The Visions Chapter 38
The door to the limousine opened and Eric emerged first into the protected courtyard of the palace. After ensuring their safety, he reaching a hand into the vehicle to help Kara who was quickly followed by Pam and Godric.
"Her grace is expecting us" Eric said stiffly to the large guards now flanking their small party.
The guards did not respond but simply escorted them silently through the lavishly garish hallways to the pool room that Sophia Ann had created. Eric hoped that Nora would have the good sense to tone down the decorating in the palace at some point.
As they approached the pool room Eric made sure that he was directly in front of Godric so that Nora's view would be obstructed until her guards retreated. The guard to Eric's right paused at the closed gilded doors and knocked loudly. When they were called in the guard formally announced the Northman party was here as requested, bowed deeply to Nora and waited until he was officially excused.
When the doors closed behind the guards and only Nora's personal guards remained Eric finally spoke. "Thank you for seeing us this night".
"What was so urgent that it could not wait until after the coronation" Nora asked as she rose and moved closer to Eric.
Eric did not reply but simply stepped aside revealing Godric.
Eric watched Nora freeze mid step and her eyes widen in surprise. She hastily turned to her personal guards and dismissed them as well. When the solid doors closed behind them Nora turned back to her maker.
"How is this possible?" she stammered before remembering herself and falling to her knees in front of her maker.
"Rise child" Godric said gently as he reached out to stroke his youngest's hair.
"I felt you die" Nora said still in shock as she rose to face Godric. "You said he met the sun" Nora said accusingly to Eric.
"I did indeed meet the sun child" Godric said calmly. "I do not comprehend how I have returned but I am indeed here".
Eric watched the multitude of emotions cross his sister's face. First disbelief, then happiness and then a hint of fear.
Godric must have sensed or seen it as well because he reassured Nora that she had nothing to fear from him and he would support her monarchy any way he could.
"Thank you father" she whispered as she bowed her head slightly.
Nora took an unnecessary breath and turned to Eric. "Thank you for not springing this on me publically".
Eric nodded but said nothing.
"Now, tell me again who this is" Nora inquired of Kara.
"This is my human, Kara" Eric said simply.
Nora made no further comment and turned her attention to Pam who she just nodded at.
"If we are done here I have much to do. I will see you all tomorrow evening" Nora said in dismissal as she drew her cloak of authority back around her. "The guards will show you to your suite".
The vampires all quickly nodded to Nora and Eric was pleased to see Kara had never raised her eyes from the ground. He led her by the arm and she spun around to follow them out of the pool room and back into the gold leafed hallway. They were silent as they followed the guards down the long hallway, down a marble stairwell two flights and into a French themed suite with period pieces from prior to the French Revolution, portraits of French kings, and furniture so fragile looking that no one felt comfortable sitting down.
"Is there anything else you require?" the guard asked of Eric.
Eric spied their luggage already situated in a corner of the suite. "Please send some food up for the human".
The guard nodded and departed.
Eric moved his finger to his lips to alert Kara not to speak. Eric, Pam and Godric began sweeping the room for bugs. They were not ready to trust Nora with their deepest secrets and Eric rightfully assumed that she would not trust him fully either. Eric quickly found three bugs, Pam found two and Godric five. Eric motioned to their luggage and as Pam hung up the clothing in the large armoire she searched for further bugs finding yet another two.
"Come" Eric said to all as he led them into one of the cavernous bathrooms. The tub was a roman soaking tub that could have accommodated them all. Eric turned on the taps full blast and then sat on the side. The vampires quickly huddled around him and Kara followed suit.
"We must assume that we will be overheard" Eric said so quietly that Kara leaned forward to hear him. "Say nothing of importance while we are here".
The group nodded in agreement and quickly dispersed from the bathroom leaving Kara and Eric alone.
"I'm nervous" she whispered into his ear.
"Do not be" he reassured her. "We are just acting out of an abundance of caution. Our combined years make us weary even of friends".
"But Nora is your sister".
"She has been parted from us for centuries and although she is of Godric's blood, she has never been as compliant or reasonable".
"Then why did you push for her to be Queen?"
"It was the best option available to us" he reminded her.
"Why didn't she ask more of Godric?" Kara asked.
"Nora's coronation is quickly approaching. There was no time in her schedule to even see us briefly let along linger with us this night" Godric aswered.
Kara nodded but Eric could still see that her brow was wrinkled with worry.
"There is more troubling you" Eric said quietly.
"I'm afraid I'm going to say or do something wrong or I'll forget that I have to be so covert" she lamented.
"I am here to remind you. You have nothing to fear and again, we are acting out of an abundance of caution. I do not expect there to be any problems".
Kara looked at him skeptically. "It's only one night right?"
Eric pulled Kara into a hug and kissed her head. "Do not worry my beauty, all will be well".