Chapter 29

30 minutes into the informal gathering in the ballroom…

EPOV

My wife and child have truly outdone themselves. I am still amazed by how much they must have done to transform this largely empty space into a weird mixture of contemporary style and Viking décor. There were five rows of 60ft tables with seats on both sides. There was something to cater to every species, not just us vampires. From a 10-course menu for humans and specialty bloods for us to ambrosia fruit for fairies to some sort of meat that had to be eaten immediately after cutting it from the animal for demons; no one was ignored. Our guests were mingling and enjoying the positive atmosphere. The main table, which was ours, was situated on the raised floor in the center of the room. Its platform allows people to approach for every angle. The table itself was round so we all had a vantage point of the room.

The turnout of guests was also surprising. Not only did our nest mates have those closest to them in attendance, but they also brought their allies. As I led Sookie through the room, I came across people I haven't seen in centuries. We also met a couple of interesting beings; beings I had never before met and that is a rare occurrence.

I let go of Sookie's hand as she is pulled off by the Cullen women. As I turned to look amongst the crowd, Vayl comes up to me.

"Eric. I would like to introduce you to my trust. At least those that are present." Although it did not show on his face, he was saddened by the absence of one of his nest.

"Do not worry, Vayl. I will do everything in my power to bring Cole home." I pat his shoulder and he nods. Following him, we walk to the center long table. Most of his trust consisted of people I met before, but there were some new faces.

"You know most of us, but I want you meet the rest." I nod and smile at the group. "The beauty sitting next to my anhvar is her sister, Evelyn. With her are her husband and their daughter." The parents were talking with their child and did not even acknowledge my presence. I did not mind in the least. Motioning to the other side of the table, directly across from them, he continues. "Those two raucous young people are Cassandra and Dave's children." They continued bickering back and forth, slightly reminding me of Sookie and Jason.

We walked a little further down one of the aisle and stopped behind someone. Vayl pats his shoulder to get his attention. The man turns and stands to met us. "This is the brains of our trust. His genius has protected not only us, but Earth itself. Bergman, this is King Eric Northman." The man, who was about a foot short than both Vayl and I, gives me a deep nod and I return it.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Bergman. Vayl and Jazz have spoken of your great talents."

"They probably didn't give me enough credit. But hey, I'm just a geek with the means and accessibility to create things most people only see on the Sci-Fi channel." All three of us laugh.

"I hope we can get your insight in the coming days. Anything you need, whether it is a building for your lab or special materials, I can make sure you have it." The smile that spreads across his face is priceless.

"Thank you. I have a couple of things I've been experimenting with, so I will take you up on that offer. I brought most of the necessary tools with me. I will do whatever I can to give the bastards that have Cole hell." The sincerity of his words was not lost to me. Obviously, Cole and Bergman were good, if not best, friends.

"No problem. Enjoy the party. We will get together in the morning to work on getting you what you need." He looks from me to Vayl, confused by my 'morning' comment. Vayl nods in agreement. Bergman retakes his seat and we move on.

"Thanks Eric for meeting my trust. I'll let you get back to the party." Just as he is about to return to his nest, I stop him.

"Wait. I want you to meet someone as well." I led him to a group across the room by the bar. We approach them just as they retrieve their beverages.

"Ah, Mr. Cataliades. Diantha. I would like to introduce you to Vayl Brancoveanu." The demon looks Vayl up and down, then laughs.

"Mr. Brancoveanu. It is a pleasure to meet you. I have various contacts that have spoken of you and your wife's adventures." Vayl is surprised that he was known. Diantha just nods as she gulps down her drink. She turns back to the bar for a refill.

Before Vayl can respond, I offer, "I believe that you two have common experience that will help us in the near future. Vayl has had some experience in Hell. And you, Desmond, are from there."

"Well, you forget that I am half demon. Therefore, I only go there on holiday." Mr. C retorts. Vayl's face falls as shock spreads throughout his features.

"I will leave you two with that." Just as I am about to walk away, I feel the arms of my lover wrap around my waist from behind. I close my eyes and enjoy the power and love emanating from our contact. I grab her hands and pull her in front of me. Before I can speak, her attention is already pulled away.

"Welllookwhoitis!" Diantha yells in her 'special' tone. She only uses the appropriate spacing between her words when she is in killer mode.

"Diantha! Mr. C! How have you been?" she exclaims as they all share a group hug.

"We are fine child. You are looking as beautiful as ever. I knew the Fates had chosen correctly in my godchild being the universe's savior. This one" jerking his head towards me "I wasn't so sure about. But I am happy for the outcome." We all share another laugh.

"I must borrow my wife for a moment. If you will excuse us." With nods from all of them, I pull Sookie into my side and move towards the entrance to one of the private offices attached to this room.

Once the door closes, I push her up against the door and take her lips in a deep kiss. She tastes so good. It is like she has been holding a mouthful of her own blood, just for me. I moan from the sensations. I release her and she is breathless.

"Whoa. I'm trying to control my urges as it is and you aren't helping when you kiss me like that." She warns me as she reverses our positions. I let a growl escape as she runs her hands up and down my chest. She stands on the tips of her toes to meet me again in a passionate kiss. My hands rub down her back to that plump ass of her. As I kneed her cheek, which is bare due to the thong I chose for her earlier, she wraps her arms around my neck and pushes her breasts into me.

"I want to taste you, lover." She breaks the kiss and looks into my eyes. As the mischievous grin forms on her face, I know that we are about to play in the most delicious of ways.

"Not unless I can taste you" she says. I look around the office. It was smaller than our individual work spaces. There was a desk with two chairs in front of it. In the right corner, behind the door, was a small, round conference table that sat eight people. As I pick her up, she kisses me again, her legs dangling. I walk over to the round table and sit her on its top. She begins pulling my shirt out of my pants. I squeeze her breasts as I nibble on down her jaw to her neck.

I did not register being freed from the confines of my pants until she takes me into her mouth. I hiss and have to stop myself from ripping the dress off her. She does some sort of magic with her tongue that causes me to growl at her. She moans, sending the vibrations through my balls, and I shiver. Her pace increases and soon I am hold the back of her head.

"I…I…FUCK!" I roar as I explode down her throat. I cannot believe that she brought me to my end in less than two minutes. She pulls back and stares at me.

"Did you enjoy?" she asks.

"You know I did. I…I do not how I came so quickly." I was slight ashamed and worried that she would think poorly of me.

"Hey. What is this? Do not doubt yourself. What just happened was because of all the practice I have been doing on you and I know we are on a time constraint with everyone out there." She points through the wall to the ballroom. "Promise me that you will never be ashamed of something that happens between us, no matter what it is." As I look into her eyes, they begin to glow but it is different this time. Before, her eyes would glow white like snow. Now, they are a mix of white and deep purple, swirling in various patterns.

"I vow on my life as your protector and mate that I will never doubt anything about us again." Satisfied with my answer, she pulls her hair to one side and bares her neck to me.

"Ok. Drink so we can get back out there." I do not resist. I had been fighting my hunger after seeing her floating over our bed, but I can no longer do so. I slide my fangs into her throat and taste the most amazing thing in existence. Her blood has changed. It is still the best tasting blood I had ever had, but this was beyond fairy blood. This is godling blood. This was like drinking from an actual Goddess. As the blood travels through my system, my flame sparks up. I stop drinking and lick her wounds until they heal.

"You must go ahead, lover. I need a few moments to calm down." She giggles and stands from the table as I back away. She straightens her dress and fluffs her curls back out. As starts to move closer to me, but I stop her.

"Go. If you touch me again, I will not be responsible for everyone hearing your screams of passion." I warn her again. She nods and walks to the door.

"Don't be long. I'd hate to come looking for you." She is playing a dangerous game amongst a lot of people. She knows this. I can tell by the way she laughs as she exits the room.

I close my eyes and pray to Odin for the strength to compose myself. How the hell am I going to go three days without having my Gudinna? As the horrible ideas of how my days will be spent without her play in my mind, my father appears at my side.

"What is it that bothers you, my son?" I look at him and sigh. Surprisingly, he reminds much of my human father.

"I am upset about not being with her for the next few days. We do not spend much time apart." I confess. I know that I probably sound like a sniveling baby, but I have been unusually devoted to Sookie since the first time I saw her. That devotion, along with the friendship and love that we have, has grown to unimaginable heights.

"This is totally understandable. As her protector, it is natural for you not to want to leave her side. Know that if she were ever in danger, true danger that she couldn't handle herself, you would be immediately brought to her side. It matters not where you are, it will happen." His words comfort me, but I still do not like the idea.

He laughs. "I can only imagine the pleasure you give one another. It is very powerful. I could tell by the way you reacted to the misunderstanding in your office earlier. She is definitely the child of Freya. I was like that with her when she first came to Asgard. It when she became almost sisters with my Frigg that I was finally able to control myself. It has been many centuries since I have been intimate with her. And that is why." I am stunned by his confession. "You should talk to Freya. She can give you more insight on what to expect being the mate of her child, hence her reincarnated." I nod and a moment later she appears.

I bow and try not to look her in the face for too long. I feel like if I do, then I am some how cheating on Sookie. Her laughter signals that she has read my thoughts and found them very amusing.

"You poor boy. You don't like being away from my child. This is good for that is how it is supposed to be." She glides over to the desk and sits in its chair. "What you need is some advice on how to survive her evolution. But you fail to realize that you are only suffering now because you haven't gone through your own evolution yet. Once you gain your spirit, you will be even again in control over the distance you two may find between yourselves. What you witness arriving to the hall was Sookie gaining her spirit. It is one of five aspects of me that she will gain before she is a full Goddess. She will be the first living Goddess to walk this earth in eons. If you gain your spirit, which is that of Odin here, you both will be on an even plain. There will be periods when she will feel the same towards you. Know that she is feeling the same as you, but she is determined to be strong and keep you worry-free. Let her do whatever she can to put you at ease. The next few days will be rough on her. It will make your return that much meaningful."

I let the Goddess' words roll around in my head. I know that I have to be stronger for her. I have been thinking of myself and not her, like I should. I look at Freya again, but now I can see the differences and do not have the guilty feeling I had before. She nods.

"Odin, the Fates have truly blessed you and my child with this one."

"I know and I am very proud. He will gain his spirit soon enough." He says this as he looks on me with pride. I smile and revel in it.

SPOV

I close the door to the office and lick my lips. I can still taste him and it is so good that I am tempted to go back in there. As I look out over the crowded room, I see Pam at the door, speaking to Rasul and Karedon. Rasul, of course, is the head of the Royal Vampire Guard. His loyalty to Eric in our past life was not forgotten in this one. Before he even requested permission from Sophie-Anne to move to the state, Eric made him an offer. He was honest, honorable, and deadly when it came to defending what he believed in. There were many nights that I sat with him, picking through his memories. Of course, he was none the wiser. Lucky for him.

Karedon was the son of one of Niall's personal guards. He had trained with the Royal Guard of Fae since he could walk. He was a very polite and honest individual in a informal setting, but when training…he was a bastard. For the first 15 years of my return were spent training with him every 3 days. I was very happy to know and trust the two men who guarded everything I loved.

The feelings that I'm getting off of Pam – anger, annoyance, worry, and impatience –, however, are disturbing and I want to change this before Eric senses it, if he already hasn't. I pop next to her. Both men bow, which lets Pam know that I was next to her.

"Apparently, there is a woman at the front gates asking to see you. She looks like she has just escaped a stoning. She refuses to answer any questions about what she wants." Pam drawls. From both Rasul and Karedon minds, I know that it is Ms. Franklin and she is scared from the way she is trembling in the late November night.

"Bring to my reception room. Pam and I will be there. Make sure she is not seen." I order. Both men disappear. They are used to my telepathy, something that makes our relationship so much easier.

So not to alert anyone, Pam and I causally walk to that room. The feelings of anger and annoyance have faded, only to be replaced by more worry. It is to the point that I can not ignore it.

"Pam? Tell me what is bothering you most right now." I ask her directly. We are too close to spare each other feelings. Although, she has never spared mine.

"Tomorrow night" she says. I already understand.

"You already know that I hate this. The only reason why I have not thrown a fit is because I believe in Eric. He told be that he will only allow them to hold him for three days. One that night…if he does not come back to us, then we will unleashes oblivion on them." By the time I finish that sentence, we have stopped outside of the door and I am engulfed in my new light.

Pam stares wide-eyed with her mouth open. I sense the men coming closer with Cassandra, so I calm my light and we enter the room.

Moments later, there is the knock at the door.

"Enter" I command.

With Pam standing to my left and me sitting behind the desk, they enter the room. As they release her she stumbles to the front of the desk, gripping the chair for balance.

"Cassandra! What happened to you?!" She looks like shit. There was no other way to describe it. Her t-shirt and jeans were filthy and wet as she steadily tries to hold them together. Her hair was all over the place, some of it missing in several spots. Her face…the worse from what I could see, was swollen. Almost completely. Her left arm, the one not holding her up with the chair, hung heavy, strong evidence that it was broken.

"Since I last saw you, I have been dating Quinn. We were together two nights ago, in Vegas. We had just made love when his phone rings. He answers it and says 'ok'. When he hangs up, he grabs me by the throat and ties me to the bed. He leaves the room for about 15 minutes, then returns with two men. One of the men was old, Spanish with white hair. The second man was very tall. He had brown hair and was glowing. His clothes were white. The Spanish man told Quinn that it was time to prepare for the Viking's arrival. He nodded and started to dress. Then the man in white asked him if I was important to him. He looks me in the eye and says 'No'. The man in white tells him to make an example out of me to prove his loyalty. And then…" she stops. She is silent as the tears fall from her swollen eyes.

"How did you escape?" I asked. I know I could pull this all from her mind, but I know from experience that she needs to say it. Acknowledge what happened in order to heal. I will ensure that she does and bring Quinn to his knees in retribution.

"I didn't escape. Quinn kicked me out of his moving car about six blocks away from here. I walked." She still hasn't met anyone's eyes, including mine.

"Leave us" I order. The heads of our security walk to the door, Karedon holding it open for Pam. She turns right before and gives me a knowing look. "I will put a tail on Quinn immediately. Call me when she needs to rest." I nod to her and they leave.

I rise from the chair and walk around to the where Cassandra is still trembling. As I touch her shoulder, she jerks away.

"Cassandra." I touch her again, this time sending calming light into her. "I have been tortured by the hands of terrible beings, more powerful than Quinn. You will survive this and become stronger. You will stay here and heal. When you are whole again, you and I will end the life of John Quinn."

She finally meets my gaze and the rage that I see is something akin to the way I looked at Bill before we met our initial demise.

"Do you promise? Do you swear by the Gods?" I laugh and she starts to shut down.

"No. I'm not laughing at you. It's just that we have two actual Gods here at this moment that I can swear to so I can actual do so." I call to my mother. In a matter of a couple seconds, she and Odin appear. When Cassandra sees them, she drops to her knees and sobs.

Odin looks concerned, while Freya's face is blank. I guess he feels that he is just here for show, so he stretches out on the couch to the left wall of the office. Freya comes to my side and as we look down upon Cassandra, my mother learns all that has taken place.

"Rise child" she says to Cassandra in a stern tone. She blindly stands, her head bow. "Look at me." As their eyes met, Freya's begin to glow. Cassandra is now frozen by my mother's power. Freya scans Cassandra's body, healing the damage that had been caused. "She will need rest. Although her body is healed, her mind is remains shattered" she says to me while keeping her gaze on the woman before us.

I nod and call Pam to collect her. She comes in quietly; bowing to both Gods as she tenderly grabs Cassandra's hand. Soon, it is only the three of us in the room.

"My son will enjoy killing the were-tiger for this. I think you should let him." Odin says.

"My child and this were-tiger have a history. And because of that, I have to agree with Odin." Well, I guess the majority rules.

"Fine. I will wait until Eric's return. He is the first of many targets." I declare. They both nod. "Thank you for answering my call. Let's go back to enjoy the party."

They disappear without another word. I decide to take my time and walk back. As I do so, I remember my time with Quinn. Back then, the dark secret was his mother's mental instability and his time in the pits. Of course that was followed up by his betrayal of me and the state of Louisiana to de Castro. Unbeknownst to many, him in particular, that single event is what led to all the pain and death we all suffered. He gave them the leg up. Although he hates vampires, he and Bill were the tandem pair in the destruction of my innocent life. Well, one was gone by my hands and the other is soon to follow.

As the two guards at the door open them for me to enter, they reveal the love of my life. Eric is standing there with a look of curiosity on his face.

"Lover? I was just about to come get you. What is wrong?" Before my gloomy mood can affect him, I jump into his arms and kiss him with all the passion I can. He moans as my tongue slips in between his lips. I pull back, nibbling on his bottom lip before releasing it.

"Mmm…kisses like those make me want to forget all these people" he whispers huskily in my ear. I feel myself getting wet and think I need some TLC as much as he does.

"I think we can forget about them for a couple of minutes" I reply. Everything around me is a blur until I land on our bed.

Author's Notes:

I hope you all didn't think I forgot about Quinn. Tell me you thoughts on how he should meet his end. Does anyone want to guess who the 'man in white' is?

Here are the translations for this chapter:

Gudinna = Goddess

*The characters in this chapter belong to Charlaine Harris. The Gods are a part of Norse Mythology. And Cassandra Franklin is an original character.

**I OWN NOTHING**