when it came to mine. I wanted to understand Eric, wanted to know why he acted strangely in the last three months, and why nothing seemed to matter when we were together, like this…this close to each other.

I didn't have a care in the world when he danced with me. The time could have literally stood still, and I still would not have noticed.

My eyes found his, and I was sure he was thinking the same as me. He knew there was something about us, why neither of us could…let the other go. I could have walked out of this castle in those three months, he could have kicked me out, and yet, neither of us did. Neither of us wanted to.

Eric slowly guided us away from the group, coming out to a hallway down the left hall. I looked around, leaning against the wall as he hovered in front of me. Something was about to change between us, something…heavy and big, all at once.

His lips fell to mine carefully, brushing against my own in such a tender way. I sighed, closing my eyes.

"You love me." His voice came out in a wispy way, soft and light, but with a sigh somehow attached to it.

My eyes snapped open, and I met his. I was not embarrassed by it. I knew that since he could feel my emotions that would soon come out. I blinked slowly, not daring to look away from him.

"Yes," I agreed. "And, I do know that you don't fall in love. I understand that, but…I can't help it."

He looked at me carefully, his eyes shifting slightly as he took in my words. "Yes, I understand that as well. Feelings…are feelings, and you cannot change them. Maybe that is why you were so upset this evening, and also why you let me bite into your skin and drink from you, without fighting me. I had hoped…"

"Hoped?" My brows furrowed. "Hoped what?"

"I had hoped that you would have tried to stop me when I first bit. I intended and even predicted that you would. But you didn't." He shook his head. "Sookie, you draw me in, in a way I cannot describe. In those three months, I have tried to distance myself from you, because…that night in my home, we were coming close to something that I couldn't deal with…" He stopped, as if he was saying too much.

"What is it?" I whispered, trying to edge him further.

He shook his head. "It's…nothing."

"You're lying." I said softly.

"Doesn't matter—nothing matters…in the end."

"…You lost me."

I felt his smirk against my face, before his lips touched my cheek. "I was hoping that I would."

"You're riddles…are even worse." I shook my head. My heart was almost in my throat now with how close he was. He was pinning me against the wall, his lips falling to my neck. His cold tongue came out and flicked the skin.

"Worse than whom?" He murmured.

"Nothing."

"And now, you are lying."

"Mmm." I agreed.

He chucked before sighing once more. His face grew oddly serious as he got closer to me, pushing me flat up against the wall. "Sookie?"

"What…?" I panted.

His mouth was against my ear then, and very quietly he whispered, "Sookie, yield to me."

Before I could say anything, before my heart could give out and just beg him to take me, there was a disturbance. There was yelling from the main hall, it was loud, and booming. Eric tore himself away from me quickly, grabbing my hand as we went toward his balcony.

He stepped forward, laying his hands out on the marble, and peered down. I followed his gaze, noticing right away the four people that were standing there. Vampires. Bill Compton, Sophie-Anne, Hadley, and one that I didn't rightfully know personally, but I knew his name was Russell.

"Your majesty," Sophie-Anne bowed sarcastically. "I have come here to talk to you, about something rather important."

Eric didn't speak, but stood at full height. He tensed. I could literally feel it coming off of him in waves. He hid it well. My eyes peered down to Hadley who looked down at the ground. What I could see of her face was a mask of horror and guilt mixed. She wouldn't look up.

"What are you talking about?" Pam stepped forward, coming out of nowhere. She put her hand on my back, keeping it there.

"Ah, so your child finally knows about your little secret, does she?" Sophie-Anne raised a delicate eyebrow.

Pam's hand that was on my back gripped my shirt tightly. I couldn't help but wince in a form of fright. I didn't understand what they were talking about, but I knew what Sophie-Anne just said caught both Eric and Pam by surprise.

"What is the meaning of your words, Sophie-Anne? I would like to get back to the party if that is possible." Eric's voice boomed throughout the building, everything had grown so quiet, which made his voice echo.

"I'm sorry, your highness, but I doubt getting back to your party will happen tonight." Sophie-Anne giggled, and as she did she turned around.

The doors to the front entrance flew open, and a giant herd of Vampires and other Supernaturals I have never seen flocked inside. All of their eyes went up to see King Eric who stood still, watching this transpire. But what caught my eyes were the vampires that were dragging what looked to be Eric's night guards.

One of them chucked Alcide in front of the crowd. All the pets jumped backward, keeping distance as Alcide slid across the floor unconscious. The next was Alcide's dear friend Tray, who had been very nice to me as well. He landed next to Alcide, also unconscious.

I gasped, trying to step forward, but Pam's other hand came out and grabbed me around the waist, holding me in my place. I wanted to struggle, wanted to help in any way that I could, but clearly now was not the time to intervene in such a manner, when this was happening.

My eyes jumped to Eric, trying desperately to get his attention, but that wasn't going to happen. He only had eyes for the vampires that came in his home, in his castle, with his night guards unconscious. I struggled, wanting to know exactly what was going on.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, it spoke to me. This was the start of war.

"You intend to try to fight, do you not?" Eric whispered, but it was heard. "All you who stand before me are committing treason, do you realize this? Over allegations of what Sophie-Anne has told you."

"Oh, we know exactly what is going on, King Eric." One vampire male called from the back. "We know you know where the Fae is!"

I gasped. Eric…the one that was destined to be with the fairy, knew where she was? She was…she was here? In this world? He was to fall in love with the fairy, but he didn't want that. She was supposed to hold his heart. And, if she was here and he knew that, knew where she was…then his words and his guilt seemed to be clearer to me now.

I care for you…more than I probably should.

His words echoed in my mind. He cared for me, more than he should. Did he mean that he was already in love with the fairy? And by caring for me, he was somehow…feeling guilty for it? Because he was somehow with the Fairy? That couldn't be right though, he wanted nothing to do with the fairy, but did that really matter? Love was love, regardless of anything. I saw the premonition through the smoke, he would kill her, but he would cry, showing his utter sadness for what he had to do.

I was utterly lost. A hole in my chest began to form at my own thoughts. I was never meant to have him, and I knew that. I knew the fairy would come eventually, but I had always hoped that…that I would have more time with him, since I did love him.

"You've been hiding this from us all, and quite a few people are rather upset about this." Sophie-Anne grinned, looking at her small army. "I am here to talk to the other vampires you have on your side. I am offering them to stand by me, the one that has only told of the truth, that the fairy is here."

Eric gripped the marble tighter in his hands, his eyes glaring down at Sophie-Anne. She spoke the truth, and I could feel that through his emotions. I wanted to cry, because I felt used in a way. Though, it was my own doing. I did this to myself.

"Come now, vampires. If you wish to be a part of this, with a vampire leader that will not lie to you, step forward now." Bill spoke.

I watched in horror as a massive group of Eric's vampires that had always been here, switched sides within a blink of an eye. They all looked upset, because Eric was keeping something from them that could potentially save all of their lives.

"Now, that we have quite a few numbers with us, we shall be taking the fairy." Sophie-Anne giggled once more. "You should just give her up, King Eric. You may be the oldest, but you are looking at an army of vampires and other supernaturals that are quite pissed off at you. You have no chance."

Eric looked out of the corner of his eye, toward Pam. With a very hushed whisper, he spoke, "Looks like we will be going to war, Pamela."

My heart thundered in my chest as his eyes met mine, but no emotion was displayed on his face. It was as if I no longer existed to him. His mind was set to protecting the fairy, regardless of what he had planned for her later on.

"Do me a favor, get yourself out of here and take Miss Stackhouse with you."

"You cannot be saying that you do not wish me to stay and fight!" Pam argued hotly.

"You need to survive. I need you to survive." Eric shook his head.

I stepped forward slightly, Pam's hand never leaving my body. I had a hard time looking him in the eyes now, but I made the effort. "Eric, do you wish for us to take the fairy to safety with us?"

He was quiet for a moment, his eyes tightened slightly. "The fairy will be safe. I've made sure of it."

I nodded, feeling the sting of tears. The last nail on the coffin had been hammered in. He…could never be with me, even if he did care for me. The fairy would hold his heart and he would literally hold hers in his hands.

"As soon as you two move, it will begin." Eric whispered to Pam and I, looking down at the vampires he still had on his side. There were quite a few, but not as many as the vampires on Sophie-Anne's. They looked up at their king and nodded in understanding. "Get ready, and whatever you do…don't stop running." Eric paused, eyeing the two swords that were hanging on the left wall as a decoration. "Go…now!"

As he said that, he jumped, grabbing the swords in his hands and falling to the ground quickly. That was the last image I saw of Eric, as Pam picked me up in her arms and rushed toward the back hallway. I didn't know where we were going, and I surely didn't know if we would survive the escape.

But worst of all, I wasn't afraid for my own life, but for Eric's.