Chapter Twenty Six
Kissing Eric was better than I had ever imagined, and trust me, I had imagined a lot. He moved his lips with enough aggression to make it clear that he was taking control, but enough tenderness to make you crave more. His hand was still gripping my hair, trapping me in the kiss, but it could have gone on forever and I would be content. I could feel his tongue dancing, waiting to be granted access. God, I want it. I was desperate to invite him inside and carry on, but I couldn't. So instead, I sucked in a breath and blew it our gently. "You're such a dick."
I felt him smile against my mouth before he rested his forehead against mine. He removed his hand from my hair and place it above me on the wall, the other resting on my hip. "You piss me off. There are many things I'd prefer to do to you than talk."
"Well we're gonna talk, if you want any of the things you'd prefer to happen." I huffed.
He moved his arm from the wall, but kept the one of my waist planted firmly, and indicated for me to lead the way. Do I invite him in? It seems like such a big deal. The only vampires I had invited in were Godric and Rose, and Rose just doesn't really count. What if Oscar attacks him? Or more frightening, what if Pongo attacks? "I have bloodthirsty pets. If they attack you'll have to leave." I warned, entirely serious. There was no fucking around when it came to my boys. As it happened, they were entirely useless anyway. They'd barely moved since I got up and didn't look like there were going to anytime soon.
"Useless!"
"Are they the bloodthirsty pets?" Eric was just about laughing. Little did he know, I had my boys trained. It wouldn't do much good against him, but it was enough to scare away humans. I let out a low whistle and summoned them, to which they looked pissed. "Growl." I commanded. They preformed spectacularly. Pongo let out a high pitched hiss and Oscar a low rumble that filled me with pride. Sending Eric a wink, I bit out another command. "Bark."
Oscar really was a bit scary sometimes, though I had never felt threatened by him. He was snapping out barks with his teeth bared until I told him to be quiet, which he did instantly. I gave them both a snack after congratulating them on a job well done. My loyal little boys. "They wouldn't last 2 seconds against a vampire, but Oscie scares the crap out of humans."
"Does he attack?" He questioned, still eyeing up the dog.
"No. He's actually very sweet. Not once has he attacked the cat. Why are you here Eric?"
"You asked me to relinquish my claim on you so you could run off with a human boy." How did he know? Oh right, Rose had told him. If Eric so much as breathed near Corey, I would kill her.
"I did. And you said no. That doesn't answer my question."
"I want to know why." A man who has lived over 1000 years surely can not be this stupid. Why? Probably because he is a complete and utter asshole. Why did going with Corey mean Eric had to give up his claim? I don't know. It just does.
"You know what I feel, Eric. Better than I do, according to yourself." I was speaking softly, almost like a whisper.
"Come here, little one." He opened his arms, and I walked to them slowly. I had wanted this for some time, but now it was happening I was apprehensive. With his arms around me, he sat on one of the bar stools, so I was standing between his legs. It was story time. He let out a sigh and began.
"I've lived a long time, Lily. When I was a human, I had a friend. Back then, emotion was considered weak, but my friend did not care. He showered his wife with affectionate gestures and words, regardless of what the others said. In times of battle he would have to hide his wife, for he had flaunted her for everyone to see. One day, we returned to discover our homes had been raided. There had been only one victim – the wife of my friend. In his grief he also ended his own life, unable to go on knowing he caused the death of his lilla. Do you know what lilla means?" It sounded close to my name, but I shook my head, I had no idea. "It means little one."
Holy. Fuck. I didn't have any words. Normally I prided myself on having a clever remark, whether I said it or not, but in this moment, I was speechless. It was all I could do to stop my mouth from dropping open while I stared at him.
"In Jackson you accused me of wanting Sookie. I'll admit, she's curious, but that isn't why I did what I did."
"So why did you? You knew how I was feeling the whole time."
"It was a dangerous game I played in Mississippi. If Russel Edgington thought I cared for you, you would have become a target. I couldn't let that happen, lilla."
"Then why not after? You've been back for months." I didn't know what to think. Or feel. How did this even happen?
"My life – my world, will always be a battle field. You amazed me in Dallas. You were so strong, and you fought for Godric harder than I would have believed if he hadn't told me himself. Despite all you endured in the church, you held it together. Not once did you expect or depend on me for anything, even as you were throwing up blood. You sooner accepted your own death then allow Rose to risk her life. Originally I called you by little one because of how similar your name was to lilla, but it was in Dallas I realized if I wasn't careful you would become my lilla."He turned me to to face him and held my eye. "I've been trying to protect you."
Still looking into his eyes, I asked the question that would make break this. "If I stay, will it be different? Can it be?"
"It already is, my little one."
I put my arms around his neck and placed a soft kiss in the crook. "Please don't make me regret this." I begged him softly.
Eric and I had stayed like that until just before dawn. I had hoped for more kissing but I wasn't willing to interrupt the peace. Twice I had made him promise he wasn't playing me. He had sworn he was done with games and that he understood I was placing a lot of trust in him before he ran off to beat the sunlight.
It was the middle of the afternoon and I had just finished having lunch with Corey, who had given me an understanding kiss on the cheek before heading off. I knew it would be a long time before I heard from him again, but that was okay. He deserved to find a rock star chick who would give him the world. Pumping up the volume in Carrol, I headed back to Bon Temps, singing along as was usual.
Rose was going to be thrilled if she was speaking to me. Wanting brownie points, I sent her a text at the lights to inform her I was staying. Almost instantly I received a response demanding I come to her house 'RIGHT THE FUCK NOW'. So that's what I did. The day was overcast, but the sun was still in the sky, so I had no idea how she was planning to get me in the house.
The moment I arrived I was swarmed by security in black. "You Lily?" Was the only greeting they gave me. I nodded my yes and they lead me to a side door, that opened to another door, that opened to yet another door, before I entered the house. I called out for Rose, but didn't see her until she slammed into me. The wind gushed out of me while we hugged and I let out a breathless "Hello,"
"I'm so glad you're staying! But why are you staying? Did you call Eric? Oh! What did he say? You HAVE to tell me everything!" She rushed. Good god, did I catch all of that? What was I actually meant to tell her? I hadn't thought this through. I needed to buy some time.
"Slow your roll, pretty girl. I at least need a coffee before giving you the deets!" She nodded an of course, and lead me to the kitchen. Shit. I sent of a quick text to Eric before I followed.
Lily:
Rose is on a rampage. What do I tell her?
I insisted I needed an expresso, trying to buy more time. Hurry up Eric! I didn't know what to tell her because I was still a little unsure what had actually happened. All I knew is that Eric cared and things were going to be different now. Not exactly the scoop my friend was looking for.
Eric:
That you are still mine and we are in a relationship.
Wow. We are in a relationship? The miracles of hugging, my friends.
Lily:
We're in a relationship?
Eric:
I may be a dick, but it's the only dick you're getting from now on.
I let out a laugh. So Eric is my dick, huh? I guess I'm pretty okay with that. Rose presented me with a coffee, and I finally noticed we were in the kitchen. The whole house must be light safe. Obviously they don't take the Kings safety lightly in these parts. Following my friend to her room, I felt like I was almost glowing. Who knew, who knew.
"I FUCKING KNEW IT!" She was practically bouncing. It was the first thing she said since I began my story, having only offered encouraging nods and appropriate noises. She was very proud of herself.
"You called it, Rosie." We were sitting in her bedroom, which was massive and awesome, much like the rest of the house these days. It was light and airy, with pictures of the outdoors in the sunlight on her walls. The room felt like a dream zone.
"Did you fuck him?"
The inquisition begins. "Nope." I answered. Hopefully soon though. Hopefully.
My phone rung at sundown with Eric on the line. He wanted me to come to Fangtasia. Rose was singing and celebrating her victory, and Eric and I were chuckling while I agreed that I would be there soonish. Rose decided she would come for two reasons. One: she was determined I couldn't pick the correct kind of outfit for the evening. Two: Pam owed her a shopping trip and she was wanted to select a collection date. All I could do was shake my head and laugh. She ended up following behind in her car incase I didn't end up going home tonight. I didn't think that was what was going to happen, but it was pointless to argue with her.
"So you need to be appropriately dressed for Fangtasia – but not slutty. Looking amaze for Eric – but again not slutty. Hmmm." She was deep in thought, so I let her be and wondered off to shower. Happy to wash my hair because Rose was here to deal with it after, I scrubbed and conditioned and shaved. You know, just in case.
I was dressed in a black mini-dress. It was short, but not indecent, and had a high neckline. It was almost conservative, but the cut outs along the side gave it enough 'sexy' that I could wear it to a club. Rose had paired it with some nude heels and decreed I would wear my leather jacket if I got cold. A dramatic necklace was my only accessory and the gold piece hung over the dress. She had curled my already wavy hair until it was sleek and shiny, but decided to go fairly light on the makeup. I was ready according to Rose, but I don't think my nerves got the memo.