AN: Sorry! I forgot to thank y'all for the reviews. They mean a lot! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
We went directly inside and found her in the living room, where Doug was sitting on the couch. His hands were resting nervously in his lap, and I could sense how uncomfortable he was. "Did you two have fun?" she asked, giving me a sly wink.
I would have flushed if I were human. "Great, thanks. It's beautiful," I told her, trying not to look at Doug.
"I've told Connee the situation, your Majesty, and—"
"Francesca, please. You're practically ..."
Both Eric and I shuffled our feet, a first for him. "She was reluctant, of course, but she is willing."
"Wait! I never said I was willing," I objected then looked at Doug. I forced my fangs back in, with a little yelp. "I don't blame you, Doug, for what you've done. After Daniel ... you were there because Eric asked you to watch over me. You didn't hurt either of us." Doug glanced at me quickly, still looking ashamed.
"Well, I didn't think you would, Connee. Why don't we start you off on meat, like you did when you first woke up?" Frannie suggested.
"I think I'd prefer that, if it's okay."
"Of course it is. Doug, you can stay in the middle bedroom on the right, by the bathroom. Make yourself at home."
"Thank you ma'am," he replied. The tone of his voice killed me. He really was hurting.
"Take him up, Eric, please. Connee and I will be up shortly." Eric shot her a curt look before he looked at Doug, waiting for him to stand. "Come, Connee," Frannie said.
"See ya in a bit, Eric," I told him.
He winked when he knew no one was looking before he escorted Doug upstairs as Frannie and I went into the kitchen. "I have some meat without any marinate."
"Okay," I said, sitting down at the dinette table. I got a glimpse of the clock. "It's four o'clock?"
"Yes. Are you sleepy yet?" she asked as she set the plate of meat in front of me and sat down.
"A little. I haven't had a lot of time to really—" I shut up, realizing I was implicating myself of what Eric and I were actually doing. Frannie gave no indication that she knew. I cut into the meat and chewed, surprised how good it tasted, although not as good as Eric's blood.
"Well," she started, sipping her synthetic blood from a solid glass, "My pilot will be ready at ten later tonight to take you, Eric and Doug home to Shreveport."
I almost choked on a bite. "What? Your pilot?" I asked, covering my mouth.
"The Quinceys had money, which was left to me when they passed on."
I nodded; what else could I do? "What happened to the woman, er, vampire that—" It never dawned on me that Eric hadn't told her about Dani practically raping him.
A flicker of shock crossed her face before it disappeared. "Doug's girlfriend, Dani. She's been drained."
"Oh, poor Doug."
"Yes, indeed." She shifted nervously as she watched me take more bites. "It is just astounding to me that you can eat that."
I swallowed the bite I had in my mouth. "Oh, geez, I'm sorry." I didn't mean to gross you out.
"Oh, I'm not grossed out," she said. My eyes flew open when she answered my thoughts. "Yes, I see Eric didn't tell you. I'm telepathic. I wished you were."
"Well, Sookie and I have, but she's the only one. I've not tried with anyone else, really."
"We can work on that," she prompted then took a sip.
"I can't read Eric. I wouldn't want to know what he was thinking anyway."
Shortly after I finished eating, Francesca grew suddenly serious. "Connee, do you think you'll ever be out here again?"
"I really hope so." I couldn't prevent a long, hard yawn.
"Go on up to bed, honey. They'll be closing up the house for the day. You will be safe." I nodded and stood up. "Have a good night."
"Thank you, Frannie. You, too." There was something more I wanted to tell her, but I couldn't bring myself to say it.
When I got up to the bedroom, Eric seemed to already be sleeping. I took off the sun dress and reached for the nightgown. "Nu, uh."
"Oh, you're awake."
"No, I'm talking in my sleep."
"Ah." Without putting on the nightgown, I slipped into bed with him, rested my head in the crook of his arm, and ran my fingers over the ridges in his chest. "Eric, thank you for being patient and understanding with me today."
"How much are you appreciative?" he said. I could hear the smirk on his face.
"I'm really appreciative, and I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you."
"Got it. Goodnight, my love."
I passed out with a smile on my face.
Eric and I got up shortly after sunset the following night to catch the Francesca's plane. It still boggled my mind she actually owned one. Good thing we didn't have anything to pack. Eric hadn't planned on staying longer than overnight, after having met with the queen, and I was kidnapped.
"Good morning, you two," Francesca greeted us as we entered the kitchen. I noticed Doug sitting at the dinette table, scooting the eggs around with his fork, his hand shaking. "Carter will take you to Leesburg airport; most small, private planes depart from there. You'll have just enough time to get something to eat. Do you want to try Doug?"
Do I want to try Doug? It was as if she was asking me to try chocolate mousse or some fancy cuisine. "I, um, well, couldn't you just take some of his blood and I can drink from a bag?" Eric chuckled under his breath, but I ignored him.
"Ms. Byers," Doug interrupted, "Dani has had my blood." He looked up at me embarrassed with pain in his eyes from mentioning her name. "I owe you something ..."
"No, you don't."
"Connee, there isn't enough time to draw his blood. Ya'll leave in an hour," Frannie said.
"Please," Doug pleaded.
I looked at Frannie then Eric. "Promise me you'll hold me back if I take too much?" Eric and Frannie both nodded.
"You might be more comfortable on the couch," Frannie suggested.
I sighed heavily, even though it wasn't necessary. "Fine, but I won't like it."
We settled down in the living room, Doug and I sitting on the couch with Frannie behind Doug and Eric beside me. Doug turned his neck to the side for me, but I reached for his hand.
"Connee, it'll be easier if you take from the carotid artery. The blood will flow much easier and you won't have to suck so hard."
"I can't," I told her. "It's too personal."
"It's alright, Your Majesty," Doug said. He lifted his arm to show the scars at the vein in the crook of his elbow from Dani's withdrawals. "Try this, if you'd like better."
"That'll be fine. I'm sorry, Doug." Taking his wrist, I closed my eyes so I wouldn't see what I was doing. My fangs extracted, and I placed my fangs on the blue lined vein. Then I bit down.
He groaned. "Quickly, pl ... ease," he begged. "It's less painful if you ... hmmphgh."
I'd dug into his flesh as he spoke and blood instantly filled my mouth. I sucked gently at first then hunger burst through me. I took more in, grasping onto his arm as I drank, swallowing and moaning at his taste. I don't know how much time had passed, but I eventually pulled back. Looking at the puncture marks I remembered earlier in the morning when Eric told me to lick his wound to heal it. Looking up at Doug's face, I lapped at his wrist a few times before I sat back.
The odd thing was it was completely quiet, except for Doug breathing heavily. I looked up at Eric, who was smiling. Then I looked at Frannie, and she, too, was smiling. "What is it?" I asked confused. "Did I take too much?"
Frannie shook her head. "Why did you stop?"
"I was full. Why?"
"James had to practically throw me across the room to stop draining my first human," Frannie said incredulously. "Doug, why don't you go get some juice to get your strength back." He left us alone.
"I don't see what the big deal is," I told them.
"It means you are strong. It's a very good start." She looked around nervously before she said, "Eric, if Connee wishes, will you allow her to visit me?"
"Why?" he asked suspiciously. I was thinking the same thing.
"I want to work with her to see what her abilities are."
She had a point, and I understood where she was coming from. "Frannie, I would love to come back. But not right away. There's still a lot I need to figure out."
"Of course," she said, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Can we keep in touch by email?"
I immediately smiled. "I would like that." I suddenly thought of Eric and what his thoughts were. He nodded but didn't look happy about it.
"Thank you, Eric. It was a pleasure meeting you. I wish they could have been under better circumstances. Well, let's get you off," Frannie said as she walked out.
A few minutes later we stood in the driveway saying our goodbyes. Eric took Frannie's hand and kissed the back of it gallantly. "It has been an honor to meet you, Queen. Thank you for your kindness."
"As it was mine, and you're welcome. I suppose a hug is in order?"
He grew stern. "No Ma'am." I couldn't help but laugh as Eric went to the waiting car, where Doug was already in.
Frannie shrugged her shoulders and laughed. "I tried."
"Frannie, I can't thank you enough for what you've done for us. I look forward to getting to know you better."
"As do I." I shuffled my feet nervously, not knowing what to do or what to say. "Get. The pilot isn't a patient man."
"Bye," I muttered.
"Take care," she said, her voice laden with sadness.
It felt like the car was twenty miles away, not twenty feet. The driver closed the door behind me as I sat next to Eric in the back of the sedan-limo. I turned and stared out the back window. Francesca was so beautiful, yet looked so torn and lost. The car shook when the driver got in, started the car and began to pull away. Her silhouette from the light of the house and the darkness before her made her look so small and fragile, yet bigger than life.
"Stop," I heard Eric say. I immediately turned to look at him, wiping the tear that had fallen from my eye. Eric squeezed my hand tightly. "Go," he said in my ear. I looked at him confused. "I feel you are hurting."
I threw open the door and ran to Francesca, tears then pouring from my eyes. She held out her arms and caught me. We held onto each other so tight, crying. "Oh, god, this sucks," I whimpered.
"We'll see each other soon," she said, trying to comfort me.
"I lost you once. I don't wanna lose you again." My body shuttered from my sobs.
She pulled me away, her hands on my cheeks. "Baby, you won't. We'll email every day, twice if you want," she added with a grin, but her voice cracked.
"Three times a day," I corrected, chuckling a little.
"You bet."
"Ahem," came a harsh voice from the car. It was Eric.
"Okay, okay," I responded huffily. "I'll call you when we get home."
"You'd better."
"One last hug." I choked again. She grabbed me and rocked me back and forth. "Bye ... Mom." That one word was so difficult to say, yet felt so natural.
She broke down in my arms. "Oh, my baby girl, you don't know how long I've waited to hear that. Now go."
Nodding, I ran back to the car to Eric, who helped me into the car. I fell into his arms, crying, but they were happy tears, something I didn't think he would understand. Yet a second later something wet soaked into my blouse. Maybe he did understand.