Chapter 28:
SPOV
***Flashback to when Sookie and Thalia discussed Niall***
Thalia was extremely surprised that I knew about her and Niall.
I had managed to elicit a response from probably the most stoic vampire in the world. It was kinda funny. I had always been waiting for Thalia would come clean, so to speak. It had taken almost 50 years, but that wasn't a big deal. As a vampire, I had an eternity.
Niall had told me shortly after I was turned; I had known the whole time – it was why I had trusted her in the first place. Because, if not for his interference, I would have never stayed with her for more than a couple of years.
Pam and I had discussed the need to move me overseas as soon as possible after my turning. She had hoped Thalia would become my mentor. But there was a chance she would say no – she had always preferred to keep to herself.
Plan B was… there wasn't much of a Plan B.
Pam wasn't a planner like Eric. She was much more reactive, letting things fall into place before calculating her moves. Both strategies had their own merit – both came with their own risks. To her credit, Pam had a sorta Plan B, but it involved her somehow getting Karin to agree to take me overseas and train me for a number of years.
Karin had never been my biggest fan. She wasn't Pam's either. I don't know why the hell Pam thought Plan B was viable, held any water at all. I was making my own plans, trying to think the way Eric would. I started studying Europe, readying myself to go it alone if need be.
Even if Thalia agreed to train me, I was ready to strike out on my own as soon as my training was complete. I would trust no one who was not my blood family – I could not be certain of anyone else's intentions, including Thalia's.
Niall had been less than forthcoming about why he was so eager to tie me to Thalia; he was fiercely guarding that secret. I did not trust him, and I never would. But he did share with me what Thalia had asked for in return, and, as a fairy, he was not able to tell a lie.
Fairies did not give favors lightly. She had one shot at it. And her ask had brought me to tears. She had such love for Eric, for me.
TPOV
"Your favor was for me." She said with bloody tears brimming in her eyes.
"Yes."
"Niall told me. Years ago."
"He has to do it. He cannot go against his word."
"I've waited this whole time to tell you 'Thank you'." She wrapped her arms around me. I tensed up at the contact, but made no moves to push her away. After a minute or so, I gingerly put one of my arms around her and lightly patted her back a couple of times. She sobbed bloody tears against my shoulder. I was definitely out of my element.
"You are welcome, little one. You must know."
"What?" She choked out through her tears.
"How much I love you and the Northman. You two will make it back to one another."
A/N: The bit in italics is from Chapter 23. This part picks up where Chapter 23 ended.
Still TPOV
***Flashback, in the days before Sookie's turning, Thalia's conversation with Niall***
He wanted something from the telepath, from Sookie. He claimed he was her kin. And he may have been – it had been widely known that she was part-fae and her lineage was not mine to question – but he still had a vested interest in her continued time on this earth, one he had not disclosed. I suspected that he intended to use her for something.
He assumed that he could use me to further whatever his cause was, that I was like other vampires.
But he was wrong.
Niall POV
I was not inclined to trade favors with a vampire, but it was imperative to my cause – pivotal – that Sookie survive for as long as possible. Vampires were reputed to be selfish, deplorable creatures. And my granddaughter was about to become one – I was going to have to find some sort of common ground. Work with a vampire who could guarantee her safety. Or lose her. Losing her was not an option.
Thalia's tutelage and companionship would ensure Sookie's continued existence. Thalia was touted as one of the strongest and most honorable vampires. I trusted that her word would be her bond. She was also renowned for being extremely private – her inclination to keep to herself would serve Sookie well in the coming years. Keeping her hidden was another integral part of the plan.
"I accept."
"Wonderful. Contact me once you are ready to ask for your favor."
"I am ready now."
She had not even taken time to think about it. Good, better to get this out of the way. This conversation was going according to my design. I had secured the vampire's pledge to protect Sookie and my obligation would be over quickly.
"You will do everything thing in your power to guarantee that the Northman and Sookie get to spend eternity with one another, get their happily ever after."
"That is the favor you ask?
"Yes."
"May I ask why?"
"No, fairy, you may not."
"Very well, it will be done."
Shit. I had expected anything but that. She had been completely selfless. Perhaps I had misjudged what vampires were capable of. It seemed she was quite the wildcard. And she knew she had bested me at my own game. I had to give it to her, it was a masterful move.
I slightly bowed, in deference to her, and was granted the rarest of responses in this world.
The vampire, Thalia, smiled at me.
