AN: Well I totally missed getting this up last night. I think I was having too much fun playing the Easter Bunny for my cousin's kids. We always hide their baskets in weird places. This year one is in the oven and one is in the bathtub. We also hide eggs filled with candy everywhere. Anyway, Happy Easter and Passover. I hope all of your celebrations and observances are filled with joy and meaning. I also hope you are not too mad at me for the cliffy last time. I think this chapter will answer some questions but leave you wondering about others. And a huge hug to all of my reviewers, your kind words make me want to write that much more. Now on with the chapter.
Chapter 29 Revelations and Relatives
Eric's Point of View
I look up when I hear an unnecessary clearing of throat. I had not seen her in over a decade. Freyda the boobless or as her subjects call her Queen Freyda of Oklahoma is standing in my doorway. She was the opposite of my Sookie in every way. While some would describe her waif like appearance as beautiful, I am not among them. "I was hoping for a better welcome, but I suppose stunned silence is just as nice."
"What are you doing here Freyda? I was under the impression that my last thwarting of your advances would have sufficed for the next century." This is when I notice her companion. A Were with an odd smell. The woman's hair is short and dark brown. She has wide shoulders, a long frame and slim build. Again not someone I would look at twice.
"Oh Eric don't be silly, we both know that you don't really mean that." She bats her eyes at me, in what I can only assume, is an attempt to flirt with me. "I have a proposition for you. My state has been under attack recently, from idiots who think they can take my state because I am young. My state has been able to hold off several attacks but I feel that if I had a strong, older consort they would back off."
"If you are looking for a husband I am sure Nevada would be interested, or even Arkansas. I hear his negotiations with Sophie-Anne have fallen apart. I however am not interested."
"Well I want to give you some time to really think about this Eric. I think that we could work well together. I can give you money and power beyond your dreams."
"I am comfortable where I am and I have no need for your money. I would like you and your friend to leave." I stand and motion to the door.
"You are making a mistake Eric. I can take everything from you, even your worthless progeny. However, because I am a magnanimous woman, I will give you a week to come to the correct answer. And to help spur you in the right direction, Hallow here has a gift for you." She motioned for the Were to step forward. In her hand was a strange glowing rock. I refused to take it not knowing what it would do. The Were Hallow placed it on my desk.
"I do not need a week the answer is no now and it will be no then. Take your Were and her glowing rock and get out." I bellow.
"We will leave but next time I expect you to have a better answer. You never know what the wrong answer will do." She announces ominously as they leave. The dame glowing rock is still on my desk. I pick it up and crush it. How dare she come in here and demand that I give up my life to be her bitch boy. I am so furious that I need to do something. I speed down to the basement to find what is left of Compton and his maker. Both are missing limbs and other appendages. I take out my frustration of Sookie and Hunter's departure, our fight and Oklahoma's threats out on them. I spend hours eviscerating what is left of the two of them. When I am done, there is nothing left but a large smear of blood on the walls, ceiling and floor.
While some of my frustration is sated I feel at a loss in regards to Sookie. How can I fix things if she is not here to see me do so? I will just have to be ready for when she is home. I pause for a moment. I hope she still considers her home to be with me. I don't want to lose her. I don't think I can be the same person without her. In the few years I have known her, she has changed me in so many ways. I am more thoughtful in my actions most of the time. I have let my emotions come back to the surface. I have felt love for someone that is not part of my for lack of a better term family. That thought freezes me to the core. I love Sookie. I actually love her. Now all I have to do it prove it to her, when she returns.
I leave my car in favor of flying home. It is almost dawn when I make it back to the house. The sun's rays are just starting to brighten the horizon. I can't bring myself to rest in Sookie's room so I return to my own. I die for the day, fearing I have lost the one person on earth that could truly love me.
Claude's Point of View
I underestimated just how strong my cousins' sparks are. If a three year old can summon me from another realm, I really need to get him trained. Not to mention the fact that Sookie literally burnt herself out. I need to reevaluate what I teach them and how. Hopefully with her time here will help her. I know that Grandfather will want to see both of them when he learns they are in the realm. I am not foolish enough to think I can hide them from him, so instead of trying to secret them in and out I take them both strait to the palace.
I listen to Hunter's endless questions as he walks along side as I carry Sookie. "Claude why is it sunny? Why are the plants shiny? How come I don't see birds but I hear them? Why is that man having pointy teeth?" On and on, each question becoming more outlandish then the previous one. We are greeted at the gate by some of Grandfather's guards. They escort us to the throne room. The sparkle in Grandfather's eyes tells me he is beyond pleased. I only hope he will let me take them home.
"I see you have returned with some guests." Grandfather looks from Hunter to Sookie to me.
"Yes and she is need of the healing waters." I exclaim with urgency in my voice.
"By all means let's get her to the waters. Claudine can watch the boy." He motions to my sister who looks worried.
"NO! I want to stay with Mama Sookie!" Hunter screams at this declaration.
"Hunter I need you to do this for Mama Sookie. I am going to make her better but I need you to stay here with Claudine. She is my sister and is very nice." I tell him hoping he will stay put. The little guy hugs his kitten and bear to his chest and looks at me with pleading eyes.
"Please Mr. Claude I want to stay with Mama Sookie. I will be a good boy." He begs with a wobbling chin. I sigh.
"Bring the boy along Claude. It seems he knows what he wants. Claudine I want you to get a room ready for your cousin and the boy." Grandfather instructs walking over to Hunter and offering his hand. Hunter shakes his head looking down at his hands. Grandfather surprises me further by picking Hunter up and carrying him. As a strange processional we make our way to the healing waters. The waters in Faery are a magical thing, like the country side itself, magic permeates the ground and waters, even the air in our land. Grandfather and Hunter wait at the water's edge as I carefully submerge Sookie. I make sure to keep her head above water. As soon as her skin hits the water it starts to shine once more. It is more brilliant then all the suns in the universe. We are in the water for well over an hour. Then gradually the light is absorbed into her body. I know she is healed, once the light dims to a soft glow. It makes her look like a true faery. I once more lift her into my arms and carry her out of the water. We make our way back to the palace. I lay Sookie in the room Claudine has prepared for her. Hunter lies down in bed next to her still clutching his kitten and bear. I hope this was the right choice.
I leave them to sleep and follow Grandfather to his study. "Why does the boy call her Mama Sookie? I was under the impression she was untouched."
"She is his guardian in the human realm. His biological parents are not fit to raise such a magical boy. I think he calls her that because she is the most stable thing in his life right now. She is the closest thing to a loving parent he has ever had. I also know from watching them that she, is just as bestowed with him if not more so, then he is with her." I explain.
"You say the boy is magical too? How strong is his spark?"
"He is one of the strongest part fae children I have ever seen. He was able to summon me from here. I fear that without the proper tutoring he won't be able to control his magic. I don't know what all he can do yet but he will be mighty." I can see the cogs working in his head.
"Then I think I will be appointing you to be his tutor as well. He seems to be trusting of you. I also think this will be a good time for me to get to know my great-grandchildren. I think it would be prudent to see how Sookie interacts with those of the realm. In particular, I think her betrothed would be a good person to start with. While Sookie and Hunter are here we will have a ball for her. It will give her a chance to be introduced into our culture. Yes this is a wonderful thing." He says more to himself.
"I will take my leave now. Good evening to you Grandfather." Bow and make my exit.
Godric's Point of View
I am furious with Pamela. I knew she was selfish and spoiled, but I was not aware, she had become stupid as well. Her reckless behavior could have cost us our lives, and may have already cost Eric and me, Sookie. I think I may just donate all of her shoes to charity. I am sure that Goodwill or the Salvation Army could do great things with them. I think it would also be fitting for her to live off of nothing but synthetic for a month or maybe more. I will discuss all of this with Eric when he returns for the evening.
Thinking of Eric, I am also disappointed in Eric's reaction to Sookie leaving. I can feel his anger but I also can feel his anguish at the thought of losing her. I fear that she may not wish to come back with the way things have been going here. I honesty would not blame her if she chose to stay in the Faery realm. I lock myself into Sookie's room. Her scent permeates the air. I hope with all of my heart that she comes back to us. I don't know if I could find joy in life without her. In the short time that I have known her she has given me purpose and so much joy. I die for the day with hope in my non beating heart that she will return.
Sookie's Point of View
I wake up feeling better than I have in a very long time. I also notice I am in a room I have never seen before. The bed is huge and white. I see Hunter dozing next to me. The kitten is curled up on his chest and sleeping too. I wonder where we are, this room looks nothing like something I would find at Eric's house. For one it is way too bright in the room. I turn to see light pouring in through an amazing stained glass window. As I gaze at the window, I feel a little tug on my arm. Hunter is awake.
"Mama Sookie, are you all better? I was so scared. Mr. Claude took me to the woods, while you was a sleep and then you went into a bright light. Then Mr. Claude came back and took me in the light too. Then we came here and Mr. Claude talked to his grandpa and they took us to a lake the made you super bright but you didn't get wet. You and Mr. Claude was in the water a really long time. Mr. Claude's grandpa sat with me and the kitty while you was in the water. Then we came back here and you was still sleeping and I was tired so I slept too. But now I'm hungry Mama Sookie. Can we get some food? I didn't get to have nothing for dinner cause you got sick." Hunter blurted the information at me in rapid succession.
"Hunter did Claude tell you where we are?" I ask hoping he might be able to solve that one for me too.
"He told Mr. Godric and the yellow haired man he was going to take us to "Feary". I don't know why it has that name cause I was not scared at all. I was a good boy and stayed with you the whole time." He smiles at this. I smile back and do the only thing I can think of and wish for Claude to be here. He comes in with a soft pop.
"You are both awake. I was wondering when you would call on me."
