Chapter 23

"We are unhappy with your recommendations Godric" King Leopold of Norway, the spokesvampire for the world leaders, said quietly.

"My apologies" Godric replied carefully. "Might I inquire as to what specifically you are unhappy with?"

"We have all spoken amongst ourselves and we would be most comfortable with you being the Guardian" the king answered.

I could feel the sudden on rush of emotions from Godric before he clamped down on our bond and recovered from his shock.

"It is not something that I have considered" my maker answered honestly.

"Then consider it" Leopold barked. "The Northman and the Celt as well he barked as he glared at Sean and then myself over the video feed. "We will review your other recommendations and give you ours on Monday" and with that the video feed was cut.

"Fuck" I muttered.

"Not something you would even consider?" Pam asked gently.

I paused before answering. Politics was never my thing. I was only sheriff because I really wasn't able to get out of it at my age.

"If we were running the show, it would be a lot different than dealing with all the old political bull shit" Pam pointed out.

"There would still be bull shit" I retorted.

"And there isn't any now with the bar or with being sheriff?" she countered.

She had a point but this was a big decision and one that I would certainly want to discuss with Sookie.

"Consider it Eric as I will consider it as well" Godric said as he looked across the room to Madelyn who was sitting out of video range but was there nonetheless.

"What about you Sean?" Thalia asked.

"Might be nice working with you blokes every day" he responded good naturedly.

I couldn't help but smile but looked to Godric to be excused so I could talk to Sookie. He nodded to me, feeling my anxiety in the bond and I rose to leave.

I walked slowly down the hallways leading back to our room mulling over all the implications of becoming a chancellor. We would certainly have to sell the club. I was slightly melancholy at the thought as it was such a successful business venture but I was totally over sitting on that damn throne entertaining the vermin every fucking night. Some younger vampire might infuse some new life into the place.

My bigger concern was for Sookie. There was absolutely no way if I moved to New Orleans full time that I could leave her behind in Bon Temps. Would she be willing to move with me? Give up her job? Her home? I dreaded even having the conversion with her. My passionate little fairy was so fiercely independent that I couldn't imagine her just acquiescing.

I paused at the door, barely acknowledging the wolf and walked into the room. I could hear the shower running and I knocked on the closed door before entering.

"Hey you, what's going on?" she said with worry. "I could feel all kinds of stuff through the bond".

I handed her a white towel when she quickly turned off the water. She wrapped it around her wet hair and then asked for the plush robe that I already had over my arm. She blotted at the beads of water that clung to her body with the robe and then I followed her to the edge of the bed. She sat down and waited patiently for me to start.

"I have been asked by the world leaders to take a permanent seat on the Authority" I said hesitantly as I studied her face carefully for a reaction.

"Yeah, I figured they would" she answered calmly.

"You did?"

"Why wouldn't they? You are wise, fair, brave, loyal. Do I need to go on?" she said.

"I was blindsided by the request" I admitted.

"Well, I'm not. I bet they asked for all of you too".

"Yes and for Godric to take on the role of Guardian".

"So what's the problem?" she asked with more softness in her voice.

I paused before answering and shifted my weight to one foot before pacing a few steps. "I do not want to be parted from you" I said simply knowing that I had the ability to get myself into a lot of shit with Sookie if I didn't choose my words carefully.

"I don't want to be away from you either" she said with a smile.

"I would have to relocated to New Orleans" I clarified.

She frowned for a moment and I braced myself for what was to come. I closed my eyes to await her words but instead I felt her arms encircle me into a hug. "Since I knew this was probably coming I already thought it through Eric" she started as she broke the embrace and stepped away so she could look me in the eyes.

"My home is with you and as long as I can come and live here with you, I'm fine with it" she said.

"What about your job, your home?" I asked, my eyes wide with surprise at her calm reaction.

"I already quit Merlotte's".

"Really?"

"Two days ago" she answered cheekily.

"And your house?"

"I'm going to rent it out to Holly and her kids" she said. "I already know she's interested and it would be nice to have that much life in the old house again. Gran would definitely approve".

"You are full of surprises lover" I whispered as I pulled her closer once more and buried my nose in her hair.

"You will need to find a new guard for me though because it wouldn't be fair to Alcide" she said.

"Agreed but I will offer him the position nonetheless because I trust him implicitly. Perhaps I could make it worth his while" I said.

"Eric, Alcide has a business to run" she reminded me.

"He could relocate the business here. As the new Authority he could be our contractor. It could be very lucrative for him" I pointed out.

"Well, ask him but don't order or demand he do it" my feisty one answered with her hands on her hips.

I couldn't help but smile at her cute, little, irate pose.

"Always thinking about others" I murmured as I kissed her cheek.

"I'm going to have to figure out something for work though" she warned me.

"I assumed that would be the case" I started but a knock at the door interrupted our conversation.

I could feel that it was Godric and told Sookie so before opening the door for my maker.

"I am assuming that your conversation has gone well" he began. Obviously he must have felt my relief through our bond.

"Oh yeah Godric. I figured y'all would be asked to stay on" Sookie answered.

"And I assume that you have agreed to accompany Eric here permanently as well?" Godric asked.

"Yep".

"I wanted to request that you consider employment with us" Godric said as he motioned for them all to sit.

"I can find my own job Godric. You don't need to worry about me".

"This is a selfish request Sookie. We will be in need of brokering many new contracts and arrangements within the city and the country. With the new blood poised for distribution we will be working closer with humans and their governments and it would be invaluable to us to have your telepathic abilities present to ensure the veracity of those we are working with".

I literally had to grip the arm rests of my chair to prevent me from leaping up and hugging my maker.

"Did you know about this?" Sookie asked me suspiciously.

"I did not but I am grateful" I answered honestly.

"It would certainly be to our great advantage to have you on board" Godric added.

"OK I guess, but no ridiculously high salary" she warned.

Godric smiled boyishly at her before rising. "I will have a contract drawn up and have it ready for you tomorrow. I need to talk to Desmond directly to see how he has fixed his security breech"

We all rose as Godric left and when the door opened we saw Alcide was still at his post. I called him in, explained the new situation and quickly made my offer to him.

"I'm prepared to offer you $250,000 a year to provide for Sookie's security, plus all the costs to relocate and market your construction company in New Orleans, an exclusive contract with the Authority and travel expenses to and from Shreveport so you can run with the pack during the full moon and attend meetings".

Alcide's eyebrows raised even higher than mine did as he looked at me in shock.

"I can't accept that" he said. "It's too much".

I rolled my eyes. "Clearly you have been spending too much time with Sookie. Her safety is my utmost priority. No amount of money will be enough and I trust you. You'll do a better job for me if you are happy and well taken care of" I said simply.

Alcide narrowed his eyes while he contemplated the offer and my words.

"Deal" he said as he looked me in the eyes. "I'll be outside" he added as he strode back into the hallway.

I stood for moment dumbfounded by how easily everything had fallen into place.

"Guess I should call you chancellor now, huh?" Sookie said seductively.

I had forgotten that she was still wrapped up in the terry cloth robe. I leered down at her as I slowly untied the belt and let the robe fall off her shoulders into a pool on the floor.

"This chancellor Wants. You. Now." I said as I lowered us both to the floor and impaled her right there.

A/N So sorry for the delay in posting!