Chapter Twenty Nine
Games, Gifts and Glamour (Deviled Eggs Pt II)
A/n Rights to SVM belong to no infringement is intended.
*Sorry this has taken me so long I have been inundated with real life stuff…everyone wants a piece of me…Anywhooo, here it is! Enjoy! And many thanks to everyone who is still riding this crazy train ;)
SPOV
…..the other two women who entered behind her stepped up with Erzulie next to them. When they got closer I gasped at their appearance. This was going to be one Hell of a Baby Shower.
The taller of the two women stepped toward me with Erzulie at her side, "Sookie you remember Roana." Mentally she sent 'Roana, may I present Sookie, High Maiden of Lórien Galadrhim. Sookie, this is Roana Her Ladyship's emissary.' She looked to be in her late thirties, but I can only imagine her actual age. She appeared to be taller than Artanis by at least an inch or two. Her hair looked like a swirling crown of red flame. The pallor of her skin held a golden hue that almost glistened her eyes shone an intense blue, reminding me of the center of a flame. Tilting her head she gave a slight bow causing her flowing robes to swish catching the light and glistening like the fabric itself was spun from diamonds. She replied, "So good to see you again Sookie." Mentally she sent, 'It is an honor to finally meet you your Maidenship. Her Royal Ladyship sends her regards, but is unable to attend. She has sent me as her representative. Her Ladyship wants you to know that she is aware of your current situation and there are safeguards in place so do not fear.'
Okay, this is new. "Thank you for coming." I tried to block my thoughts as best I could, because my mind was spinning with questions that I knew would not get answered in present company. I gave a nod to Roana's companion. She stood about four foot eleven and possessed a stocky muscular frame, her garments were simple and a very intimidating axe strapped to her back barely covered by her mane of curly brown hair. Out of curiosity I peeked into the minds of my known human guests to see what they saw. To them my newest guest appeared to be a tall woman dressed in a white cardigan and khaki slacks and the other a shorter version dressed in a dark blue sundress. Interesting. Thalia walked in silently from the kitchen and took a spot near the fireplace.
"Well now that everyone has arrived let's begin!" Pam clapped her hands to get everyone's attention and the smile on her face made me cringe a little. Everyone found a spot on the semi circular arranged furniture. "We will begin with a game. It is called Baby Bingo," she passed out cardstock and pens with the Fangtasia logo on them I glanced at card and noticed that embossed at the top was a little baby head with fangs. I held my sigh as best I could and gave Amelia the stink eye when I heard her chuckle. "Alright so, as we open the gifts that Sookie has received you will mark the item on your card. The first one to achieve 'Bingo' wins. Any questions?" Art anis, Erzulie and Roana, and her battle axe wielding side kick looked absolutely confused, so I sent them a mental image of how the game of Bingo is played, and I received raised eyebrows from all. The other games we played weren't nearly as painful as I had envisioned and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Pam announced that it was time to open the gifts and I felt myself grow excited despite my best efforts. The items from my human guests were your typical baby shower gifts, a baby quilt and pack of onesies from Maxine, a pack of diapers and burp cloths from Tallulah Jane, a gift pack of baby toiletries from Charlaine, and a layette set from Tara. I was pleased at the absolute normalness of the whole thing aside from the fact that there are Vampires, Elves, Witches and an axe maiden in attendance. Pam handed me another box and I knew things were about to get weird. I could feel the magic reverberate (word of the day last Wednesday) around the box, and apparently Amelia felt it too because she perked up and actually managed to look interested. The box was golden and shone brightly leading me to believe that it was most likely indeed gold. The latch in front of the box was circular and open and for some reason I knew to place my thumb in it, there was a loud click and the box opened. I noticed my human guests staring intently and all their minds hummed a mile a minute. In the box sat what looked like a glass orb nestled in a pillow of rich purple velvet atop it sat an envelope with a wax seal. I recognized the seal immediately. Nial. I open the letter and the elegant scrawl on the heavy linen paper confirmed my suspicion.
Dearest Great Grand Daughter,
Though the portals to Fae are closed know that you are not alone.
Use this to call on me if you or the children need me.
Blessings,
NB
I held up the orb and all of the Elves in the room nodded in approval, Amelia let out a squeak and I knew that there was more to this than I could possibly imagine.
"Well, isn't that interesting?" Maxine quipped, and all of my guests of the human persuasion 'hmmmed' in unison. I think they felt the need to keep up the succession of 'oohs' and 'ahhs'. We all sat in silence and Pam spoke up, "Here you are Sookie this one is from me." She handed me a very chic looking box wrapped in lemon yellow paper with a multicolor pink and blue bow. I peeled of the wrapping gingerly and opened the box. Everyone 'awwed' when I pulled out the contents. Two white cashmere footie pajama sets, I rubbed one across my face it was by far the softest thing I had ever felt. Underneath lay two baby blue boxes and inside two Tiffany baby ID bracelets with 'Baby Northman' engraved on each. I shot Pam a raised brow, "Platinum." She winked.
"Oh Pam, these are beautiful, thank you!" Amelia handed me the next gift, a Fangtasia bag stapled at the top. "This one is from Thalia," Amelia gave a nod to the very sullen Vampiress in the corner. I popped the staples and opened the bag. The most elaborate quilt I have ever seen, I did not recognize the many of the symbols meticulously sewn into the silky fabric, but I recognized the symbol in the middle a crescent moon sewn against a piece of midnight blue velvet intertwined with a Sun sewn with golden thread on light blue silk the two pieces were linked by two stars. I knew exactly what this represented and I felt my eyes begin to sting with tears. "Oh Thalia, it's beautiful. Did you make this?" She gave a stiff nod.
"Thank you." I croaked.
"Welcome." Was her response, but I could see the slight turn in the corners of her mouth.
Amelia handed me another medium sized box, "That one's from me," Artanis beamed and I felt excited to see what was inside, I mean she seemed like a normal gal for an Elf. I opened the silvery box to find two child size sets of bow and arrow complete with two quivers of arrows. "For when the young ones are older, I will train them myself." I could tell from the reaction of the other two that this was quite an honor though in my opinion inappropriate, but I knew my Gran would spin in her grave if I did not appear gracious.
"Well thank you! Artanis this is very nice." I handed the box back to Amelia and glanced at the confused and uncomfortable faces of my human guests, tossing my shields into full force. Roana, Thalia and the axe Gal all nodded in approval.
"This one is from LinMai, she refused to come. She is superstitious, and at her age can you believe it?" Pam gave an eyeroll and handed me a black lacquered box embossed with mother of pearl in a delicate outdoor scene with flowers and cranes, I ran my hand across it marveling at the craftsmanship. It looked like it belonged in a museum. I opened the box and it contained two little sets of baby shoes, satin with very detailed embroidery in gold tones with leather soles. I had to remember to thank LinMai later.
"There is no label on this one," Pam held up a smallish box wrapped in bright red paper.
"It was delivered earlier today," Amelia gave a nod toward the box.
Pam made a slight face and handed it to me, "It has an odd smell." She mumbled as I took it in my lap.
…meanwhile in Las Vegas
"I told you not to underestimate her power. It is untapped, but there none the less." Albaid eyed her nails in boredom as she lounged in a plush chaise in DeCastro's office. "I told you to acquire her without alerting her Vampire and instead you entrust my request to that idiot minion of yours who hires WEREs, who attempt to abduct her in front of her Guardian no less. Tell me Felipe, better still explain to me why I should not just end you and continue this endeavor on my own? I do not need the girl; I want the seeds she carries. She is your desire not mine." She flicked her gaze to the visibly nervous Vampire seated behind the large mahogany desk.
Felipe knew that he needed to choose his words carefully; this creature was not one to be trifled with. He had entrusted Victor to see to the Telepaths capture and he had failed, and paid for his arrogance with his life.
"Empress, I assure you that is not necessary. There is no reason we cannot both obtain what we desire, I know that there have been a few…kinks in the initial plan. I assure you it will not happen again, the Telepath and her offspring will be obtained."
Albaid stood and moved to stand before the mahogany desk her white robes flowing an unseen smirk forming behind her golden mask, "Failure is no longer an option or concern." With that she turned and her form shimmered and disappeared. Felipe loosened the white knuckle grip he'd had on the edge of his desk a few splinters of wood falling to the plush carpet a bead of bloody perspiration fell from his temple and he dabbed it with his handkerchief. He sighed deeply not enjoying the feeling of powerlessness that the creature Albaid brought forth in him. She would be a means to an end, he needed the Telepath. She had conceived with Vampire, her womb would give him an heir. Mopping his brow he hit the intercom on his desk.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Lisa, send in my dinner."
"Yes, Sir."
Moments later a petite buxom blonde entered the room, his fangs descended and he was upon her.
….At the Baby Shower
Sookie took the box from Pam and opened it gasping at its contents. A beautiful egg encrusted with multicolored jewels inlaid with gold. She removed the lid entirely to lift it for everyone to see.
"Oh my what a beautiful Faberge Egg," Tellulah cooed.
Roana, Erzulie, and Artanis had been engaged in conversation and their attention immediately snapped to Sookie. Recognition tainting their smiling expressions, in unison they all exclaimed, "NO DON'T!" But it was too late Sookie touched the egg.
A/N- Okay this was a long chapter. There was a lot I wanted to accomplish and I hope it was fairly coherent. It is poorly edited as usual. There will not be such a long pause between chapters (fingers crossed) Thanks for reading! Please Review let me know you're still out there.
